Cobalt sulfide (CoS x ) functioned as a co-catalyst to accelerate the kinetics of photogenerated electrons on Si photocathode, leading to the enhancement of solar hydrogen evolution efficiency. By ...doping phosphorus heteroatoms, CoS x materials showed an improved catalytic activity because of superior surface area and quantity of active sites. Furthermore, increased vacancies in unoccupied electronic states were observed, as more phosphorus atoms doped into CoS x co-catalysts. Although these vacant sites improved the capability to accept photoinduced electrons from Si photoabsorber, chemisorption energy of atomic hydrogen on catalysts was the dominant factor affecting in photoelectrochemical performance. We suggested that P-doped CoS x with appropriate doping quantities showed thermoneutral hydrogen adsorption. Excess phosphorus dopants in CoS x contributed to excessively strong adsorption with H atoms, causing the poor consecutive desorption ability of photocatalytic reaction. The optimal P-doped CoS x -decorated Si photocathode showed a photocurrent of −20.6 mA cm–2 at 0 V. Moreover, a TiO2 thin film was deposited on the Si photocathode as a passivation layer for improving the durability. The current density of 10 nm TiO2-modified photocathode remained at approximately −13.3 mA cm–2 after 1 h of chronoamperometry.
Constant-amplitude (CA) sequences are desirable to construct training waveforms in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems in order to achieve accurate channel estimation and robust ...initial time and frequency synchronization. However, widely adopted CA pseudorandom-noise and Zadoff-Chu sequences suffer from large power spectral sidelobes and thus render low spectral compactness in OFDM training waveforms. This arouses the design of new CA sequences to provide compact spectrum. In this paper, new CA sequences of length <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">N</tex-math></inline-formula> are developed in explicit sequence expressions for all composite sequence lengths and all prime sequence lengths larger than 11 under all parametric conditions, and shown to provide higher spectral compactness than existing CA sequences.
The incidence and characteristics of iatrogenic comminution (IC) are unknown, and the influence of IC on fracture union is unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the (1) incidence and ...characteristics of IC and (2) the outcomes of IC following antegrade interlocking nailing of simple femoral shaft fractures.
We retrospectively collected data on patients who experienced simple femoral shaft fractures and underwent antegrade interlocking nailing between February 2009 and December 2016. The incidence and characteristics of IC were examined. According to the presence of IC, patients were divided into two groups: an IC group and a non-IC (NIC) group. Demographic information and nonunion rates were compared between the two groups. Potential risk factors for IC (age, gender, body mass index (BMI), nail fit ratio, reduction technique, and greater trochanter nail entry) were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The aforementioned variables, along with IC occurrence, were also assessed as potential risk factors for nonunion at 12 and 24 months after operation using multivariate logistic regression.
Of the 211 total patients, IC occurred in 20.9% (n = 44) of patients. Most ICs were found at the level of the isthmus, and involved the medial cortex. Compared with the NIC group, higher nonunion rates were observed in the IC group at 12 months (31.8% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.002) and 24 months (18% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.017) after surgery. Age older than 35 years old was related with the occurrence of IC in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis found no risk factor associated with IC. Open reduction technique, IC occurrence and higher BMI were identified as the risk factors of nonunion at 12 months and 24 months after surgery in multivariate analysis.
IC is a non-rare complication in antegrade interlocking nailing of simple femoral shaft fractures and was associated with higher nonunion rate. Age older than 35 years old showed a trend toward increasing risk of iatrogenic fracture comminution. In multivariate analysis, open reduction technique, IC occurrence and higher BMI significantly correlated with fracture nonunion.
Level IV.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Algae biorefinery is gaining much attention for the sustainable production of value-added products (e.g., biofuels, protein supplements etc.) globally. The current study aimed to investigate the ...relationship between lipid production and bacteria growth by an initial microalgae Chlorella vulgaris density culture in seafood wastewater effluent (SWE). According to our results, the initial C. vulgaris concentration in SWE influenced lipid accumulation. The concentration ranged from 25–35 mg·L−1 which corresponds to SWE’s chemical oxygen demand concentration of 365.67 ± 3.45 mg·L−1. A higher microalgae growth rate and lipid content of 32.15 ± 1.45% was successfully attained. A higher lipid content, approximately double, was observed when compared to the control (16.8 ± 0.5%). Moreover, this study demonstrates that bacteria inhibited microalgae growth as the initial cell density stepped over 35 mg·L−1, which also affected lipid accumulation. This study shows an optimal lipid accumulation attained at moderate Chlorella vulgaris density culture in SWE. Hence, wastewater treatment incorporating microalgae culture could be greatly developed in the future to achieve a greener environment.
