Positive Airway Pressure at Extubation Minimizes Subglottic Secretion Leak In Vitro

Accumulated secretion above the endotracheal tube cuff can be aspirated during extubation after deflation. The possible techniques for minimizing pulmonary aspiration from subglottic secretion during extubation have not been well explored. This study aimed to determine the effect of different extubation techniques on secretion leakage. An endotracheal tube was placed in a tube mimicking an airway. We measured the leak volume of water or artificial sputum of different viscosities with three extubation techniques—negative pressure with suctioning; positive pressure with a resuscitator; and continuous positive airway pressure set at 5, 10, and 20 cm H2O. Extubation with continuous positive airway pressure resulted in lower secretion leakage than that with negative pressure with suctioning and positive pressure with a resuscitator. Increasing the continuous positive airway pressure level decreased secretion leakage volume during extubation. We further determined a correlation of leak volume with sputum viscosity. Continuous positive airway pressure at 5 cm H2O produced lower volume secretion leakage than the other two techniques, even with higher secretion viscosity. Based on these results, using continuous positive airway pressure with a previous ventilator continuous positive airway pressure/positive end-expiratory pressure setting for extubation is recommended.

Combined Effect of a Laser Cladded Coating and Surface Texture on Tribological Performance Under Dry Sliding and Starved Lubrication

Fe-based alloy coating was laser cladded on gray cast iron using Ni-Cu alloy as an intermediate layer. The cross section of the laser cladded coating was characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and a Vickers hardness tester. A microdimple texture was created by reciprocating an electrolyte jet with prefabricated mask (REJP) machining on an Fe-based alloy coating. The tribological performances of untextured and textured coatings were examined through interrupted wear tests using an in-house developed reciprocating ball-on-plate tribotester under dry sliding and starved lubricated conditions. The results show that the presence of microdimple edges in the nonconformal contact region has a detrimental effect on the friction performance under dry sliding. However, the microdimples can be beneficial for trapping debris to preserve a smoother contacting surface and thus a lower volume wear track compared to untextured coatings. Due to its role in oil reservoirs and debris entrapment, the microdimple textured coating can maintain a low friction coefficient for a long time period after lubricant oil cutoff and results in a lower volume wear track under starved lubrication. Graphical abstract

Use of open data to analyze the publication of articles in scientific events

Objective. This article has analyzed the publications of articles in scientific events using open data from the Lattes Platform. Design/Methodology/Approach. The LattesDataXplorer tool was used to extract curricular data from the Lattes Platform. The selection stage consisted of verifying which curricula had works published in scientific events. In the treatment stage, a characterization of the articles was carried out, thus allowing the analysis of articles published in scientific events. Results/Discussion. It was possible to carry out some characterizations such as temporal analysis, analysis by a large area of expertise, and which articles use persistent identifiers. The temporal analysis made it possible to verify how many articles were published per year. Through the analysis by a large area of action, the individuals with the highest and lowest rate of publication in annals of events were identified. Approximately 3% of articles report the persistent identifier (DOI). Conclusions. The peak of publications is in 2011, afterwards, there was a significant drop. Individuals from Health Sciences have a higher rate of publication in event proceedings, while individuals from the Exact and Earth Sciences have a lower volume of publications. Only 30,936 of the articles have a persistent identifier, but individuals from the Exact and Earth Sciences (30.68%) are the ones who use persistent identifiers the most. Originality/Value. From data extracted from the Lattes Platform, the results of original research that seeks to characterize Brazilian scientific production utilizing events are presented.

Production of sourdough and gluten-free bread with brown rice and carioca and cowpea beans flours: biochemical, nutritional and structural characteristics

The gluten-free alternative flours and the application of natural fermentation in the breads production are promising technologies to improving sensory, structural and nutritional properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability and quality of gluten-free breads made with sour dough from wholegrain rice flours (BR and BRY), carioca beans (BP and BPY) and cowpea (BV and BVY). The sour doughs were prepared without and with the addition of biological yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) represented by the letter “Y”. The breads made from these doughs were subjected to the analysis of: pH, titratable total acidity, color, water activity, moisture, image analysis, specific volume, instrumental texture, proximate composition and energy value. The results indicated higher ash, protein and dietary fiber content in BP and BV flours. At the end of fermentation, the BR and BRY masses showed greater acidity. The doughs made with beans showed greater expansion volumes. Lower volume, firmness and hardness were verified for BBRY bread and the opposite was verified for BVB bread. The BBV, BBVY, BBP and BBPY breads had higher ash, protein and dietary fiber contents and lower digestible carbohydrate content. BPB and BVB breads showed higher protein digestibility and the opposite was observed for BBRY (70.60%), BPBY (81.09%) and BVBY (80.89%). The use of bean flour in the preparation of breads resulted in products rich in dietary fiber and proteins, especially carioca beans.

