Explore the vast range of titles available.

The objective of this study was to investigate the plasma pharmacokinetic profiles, intratumoral concentration and tissue distribution of arsenic trioxide (ATO) by drug-eluting beads (DEB)-transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) compared with conventional TACE (cTACE) in a rabbit liver tumor model. Sixty-four rabbits with VX2 liver tumor were established and randomly assigned to four groups equally. The calliSpheres microspheres (CSM)-ATO group received DEB-TACE treatment using ATO-loaded CSM; the cTACE-ATO group received cTACE treatment using ATO mixed with lipiodol; the CSM-normal control (NC) group received DEB-TACE treatment using blank CSM; the TAE-lipiodol group received cTACE treatment using saline mixed with lipiodol. ATO concentration in plasma, tumor and normal tissues, and liver and kidney function indexes were evaluated. The CSM-ATO group exhibited lower plasma ATO concentrations at 10 minutes and 20 minutes post treatment compared with the cTACE-ATO group. Meanwhile, intratumoral ATO concentrations were higher in the CSM-ATO group compared with the cTACE-ATO group at 3-, 7- and 14-days post treatment. In normal liver tissue, heart and muscle tissues, ATO concentrations between the CSM-ATO and cTACE groups were similar at each time point; in kidney and lung tissues, ATO concentrations were lower in the CSM-ATO group at 1-day post treatment while they were similar at 3, 7 and 14 days post treatment. Also, liver or kidney function indexes were of no difference at each time point between CSM-ATO and cTACE-ATO groups. Administration of ATO via DEB-TACE decreases systemic concentration while increasing intratumoral concentration of ATO without increasing liver or kidney toxicity compared with cTACE.

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate whether underdilated transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) could reduce the risk of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and ameliorate impaired hepatic function in patients with a history of splenectomy.MethodsA retrospective case–control study was conducted with 96 patients who had prior splenectomy and TIPS placement from August 2016 to May 2022. All patients were divided into two groups based on the diameter of expansion balloon catheters, the underdilated group (6-mm balloon catheter, n = 60) and a control group (8-mm balloon catheter, n = 36). Following the 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM), 33 patients in the underdilated group and 33 patients in the control group were included.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 36 months, a quicker recovery in liver function after TIPS placement was showed in the underdilated group. The mean TBIL content (16.562 ± 6.549 μmol/L vs 23.871 ± 11.609 μmol/L, P = 0.019) and the mean CLIF-C AD score (41.108 ± 5.223 vs 45.100 ± 4.429, P = 0.033) in the underdilated group were significantly lower than those in the control group during 6 to 12 months after the procedure. In line with the control group, the ability to reduce portal pressure gradient (PPG) and achieve a significantly clinical remission of PVT and ascites severity was showed in the underdilated group 3 months after TIPS creation (P < 0.001). The Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that no statistically significant differences were found in the cumulative incidence of no overt HE (OHE) (log-rank P = 0.383), cumulative incidence without shunt dysfunction (log-rank P = 0.283), cumulative incidence of no variceal rebleeding (log-rank P = 0.696), and survival (log-rank P = 0.341) (log-rank P = 0.341) between the two groups during the follow-up period.ConclusionFor patients with prior splenectomy, it is safe to employ underdilated TIPS, as the stents will eventually self-expand to 8 mm. The present study has shown some degree of liver function preservation in the underdilated group, which may be related to slower progressive changes in the portal hemodynamics.

The BaF2: Ce3+, Yb3+ nanoparticles doped with different concentration were prepared by a hydrothermal method. The structure,morphology and photoluminescence properties were studied. In BaF2: Ce3+, Yb3+ nanoparticles, a strong near infrared emissionat 900 – 1050 nm matching to energy of Si band gap of Si-based solar cells was observed under the excitation of 5d level of Ce3+. As a downconversion luminescent convertor, the kinds of materials have potential to be applied in front of Si-based solar cells to reduce thermalization loss and enhance conversion efficiency of solar cells.