Cadmium (Cd), one of well-known highly toxic environmental and industrial pollutants, causes a number of adverse health effects and diseases in humans. The growing epidemiological studies have ...suggested a possible link between Cd exposure and diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the toxicological effects and underlying mechanisms of Cd-induced pancreatic β-cell injury are still unknown. In this study, we found that Cd significantly decreased cell viability, and increased sub-G1 hypodiploid cells and annexin V-Cy3 binding in pancreatic β-cell-derived RIN-m5F cells. Cd also increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and malondialdehyde (MDA) production and induced mitochondrial dysfunction (the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the increase of cytosolic cytochrome c release), the decreased Bcl-2 expression, increased p53 expression, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, and caspase cascades, which accompanied with intracellular Cd accumulation. Pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) effectively reversed these Cd-induced events. Furthermore, exposure to Cd induced the phosphorylations of c-jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2, and p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which was prevented by NAC. Additionally, the specific JNK inhibitor SP600125 or JNK-specific small interference RNA (si-RNA) transfection suppressed Cd-induced β-cell apoptosis and related signals, but not ERK1/2 and p38-MAPK inhibitors (PD98059 and SB203580) did not. However, the JNK inhibitor or JNK-specific si-RNA did not suppress ROS generation in Cd-treated cells. These results indicate that Cd induces pancreatic β-cell death via an oxidative stress downstream-mediated JNK activation-triggered mitochondria-regulated apoptotic pathway.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Long-term poor glycemic control negatively affects macrovascular and microvascular diseases, as well as wound restoration. Buckwheat is a good source of rutin (quercetin-3-O-rutoside) and has ...benefits in regulating blood sugar. This study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of rutin on wound healing in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats. Eighteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal (NDM), hyperglycemic (DM), and hyperglycemic with rutin (DMR). After induction of hyperglycemia for 2 days, a 15 × 15 mm wound was induced on the back of each rat. Intraperitoneal injection of rutin significantly ameliorated diabetes-induced body weight loss and improved metabolic dysfunctions of hyperglycemic rats. Based on appearance and histopathological staining, rutin promotes wound healing and inhibits production of inflammatory cells. The immunoblotting data indicated that rutin promotes production of antioxidant enzymes induced by nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), inhibits the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) regulated by NF-κB, and decreases the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It also promotes the expression of neurogenic-related protein (UCH-L1). The aforementioned results indicated that rutin reduces oxidative stress and inflammatory response in hyperglycemic rats, promoting wound healing and subsequently reducing the risk of wound ulcers.
Dermal fibroblasts exhibit considerable heterogeneity during homeostasis and in response to injury. Defining lineage origins of reparative fibroblasts and regulatory programs that drive fibrosis or, ...conversely, promote regeneration will be essential for improving healing outcomes. Using complementary fate-mapping approaches, we show that hair follicle mesenchymal progenitors make limited contributions to wound repair. In contrast, extrafollicular progenitors marked by the quiescence-associated factor Hic1 generated the bulk of reparative fibroblasts and exhibited functional divergence, mediating regeneration in the center of the wound neodermis and scar formation in the periphery. Single-cell RNA-seq revealed unique transcriptional, regulatory, and epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk signatures that enabled mesenchymal competence for regeneration. Integration with scATAC-seq highlighted changes in chromatin accessibility within regeneration-associated loci. Finally, pharmacological modulation of RUNX1 and retinoic acid signaling or genetic deletion of Hic1 within wound-activated fibroblasts was sufficient to modulate healing outcomes, suggesting that reparative fibroblasts have latent but modifiable regenerative capacity.
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•Hair follicle (HF) dermal stem cells make minor contributions to skin and HF neogenesis•Extrafollicular Hic1+ progenitors regenerate injured dermis and populate neogenic HFs•Distinct transcriptional and epigenetic changes mediate fibroblast heterogeneity•Runx1, retinoic acid, and Hic1 control mesenchymal regenerative competence
Abbasi et al. show that interfollicular (but not hair follicle-associated) mesenchymal progenitors generate the bulk of reparative fibroblasts in skin wounds. Wound microenvironments remodel the regulatory landscape of recruited fibroblasts, resulting in regeneration centrally and scar-formation peripherally. Pharmacogenetic modulation of regeneration-associated regulators within wound-activated fibroblasts modifies healing outcomes.
