Search

The interaction between fission gas Xe and grain boundaries (GBs) in polycrystalline UO2 nuclear fuel is intricate at elevated temperatures. Herein, molecular dynamics simulations were employed to investigate the structural characteristics and evolution of intergranular and intragranular Xe bubbles in UO2. The results indicate that temperature elevating will significantly disorder the atomic structure and geometry of Xe bubbles, as a result, the pressure of Xe bubbles is lowered with expanded volume. Especially, the intergranular Xe bubbles are more sensitive to temperature and, generally, they suffer the higher pressure with the smaller volume, as compared to those of the intragranular Xe bubbles. The higher the temperature, the faster the migration of GBs. Consequently, at the lower temperature, GBs migrate at a lower migration rate, so that Xe atoms have enough time to diffuse into GBs when Xe bubbles meet GBs, while only part of Xe atoms are diffused into GBs at the higher temperature, and the residual Xe atoms are left behind GBs, with the bubble morphology changing from cluster-shaped into short-rod like. The elevated temperature and the Xe atoms diffused into GBs could promote the migration of GBs. However, the residual Xe bubble hinders the migration of GBs. Interestingly, reordering of the disrupted atomic structure occurs in Σ5b STGB, which might alter the shear-coupling factor β value from negative to positive, leading to an opposite migration of GBs at 1200 K or higher. The results are of significant guidance to understanding on Xe bubble structure and GB migration.

Abstract Background Controversy exists regarding the origin of femoral torsion, and specific treatment rules regarding the optimal position of femoral osteotomy in patients with recurrent patellar subluxation and excessive femoral torsion are scarce. Purpose To establish a novel classification system for such patients, and to compare clinical and radiological outcomes after distal derotational femoral osteotomy (DDFO) between femoral torsion at proximal (neck and shaft) and distal levels. Methods Between January 2014 and June 2019, patients who underwent DDFO were retrospectively reviewed. The segmental torsion analysis was performed to establish a novel classification system, and classify included patients into two groups: 35 patients in proximal torsion group and 38 patients in distal torsion group. These patients were followed-up for at least 3 years. Clinical evaluations included functional outcomes, physical examinations, quality of life, activity level, satisfaction, and complications. Radiological outcomes included patellofemoral osteoarthritis, congruence, and alignment. Results Type I was defined as the proximal torsion. Type II was defined as the distal torsion. Proximal torsion group had lower postoperative femoral torsion (12.6 ± 2.6° vs. 14.8 ± 3.6°; P = .004) and higher surgical correction angle (21.6 ± 5.0° vs. 19.1 ± 3.0°; P = .009). All clinical and radiological outcomes improved significantly in both groups, but proximal torsion group had significantly higher quality of life (EQ-5D-5L: 0.96 ± 0.06 vs. 0.91 ± 0.07; P = .003. EQ-VAS: 92.0 ± 6.0 vs. 88.7 ± 5.8; P = .021) and Tegner activity score (5.2 ± 1.5 vs. 4.5 ± 1.4; P = .040), and fewer patellofemoral osteoarthritis (8.6% vs. 26.3%; P = .048). Two patients in the distal torsion group had subjective patellar instability. The percentage of patients with anterior knee pain was higher in the distal torsion group. Conclusion A novel classification system for patients with recurrent patellar subluxation and excessive femoral torsion based on segmental femoral torsion analysis was established. DDFO was more appropriate for patients with proximal torsion, yielding higher surgical correction angle, and better clinical and radiological outcomes. Study design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Background: Hip dislocation represents a significant complication encountered following hip arthroplasty procedures. In this investigation, we conducted a comparative analysis of the biomechanical characteristics exhibited by the piriformis and the conjoined tendon after total hip arthroplasty (THA) via the direct anterior approach (DAA), utilizing cadaveric specimens. The objective is to ascertain the relative significance of the piriformis muscle and the conjoined tendon in mitigating hip dislocation. Methods: A total of 16 hip joints from 8 freshly frozen cadavers were selected and stratified into 2 groups: the piriformis tendon (PT) group and the conjoined tendon (CT) group. Following THA via the DAA, measurements were taken to record the torque required to induce hip dislocation under various conditions. Torque readings were obtained with the tendon in its intact state (intact group) and after preservation or reconstruction of either the PT or the CT. Results: The torques of anterior and posterior dislocation in PT group were 22.24 ± 4.53 N.m and 30.7 ± 15.5 N.m following tendon severed, and 20.04 ± 2.67 N.m and 17.5 ± 6.7 N.m following reconstruction. There were no differences compared to the intact group. The torque decreased in the CT group after CT was severed with the torques dropping from 31.2 ± 7.6 N.m to 8.18 ± 2.6 N.m (P < .0001) for anterior dislocation, and from 34.9 ± 8.3 N.m to 9.8 ± 2.8 N.m (P < .0001) for posterior dislocation. Following reconstruction, the torque required for dislocation significantly increased (P < .0001). Conclusions: This study underscores the preeminent role of the CT in ensuring hip stability following THA via DAA, highlighting the cruciality of its preservation and reconstruction during surgical interventions.