The dissolution, crystallization and hydrolysis behaviors of polyamide 6 (PA 6) in superheated water (140 °C ≤ TH ≤ 200 °C) are investigated. The hydrothermal processing of PA 6 can be divided into four regions: (I) TH < 140 °C, (II) 140 °C ≤ TH ≤ 155 °C, (III) 155 °C < TH < 160 °C and (IV) TH ≥ 160 °C. Below 140 °C, the hydrothermal processing does not have obvious impact on PA 6. Between 140 °C and 155 °C, an annealing effect is observed that the hydrothermally treated resin shows increased melting temperature and lamellar thickness compared with the original PA 6. Between 155 °C and 160 °C, the hydrothermal processing induces both annealing and surface swelling. Above 160 °C, PA 6 dissolves fully in the superheated water. As PA 6 dissolves in the superheated water, hydrolysis takes place and becomes more prominent at higher temperatures and longer processing time. The hydrolysis induced molecular weight decrease fits an exponential decay.

Abstract Enhancing both oil quality and protein isolate functionality during sesame oil production remains a challenge. This study evaluated the impacts of conventional (CP: cold-pressing, RP: roasted-pressing, SE: solvent-extraction, AE: roasted-aqueous extraction) and emerging (GP: short-term germination-assisted pressing, MP: isothermal-microwave-assisted pressing, GM: short-term germination combined with isothermal-microwave-assisted pressing) sesame oil production methods on oil and protein isolate. Results showed that oils from GP, MP, and GM exhibited oxidative stability indices that were 34.86%, 83.66%, and 116.78% higher than that of CP, respectively, along with increased tocopherol contents. Although RP and AM could enhance oil quality, their high-temperature processing severely reduced protein isolate functionality than other methods. In contrast, GM increased protein isolate solubility, water-holding capacity, and oil-holding capacity 2.01-, 1.34-, and 1.33-fold compared with CP, and provided better emulsion stability than RP, SE, AE, GP, or MP. Hence, GM is a promising strategy for producing both high-quality oil and protein isolate. Graphical Abstract Graphical Abstract For graphical abstract description, please refer to the textual abstract.

Background Hepatolithiasis removal is associated with high rates of postoperative residual and recurrence, which in some cases may require multiple surgeries. The progress and development of laparoscopic techniques introduced a new way of treating hepatolithiasis. However, the selection criteria for laparoscopic hepatolithiasis surgery, particularly among patients with a history of biliary surgery, remain undetermined. This study aimed to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of reoperation for the treatment of hepatolithiasis via a laparoscopic approach. Methods A retrospective analysis of the perioperative course and outcomes was performed on 90 patients who underwent laparoscopic procedures for hepatolithiasis between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2012. Thirty-eight patients had previous biliary tract operative procedures (PB group) and 52 patients had no previous biliary tract procedures (NPB). Results There was no significant difference in operative time (342.3 ± 101.0 vs. 334.1 ± 102.7 min), intraoperative blood loss (561.2 ± 458.8 vs. 546.3 ± 570.5 ml), intraoperative transfusion (15.8 vs. 19.2 %), postoperative hospitalization (12.6 ± 4.2 vs. 13.4 % ± 6.3 days), postoperative complications (18.4 vs. 23.1 %), conversion to open laparotomy (10.5 vs. 9.6 %), or intraoperative stone clearance rate (94.7 vs. 90.4 %). There was also no significant difference in stone recurrence (7.9 vs. 11.5 %) and recurrent cholangitis (5.3 vs. 13.5 %) at a mean of 19 months of follow-up (range, 3–51 months) for PB patients compared to NPB patients. The final stone clearance rate was 100 % in both groups. Conclusions Reoperation for hepatolithiasis by laparoscopic approach is safe and feasible for selected patients who have undergone previous biliary operations.

