Preparation and characterization of superhydrophobic surfaces based on hexamethyldisilazane-modified nanoporous alumina

Superhydrophobic nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (alumina) surfaces were prepared using treatment with vapor-phase hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). Nanoporous alumina substrates were first made using a two-step anodization process. Subsequently, a repeated modification procedure was employed for efficient incorporation of the terminal methyl groups of HMDS to the alumina surface. Morphology of the surfaces was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, showing hexagonally ordered circular nanopores with approximately 250 nm in diameter and 300 nm of interpore distances. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance analysis showed the presence of chemically bound methyl groups on the HMDS-modified nanoporous alumina surfaces. Wetting properties of these surfaces were characterized by measurements of the water contact angle which was found to reach 153.2 ± 2°. The contact angle values on HMDS-modified nanoporous alumina surfaces were found to be significantly larger than the average water contact angle of 82.9 ± 3° on smooth thin film alumina surfaces that underwent the same HMDS modification steps. The difference between the two cases was explained by the Cassie-Baxter theory of rough surface wetting

A review of the effectiveness of evidence-based recommendations for prevention of catheter related bloodstream infections in intensive care unit patients

Objective: Although central venous catheter (CVC) is a vital initiative, it causes serious complication among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The most important of these is catheter related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). CRBSI increases morbidity, mortality and costs. The aim of this review is to examine the results of implemented interventions as the bundle of evidence-based guidelines recommendations for prevention and/or reduction of CRBSI among adult hospitalized patients in the ICU

Editorial Comment on: Utilizing Machine Learning and Automated Performance Metrics to Evaluate Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Performance and Predict Outcomes by Hung et al.

WOS: 000430992000001PubMed ID: 29631446

Preparation and characterization of superhydrophobic surfaces based on hexamethyldisilazane-modified nanoporous alumina

Abstract Superhydrophobic nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (alumina) surfaces were prepared using treatment with vapor-phase hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). Nanoporous alumina substrates were first made using a two-step anodization process. Subsequently, a repeated modification procedure was employed for efficient incorporation of the terminal methyl groups of HMDS to the alumina surface. Morphology of the surfaces was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, showing hexagonally ordered circular nanopores with approximately 250 nm in diameter and 300 nm of interpore distances. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance analysis showed the presence of chemically bound methyl groups on the HMDS-modified nanoporous alumina surfaces. Wetting properties of these surfaces were characterized by measurements of the water contact angle which was found to reach 153.2 &#177; 2&#176;. The contact angle values on HMDS-modified nanoporous alumina surfaces were found to be significantly larger than the average water contact angle of 82.9 &#177; 3&#176; on smooth thin film alumina surfaces that underwent the same HMDS modification steps. The difference between the two cases was explained by the Cassie-Baxter theory of rough surface wetting.</p

Eruptive Vellus Hair Cysts: Report of a Pediatric Case With Partial Response to Calcipotriene Therapy

Ozturk Durmaz, Emel/0000-0003-0661-9720WOS: 000273192000003PubMed: 20166570Eruptive vellus hair cysts (EVHCs) are characterized by asymptomatic, follicular, comedonelike papules usually located on the anterior chest and abdomen. We present a pediatric case of EVHC associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder that partially responded to calcipotriene cream within 2 months. Our aim is to refamiliarize clinicians with a common albeit frequently unrecognized disorder of vellus hair follicles. Cutis. 2009;84:295-298

A Case of Necrotising Arachnidism

Arachnidism is a clinical entity occuring as local or systemic manifestations after a spider bite. Bite of Loxosceles spiders causes a clinical reaction termed as loxoscelism. Cutaneous loxoscelism manifests as cutaneous necrosis whereas systemic symptoms and findings are observed in visserocutaneous loxoscelism. Tan to brown coloured Loxosceles species are commonly found in Mediterranian region, Africa and America. Since the spider or the bites may be unnoticed by the victim and the culprit may not be easily identified the characteristic clinical features have an important role for the diagnosis. The rarity of reports from our country and the presence of sporadic cases from our region led us to present a male patient with a diagnosis of necrotic arachnidism

A new perspective on imaging of olfactory dysfunction: Does size matter?

Purpose: This study assesses the diagnostic utility of olfactory nerve and bulb morphologies in addition to volumetric analysis in classification of different olfactory dysfunction etiologies

Cardiac Troponin T in Children With Acute Rheumatic Carditis

WOS: 000286065400008PubMed: 20957477The existence of cardiac damage in active rheumatic carditis patients is unknown, especially in those without pericarditis. The aim of this study was to determine cardiac myocyte damage using cardiac troponin T (cTnT) measurements in active rheumatic carditis. The levels of creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), cTnT, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), cardiothoracic ratio (CTR), and fractional shortening (FS) were compared using Mann-Whitney U test between 28 patients with active rheumatic carditis and 32 controls (healthy children). Association of cTnT levels with ESR, CRP, and CTR was evaluated with Spearman correlation analysis. ESR, CRP, cTnT levels, and CTR were statistically higher in the patients than in the controls. There were no differences between the groups for CK-MB levels and FS. No relationships were found between cTnT levels and ESR, CRP, and CTR in the patient group. The results of the study suggest that when cTnT levels are within non-pathological range, there is no serious cardiac damage; however, statistically significant increases in cTnT levels may indicate minor damages in patients with active carditis due to acute rheumatic fever

Evaluating Portal Vein and Right Colon Venous Vascular Anatomy and Its Variations via Multidetector CT in Healthy Individuals

To evaluate the anatomical variations of the portal vein and right colonic and gastro-pancreatic-colic venous vascular structures by MDCT (multidetector computed tomography). In cases who applied for dynamic abdominal MDCT examination with various indications, the occurrence of Henle trunk (HT), venous vascular formations and variations of HT (type Ia-b-c; IIa-b-c), the relationship of ileocolic and right colic artery with superior mesenteric vein (anterior-posterior), portal vein types by the origin of the right branch (1-2-3-4-5-miscellaneous), and differences by gender were evaluated retrospectively. Of the cases (600) who participated in the study, HT was detected in 81.2% (n: 487) of the cases, and the most common type of HT was type Ia (39.7%). The incidence of type Ia in women (p: 0.007; p 0.05) in terms of gender in other types of HT. While the most common portal vein type was type 1 (n: 350) at a rate of 58.3%, there was no significant difference between portal vein types by gender (p > 0.05). In the process of stomach, colon, and pancreatic surgery, especially during laparoscopic and robotic surgical operations, mastering important anatomical variations such as HT in terms of vascular ligation, lymph node dissection, mesocolic excision, and bleeding control is an important factor affecting the success of the operation and postoperative prognosis