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Transl Pediatr 2022 Jul;11(7):1274-1280

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.

Background: A squamous epithelial inclusion cyst in a lymph node is a rare heterotopic phenomenon. Heterotopic squamous inclusion cysts in cervical lymph nodes are even rarer, and to date, only 3 such cases have been reported in the literature, none of which have described the ultrasound features. Here, we report a pediatric case, focusing on the ultrasonographic manifestations of the disease and the differential diagnosis of cervical space-occupying lesions in children. Read More

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022 Aug 21;14(30):35255-35264. Epub 2022 Jul 21.

Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.

The performance of Al as nanoenergetic material in solid fuel propulsion or additive in liquid fuels is limited by the presence of the native oxide layer at the surface, which represents a significant weight fraction, does not contribute to heat release during oxidation, and acts as a diffusion barrier to Al oxidation. We develop an efficient technique in which the oxide layer is effectively turned into an energetic component via a reaction with fluorine that is coated in the form of a fluorocarbon nanofilm on the Al surface by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Perfluorodecalin vapors are introduced in a low-pressure plasma reactor to produce nanofilms on the surface of Al nanoparticles, whose thickness is controlled with nanolevel precision as demonstrated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images. Read More

Sci Rep 2022 Jul 13;12(1):11922. Epub 2022 Jul 13.

Department of Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

Humans efficiently recognize complex scenes by grouping multiple features and objects into ensembles. It has been suggested that ensemble processing does not require, or even impairs, conscious discrimination of individual element properties. The present study examined whether ensemble perception requires phenomenal awareness of elements. Read More

ACS Nano 2022 Jul 13. Epub 2022 Jul 13.

Materials Science and Engineering Program and Texas Materials Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, 204 East Dean Keeton Street, Austin, Texas 78712, United States.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials form heterostructures in both the lateral and vertical directions when two different materials are interfaced, but with totally different bonding mechanisms of covalent in-plane to van der Waal's layered interactions. Understanding how the competition between lateral and vertical forces influences the epitaxial growth is important for future materials development of complex mixed layered heterostructures. Here, we use atomic-resolution annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy to study the detailed atomic arrangements at mixed 2D heterostructure interfaces composed of two semiconductors with distinctly different crystal symmetry and elemental composition, PdSe:MoS, in order to understand the role of different chemical bonds on the resultant epitaxy. Read More

World Neurosurg 2022 Jul 5. Epub 2022 Jul 5.

Neurosurgery Department, American Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey; Neurosurgery Department, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address:

Objective: There are currently no standard criteria for evaluating the risk of recurrent disk herniation after surgical repair. This study investigated the predictive values of 5 presurgical imaging parameters: paraspinal muscle quality, annular tear size, Modic changes, modified Phirrmann disk degeneration grade, and presence of sacralization or fusion.

Methods: Between 2015 and 2018, 188 patients (89 female, 99 male, median age 50) receiving first corrective surgery for lumbar disk herniation were enrolled. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2022 ;2507:375-387

Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.

The development of styrene maleic acid (SMA) and diisobutylene maleic acid (DIBMA) copolymers provides an alternative to traditional detergent extraction of integral membrane proteins. By inserting into the membrane, these polymers can extract membrane proteins along with lipids in the form of native nanodiscs made by poly(styrene co-maleic anhydride) derivatives. Unlike detergent solubilization, where membrane proteins may lose annular lipids necessary for proper folding and stability, native nanodiscs allow for proteins to reside in the natural lipid environment. Read More

Micromachines (Basel) 2022 Jun 9;13(6). Epub 2022 Jun 9.

School of Electronic Information, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China.

Free-form microhemispherical shell resonators have the advantages of high quality factor and mass production. The shape of microhemispherical shells created via this process is based on a single mold and is difficult to adjust, which affects the resonant frequency and quality factor. In this paper, a process analysis model is established through in-depth analysis of the process mechanism and flow of the free-forming method. Read More

Transl Cancer Res 2022 May;11(5):1122-1140

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Background: Cancer therapy-related cardiotoxicity has recently become an area of intense research. As the prognostic role of the right ventricle (RV) in a variety of cardiovascular diseases has been confirmed, and several studies have paid increased attention to RV function in cancer patients who have underwent chemotherapy, we provide a meta-analysis to objectively evaluate the mechanical properties of the right ventricular myocardium by echocardiography in this population.

