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Background: The success of haemodialysis (HD) critically depends on the effective use of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). The precise needling technique is vital to minimise complications and ensure functional vascular access. Objective: This study assesses the effectiveness of a nursing consultation protocol, which integrates physical examination (PE) with Doppler Ultrasound (DUS), in preparing patients for the first AVF needling. Design/Participants: A cross‐sectional analysis at a Portuguese National Health Service Hospital engaged thirty new HD patients, four HD needling experienced nurses and one HD vascular access nurse. This study examines the accuracy of PE in assessing the matured AVF by the four nurses compared to a trained vascular access nurse encompassing systematic PE and DUS. Measurements: The primary data incorporated AVF characteristics derived from PE (inspection, palpation, and auscultation) and DUS findings (vein depth, diameter, and blood flow). A secondary focus was evaluating the change in nurses' perceived needling complexity following the nursing consultation. Results: The nursing consultation significantly enhanced the identification of crucial AVF features, such as accessory veins (p = 0.002), and improved the accuracy of AVF morphology assessments. This led to identifying longer needling tracks (p = 0.031) and a higher number of safe needling points (p = 0.016). Nurses reported a notable reduction in perceived complexity and potential adverse events following this method (p = 0.027). Conclusions: Integrating structured PE with DUS in a nursing consultation framework significantly improves the preparation for AVF needling. This approach enhances the efficiency and safety of AVF needling and boosts nurse confidence and patient care in HD settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Needled preform and its composite using felt and base cloth stacked needled have small fiber volume fraction and relatively weak mechanical properties, which are difficult to meet the service requirements of structural and functional integrated components of high‐speed aircraft. Responding to this issue, this paper proposed a new method for preparing high load‐bearing needled composite preform based on ordered short fiber network needling. The high load‐bearing needled preforms were prepared by designing different structural parameters of ordered short fiber network and forming process parameters, and then preform structure was characterized and mechanical properties were tested. The results showed that using ordered short fiber network as carrier of the short fibers, the formed needled fiber bundles were longer and denser, volume content of needled fiber bundles and mechanical properties of needled preform were greatly improved, and needled fiber bundles volume content of ordered short fiber network reinforced needled preform was 1.5 times and 46.3 times that of half‐cut cloth and felt respectively. Compared with traditional felt needled preform and half‐cut cloth needled preform, the interlaminar peeling strength of the ordered short fiber network reinforced needled preform increased by up to 246.4% and 49.2%, respectively. The tensile strength of ordered short fiber network reinforced needled preform was 12.9% higher than that of half‐cut cloth in X‐axis direction. In addition, the effects of ordered short fiber network structure, short fiber length, areal density and needling density on the needled preform structure and properties were also revealed. Highlights: High load‐bearing needled composite preform was prepared based on novel ordered short fiber network needling method.The needled fiber bundles formed by using ordered short fiber network were longer and denser, and their volume content was 46.3 times that of felt needled preform.The interlaminar peeling strength of the ordered short fiber network reinforced needled preform increased by up to 246.4%.The tensile strength of ordered short fiber network reinforced needled preform was 12.9% greater than half‐cut cloth in the X‐axis direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The needled/stitched dual‐scale interlocking structure is a new fabric structure. However, the effect of stitching on the interlaminar bonding behavior of needled composite has not been elucidated. In this work, the needled/tufted dual‐scale interlocking composite was prepared, and experimental and numerical simulation of Mode I interlaminar property was carried out. The influence of stitching on the interfacial bonding behavior of needled composite was revealed. Results showed that the implantation of tufted fibers greatly improved the Mode I interlaminar property of the needled composite. The maximum experimental load of double cantilever beam (DCB) was 129.32 N, which increased by 248.53% compared to needled composites. And GIC increased by 3 times. Moreover，within a certain range, with the increase of the length of the head of the tufted fiber bundle, the interlaminar performance of Mode I was effectively improved. The typical failure mode of needled/tufted dual‐scale interlocking composite were matrix cracking, brittle fracture of needled fiber bundles, pulled out and brittle