Nano and Battery Anode: A Review

Improving the anode properties, including increasing its capacity, is one of the basic necessities to improve battery performance. In this paper, high-capacity anodes with alloy performance are introduced, then the problem of fragmentation of these anodes and its effect during the cyclic life is stated. Then, the effect of reducing the size to the nanoscale in solving the problem of fragmentation and improving the properties is discussed, and finally the various forms of nanomaterials are examined. In this paper, electrode reduction in the anode, which is a nanoscale phenomenon, is described. The negative effects of this phenomenon on alloy anodes are expressed and how to eliminate these negative effects by preparing suitable nanostructures will be discussed. Also, the anodes of the titanium oxide family are introduced and the effects of Nano on the performance improvement of these anodes are expressed, and finally, the quasi-capacitive behavior, which is specific to Nano, will be introduced. Finally, the third type of anodes, exchange anodes, is introduced and their function is expressed. The effect of Nano on the reversibility of these anodes is mentioned. The advantages of nanotechnology for these electrodes are described. In this paper, it is found that nanotechnology, in addition to the common effects such as reducing the penetration distance and modulating the stress, also creates other interesting effects in this type of anode, such as capacitive quasi-capacitance, changing storage mechanism and lower volume change.

Comparison of two volumes for sciatic perineural injection using 1% methylene blue in rabbit cadavers

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a blind technique for sciatic and femoral nerve block in rabbit cadavers by evaluating the spread of 1% methylene blue at two different volumes. Nine recently euthanized rabbits weighing 2.5(0.3kg were used. The sciatic (SN) and femoral (FN) nerves of each limb were randomly assigned for injection with 1% methylene blue at 0.2mL/kg (G0.2) or 0.3mL/kg (G0.3). Nerves were dissected and measured for depth and extension of staining (cm). Mean comparisons were performed using paired t test. The relation between volume and nerve staining ( 2cm was assessed using chi-square test. The mean depth of SN was 1.9±0.2 and 1.6±0.3cm and staining 1.9±1.4 and 2.0±1.2cm, respectively in G0.2 and G0.3. No relation was found between depth and dye spread and there was no association between nerve staining ( 2.0cm and volume of solution. The FN failed to be stained in all subjects. In conclusion, SN injection can be successfully performed without guidance in rabbits. The lower volume (0.2mL/kg) is recommended to avoid systemic toxicity.

Equivalent VTE rates after total joint arthroplasty using thromboprophylaxis with aspirin versus potent anticoagulants: retrospective analysis of 4562 cases across a diverse healthcare system

Background Guidelines support aspirin thromboprophylaxis for primary total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA) but supporting evidence has come from high volume centers and the practice remains controversial. Methods We studied 4562 Medicare patients who underwent elective primary THA (1736, 38.1%) or TKA (2826, 61.9%) at 9 diverse hospitals. Thirty-day claims data were combined with data from the health system’s electronic medical records to compare rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE) between patients who received prophylaxis with: (1) aspirin alone (47.3%), (2) a single, potent anticoagulant (29%), (3) antiplatelet agents other than aspirin or multiple anticoagulants (21.5%), or (4) low-dose subcutaneous unfractionated heparin or no anticoagulation (2.2%). Sub-analyses separately evaluating THA, TKA and cases from lower volume hospitals (n = 975) were performed. Results The 30-day VTE incidence was 0.6% (29/4562). VTE rates were equal in patients receiving aspirin and those receiving a single potent anticoagulant (0.5% in both groups). Patients with VTE were significantly older than patients without VTE (mean 76.5 vs. 73.1 years, P = 0.04). VTE rate did not associate with sex or hospital case volume. On bivariate analysis considering age, aspirin did not associate with greater VTE risk compared to a single potent anticoagulant (OR = 2.1, CI = 0.7–6.3) with the numbers available. Odds of VTE were increased with use of subcutaneous heparin or no anticoagulant (OR = 6.4, CI = 1.2–35.6) and with multiple anticoagulants (OR = 3.6, CI = 1.1–11.2). THA and TKA demonstrated similar rates of VTE (0.5% vs. 0.7%, respectively, P = 0.43). Of 975 cases done at lower volume hospitals, 387 received aspirin, none of whom developed VTE. Conclusions This study provides further support for aspirin as an effective form of pharmacological VTE prophylaxis after total joint arthroplasty in the setting of a multi-modal regimen using 30-day outcomes. VTE occurred in 0.7% of primary joint arthroplasties. Aspirin prophylaxis did not associate with greater VTE risk compared to potent anticoagulants in the total population or at lower volume hospitals.