Methods: We systematically searched Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases were applied to search for studies (published before August 11, 2021) comparing RV contraction measured by echocardiography at baseline to follow-up in cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Read More

J Thorac Dis 2022 May;14(5):1401-1410

Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Background: Patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are eligible for balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA). However, the short-term effects of BPA on pulmonary hemodynamics and right ventricular (RV) function in patients with CTEPH have not been elucidated. In the current study, echocardiography was conducted to explore the short-term effects of BPA on inoperable CTEPH patients. Read More

Small 2022 Jun 9:e2202080. Epub 2022 Jun 9.

Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland.

The ability to tailor the properties of metal centers in single-atom heterogeneous catalysts depends on the availability of advanced approaches for characterization of their structure. Except for specific host materials with well-defined metal adsorption sites, determining the local atomic environment remains a crucial challenge, often relying heavily on simulations. This article reports an advanced analysis of platinum atoms stabilized on poly(triazine imide), a nanocrystalline form of carbon nitride. Read More

Adv Sci (Weinh) 2022 07 18;9(21):e2201056. Epub 2022 May 18.

Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117583, Singapore.

Current noncontact human-machine interfaces (HMIs) either suffer from high power consumption, complex signal processing circuits, and algorithms, or cannot support multidimensional interaction. Here, a minimalist, low-power, and multimodal noncontact interaction interface is realized by fusing the complementary information obtained from a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) humidity sensor and a triboelectric sensor. The humidity sensor composed of a two-port aluminum nitride (AlN) bulk wave resonator operating in its length extensional mode and a layer of graphene oxide (GO) film with uniform and controllable thickness, possesses an ultra-tiny form factor (200 × 400 µm ), high signal strength (Q = 1729. Read More

J Thorac Dis 2022 Apr;14(4):1157-1163

Department of Cardiology, People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.

Background: This study aimed to explore the effects of Kangdaxin oral liquid on myocardial fibrosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) rats.

Methods: A total of 30 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups Sham operation group (Sham), HFpEF group (HFpEF), and HFpEF with drug intervention group (HFpEF + I). Rats in HFpEF + I group were given Kangdaxin oral liquid at a dose of 2. Read More

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2022 May 1;79(5):698-710. Epub 2022 May 1.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.

Abstract: Different physical exercise modalities have been widely studied in patients having heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) but with variably reported findings. We, therefore, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate whether the efficacy of physical activity in the management of HFpEF is related to exercise modalities. PubMed and Embase were searched up to July 2021. Read More

Quant Imaging Med Surg 2022 May;12(5):2744-2754

Department of Radiology, Fuwai Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Background: The napkin-ring sign (NRS) was accepted as unstable plaques at coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). However, the incidence is relatively low. We sought to assess whether the newly defined diamond-attenuation-sign [DAS, defined as a qualitative plaque feature in a mixed plaque (MP) on CCTA cross-section images by the presence of two features: a visual calcification (in the shape of a diamond) accompanied by an annular-shape lower attenuation plaque tissue surrounding the lumen like a ring], could be accurately identified as unstable atherosclerotic plaques. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2022 Apr 7;22(8). Epub 2022 Apr 7.

School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China.

The capacitive pressure sensor based on thin film elastic deflection and a parallel plate capacitor uses a non-conductive elastic annular thin film centrally connected to a conductive, rigid, flat, concentric-circular thin plate as a pressure sensing unit. On application of pressure, the non-conductive thin film deflects elastically, which in turn moves the conductive thin plate (as a movable upper electrode plate of the parallel plate capacitor) towards the lower electrode plate, resulting in a change in the capacitance of the capacitor. Therefore, the applied pressure can be determined by measuring the capacitance change, based on the closed-form solution for the elastic behavior of the annular thin film under pressure. Read More

Micromachines (Basel) 2022 Apr 12;13(4). Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Solid-State Institute, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.