Grain boundaries (GBs) play a crucial role on the structural stability and mechanical properties of Cu and its alloys. In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are employed to study the effects of Fe solutes on the formation energy, excess volume, dislocations and melting behaviors of GBs in CuFe alloys. It is illustrated that Fe solute affects the structural stability of Cu GBs substantially, the formation energy of GBs is reduced, but the thickness and melting point of GBs are increased, that is, the structural stability of Cu GBs is significantly improved owing to the Fe solutes. A strong scaling law exists between the formation energy, excess volume, thickness and melting point of GBs. Therefore, Fe solid solute plays an important role in the characteristics of GBs in bi-crystal Cu.

Abstract Background Proper lower limb alignment and soft tissue balance are significant indicators to measure the success of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Previous studies have confirmed that soft tissue relaxation around the knee after TKA will change over time; however, the relationship between lower limb alignment and soft tissue balance after TKA remains unclear. We studied (1) whether the change of soft tissue balance around the knee with time after posterior-stabilized (PS) TKA would affect the alignment of the lower limbs; (2) Whether the accuracy of lower limb alignment during PS TKA affects postoperative soft tissue remodeling. Methods In this study, 100 patients were recruited after PS TKA. Among them, 50 patients with a hip knee ankle (HKA) angle of ≤ ± 3° were set as the neutral group, and 50 patients with an HKA angle of > ± 3° were set as the deviation group. The imaging results measured the HKA angle before the operation as well as the HKA, varus, and valgus angles at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after TKA. Clinical assessment included range of motion (ROM), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Knee Society Score (KSS). Results Eight people were excluded from the study. After the exclusion, the study enrolled 47 patients in the neutral group and 45 patients in the deviant group and were followed for up to 2 years. There was no statistical significance in mean varus angles as well as HKA angle changes during the follow-up phase of each groups (P > 0.05). The mean valgus angles of the patients in the neutral group group were 2.47°, 3.45°, 3.63°, 3.60° and 3.63°, and in the deviation group were 2.45° (P = 0.841), 2.88° (P

Abstract Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease of the bones and joints that commonly affects middle-aged and elderly individuals, characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage and inflammation of the joints. The molecular mechanisms of OA urgently need to be further examined. Our study intended to uncover circ-NFKB1/miR-203a-5p/ERBB4 axis in regulating interleukin-1β (IL-1β) induced chondrocytes apoptosis. Methods GSE178724, GSE79258 and GSE169077 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omibus (GEO) database and differentially expressed circRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs were obtained by R software. Annexin V assay was used to determine cell apoptosis rate. ELISA was further performed to identify the inflammation response. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was conducted to examine the combination among circ-NFKB1, miR-203a-5p and ERBB4. Results Our research demonstrated that circ-NFKB1 and ERBB4 were significantly upregulated through bioinformatic analysis. MiR-203a-5p was significantly downregulated through bioinformatic analysis. Silencing of circ-NFKB1 notably inhibited the IL-1β induced chondrocytes apoptosis and upregulated ERBB4 expression. Through prediction on bioinformatics analysis, miR-203a-5p was the target binding circ-NFKB1, and ERBB4 was the potential target of miR-203a-5p. Subsequently, these changes induced by the silencing of circ-NFKB1 were reversed upon addition of pcDNA/ERBB4. Conclusions Silencing circ-NFKB1 could sponge miR-203a-5p to regulate ERBB4 expression and alleviate OA progression.