Liposuction in Cancer‐Related Lower Extremity Lymphedema: An Investigative Study For Clinical Applications

Background: Lymphedema is a progressive, noncurable condition consisting of increases in subcutaneous fat and interstitial fluid in the limbs and fibrosis during later stages. The disease most commonly affects the limbs because of injury to or removal of lymph nodes. The aim of this study was to investigate therapeutic outcomes of liposuction for cancer-related lower extremity lymphedema.Methods: 62 patients with cancer-related lymphedema in unilateral lower extremity were recruited in this study, and all the patients underwent liposuction. The volume of hemorrhage and lipid, the operation time, and the volume changes of the affected extremity were compared by applying t-test, and the subjective feelings of patients were also assessed by applying Chi-square. Results: Total lipid volume is (2539±1253.5) ml, and the hemorrhage volume is (828±311.8) ml during liposuction. For the comparison of objective indexes, (1) Percent volume differences(PVDs) before surgery, in-operation and 3-month follow-up were (5.5±12.2 Vs. 11.6±18.4 Vs. 43.2±23.7, P＜0.05) respectively. (2) Higher lipid volume and liposuction rate for female patients, with a lower volume of hemorrhage. (3) Higher volume of hemorrhage in patients with a history of recurrent erysipelas. (4) Higher lipid volume and liposuction rate(LR), with lower hemorrhage for stage II than stage III patients. Conclusions: Liposuction is an effective therapy for cancer-related lower extremity lymphedema. Gender, stage and recurrent erysipelas history influence the course and effect of liposuction.

Yeast Cell as a Bio-Model for Measuring the Toxicity of Fish-Killing Flagellates

Harmful algal blooms are a significant environmental problem. Cells that bloom are often associated with intercellular or dissolved toxins that are a grave concern to humans. However, cells may also excrete compounds that are beneficial to their competition, allowing the cells to establish or maintain cells in bloom conditions. Here, we develop a yeast cell assay to assess whether the bloom-forming species can change the toxicity of the water environment. The current methods of assessing toxicity involve whole organisms. Here, yeast cells are used as a bioassay model to evaluate eukaryotic cell toxicity. Yeast is a commonly used, easy to maintain bioassay species that is free from ethical concerns, yet is sensitive to a wide array of metabolic and membrane-modulating agents. Compared to methods in which the whole organism is used, this method offers rapid and convenient cytotoxicity measurements using a lower volume of samples. The flow cytometer was employed in this toxicology assessment to measure the number of dead cells using alive/dead stain analysis. The results show that yeast cells were metabolically damaged after 1 h of exposure to our model toxin-producing euryhaline flagellates (Heterosigma akashiwo and Prymnesium parvum) cells or extracts. This amount was increased by extending the incubation time.

Nurturing Plasmonic Properties of Nanocomposite Thin Films: The Importance of Optimum Oblate Shape

Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) embedded dielectric thin films are very crucial for many optoelectronic applications. This report investigates various ways of tuning the plasmonic properties of such nanocomposite thin films. For this, the well-known plasmon resonance condition was first generalized to include the shape and volume fraction of MNPs. This was followed by deriving an empirical formula for the resonance position (λR) which was worked out to be the positive root of a quadratic equation. The coefficients of the deduced quadratic relation involve the parameters obtained from the empirical fit to some of the experimental dielectric functions of MNPs available in literature. The derived working formula enables research community to tune the LSPR of nanocomposites in the whole range of visible wavelengths. The derived formula also concluded that with known lower volume fractions, shape of MNPs affects λR the most, compared to the other parameters. The derived formula was validated by calculating the full extinction spectra. It was shown for the first time that there exists an optimum value of oblate shape to give maximum resonance for a given nanocomposite.