Recent advancements in printed circuit board (PCB) assembly and IC packaging technology demand high resolution for ultra-fine pitch components (<0.3mm and <60 microm respectively), high throughput ...and compatibility with flexible substrates. These challenges are poorly met by the conventional deposition techniques (i.e. stencil printing), thus the need for a digital and high-resolution deposition technology is essential. In this context, Laser-Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT) can offer an excellent alternative: it is fully compatible with a wide variety of materials, it is environmentally friendly and offers versatile control over the printed volume with high throughput. In this work, a novel process for LIFT printing lead-free, jettable solder paste (powder size 15-25 microm) is reported. A side-view imaging configuration is employed by coupling a LIFT setup with a high-speed camera for the real-time visualization of the ejection process. The experimental data from the captured videos are analyzed to determine morphological aspects. Transfers are achieved with diameters ranging from 50 to 150 microm and printed volumes down to sub-nl. The fabrication of patterns, such as lines, on the PCB pads has been accomplished by scanning the laser beam over the donor surface (with 1 m/s scanning speed), creating consecutive jets which form overlapping droplets. Keywords: solder paste printing, laser-induced forward transfer, digital printing, chip bonding, microelectronics
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is and continues to be the preferred revascularization strategy in patients with multivessel disease. Graft selection has been shown to influence the outcomes ...following CABG. During the last almost 60 years saphenous vein grafts (SVG) together with the internal mammary artery have become the standard of care for patients undergoing CABG surgery. While there is little doubt about the benefits, the patency rates are constantly under debate. Despite its acknowledged limitations in terms of long-term patency due to intimal hyperplasia, the saphenous vein is still the most often used graft. Although reendothelialization occurs early postoperatively, the process of intimal hyperplasia remains irreversible. This is due in part to the persistence of high shear forces, the chronic localized inflammatory response, and the partial dysfunctionality of the regenerated endothelium. "No-Touch" harvesting techniques, specific storage solutions, pressure controlled graft flushing and external stenting are important and established methods aiming to overcome the process of intimal hyperplasia at different time levels. Still despite the known evidence these methods are not standard everywhere. The use of arterial grafts is another strategy to address the inferior SVG patency rates and to perform CABG with total arterial revascularization. Composite grafting, pharmacological agents as well as latest minimal invasive techniques aim in the same direction. To give guide and set standards all graft related topics for CABG are presented in this expert opinion document on graft treatment.
Extensive use of synthetic pesticides for agricultural and nonagricultural purposes began in the past 50 years. As a result of their wide and extensive application, exposure to hazardous pesticides ...is a concern to the general population and occupationally exposed persons. Robust methods are therefore needed for measuring markers of pesticide exposure. This article presents a review of the most recently published analytical methodologies and instrumentations developed for and applied to biological monitoring of exposure to pesticides of various classes. Most of the methods reviewed here are based on chromatography combined with mass spectrometry detection. This work clearly demonstrates that although gas chromatography still appears to be the most widely employed technique for pesticide analysis in various biological samples, recently a trend has been observed toward the use of liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.
Abstract
Aims
Cord blood-derived endothelial colony-forming cells (CB-ECFCs) are a defined progenitor population with established roles in vascular homeostasis and angiogenesis, which possess low ...immunogenicity and high potential for allogeneic therapy and are highly sensitive to regulation by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study was to define the precise role of the major ROS-producing enzyme, NOX4 NADPH oxidase, in CB-ECFC vasoreparative function.
Methods and results
In vitro CB-ECFC migration (scratch-wound assay) and tubulogenesis (tube length, branch number) was enhanced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced superoxide in a NOX-dependent manner. CB-ECFCs highly-expressed NOX4, which was further induced by PMA, whilst NOX4 siRNA and plasmid overexpression reduced and potentiated in vitro function, respectively. Increased ROS generation in NOX4-overexpressing CB-ECFCs (DCF fluorescence, flow cytometry) was specifically reduced by superoxide dismutase, highlighting induction of ROS-specific signalling. Laser Doppler imaging of mouse ischaemic hindlimbs at 7 days indicated that NOX4-knockdown CB-ECFCs inhibited blood flow recovery, which was enhanced by NOX4-overexpressing CB-ECFCs. Tissue analysis at 14 days revealed consistent alterations in vascular density (lectin expression) and eNOS protein despite clearance of injected CB-ECFCs, suggesting NOX4-mediated modulation of host tissue. Indeed, proteome array analysis indicated that NOX4-knockdown CB-ECFCs largely suppressed tissue angiogenesis, whilst NOX4-overexpressing CB-ECFCs up-regulated a number of pro-angiogenic factors specifically-linked with eNOS signalling, in parallel with equivalent modulation of NOX-dependent ROS generation, suggesting that CB-ECFC NOX4 signalling may promote host vascular repair.
Conclusion
Taken together, these findings indicate a key role for NOX4 in CB-ECFCs, thereby highlighting its potential as a target for enhancing their reparative function through therapeutic priming to support creation of a pro-reparative microenvironment and effective post-ischaemic revascularization.
The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQL) is a valid tool, which can measure the degree that a chronic condition and its treatment, can affect patients' quality of life (QOL).
A ...cross-sectional study was implemented at three hemodialysis units. One hundred fifteen patients were included in the study and 107 participated (response rate 93 %). The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the Missoula-VITAS Quality of Life Index (MVQOLI-25) were utilized for the data collection.
Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that increased number of coexisting diseases was associated with increased total score ≥24 on GHQ-28 odds ratio: 1.35, 95 % confidence intervals (CI): 1.03-1.77, p =0.03. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that increased age was associated with an increased score on somatic symptoms subscale (coefficient beta: 1.01, 95 % CI: 1.00-1.03, p =0.007). Increased number of coexisting diseases was associated with an increased score on anxiety/insomnia subscale (coefficient beta: 1.17, 95 % CI: 1.06-1.29, p =0.003). Moreover, increased educational level was associated with decreased score on social dysfunction subscale (coefficient beta: -0.89, 95 % CI: -1.62 to -0.096, p =0.028) and decreased score on severe depression subscale (coefficient beta: -1.14, 95 % CI: -2.03 to -0.26, p =0.012). Patients with fistula/graft had a higher score on MVQOLI-25 than patients with a central venous catheter (coefficient beta: 2.31, 95 % CI: 0.43-4.19, p =0.017).
Comorbidities, educational level and vascular access were the most important findings regarding to their impact on patients' HRQL. HIPPOKRATIA 2017, 21(4): 163-168.
The leading cause of death worldwide and a significant factor in decreased quality of life are the cardiovascular diseases. Endovascular operations like angioplasty, stent placement, or atherectomy ...are often used in vascular surgery to either dilate a narrowed blood artery or remove a blockage. As an alternative, a vascular transplant may be utilised to replace or bypass a dysfunctional or blocked blood vessel. Despite the advancements in endovascular surgery and its popularisation over the past few decades, vascular bypass grafting remains prevalent and is considered the best option for patients in need of long-term revascularisation treatments. Consequently, the demand for synthetic vascular grafts composed of biocompatible materials persists. To address this need, biodegradable clopidogrel (CLOP)-loaded vascular grafts have been fabricated using the digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technique. A mixture of polylactic acid-polyurethane acrylate (PLA-PUA), low molecular weight polycaprolactone (L-PCL), and CLOP was used to achieve the required mechanical and biological properties for vascular grafts. The 3D printing technology provides precise detail in terms of shape and size, which lead to the fabrication of customised vascular grafts. The fabricated vascular grafts were fully characterised using different techniques, and finally, the drug release was evaluated. Results suggested that the performed 3D-printed small-diameter vascular grafts containing the highest CLOP cargo (20% w/w) were able to provide a sustained drug release for up to 27 days. Furthermore, all the CLOP-loaded 3D-printed materials resulted in a substantial reduction of the platelet deposition across their surface compared to the blank materials containing no drug. Haemolysis percentage for all the 3D-printed samples was lower than 5%. Moreover, 3D-printed materials were able to provide a supportive environment for cellular attachment, viability, and growth. A substantial increase in cell growth was detected between the blank and drug-loaded grafts.
Graphical Abstract
Abstract
The exact incidence of small bowel obstruction (SBO) due to congenital adhesions remains unclear. Herein, we report a 59-year-old male who appeared in the emergency department with diffuse ...abdominal pain associated with vomiting. The patient reported no previous medical or surgical history. Clinical examination revealed a soft, distended abdomen and diffuse tenderness. Computed tomography indicated a close loop obstruction. A congenital band extending from mesentery to ileum and causing an internal hernia was identified via a midline incision. The band was ligated and divided. There is no difference in the clinical presentation, and the initial work-up of SBO on account of congenital adhesions was compared to other bowel obstruction causes. Surgical exploration is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of congenital adhesions. Although laparotomy is considered the cornerstone of surgical management, laparoscopy has emerged as a feasible and safe alternative for the diagnosis and treatment of these congenital bands.
The purpose of the study was to evaluate brain myelination by measuring the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and to measure grey (GMV) and white matter volume (WMV) in macrocephalic children with ...neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Seven NF1 patients (aged 0.65-16.67 years) and seven age- and gender-matched controls were studied. A three-dimensional (3D) gradient echo sequence with and without magnetization transfer (MT) prepulse was used for MTR assessment. Volume measurements of GM and WM were performed by applying segmentation techniques on T2-weighted turbo spin echo images (T2WI). MTR of unidentified bright objects (UBOs) on T2WI in cerebellar white matter (52.8+/-3.3), cerebral peduncles (48.5+/-1.5), hippocampus (52.6+/-1.1), internal capsule (55.7+/-0.3), globus pallidus (52.7+/-3.9), and periventricular white matter (52.6+/-1.2) was lower than in the corresponding areas of controls (64.6+/-2.5, 60.8+/-1.3, 56.4+/-0.9, 64.7+/-1.9, 59.2+/-2.3, 63.6+/-1.7, respectively; p<0.05). MTR of normal-appearing brain tissue in patients was not significantly different than in controls. Surface area (mm(2)) of the corpus callosum (809.1+/-62.8), GMV (cm(3)) (850.7+/-42.9), and white matter volume (WMV) (cm(3)) (785.1+/-85.2) were greater in patients than in controls (652.5+/-52.6 mm(2), 611.2+/-92.1 cm(3), 622.5+/-108.7 cm(3), respectively; p<0.05). To conclude, macrocephaly in NF1 patients is related to increased GMV and WMV and corpus callosum enlargement. MTR of UBOs is lower than that of normal brain tissue.
PDF