To compare the anterior translation and internal rotation of tibia on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between adult and adolescent patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.
Patients who ...underwent isolated ACL reconstruction from January 2013 to May 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. The exclusion criteria included incomplete data, poor image quality, a prior ACL surgery, and concomitant fractures or other ligament injuries. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups based on their ages: an adult group (age > 19 years) and an adolescent group (15 to 19 years of age). Anterior tibial translation and femorotibial rotation were measured on MRI. A Student's t-test was used for the statistical analysis comparing the adult and adolescent groups.
A total of 365 patients (279 adults and 86 adolescents) were enrolled in the present study. The anterior tibial translation in the adult group (4.8 ± 4.4 mm) and the adolescent group (5.0 ± 4.2 mm) was not significantly different (p = 0.740). On the other hand, the tibial internal rotation in the adult group (5.6 ± 5.0 degree) was significantly greater compared to the adolescent group (4.2 ± 5.6 degree) (p = 0.030). The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) of the measured data from two independent observers showed excellent reliability (0.964 and 0.961 for anterior tibial translation and tibial internal rotation, respectively).
The adult patients with ACL tears exhibited significant greater tibial internal rotation compared to the adolescent patients, whereas the magnitude of the anterior tibial translation was similar in both groups. Care should be taken if clinicians plan to establish the cutoff point values for diagnosis of ACL tears using the femorotibial internal rotation angle.
With an increase in the elderly population, the occurrence of hip fractures, femoral neck fractures, and intertrochanteric fractures (ITFs) is also increasing. It is important to establish effective ...perioperative methods that would help reduce the morbidity and mortality rates associated with ITFs. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of ITFs according to the AO classification for perioperative hemoglobin drop.
Seventy-six patients with ITFs classified as AO 31-A1 or A2 and fixated with intramedullary nails participated in this retrospective cohort study. Medical records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed from September 2016 to August 2018. The perioperative hemoglobin drop was chosen as the main outcome measure and calculated as the difference between pre- and postoperative hemoglobin levels. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed and included the following variables: AO classification (A1.1-A2.1 stable vs. A2.2-A2.3 unstable), time interval between injury and surgery, age, body mass index, and the use of anticoagulants.
Among the 76 patients who met the inclusion criteria, a significantly higher hemoglobin drop was observed in the AO 31 A2.2-A2.3 (unstable) group than in the AO 31 A1.1-A2.1 (stable) group (p = 0.04). The multivariate analysis also showed a greater hemoglobin drop in the unstable group (p < 0.05).
Patients with unstable ITFs exhibited a greater hemoglobin drop and a hidden blood loss was suspected around the fracture site. We believe that this should be taken into consideration when presurgical blood transfusion is being planned for patients with unstable ITFs, to reduce associated postoperative complications, especially in patients with severe anemia or high risk of mortality.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Purpose
This study aimed to comprehensively review the existing evidence concerning surgical treatment of inferior pole fractures of the patella and to report the outcomes and complications of ...different fixation techniques.
Method
This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were conducted in March 2023. Studies were screened against predecided inclusion and exclusion criteria. The extracted data included fracture characteristics, surgical techniques, and radiographic and functional outcomes. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) quality assessment tool was used to assess the eligible literature. The primary outcome was postoperative range of motion of different surgical methods, and the secondary outcomes were other clinical results and complications.
Results
A total of 42 studies satisfied all the inclusion criteria and were deemed suitable for review. Fourteen case–control studies and 28 case series were selected, for a total of 1382 patients with a mean age of 51.0 years (range = 11–90). The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 300 months. The surgical techniques were categorized based on the device used as follows: (1) rigid fixation device; (2) tensile fixation device; (3) mixed device; and (4) extra-patella device.
Conclusion
Regarding the outcomes following surgical treatment of inferior pole fractures of the patella, the postoperative range of motion (ROM) of each technique ranged from 120° to 135°, with the exception of that involving the patellotibial wire which had poorer outcomes. The lowest functional score was also found in those using the patellotibial wire. Complications after surgery are rare, but approximately half of the patients required additional surgery for implant removal, particularly those whose initial surgery involved rigid fixation devices. It's worth noting that bony fragment excision is no longer recommended, and the combined use of multiple surgical devices is now more common.