Search

Atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) is defined as excursion of the atrial septum exceeding 10 mm beyond the atrial septum into the right or left atrium, or a combined total excursion of 15 mm on the right and left sides during the cardiac cycle. According to previous studies, 20–40% of patent foramen ovale (PFO) cases are accompanied by ASAs. ASA is associated with the presence of PFO, left atrial dysfunction, cryptogenic stroke, migraine, and arterial embolism, thus making closure of PFO in patients with concomitant ASA necessary but challenging. The anatomy of ASAs associated with PFO has crucial effects on complications after the closure procedure; therefore, several factors must be considered. Herein, we review the clinical implications of concomitant PFO and ASA; discuss the complications occurring after the closure procedure; and provide practical guidance for the closure of concomitant PFO and ASA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherosclerosis (AS), an inflammatory disease characterized by lipid accumulation, has a high global incidence and mortality rate. Recently, nanotherapeutic approaches that target pathological sites and improve drug bioavailability and biocompatibility hold great promise for AS treatment. In this study, a biomimetic ROS-responsive hyaluronic acid–based nanomaterial was prepared for targeted anti-AS. Specifically, a safe ROS-responsive carrier based on hyaluronic acid (HSP) was prepared to load methotrexate (MTX), a drug known for its ability to enhance lipid excretion, resulting in the formation of MTX-loaded nanoparticles (MTXNPs). Furthermore, the macrophage membrane was coated on the surface of MTXNPs to obtain MM/MTXNPs. Both MTXNPs and MM/MTXNPs exhibited ROS responsiveness and demonstrated excellent biocompatibility. In vitro experiments revealed that MM/MTXNPs could evade macrophage phagocytosis and exhibited high uptake rates by inflamed endothelial cells. MM/MTXNPs also reduced lipid accumulation in foam cells. In vivo experiments showed that MM/MTXNPs exhibited superior accumulation at AS plaque sites, facilitated by the surface membrane layer containing integrin α4β1 and CD47, resulting in an enhanced therapeutic effect in inhibiting plaque development compared to free MTX and MTXNPs. Therefore, HSP represents a promising nanocarrier to load hydrophobic MTX, enabling effective and biocompatible enhancement of AS treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to a the flow of the plane flow field induced by the inner rod rotates and revolves in the cylinder, the Fluent software is used to numerically simulate the plane flow field of the eccentric annulus generated by the planetary motion of the rod string and based on the superposition principle. The velocity distribution and secondary flow of the two flow fields, as well as the fluid force on the inner rod are analyzed. The calculation results show that the flow field induced by the eccentric rotation of the inner rod and the self-rotation of the outer cylinder is quite different from the planetary motion of the inner rod. When rotation of the inner rod has the same direction with the revolution direction, the fluid velocity distribution near the wall of the inner rod is that the velocity on the narrow space side of the annulus is large, and on the wide space side is small. There is a critical value of eccentricity for secondary flow appears when the eccentricity is greater than this value. When rotation of the inner rod is contrary to the revolution, the fluid velocity distribution near the wall of the inner rod is that the velocity on the wide space side of the annulus is large, on the narrow space side is small. Different eccentricity has obvious secondary flow phenomenon where appears in a wide gap and close to the inner rod. When the inner rod revolves, there is a critical value of eccentricity, the inner rod is pushed outward by the fluid force when the eccentricity is less than this critical value. On the contrary, the inner rod is pushed inward. When rotation and revolution are reversed, the critical value of eccentricity increases, when the rotation and revolution are in the same direction, the critical value of eccentricity decreases.

Much research has acknowledged the importance of self-concept for adolescents' academic behaviour, motivation and aspiration, but little is known about the role of self-concept underpinning the motivation and aspiration of higher education students in a specialised field such as medical education. This article draws upon a programme of research undertaken over the past three years examining the psychosocial determinants of success in educating home-grown doctors for regional communities. Interviews conducted with Australian medical students found that self-concept is a dynamic and multidimensional phenomenon that emerges through social activity and plays a crucial role in shaping their motivation and aspirations. For these students in a specialised field in higher education, self-concept not only influences their study performance, but also forms part of their personal and career development. Because of the significant level of interaction between the self and the social environment, the development of self-concept through a holistic and systemic facilitation of essential psychosocial drivers of success is essential in higher education.

Cement stabilized clay (CSC) from dredged sediment or sludge is receiving increasing attention for its use as construction material. In this paper, seven CSC mixture samples were tested to investigate the effect of constituent proportion parameters and curing time (T) on strength characteristics. Results illustrate that clay-water/cement ratio (W/C) is significantly related to the unconfined compression strength ( q u ) of CSC. This relationship can be expressed by power function with a great degree of accuracy. After fitting and modeling the test data, two experiential formula models for the characterization of CSC strength are developed, which contain multiple parameters without other variable coefficients or parameters. Finally, methods derived from two experiential formulas to estimate the CSC strength under various parameter variables are proposed, and the prediction accuracy evaluation of derivation data and validation data are analyzed. Relationship of CSC strength and clay-water/cement ratio can be expressed by a power function. Strength coefficients are modeled with the moisture content of clay and the curing time. Prediction model are developed to estimate CSC strength under various parameters without variable coefficients. Estimation results correspond well with the actual measured strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]