Micro-hotplates (MHPs) have become widely used basic structures in many micro sensors and actuators. Based on the analysis of the general heat transfer model, we propose a new MHP design based on a transversal composite dielectric layer, consisting of different heat transfer materials. Two general proven materials with different thermal conductivity, SiN and SiO, are chosen to form the composite dielectric layer. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2022 Apr 20;23:e936296. Epub 2022 Apr 20.

Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland.

BACKGROUND Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus (CCMA) is an uncommon form of mitral annular calcification and can be misdiagnosed as heart abscess, neoplasm, or other lesions occupying the atrioventricular groove. Data regarding imaging follow-up of patients with CCMA are limited. This report presents a case of CCMA with a 3-year imaging follow-up. Read More

Ann Transl Med 2022 Mar;10(6):280

Cardiovascular Surgical Department, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Background: Heart transplantation is now widely performed in China, but the current entry criteria for heart transplantation donors are simple and lack reliable standards; there are still no studies on the effect of preoperative echocardiographic parameters of heart transplantation donors on the prognosis of the recipient. Therefore, the aim of this study is twofold: (I) to observe the characteristics of changes in echocardiographic parameters of the donor's heart before and after heart transplantation and (II) to study the relationship between the changes in echocardiographic parameters of the donor's heart pre- and post-transplant and transplant recipient survival.

Methods: A total of 29 patients who underwent orthotopic heart transplant in our hospital from October 2016 to October 2019 were enrolled in this study. Read More

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022 Apr 13;14(16):19043-19055. Epub 2022 Apr 13.

Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Wear and Protection of Materials, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China.

Sliding contact experiments and first-principles calculations were performed to elucidate the roles of environmental molecules containing -OH functional groups on the friction behavior and structural evolution of hexagonal boron nitride (-BN). A significant decrease in the friction coefficient (COF) is established by the physisorption and dissociative adsorption of molecules containing -OH functional groups on -BN, compared with that in a H or N atmosphere. A key finding is the existence of two friction mechanisms to reconstruct the sliding interface for -BN crystallites in humid air and carbon contaminant (CHOH and CHOH) atmospheres, which is verified by the friction behavior and morphologies of the wear track. Read More

Materials (Basel) 2022 Mar 31;15(7). Epub 2022 Mar 31.

Valeo Matériaux de Friction, rue Barthélémy Thimonnier, 87020 Limoges, France.

Car clutch facings are complex fiber-reinforced composites. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the composite is one of the main thermal properties, which affects dry clutch engagement process due to heat associated with friction. In the case of clutch facing, which only exists in its final form as a non-planar annular disc, it is difficult to define an elementary representative volume. Read More

Radiol Case Rep 2022 Jun 5;17(6):1853-1857. Epub 2022 Apr 5.

Department of Radiology, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, 78234, USA.

VACTERL Syndrome affects multiple body systems and can include various anomalies of the Vertebral column, Anus and/or rectum, heart (Cardiac), Tracheo-Esophagus, kidneys (Renal), and Limbs. Patients with VACTERL syndrome are at increased risk of having a congenital duodenal obstruction that may be extrinsic in the form of an annular pancreas or intrinsic in the form of duodenal atresia, stenosis or web. Simultaneous presentation of both the annular pancreas and duodenal web is a rare clinical entity and typically presents in neonates. Read More

Nano Lett 2022 04 7;22(8):3289-3297. Epub 2022 Apr 7.

Materials Graduate Program, Texas Materials Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, 204 East Dean Keeton Street, Austin, Texas 78712, United States.

Monolayer PtSe holds great potential in extending 2D devices functionality, but their atomic-level-defect study is still limited. Here, we investigate the atomic structures of lattice imperfections from point to stretched 1D defects in 1T-PtSe monolayers, using annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF-STEM). We show Se vacancies (V) have preferential sites with high beam-induced mobility. Read More

J Hazard Mater 2022 Jun 10;432:128670. Epub 2022 Mar 10.