Abstract Background Patellar mobilization technique during total knee replacement (TKR) has been debated, with some suggesting that lateral retraction, rather than eversion, of the patella may be beneficial. This randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effects of patellar eversion on functional outcomes in TKR. Methods and analysis This single-center, prospective, randomized controlled test will be conducted in Jingjiang People's Hospital. Primary end-stage osteoarthritis patients that prepared for unilateral TKR were randomized to one of two patellar exposure techniques during the primary total knee arthroplasty: lateral retraction or eversion. The informed consent will be acquired in each patient. The primary outcome was operation time, length of hospital stay, and straight leg raising time. Second outcomes including Insall-Salvati ratio; range of motion at 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year following TKR; visual analog scale (VAS) at 1 month, 3 months; and Knee Society Score (KSS) score at 1 year following TKR. The significance level was defaulted as P < .05. Results Results will be published in relevant peer-reviewed journals. Conclusion Our study aims to systematically assess the functional outcomes of patellar eversion for TKR patients, which will provide clinical guidance for TKR patients.

Abstract Radioresistance was the main reason for local recurrence and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Tetrandrine is reported as an antitumor drug via inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In this study, the radiosensitization effects of maximum noncytotoxic doses of tetrandrine in nasopharyngeal carcinoma were analyzed both in vitro and in vivo, using MTT assay, western blot, TUNEL, and HE staining. It was found that the maximum dose of tetrandrine inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and MEK induced by irradiation, and significantly enhanced irradiation‐induced cell growth inhibition in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells CNE1, CNE2, and C666‐1. The ERK activator and overexpression of ERK reversed the radiosensitization effect of tetrandrine. About 50 mg/kg of tetrandrine which was used as the maximum noncytotoxic dose of tetrandrine in vivo, enhanced the radiosensitivity of the xenograft tumor and increased the apoptosis rate of the xenograft tumor cells caused by irradiation, while did not raise the side effect of the treatment. Moreover, tetrandrine increased autophagy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. These results suggested that the maximum noncytotoxic dose of tetrandrine sensitized nasopharyngeal carcinoma to irradiation by inhibiting MEK/ERK pathway and inducing autophagy.

Abstract Background The direct anterior approach for total hip arthroplasty (THA) has specific advantages, but injury to the tensor fasciae lata muscle (TFLM) remains a concern. This injury in part negates some of the advantages of the intermuscular approach, because injury of the muscle fibers of the TFLM can lead to less satisfactory clinical results. Thus, in this study, we propose an intraoperative method to protect the TFLM and demonstrate its feasibility. Methods Fifty-six patients undergoing THA by the direct anterior approach were divided randomly into two groups. In group A, the TFLM was protected by an autogenous tissue “pad” created from the anterior capsule of the joint which protect the TFLM from direct contact with the retractors. In group B, the operation was carried out with no protection of the TFLM except the attempt by the surgeons to consciously avoid injury of the TFLM. We evaluated magnitude of changes in the muscle cross-sectional area (MSCA) and fatty atrophy (FA) by magnetic resonance imaging. The differences in blood hemoglobin and serum levels of myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) were compared at different time, postoperatively. The Harris hip score, postoperative drainage volume and visual analogue scores (VAS) were compared between the two groups. Results LDH, CPK and myoglobin in group B were significantly higher than group A at 8, 24, and 48 h after the surgery. (p

In this article, I offer a critical analysis of a video artwork titled Lerne Deutsch in meiner Küche (Learn German in My Kitchen) (2020), created by Berlin-based queer filmmaker Popo Fan. By focusing on Fan’s negotiation of racial, ethnic, and cultural identities in the video, I argue that Fan’s artwork offers a way to reimagine identities away from the identity politics that are widely circulated in the current pandemic discourse. My analysis draws on José Esteban Muñoz’s (1999) notion of ‘disidentification,’ which describes minority subjects’ complex processes of identification—in particular, instances of identifying partially, conditionally and contingently—with dominant identities, discourses and ideologies. In doing so, I unravel the intricate politics of identity in the current global pandemic and highlight the role of queer disidentification as an important critical intervention in the current political debate about the COVID-19 pandemic.

