Components Separation Technique Combined with a Double-Mesh Repair for Large Midline Incisional Hernia Repair

Background The surgical treatment of large midline incisional hernias remains a challenge. The aim of this report is to present the results of a new technique for large midline incisional hernia repair which combines the components- separation technique with a double-prostheticmesh repair. Methods The records of all consecutive patients who received a double-mesh combined with the componentsseparation technique for ventral hernia repair were reviewed. The clinical, surgical, and follow-up data were analyzed. Results Nine patients [3 women, 6 men; median age = 62 years (range = 26-77)] were included in the study. Median transverse defect size was 20 cm (range = 15-25). The median duration of hospital stay was 8 days (range = 5-17). Postoperative complications occurred in 66% (6/9). Follow-up [median = 13 months (range = 3-49)] showed no recurrent hernias, but one patient had a small hernia after a relaparotomy for colon carcinoma recurrence. The overall occurrence of wound infections was 44% (4/9). There was no mortality. Conclusion The components-separation technique in combination with a double-mesh has shown a low recurrence rate in the short-term follow-up. However, there is a considerable occurrence of postoperative wound infections. Long-term results of the hernia recurrence rate have to be awaited

Influence of ambient water intrusion on coral reef acidification in the Chuuk lagoon, located in the coral-rich western Pacific Ocean

Weekly carbonate chemistry condition data recorded between 2008 and 2014 in the Chuuk lagoon (7.3 degrees N and 151.5 degrees E) of the Federated States of Micronesia, located in the western Pacific Ocean, were analyzed. The results showed that, during periods of weak intrusion of ambient seawater from the surrounding open ocean, two internal biological processes (calcification and respiration) reinforced each other and together lowered the pH of the reef water for extended periods, ranging from a few to several months. The analysis indicated that reduced intrusion of ambient water is associated with periods of low wind speeds. Such conditions increase the residence time of reef water, thus promoting acidification by respiration and calcification. This phenomenon likely affects many other areas of the coral-rich western Pacific Ocean, which contains 50% of global coral reefs and in which the degree of ambient water intrusion into the atolls has been shown to be closely associated with the El Nino-Southern Oscillation-induced wind speed change.1111Ysciescopu

Water-Repellent TiO₂-Organic Dye-Based Air Filters for Efficient Visible-Light-Activated Photochemical Inactivation against Bioaerosols

Recently, bioaerosols, including the 2019 novel coronavirus, pose a serious threat to global public health. Herein, we introduce a visible-light-activated (VLA) antimicrobial air filter functionalized with titanium dioxide (TiO2)–crystal violet (CV) nanocomposites facilitating abandoned visible light from sunlight or indoor lights. The TiO2–CV based VLA antimicrobial air filters exhibit a potent inactivation rate of ∼99.98% and filtration efficiency of ∼99.9% against various bioaerosols. Under visible-light, the CV is involved in overall inactivation by inducing reactive oxygen species production both directly (CV itself) and indirectly (in combination with TiO2). Moreover, the susceptibility of the CV to humidity was significantly improved by forming a hydrophobic molecular layer on the TiO2 surface, highlighting its potential applicability in real environments such as exhaled or humid air. We believe this work can open a new avenue for designing and realizing practical antimicrobial technology using ubiquitous visible-light energy against the threat of infectious bioaerosols

Compressive stenosis of the left hepatic vein as a pathogenesis of postresectional liver failure: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Postresectional liver failure (PLF) is a devastating and fatal complication of major hepatic resection, and we do not have a full understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms involved. No reliable treatment other than liver transplantation currently exists for PLF.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 46-year-old Japanese man experienced PLF after an extended right hepatectomy for liver malignancy. Seven months after surgery, the patient's Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score had reached 23. Doppler ultrasound study and three-dimensional computed tomography images showed a stenosed left hepatic vein compressed by surrounding hypertrophied hepatic parenchyma. Transluminal balloon angioplasty and stent placement therapy were conducted eight months after surgery. The pressure gradient between the hepatic vein and right atrium decreased from 13 to 3 mmHg after stent placement. Thereafter, the patient recovered.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Hepatic venous compression by surrounding hypertrophied hepatic parenchyma might, at least in part, be associated with the occurrence of PLF. Surgeons should bear this possibility in mind when confronted with cases of PLF, as early diagnosis and stent placement improves patients' chances of recovery.</p

Bidirectional signaling of neuregulin-2 mediates formation of GABAergic synapses and maturation of glutamatergic synapses in newborn granule cells of postnatal hippocampus

Expression of neuregulin-2 (NRG2) is intense in a few regions of the adult brain where neurogenesis persists; however, little is understood about its role in developments of newborn neurons. To study the role of NRG2 in synaptogenesis at different developmental stages, newborn granule cells in rat hippocampal slice cultures were labeled with retrovirus encoding tetracycline-inducible microRNA targeting NRG2 and treated with doxycycline (Dox) at the fourth or seventh postinfection day (dpi). The developmental increase of GABAergic postsynaptic currents (GPSCs) was suppressed by the early Dox treatment (4 dpi), but not by late treatment (7 dpi). The late Dox treatment was used to study the effect of NRG2 depletion specific to excitatory synaptogenesis. The Dox effect on EPSCs emerged 4 d after the impairment in dendritic outgrowth became evident (10 dpi). Notably, Dox treatment abolished the developmental increases of AMPA-receptor mediated EPSCs and the AMPA/NMDA ratio, indicating impaired maturation of glutamatergic synapses. In contrast to GPSCs, Dox effects on EPSCs and dendritic growth were independent of ErbB4 and rescued by concurrent overexpression of NRG2 intracellular domain. These results suggest that forward signaling of NRG2 mediates GABAergic synaptogenesis and its reverse signaling contributes to dendritic outgrowth and maturation of glutamatergic synapses.117Ysciescopu

Top pair Asymmetries at Hadron colliders with general Z′Z' couplings

Recently it has been shown that measurement of charge asymmetry of top pair production at LHC excludes any flavor violating $Z'$ vector gauge boson that could explain Tevatron forward-backward asymmetry (FBA). We consider the general form of a $Z'$ gauge boson including left-handed, right-handed vector and tensor couplings to examine FBA and charge asymmetry. To evaluate top pair asymmetries at Tevatron and LHC, we consider $B^0_q$ mixing constraints on flavor changing $Z'$ couplings and show that this model still explain forward-backward asymmetry at Tevatron and charge asymmetry can not exclude it in part of parameters space.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figure