fracture of tufted fiber bundles. Moreover, the Tri‐cohesive zone models (TCZMs) was proposed, and DCB simulation of needled/tufted dual‐scale interlocking composite was conducted. The simulation of load–displacement curves was well closed to the experiment. The error range was within 7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microneedling can accelerate skin repair through numerous complex processes triggered by micro‐injuries it produces on the skin surface with very thin needles. The current growth in the application of microneedling in the treatment of cutaneous diseases can be explained by its numerous effects on the skin as reported in the literature. Despite the numerous studies conducted on the application of microneedling in the treatment of skin lesions, its effects on pigmented skin lesions have remained relatively unexplored. The present review comprises an examination of the evidence for the application of microneedling in skin diseases in general and a comprehensive review of the applications of microneedling in pigmentation disorders. The review involved a search of all clinical studies, including trials, case reports, and case series, in the databases MEDLINE/PubMed and Google Scholar using the following keywords: "microneedling," "dermal needling," "percutaneous collagen induction," "skin needling," "dermaroller," and "dermatology disorder." Pertinent data were extracted from all relevant articles published from 1990 to April 2021, and focused on the application of microneedling in the treatment of pigmented skin lesions. Despite the limited number of available studies, evidence suggests the effectiveness and safety of microneedling in treating vitiligo, melasma, and periorbital hypermelanosis. It is noteworthy that the combination of any type of non‐aggressive needing technique with other effective therapies (especially topical agents and mesotherapy) yields more promising therapeutic results than single therapy for melasma, dark cycles, and vitiligo as the prototype of pigmentary disorders. However, single needling therapy is significantly effective, too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Favourable outcome after glaucoma surgery depends on proper control of the inflammatory response. Failing filtration bleb and consequently increased intraocular pressure is an important cause of continuous visual field deterioration after uncomplicated glaucoma surgery. The present systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to compare the effects of employing either Mitomycin C (MMC), 5‐Fluoruracil (5‐FU) or no anti‐metabolite in needling revision of trabeculectomies. Methods: We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Cochrane and EMBASE to identify randomized and non‐randomized trials published between year 2000 and March 2019 comparing the efficacy of needling filtering blebs when using no anti‐fibrotic agent, MMC or 5‐FU in patients with glaucoma. Efficacy was defined as intraocular pressure at 12 months or latest follow‐up, rate of complications, rates of success and the number of re‐needling cases. Comparisons were made using network meta‐analyses. Results: We identified one randomized trial and five retrospective trials. Twelve months after needling revision of trabeculectomy, no significant difference was observed when comparing the effect of the use of MMC with 5‐FU or without any use of anti‐metabolite on intraocular pressure, complication rates, qualified success, complete success or number of re‐needling cases. Conclusion: We found no significant difference in the efficacy of using either MMC, 5‐FU or no anti‐metabolite in needling revision of trabeculectomies. The number of studies meeting our inclusion criteria was limited. Considering the design of studies, only one was randomized leading to an overall low quality of evidence on the subject matter. Further research is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is widely characterized as the main reason of hair loss which most of the time it has been reported in adults regarding dermatological consultation. Also, it is broadly believed that the progressive miniaturization of hair follicles could be usually different at the age of onset. Aims: Over the last decade, detecting and understanding newer genetic basis in AGA lead to provide better therapeutic approaches. We have highlighted on an evidence‐based method to treat AGA whose incidence is increasing significantly in our country. Patients/Methods: In this study, 9 adults with AGA including 5 women and 4 men, age range of 25‐55 years, were treated with a combination of minoxidil (20%) by micro‐needling and carboxytherapy mediated by needling. All cases had a normal physical development. Hair numbers (density) and diameter were calculated using trichograms before and after treatment. Hair growth was assessed by the pull test as well. Results: Our results showed that combination of high concentration of minoxidil and carboxygas extremely can increase the level of hair growth. Conclusion: Our treatment effects on the terminal follicles using needling make sticky follicles become progressively smaller as a result of mechanical forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microneedling is a valuable tool that can be used in transdermal drug delivery in vitiligo patients to improve drug permeability and efficacy with minor side effects. Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of using microneedling prior to application of topical 5‐FU in treatment of localized vitiligo and to compare its results with microneedling alone. Methods: Twenty‐seven patients with localized stable vitiligo are chosen. Two patches are determined in every patient: patch A treated with needling alone and patch B treated with needling followed by topical application of 5‐fluorouracil once every 2 weeks for three months. Repigmentation was accessed by grades ranging from G0; no response to G4; >75% repigmentation. Side effects were reported in every visit. Results: Microneedling followed by topical application of 5‐fluorouracil showed better response than needling alone with minimal side effects. Conclusion: Combining microneedling with topical drug application yields better results in treating localized vitiligo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Multimodality therapies including minimally invasive modalities are increasingly used in atrophic scarring. Objective: To evaluate the role of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) as adjunctive therapy to a combined subcision and needling treatment in severe (grade 4) atrophic acne scarring. Methods: A total of 30 patients with grade 4 acne scars were randomly divided into two groups, 15 patients each: Group A underwent three sequential treatments of subcision and needling while Group B, three sequential treatments of subcision, needling, and topical application of PRP that were performed at 3‐week intervals. Scar grading was assessed 3 months following the final session. Participant's assessment of treatment response was registered. Results: Scar improvement ≥50% was reported significantly more often by Group B than Group A patients (P = 0.025). Regarding physician‐based assessment of scar grading post‐therapy (number of patients with two grades improvement vs one grade or no improvement), there was a trend toward more improvement in Group B (P = 0.195). Physician's evaluation of acne scar improvement correlated with the patient's assessment of improvement: 60% of Group A and 66.6% of Group B patients appreciated an improvement of 25%‐49% and 50%‐74%, respectively. Mean duration of postprocedure erythema/edema was shorter among Group B than Group A patients (16.1 vs 32.9 hours, respectively). Overall, substantial improvement was noticed in rolling and boxcar scars with only a mild change in icepick scars. Conclusion: Platelet‐rich plasma appears to add to the improvement of grade 4 atrophic acne scars when combined with needling and subcision. These findings require further evaluation by future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article reports on the works safeguard in 2016 to secure the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Takht‐e Soleyman in the province of West Azerbaijan in the northwest of Iran. The site includes a fire temple and dates back to the sixth century AD. The complex was transformed by the Ilkhanids in the 13th century with extensive repair and building measures. From the 15th century, the complex was abandoned and decayed. In the 1970s, the north wall of the Western Eivan was first secured with steel scaffolding. The Chair of Structural design at the TU Dresden undertook works in 2016 to stabilise the Western Eivan in collaboration with the Iranian cultural heritage organisation (ICHHTO) and with financial support from the cultural maintenance programme of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany. The preliminary investigations until now and the work to the structure planned for 2018 are described below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Im Februar 2009 kam es zu einem Teileinsturz der historischen Stadtmauer Hildburghausen auf einer Länge von ca. 10 m. Als Konsequenz aus dem Einsturz wurde die Sanierung eines erweiterten Areals beschlossen. Diese umfasste die statische Sicherung sowie die Steinrestaurierung der Mauerfassade eines ca. 100 m langen Abschnittes. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt die Mauerwerksrekonstruktionen im Bereich der Einsturzstellen sowie in weiteren akut einsturzgefährdeten Abschnitten vor. Nahezu das gesamte 5 m hohe Wandmauerwerk wurde mittels Erdverankerungen gegen Umkippen gesichert. Eine Besonderheit bildeten die abschließenden Arbeiten zur Wiederherstellung des eingestürzten Gewölbestollens. Rehabilitation of the lower historic town wall of Hildburghausen - Structural safeguarding and stone restoration. In February 2009 there was a partial collapse of 10 m length of the historic town wall Hildburghausen. As a consequence of the collapse the rehabilitation of an extended area was decided. This included the structural safeguarding and stone restoration of a 100 m long section of the wall façade. The paper describes the masonry reconstructions done in the collapsed area as well as in further sections that were in danger of collapsing. Almost the whole 5 m high wall was secured against tilting by means of soil anchoring. A special feature were the final works of recovering the collapsed tunnel vault. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]