State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China. Electronic address:

Gaseous ammonia (NH) in the atmosphere is potentially harmful to both human health and the environment. The selective catalytic oxidation of NH (termed as NH-SCO) into N and HO is a promising method for decreasing NH emissions. A highly efficient catalyst is required for controlling NH emissions by this method in practice. Read More

Front Mol Neurosci 2021 24;14:802558. Epub 2022 Feb 24.

Clinical Research Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia.

Determination of the quantitative composition of phenotypically and morphologically different populations of resident microglia and infiltrating macrophages in spinal cord injury (SCI) of various degrees of severity could lead to much needed novel therapeutic interventions in neurotrauma. In this regard, we investigated the CD40 and TGF-β expressing populations of microglia/macrophages and their morphological states in a rat model of SCI of varying severity. We are the first to describe the annular-shaped microglia/macrophages, the morphology of which was formed due to the spatial orientation of the processes that form round or oval micro-territories, which include disintegrating myelin fibers. Read More

J Colloid Interface Sci 2022 Jun 28;616:872-885. Epub 2022 Feb 28.

School of Materials and science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Beijing institute of technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Beijing 100081, China.

Pharmaceuticals pollutions causes inevitable threat for both water environment and human health. However, both the selective and efficient accumulation together with degradation in real wastewater is still one of the major challenges which need further exploration. Here, we designed and synthesized MIL-100 based mesoporous carries supported surface molecularly imprinted polymers. Read More

Ultramicroscopy 2022 06 24;236:113475. Epub 2022 Feb 24.

Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia.

The sensitive coherent interference of electron waves arising from a specimen is useful for revealing subtle structural information in electron micrographs, which can be important for minimising dose and for rapid imaging. In general, dynamical diffraction is expected due to the useful strong interactions of electrons with matter, which can create phase contrast that violates the requisite Radon projection assumption for tomography. It is for these reasons that incoherent imaging modalities such as high angle annular dark field have been favoured to date in electron tomography of crystalline specimens, to access a monotonic relationship between specimen thickness and micrograph intensity. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2022 Feb 24;23:e935393. Epub 2022 Feb 24.

Department of Biological and Geographical Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND Annular epidermolytic ichthyosis is a rare form of epidermolytic ichthyosis caused by specific pathogenic variants of KRT1 and KRT10. Classically, it manifests at birth with variable degrees of erythroderma and superficial erosions, which subsequently improve with time. Later, it is characterized by a cyclic history of annular hyperkeratotic erythematous plaques over the trunk and proximal extremities, with or without palmoplantar keratoderma. Read More

Appl Opt 2022 Jan;61(3):A1-A9

The annular folded lens (AFL) is a design form offering large aperture, high-resolution imaging in a very axially compact package. The folded optic can be made monolithic for easier fabrication and alignment, yet the introduction of refractive surfaces with a dispersive optical material gives way to chromatic aberrations. AFL designs using homogeneous media are generally limited to the monochromatic regime, with polychromatic performance greatly reduced. Read More

Molecules 2022 Feb 8;27(3). Epub 2022 Feb 8.

School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, China.

β-cyclodextrin has a unique annular hollow ultrastructure that allows encapsulation of various poorly water-soluble drugs in the resulting cavity, thereby increasing drug stability. As a bioactive molecule, the metabolism of β-cyclodextrin is mainly completed by the flora in the colon, which can interact with API. In this study, understanding the in vivo fate of β-cyclodextrin, a LC-MS/MS method was developed to facilitate simultaneous quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical excipient β-cyclodextrin and API dextromethorphan hydrobromide. Read More

PLoS One 2022 4;17(2):e0263386. Epub 2022 Feb 4.

Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Division, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.

Background: Despite increasing attention in the cardiac anesthesiology literature, continuous measurement of right ventricular pressure using a pulmonary artery catheter has not been described in orthotopic liver transplantation, despite similarities in the anesthetic approach to the two populations. We describe our preliminary experience with this technique in orthotopic liver transplantation, and by combining various derived measures with trans-esophageal echocardiography, make some early observations regarding the response of these measures of right ventricular function during the procedure.

Methods: In this case series, ten patients (five men and five women) undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation in our institution had their surgeries performed while monitored with a pulmonary artery catheter with continuous right ventricular port transduction and trans-esophageal echocardiography. Read More