With the integration of large clusters of variable renewable energy, plus the fact that modern power system has appeared great varieties of complicated characteristics. Improvement of safe and stable operation of the grid system has become a research focus in the new situation. Such being the case, a critical node identification method based on the theil entropy theory is proposed. By studying the characteristics of power flow and voltage variation, new methods for system safe operation improvement are explored. Firstly, proceeding from the mechanism of load variation on voltage and power flow, the theil entropy index of voltage growth rate is established to describe the equilibrium of voltage variety and the theil entropy index of weighted flow impact rate to describe the uniformity of power flow variation. Secondly, considering both subjective preferences and objective data, binary feature analysis and entropy weight method are combined to get the comprehensive index which can accurately identify the critical nodes for power grid, At last, the simulation results of IEEE30 node system and a southwest certain area power net-work has verified the validity and efficiency of the model. Further more, evaluation results has provided a reference for the construction of security defense system in modern power system.

In order to investigate the strength degeneration of SRUHSC column to RC beam joint subjected to reversal cycle load, six interior joint specimens were designed basing on half-scale model of prototype joint used in high-rise buildings. A reversal cycle loading test was carried out and test parameters included various axial load ratio and volumetric stirrup ratio. Strength degeneration of SRUHSC column to RC beam joint was described. A discussion on relations between λj and applied axial load ratio or volumetric stirrup ratio was presented. It was found that strength of all the joints degenerated in every displacement and degenerated more quickly with the increment of displacement during the reversal cycle loading, and that the strength of all the joints degenerated fast with the increment of applied axial load ratio and slowly with the increment of volumetric stirrup ratio. The experimental results indicated that test parameters had obvious influence on the strength degeneration of SRUHSC column to RC beam joint subjected to reversal cycle load.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the associated between serum total bilirubin (STB) levels and long-term outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 1,273 consecutive patients were enrolled. Patients were grouped according to their baseline STB levels: Group 1 (STB < 3.4 μmol/L), Group 2 (3.4 μmol/L ≤ STB ≤ 10.3 μmol/L), Group 3 (10.3 μmol/L < STB ≤ 17.1 μmol/L), and Group 4 (STB < 17.1 μmol/L) and the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was determined A total of 1,152 patients were successfully followed up (90.5%) for a mean period of 30 ± 5 months, including 187 patients experiencing a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE: death from any cause, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization or readmission). The MACE rate in Groups 3 and 4 was lower than in Groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.01). After adjusted the confounding factors with Cox regression analysis, the MACE rates in Groups 2-4 were still lower than in Group 1 (Group 2, RR=0.293, 95% CI 0.167-0.517, P < 0.01; Group 3, RR=0.142, 95% CI 0.065-0.312, P < 0.01; Group 4, RR=0.134, 95% CI 0.071-0.252, P < 0.01). The cumulative survival rates of Groups 3 and 4 were higher than that of Groups 1and 2 (P < 0.01). High STB concentration is associated with lower MACE in patients with ACS after PCI.

To study the seismic flexural strength of reinforced concrete (RC) column in saline soil environment, 14 inverted T-shaped RC bridge pier columns were designed and fabricated. The electrochemical corrosion test and low-cycle repeated loading test were carried out on the specimens. The damage form of the studied specimens was observed, and effects of axial compression ratio and corrosion rate on the seismic flexural strength is studied. The theoretical model of seismic flexural strength is established. The results show that when the axial compression ratio is constant, the corrosion rate of the specimen is larger and the seismic flexural strength is smaller. When the corrosion rate is constant and the axial compression ratio is within a certain range, the seismic flexural strength of the specimen increases as the axial compression ratio increases. In addition, the accuracy of the theoretical model is verified by comparing with the test results. The study results provide a reference for seismic design of columns in saline soil environment. Keywords: axial compression ratio; corrosion rate; reinforced concrete (RC) column; saline soil environment; seismic flexural strength.