Endoscopic thyroidectomy via areola approach for stage T1 papillary thyroid carcinoma: feasibility, safety, and oncologic outcomes

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility, safety, and oncologic outcomes associated with endoscopic thyroidectomy via the areolar approach (ETAA), compared with conventional open thyroidectomy (COT) for the treatment of stage T1 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).MethodsBetween January 2021 and June 2022, a total of 1204 patients diagnosed with PTC underwent screening, out of which 138 patients were selected for inclusion in the study population after propensity score matching (92 patients in the ETAA group and 46 patients in the COT group). The study included the collection and analysis of clinicopathologic characteristics, intraoperative outcomes, postoperative outcomes, complications, and follow-up data using R software.ResultsThe operative time for the ETAA group was longer than that for the COT group (160.42 ± 32.21 min vs. 121.93 ± 29.78 min, p < 0.0001). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss, the extent of surgical resection, the number of dissected lymph nodes, the number of metastatic lymph nodes, and the rate of parathyroid autotransplantation. Postoperative drainage and C-reactive protein levels were higher in the ETAA group than in the COT group, but there were no significant differences in 24-hour visual analogue scale scores, white blood cell counts, drainage duration, or postoperative hospital stay. Complication rates were similar between the two groups, and no permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy or hypoparathyroidism was observed. Patients who underwent ETAA reported greater cosmetic satisfaction and quality of life than those who underwent COT. During the follow-up phase, only one patient in the COT group developed lateral cervical lymph node involvement requiring reoperation.ConclusionETAA is a safe and feasible surgical method for patients with stage T1 PTC, providing results similar to COT in terms of oncologic completeness, while avoiding neck scars, with excellent cosmetic effects.Clinical trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry center, identifier ChiCTR230007710

Static and dynamical properties of the spin-5/2 nearly ideal triangular lattice antiferromagnet Ba3MnSb2O9

We study the ground state and spin excitation in Ba3MnSb2O9, an easy-plane S = 5/2 triangular lattice antiferromagnet. By combining single-crystal neutron scattering, electric spin resonance (ESR), and spin wave calculations, we determine the frustrated quasi-two-dimensional spin Hamiltonian parameters describing the material. While the material has a slight monoclinic structural distortion, which could allow for isosceles triangular exchanges and biaxial anisotropy by symmetry, we observe no deviation from the behavior expected for spin waves in the in-plane 120o state. Even the easy-plane anisotropy is so small that it can only be detected by ESR in our study. In conjunction with the quasi-two-dimensionality, our study establishes that Ba3MnSb2O9 is a nearly ideal triangular lattice antiferromagnet with the quasi-classical spin S = 5/2, which suggests that it has the potential for an experimental study of Z- or Z2-vortex excitations

Wood/Polymer Nanocomposites Prepared by Impregnation with Furfuryl Alcohol and Nano-SiO2

Wood/polymer nanocomposites were prepared by vacuum impregnation of furfuryl alcohol (FA) and nano-SiO2 into fast-growing poplar wood. The nano-SiO2 was mixed with FA solution, followed by in-situ polymerization of FA. The properties of nanocomposites and the effects of nanoparticles on these properties were investigated. Wood physico-mechanical properties, such as dimensional stability, density, water uptake, and surface hardness, were significantly improved. Moreover, the addition of nano-SiO2 improved the surface hardness and dimensional stability of wood and kept the excellent properties of FA-treated wood. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the effect of nano-SiO2 on thermostability was hindered. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed that nano-SiO2 was successfully incorporated into wood via the action of FA, and diffused into the wood lumen and cell wall. X-ray diffraction results indicated the weakening of the crystallinity in the treated wood was due to the polymerization of FA

Interaction between tns and β-lactoglobulin

The major bovine milk protein β-lactoglobulin (β-LG), a member of the lipocalin superfamily, can bind a wide range of ligands and act as a specific transporter. In the present study, the combination of the hydrophobic molecule 2-(p-toluidino)-6-naphthalenesulfonic acid sodium salt (tns) with β-LG was analyzed using fluorescence spectroscopy and autodock modeling to discern the major binding sites of the protein and to determine the capacity of other small ligands to bind with β-LG by utilizing tns as a reference. The experimental data indicate that in a neutral pH environment, tns is located in the hydrophobic domain of the β-LG protein, 2.5 nm away from the Trp19 residues of β-LG. The binding constant of tns to β-LG is (3.30±0.32)10The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Preparation of Stable Superhydrophobic Coatings on Wood Substrate Surfaces via Mussel-Inspired Polydopamine and Electroless Deposition Methods

Mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) chemistry and electroless deposition approaches were used to prepare stable superhydrophobic coatings on wood surfaces. The as-formed PDA coating on a wood surface exhibited a hierarchical micro/nano roughness structure, and functioned as an “adhesive layer” between the substrate and a metallic film by the metal chelating ability of the catechol moieties on PDA, allowing for the formation of a well-developed micro/nanostructure hierarchical roughness. Additionally, the coating acted as a stable bridge between the substrate and hydrophobic groups. The morphology and chemical components of the prepared superhydrophobic wood surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The PDA and octadecylamine (OA) modified surface showed excellent superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle (CA) of about 153° and a rolling angle (RA) of about 9°. The CA further increased to about 157° and RA reduced to about 5° with the Cu metallization. The superhydrophobic material exhibited outstanding stability in harsh conditions including ultraviolet aging, ultrasonic washing, strong acid-base and organic solvent immersion, and high-temperature water boiling. The results suggested that the PDA/OA layers were good enough to confer robust, degradation-resistant superhydrophobicity on wood substrates. The Cu metallization was likely unnecessary to provide significant improvements in superhydrophobic property. However, due to the amazing adhesive capacity of PDA, the electroless deposition technique may allow for a wide range of potential applications in biomimetic materials

Effects of two types of waste wood species on the hydration characteristic of Portland cement

Despite much work on wood-cement composites, effects of wood species on the hydration of cements remain unclear until now. Thus, we herein investigated systematically effects of two typical wood species wastes on the hydration of Portland cement in this work. It was found that adding the poplar flour prominently affects the formation of the calcium silicate hydrate gel (C-S-H gel) delaying the hydration process, while the Chinese fir flour hardly retards the process due to different components. Compared with the neat cement, addition of both wood flours makes it easier to generate the ettringite. Besides, another important hydration product, calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2, requires much longer time to form in the presence of both wood flours during hydration relative to the neat cement, e.g. nearly double time for the poplar-filled cement system. The findings provide useful information for extending the potential application of wood flours waste in cement composites

Determination of the Effects of Superheated Steam on Microstructure and Micromechanical Properties of Bamboo Cell Walls Using Quasi-Static Nanoindentation

In this paper, quasi-static nanoindentation was applied for investigating the influence of superheated steam on microstructure and micromechanical properties of Moso bamboo cell walls. The changes of mico-morphology, chemical composition, cellulose crystallinity index, micro-mechanical properties of bamboo were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and nanoindentation. As expected, the content of hemicellulose and cellulose showed a downward trend, whereas the relative lignin content increased. Elastic modulus and hardness of the cell wall increased compared with that of the untreated sample. The elastic modulus and hardness of bamboo increased from 11.5 GPa to 19.5 GPa and from 0.35 GPa to 0.59 GPa. Furthermore, results showed that the creep resistance positively correlated to treatment severity

Determination of the Effects of Superheated Steam on Microstructure and Micromechanical Properties of Bamboo Cell Walls Using Quasi-Static Nanoindentation

In this paper, quasi-static nanoindentation was applied for investigating the influence of superheated steam on microstructure and micromechanical properties of Moso bamboo cell walls. The changes of mico-morphology, chemical composition, cellulose crystallinity index, micro-mechanical properties of bamboo were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and nanoindentation. As expected, the content of hemicellulose and cellulose showed a downward trend, whereas the relative lignin content increased. Elastic modulus and hardness of the cell wall increased compared with that of the untreated sample. The elastic modulus and hardness of bamboo increased from 11.5 GPa to 19.5 GPa and from 0.35 GPa to 0.59 GPa. Furthermore, results showed that the creep resistance positively correlated to treatment severity

Coordination-Driven Controlled Assembly of Polyphenol-Metal Green Coating on Wood Micro-Grooved Surfaces: A Novel Approach to Stable Superhydrophobicity

A versatile, fast, and nature-inspired polyphenol chemistry surface modification was applied to prepare superhydrophobic surfaces with micro-grooved structures in this study. Tannic acid and iron ion (TA–FeIII) complexes were employed as a molecular building block for anchoring biomimetic coating onto the wood substrate with catalytically reducing formative Ag ions as the rough surface to ensure well-developed micro/nanostructure hierarchical roughness. TA–FeIII complexes also acted as stable bridges between the substrate and hydrophobic groups. The thickness and architecture of TA–FeIII complex coatings can be tailored by coordination-driven multistep assembly. The results indicated that the micro/nano hierarchical roughness structure was well-developed with increased coating times and increased deposition of reduced Ag nanoparticles, resulting in excellent superhydrophobic properties (e.g., water CA (contact angle) of about 156° and a rolling angle of about 4°). The superhydrophobic material exhibited outstanding stability and durability in harsh conditions, including strong acid/base or organic solvent, high-temperature water boiling, ultrasonic cleaning, and ultraviolet aging. A series of superhydrophobic models are proposed to clarify the effect of the micro/nano hierarchical structure on these superhydrophobic properties