The mucin gene, MUC5AC, is highly expressed both in chronic respiratory inflammatory diseases and inflammatory bowel disease where mucin secretion is regulated by members of the interleukin IL-20 subfamily. This study was conducted to determine the roles and mechanisms of IL-19, a member of the IL-20 subfamily, in regulating MUC5AC production in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). We analyzed the expression of mucin and MUC5AC in the nasal mucosa of patients with CRS through periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining and immunohistochemical examination. Real-time quantitative PCR, ELISA, confocal microscopy and western blotting were used to measure MUC5AC expression in primary human nasal epithelium cells (PHNECs) stimulated with recombinant human IL-19 (rhIL-19), IL-19 receptor siRNA transfection or a control. The involvement of the STAT3 signaling pathway was examined using cryptotanshinone (CRY, an inhibitor of STAT3). Mucin and MUC5AC were significantly increased in mucosa of CRS patients with/without nasal polyps compared to mucosa isolated from controls who had no CRS, but there were no significant differences between these two groups. Pretreatment with rhIL-19 up-regulated the expression of MUC5AC levels in PHNECs. Knockdown of IL-20R2 and pretreatment with CRY attenuated MUC5AC production induced by rhIL-19. We propose that IL-19 up-regulates MUC5AC-induced mucin production via the STAT3 pathway in CRS, highlighting the important role IL-19 may play in mucin production in chronic respiratory diseases.

This article examines different types of queer spaces in contemporary Shanghai together with the various same-sex subjects that inhabit these spaces. In doing so, it discusses the impact of transnational capitalism, the nation state and local histories on the construction of urban spaces and identities. Combining queer studies and urban ethnography, this article points to the increasing social inequalities hidden behind the notion of urban cosmopolitanism created by the deterritorializing and meanwhile territorializing forces of transnational capital and the state. It also sheds light on how these various identities and spaces are lived and experienced by ordinary people, as well as possible ways of resistance to the dominant narratives.

Leta Hong Fincher: Leftover Women: The Resurgence of Gender Inequality in China. Zed Books Ldt, 2014Engebretsen, Elisabeth L.: Queer Women in Urban China: An Ethnography. New York and London: Routledge, 2014Jung Chang: Empress Dowager Cixi. The concubine who launched modern China. Alfred A. Knops. New York, 2013Nancy Fraser: Fortunes of Feminism. From State-Managed Capitalism to Neoliberal Crisis, Verso. London – New York. 2013

Abstract Background Significant growth has been observed in the field of foot and ankle research in recent years. However, bibliometric studies concerning the quantity and quality of articles published in foot and ankle journals are scarce. This study aimed to reveal the characteristics of national productivity in the field of foot and ankle research and to provide a general picture of foot and ankle research for surgeons and researchers. Methods Web of Science was searched for foot and ankle articles in 4 highly cited journals from 2009 to 2013. The number of total articles and citations were collected to evaluate the contribution of different countries. Publication activity was adjusted for the countries by population size and gross domestic product (GDP). Results A total number of 2083 articles were published worldwide. North America, West Europe, Australia and East Asia were the most productive world regions. High income countries published 90.35% of articles, middle‐income 9.60%, and low‐income just 0.05%. The United States published the largest number of articles (1025/2083, 49.2%), followed by the United Kingdom (221/2083, 10.6%), Australia (92/2083, 4.4%), and had the highest total citations (3631). However, Canada had the highest average citations per article (5.0), followed by Australia (4.6) and Switzerland (4.2). There were positive correlations between the total number of publications and population/GDP (p