A New pH-ISFET Based Dissolved Oxygen Sensor

A new dissolved oxygen sensor based on pH-ISFET has been discussed. A platinum working electrode surrounding a pH-sensing gate of the pH-ISFET electrolyzes dissolved oxygen, resulting in a corresponding pH change. The pH-ISFET can determine dissolved oxygen concentration through detecting this pH change. --Summar

N-(2,5-Dimeth­oxy­phen­yl)-N′-(4-hy­droxy­pheneth­yl)urea

In the title compound, C17H20N2O4, the 2,5-dimeth­oxy­phenyl unit is almost planar, with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.015 Å. The dihedral angle between the 2,5-dimeth­oxy­phenyl ring and the urea plane is 20.95 (8)°. The H atoms of the urea NH groups are positioned syn to each other. The mol­ecular structure is stabilized by a short intra­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond. In the crystal, inter­molecular N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into a three-dimensional network

1-[3-(Hy­droxy­meth­yl)phen­yl]-3-phenyl­urea

In the title compound, C14H14N2O2, the dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 23.6 (1)°. The H atoms of the urea NH groups are positioned syn to each other. In the crystal, inter­molecular N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into a three-dimensional network

Ethanol Elevates Excitability of Superior Cervical Ganglion Neurons by Inhibiting Kv7 Channels in a Cell Type-Specific and PI(4,5)P-2-Dependent Manner

Alcohol causes diverse acute and chronic symptoms that often lead to critical health problems. Exposure to ethanol alters the activities of sympathetic neurons that control the muscles, eyes, and blood vessels in the brain. Although recent studies have revealed the cellular targets of ethanol, such as ion channels, the molecular mechanism by which alcohol modulates the excitability of sympathetic neurons has not been determined. Here, we demonstrated that ethanol increased the discharge of membrane potentials in sympathetic neurons by inhibiting the M-type or Kv7 channel consisting of the Kv7.2/7.3 subunits, which were involved in determining the membrane potential and excitability of neurons. Three types of sympathetic neurons, classified by their threshold of activation and firing patterns, displayed distinct sensitivities to ethanol, which were negatively correlated with the size of the Kv7 current that differs depending on the type of neuron. Using a heterologous expression system, we further revealed that the inhibitory effects of ethanol on Kv7.2/7.3 currents were facilitated or diminished by adjusting the amount of plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2). These results suggested that ethanol and PI(4,5)P2 modulated gating of the Kv7 channel in superior cervical ganglion neurons in an antagonistic manner, leading to regulation of the membrane potential and neuronal excitability, as well as the physiological functions mediated by sympathetic neurons. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.1

Treatment of Surgical Site Infection in Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Study DesignA retrospective observational and case control study.PurposeTo identify appropriate treatment options according to the types of surgical site infections (SSI) in instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF).Overview of LiteratureThere has been no agreement or consensus with regard to this matter.MethodsThirty-two consecutive SSIs were included and followed for more than one year. The elapsed time to diagnosis (ETD) according to the type of SSI was analyzed. The treatment options for each type and consequent clinical results were reviewed. The risk factors of removing the implants were analyzed.ResultsThere were 6/32 (19%) superficial incisional, 6/32 (19%) deep incisional, and 20/32 (62%) organ/space infection cases (SII, DII, and O/SI, respectively) (p=0.002). ETD was 8.5±2.3 days in SII, 8.7±2.3 days in DII, and 164.5±131.1 days in O/SI (p=0.013). All cases of SII and DII retained implants and were treated by repeated irrigation and secondary closure. Among O/SIs, 10/20 were treated conservatively. Nine out of ten underwent posterior one stage simultaneous revision (POSSR) and in one case, the cage was removed anteriorly. Those who had ETDs longer than 3 months showed a significant risk of implant removal (p=0.008, odds ratio [OR]=40.3). The Oswestry disability index (ODI) improved from 47.3% to 33.8% in SII, from 55.0% to 32.3% in DII, and from 53.4% to 42.1% in O/SI (p=0.002). There was no difference among the three groups (p=0.106); however, there was a partial correlation between ETD and final ODI (r=0.382, p=0.034).ConclusionsLatent O/SI was the most common type of SSI in PLIF. In cases of SII and DII, early aggressive wound management and secondary closure was effective and implant removal was not necessary. In some cases of O/SI, implant removal was unavoidable. However, implant removal could be averted by an earlier diagnosis. POSSR was feasible and safe. Functional outcomes were improved; however, disability increased as ETD increased