Inspired by the high specific capacitances found using ultrathin films or nanoparticles of manganese oxides (MnOx), we have electrodeposited MnOx nanoparticles onto sheets of carbon nanotubes (CNT ...sheets). The resulting composites have high specific capacitances (Csp <= 1250 F/g), high charge/discharge rate capabilities, and excellent cyclic stability. Both the Csp and rate capabilities are controlled by the average size of the MnOx nanoparticles on the CNTs. They are independent of the number of layers of CNT sheets used to form an electrode. The high-performance composites result from a synergistic combination of large surface area and good electron-transport capabilities of the MnOx nanoparticles with the good conductivity of the CNT sheets. Such composites can be used as electrodes for lithium batteries and supercapacitors.
The interest in HER2-low breast cancer (BC) has increased in recent years with the development of novel anti-HER2 antibody–drug conjugates. Here, we investigated the clinical outcomes and relapse ...patterns of patients with HER2-low or -zero BCs in an Asian population.
We retrospectively identified HER2-low or -zero BC patients with stage I–III tumours who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and underwent curative surgery, between 2014 and 2018 at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
A total of 818 and 754 HER2-zero and HER2-low BC patients, respectively, were consecutively included in this analysis. The HER2-low group had more hormone receptor HR-positive patients (81% versus 56%, P < 0.001). The HER2-zero group had a higher proportion of patients who achieved pathological complete response (pCR) (14.7% versus 9.8%, P = 0.003); however, no significant differences of pCR rate by HER2 status were identified in the HR-positive (P = 0.4) and HR-negative groups (P = 0.3) when analysed separately. The HER2-low BC cases had higher 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates (P < 0.001 for OS; P = 0.002 for DFS); however, no differences were observed in terms of OS and DFS by HER2 status in the HR-positive group (P = 0.21 for OS and P = 0.66 for DFS).
Our current findings do not support that HER2-low BC had different biology and clinical features compared to HER2-zero BC in patients who treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. However, the prognostic impact of HER2-low status in BC remains controversial; thus warranting further research.
•The interest in HER2-low BC has been increasing in recent years.•HER2-low BC did not show better outcomes in the HR-positive and HR-negative subgroups.•The prognostic implications of HER2-low remain inconclusive.
Objectives
Increasing protein or amino acid intake has been promoted as a promising strategy to increase muscle mass and strength in elderly people, however, long-term intervention studies show ...inconsistent findings. Therefore, we aim to determine the impact of protein or amino acid supplementation compared to placebo on muscle mass and strength in older adults by combining the results from published trials in a metaanalysis and pooled individual participant data analysis.
Design
We searched Medline and Cochrane databases and performed a meta-analysis on eight available trials on the effect of protein or amino acid supplementation on muscle mass and strength in older adults. Furthermore, we pooled individual data of six of these randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials. The main outcomes were change in lean body mass and change in muscle strength for both the meta-analysis and the pooled analysis.
Results
The meta-analysis of eight studies (n=557) showed no significant positive effects of protein or amino acid supplementation on lean body mass (mean difference: 0.014 kg: 95% CI -0.152; 0.18), leg press strength (mean difference: 2.26 kg: 95% CI -0.56; 5.08), leg extension strength (mean difference: 0.75 kg: 95% CI: -1.96, 3.47) or handgrip strength (mean difference: -0.002 kg: 95% CI -0.182; 0.179). Likewise, the pooled analysis showed no significant difference between protein and placebo treatment on lean body mass (n=412: p=0.78), leg press strength (n=121: p=0.50), leg extension strength (n=121: p=0.16) and handgrip strength (n=318: p=0.37).
Conclusions
There is currently no evidence to suggest that protein or amino acid supplementation without concomitant nutritional or exercise interventions increases muscle mass or strength in predominantly healthy elderly people.
Primary spontaneous coronary artery rupture (SCAR) without any underlying condition is a rare disorder. The acute and often dramatic nature of hemopericardium with cardiac tamponade advocates ...immediate pericardial drainage or surgical intervention with timely recognition of coronary artery rupture. This is the first case report of primary SCAR successfully treated on a beating heart without cardiopulmonary bypass.
•Heating performance of the MWCNT sheet was investigated and characterized.•The thermal characteristics of the MWCNT sheet were highly depended on thickness of the sheets.•Temperature dependence of ...the MWCNT sheets was examined; although MWCNT has metal property, semiconductive temperature behavior was observed in the MWCNT sheet.
This paper presents carbon nanotubes (CNTs) used as transparent heaters, which offer great advantages in miniaturization, high efficiency, low power consumption, and rapid response. Previously proposed transparent single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) based heaters used to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) heaters were fabricated either by dielectrophoresis or the piece-wise alignment of read-out electronics around randomly dispersed CNTs. These methods require steps for purification, separation, and dispersion in a liquid or polymer in order to improve their electrical and optical properties. We studied a transparent film used for heating, fabricated by employing a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) sheet. The sheet was made from a super-aligned MWCNT forest; the heater was fabricated by direct coating onto a glass substrate. The characteristics of the MWCNT sheet, i.e. a high transmittance of ∼90% and a sheet resistance of ∼756Ω/sq, are comparable to previously reported SWCNT-based transparent films. These properties are directly applicable to applications such as window tinting and defrosters in production vehicles.
