Hemicellulose and lignin were progressively removed from hemp fiber by hydrolysis. SEM, FTIR, XRD analysis and tensile properties evaluation on technical fibers were carried out to understand the ...structural and mechanical properties of hemp fibers. Significant influence of hemicellulose and lignin content on tensile properties was verified by ANOVA. The fiber tensile strength and initial modulus were decreased with the extensive removal of hemicellulose, along with a constant increasing of elongation at rupture. Torsion and expansion were observed in hemp fibers. It was suggested that the internal structure destruction and reorganization in the ultimate fiber cells was the main reason for the variation of mechanical properties when hemicellulose was gradually dissolved. On the other hand, fiber individualization was achieved by lignin removal and contributed to the elevation of fiber tensile properties. The elongation at break of the hemp fibers decreased slightly with the removal of lignin. NaClO
2
solution treatment affected the fiber cells slightly, but effectively changed the properties of the middle lamella jointing between the ultimate fiber cells. The mechanical properties of the hemp fiber were mainly decided by the shearing between single fibers caused by the plastic-like deformation of the middle lamella.
Background: Increased levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 14-3-3 proteins have been reported in acute bacterial meningitis. We tested the hypothesis that CSF 14-3-3 protein levels are substantially ...increased in acute bacterial meningitis and decreased after anti-microbial therapy, and that CSF 14-3-3 protein levels can predict treatment outcomes. Methods: We examined serial pan-CSF 14-3-3 (14-3-3-P) protein and five major isoform (β, γ, ε, η, ζ) levels in 29 adult community-acquired bacterial meningitis (ACABM) patients. The CSF 14-3-3 protein levels were also evaluated in 12 aseptic meningitis patients during the study period. Results: All of the meningitis patients had a positive result on admission. Levels of CSF 14-3-3 protein in ACABM cases were significantly increased initially, and substantially decreased thereafter. Most of those who survived (survivors = 25 and non-survivors = 4) had nearly cleared their 14-3-3 protein from the CSF before discharge. Conversely, patients who died never cleared their CSF 14-3-3 protein. The median value of CSF 14-3-3-P and 14-3-3 γ, 14-3-3 η and 14-3-3 ε isoforms on admission in the bacterial meningitis group were 173.7, 137.7, 42.2 and 9.1, respectively, which were statistically significant than those of the aseptic meningitis group (48.4, 39.6, 2.5 and 0, respectively). Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed only CSF 14-3-3 γ isoform on admission was independently associated with outcome (P = 0.05, OR = 0.991). Conclusions: Serial 14-3-3 protein γ isoform actually meets the major requirements for outcome prediction in the treatment of ACABM patients. Assay of the 14-3-3 protein γ isoform should be added as a neuro-pathologic marker among the panel of conventional CSF parameters.
Disordered GaN nanopillars of three different heights: 300, 550, and 720 nm are fabricated, and demonstrate broad angular and spectral antireflective characteristics, up to an incident angle of 60? ...and for the wavelength range of lambda=300-1800 nm. An algorithm based on a rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) method is developed to investigate the correlations between the reflective characteristics and the structural properties of the nanopillars. The broadband and omnidirectional antireflection arises mainly from the refractive-index gradient provided by nanopillars. Calculations show excellent agreement with the measured reflectivities for both s- and p- polarizations.
We demonstrate milling of partial antenna gaps and narrow conducting bridges with nanometer precision using a helium ion beam microscope. Single particle spectroscopy shows large shifts in the ...plasmonic mode spectrum of the milled antennas, associated with the transition from capacitive to conductive gap loading. A conducting bridge of nanometer height is found sufficient to shift the antenna from the capacitive to the conductive coupling regime, in agreement with circuit theory. Picosecond pump–probe spectroscopy reveals an enhanced nonlinear response for partially milled antennas, reaching an optimum value for an intermediate bridge height. Our results show that manipulation of the antenna load can be used to increase the nonlinear response of plasmonic antennas.
Aim To evaluate the incidence and associated factors of postoperative intense pain and haemodynamic changes during radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma. Materials and methods A total ...of 123 consecutive hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation were prospectively recruited. Patient factors, tumour characteristics, procedural factors, intraoperative haemodynamic changes, complications, postoperative events, laboratory values before and after ablation, and postoperative pain were evaluated. Postoperative pain was scored using a visual analogue scale after the procedure. Results The mean age of the patients was 65.6 ± 9.6 years. In multiple logistic regression analysis, patients who underwent general anaesthesia odds ratio (95% CI): 2.68 (1.23–5.81); p = 0.013 and had more postoperative nausea and vomiting episodes 3.10 (1.11–8.63); p = 0.036 were associated with intense pain. These findings remain robust after propensity score matching. For mean difference values between before and after RFA, higher in change in aspartate transaminase ( p = 0.026), alanine transaminase ( p = 0.016) and white blood cell count ( p = 0.015), and lower in change in haemoglobin ( p = 0.009) were also correlated with intense pain. There was no significant difference in haemodynamic changes between the general anaesthesia and local anaesthesia group during ablation. Conclusion General anaesthesia, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and laboratory factors were associated with postoperative intense pain in patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation. Counselling and modification of analgesics should be considered in patients with related factors for intense pain.
Non-mammalian vertebrates have an intrinsically photosensitive iris and thus a local pupillary light reflex (PLR). In contrast, it is thought that the PLR in mammals generally requires neuronal ...circuitry connecting the eye and the brain. Here we report that an intrinsic component of the PLR is in fact widespread in nocturnal and crepuscular mammals. In mouse, this intrinsic PLR requires the visual pigment melanopsin; it also requires PLCβ4, a vertebrate homologue of the Drosophila NorpA phospholipase C which mediates rhabdomeric phototransduction. The Plcb4(-/-) genotype, in addition to removing the intrinsic PLR, also essentially eliminates the intrinsic light response of the M1 subtype of melanopsin-expressing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (M1-ipRGCs), which are by far the most photosensitive ipRGC subtype and also have the largest response to light. Ablating in mouse the expression of both TRPC6 and TRPC7, members of the TRP channel superfamily, also essentially eliminated the M1-ipRGC light response but the intrinsic PLR was not affected. Thus, melanopsin signalling exists in both iris and retina, involving a PLCβ4-mediated pathway that nonetheless diverges in the two locations.
A simple one-step hydrothermal method for large-scale synthesis of ultralong single-crystalline Bi2S3 nanowires was reported, and the nanowires were comprehensively characterized. The diameters of ...the nanowires are about 60 nm, and their lengths range from tens of microns to several millimeters. The structure of the nanowires was determined to be of the orthorhombic phase, the growth direction was along 001, and the growth mechanism was investigated based on extensive high-resolution transmission electron microscopy observations. Optical absorption experiments revealed that the Bi2S3 nanowires are narrow-band semiconductors with a band gap E g ≈ 1.33 eV. Electrical transport measurements on individual nanowires gave a resistivity of about 1.2 Ω cm and an emission current of 3.5 μA at a bias field of 35 V/μm. This current corresponds to a current density of about 105 A/cm2, which makes the Bi2S3 nanowire a potential candidate for applications in field-emission electronic devices.
Abstract Background Tacrolimus (Tac) in combination with mycophenolate mofetil is widely used after heart transplantation (HT). Everolimus (EVR), a new potent proliferation signal inhibitor can be ...used with a carcineurin inhibitor to reduce the occurrence of rejection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tac combined with EVR in de novo HT. Materials and methods From January 2009 to April 2011, 33/62 patients who underwent HT were prescribed Tac and EVR as de novo immunosuppression. The main exclusion criteria were poor kidney function (serum creatinine > 2.8 mg/dL), panel-reactive antibodies > 25%, donors > 60 years old, or cold ischemia time > 6 hours. All patients received Tac (C0 blood level 5–10 ng/mL during the first 6 months, then 3–5 ng/mL), EVR (C0 target 3–8 ng/mL), and corticosteroids. After transplantation, routine examinations included echocardiogram and protocol endomyocardial biopsy. Results There was no operative mortality. The 1- and 3-year actuarial survivals were 95.74% ± 3.49%. One patient who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting previously and received intra-aortic balloon pumping and extracorporeal membrane oxygenator-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation before HT died of Aspergillus septicemia 58 days after HT. No biopsy-proven acute rejection > grade 2R or acute rejection associated with hemodynamic compromise was observed. Hyperlipemia was noted in 16 cases (48.5%), hypertension in 11 (33.3% 5%), and diabetes mellitus in 12 (36.4%). No other severe adverse events were noted. Conclusions Concentration-controlled EVR (C0 target 3–8 ng/mL) in combination with Tac achieved good efficacy and safety. The 1- and 3-year actuarial survivals were 95.74% ± 3.49%.
Additive manufacturing (AM) is an orderly construction process involving track-by-track melt pools, which can modulate three characteristic zones between two adjacent melt pools: the heat-affected ...zone, transition zone, and cellular grain zone. These three zones constitute a function domain that determines the properties of AM metallic materials. In this study, we constructed a novel ordered function domain by AM of modified Ni
50.6
Ti
49.4
shape memory alloy powder, which was produced by adding uniform Ni nanoparticles into atomised Ni
49.6
Ti
50.4
powder. Interestingly, the three zones of the function domain had the same B2 austenite matrix but inhomogeneous Ni
4
Ti
3
clusters and Ti
2
Ni nanoprecipitates, which caused different compressive recovery and residual strains in the three zones. The synergetic effect of the three zones generated a stable recovery strain and small hysteresis area in the AMed Ni
50.6
Ti
49.4
. Our results provide a novel strategy for modulating the microstructure of NiTi by AM to yield superior properties.
Purpose
To define the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and pharmacokinetics (PK) of PEP02, a novel liposome-encapsulated irinotecan, in patients with advanced refractory ...solid tumors.
Methods
Patients were enrolled in cohorts of one to three to receive escalating dose of PEP02 in a phase I trial. PEP02, from 60 to 180 mg/m
2
, was given as a 90-min intravenous infusion, every 3 weeks.
Results
A total of 11 patients were enrolled into three dose levels: 60 (one patient), 120 (six patients) and 180 mg/m
2
(four patients). DLT was observed in three patients, one at 120 mg/m
2
(grade 3 catheter-related infection) and two at 180 mg/m
2
(grade 4 neutropenia lasting for >3 days in one, grade 4 hematological toxicities and grade 4 diarrhea in the other). MTD was determined as 120 mg/m
2
. Comparing with those after free-form irinotecan in the literature, the dose-normalized PK of SN-38 (the active metabolite) after PEP02 was characterized by lower
C
max
, prolonged terminal half-life and higher AUC but with significant inter-individual variation. One patient who died of treatment-related toxicity had significantly higher
C
max
and AUC levels of SN-38 than those of the other three patients at 180 mg/m
2
. Post hoc pharmacogenetic study showed that the patient had a combined heterozygosity genotype of
UGT1A1*6/*28
. Two patients had objective tumor response.
Conclusions
PEP02 apparently modified the PK parameters of irinotecan and SN-38 by liposome encapsulation. The MTD of PEP02 monotherapy at 3-week interval is 120 mg/m
2
, which will be the recommended dose for future studies.
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