Abstract Introduction The incidence of periprosthetic fractures after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is increasing, and treatment is becoming more necessary. In periprosthetic tibial fractures, the ...stem of the tibial component largely occupies the medullary canal of the proximal tibia, which limits the selection of implants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique with locking plates for periprosthetic tibial fractures after TKA. Materials and methods Sixteen patients with periprosthetic tibial fracture after TKA were included. There were 6 type II and 10 type III fractures according to the Felix classification. Ten patients had fractures in the proximal metaphysis, and 6 in the diaphysis. MIPO using locking plates was performed on the medial side in 4 cases, the lateral side in 2 cases, and both in 10 cases. Radiographic results included time to union, alignment, and malunion. Clinical results included range of motion (ROM), functional activity data, Knee Society scores, and complications. Results Fourteen of 16 fractures achieved union at 17.1 weeks (range, 14–24) postoperatively. There were 2 failures that required a secondary procedure. Except one for 1 case with varus malunion, all had acceptable alignment. Mean ROM at the final follow-up was 108.8° (range, 15–135°), and 15 patients recovered pre-injury knee joint activity. Mean knee and function scores were 88.9 (range, 77–100) and 83.3 (range, 60–100), respectively. Knees with fewer than 8 cortices giving purchase to screws in the proximal segment showed higher failure rates ( P = 0.025). Discussion MIPO with locking plates can achieve satisfactory results for periprosthetic tibial fractures after TKA. Rigid fixation of the proximal segment may be necessary for successful outcome. Level of evidence IV.
Although gradual bone transport may permit the restoration of large-diameter bones, complications are common owing to the long duration of external fixation. In order to reduce such complications, a ...new technique of bone transport involving the use of an external fixator and a locking plate was devised for segmental tibial bone defects. A total of ten patients (nine men, one woman) with a mean age at operation of 40.4 years (16 to 64) underwent distraction osteogenesis with a locking plate to treat previously infected post-traumatic segmental tibial defects. The locking plate was fixed percutaneously to bridge proximal and distal segments, and was followed by external fixation. After docking, percutaneous screws were fixed at the transported segment through plate holes. At the same time, bone grafting was performed at the docking site with the external fixator removed. The mean defect size was 5.9 cm (3.8 to 9.3) and mean external fixation index was 13.4 days/cm (11.8 to 19.5). In all cases, primary union of the docking site and distraction callus was achieved, with an excellent bony result. There was no recurrence of deep infection or osteomyelitis, and with the exception of one patient with a pre-existing peroneal nerve injury, all achieved an excellent or good functional result. With short external fixation times and low complication rates, bone transport with a locking plate could be recommended for patients with segmental tibial defects.
Objective
Tracheostomy tube displacement may occur at any time in the course of patient management. Although an infrequent occurrence, such displacement is potentially serious. The purpose of this ...study was to evaluate the advantages and complications of the stay suture technique in tracheostomy.
Study Design
Prospective cohort study.
Methods
The SST involves the placement of sutures between the anterior tracheal wall and the skin in order to hasten the formation of a mature stoma. The study patients were divided into two groups. One group underwent tracheostomy with the SST (n =104), and the other group was treated with a conventional tracheostomy (n = 101). The postoperative complications for each group were then reviewed.
Results
The most common indication for tracheostomy was prolonged endotracheal intubation (79.3%), and the most common complication in each group was postoperative stoma infection. Unexpected decannulation occurred in three patients from the conventional tracheostomy group, causing death of the patients. However, the SST group did not show any occurrence of unexpected decannulation.
Conclusions
Unexpected decannulation was a fatal complication. Because this complication was not observed in any patients who underwent the SST, our study recommends use of this method as a countermeasure for unexpected decannulation.
Level of Evidence
4. Laryngoscope, 125:1356–1359, 2015
A great variety of software applications are now employed in the metabolic engineering field. These applications have been created to support a wide range of experimental and analysis techniques. ...Computational tools are utilized throughout the metabolic engineering workflow to extract and interpret relevant information from large data sets, to present complex models in a more manageable form, and to propose efficient network design strategies. In this review, we present a number of tools that can assist in modifying and understanding cellular metabolic networks. The review covers seven areas of relevance to metabolic engineers. These include metabolic reconstruction efforts, network visualization, nucleic acid and protein engineering, metabolic flux analysis, pathway prospecting, post-structural network analysis and culture optimization. The list of available tools is extensive and we can only highlight a small, representative portion of the tools from each area.
PDF
