High-concentration compact agar gels from hydrothermal synthesis

3 páginas, 2 figuras, 1 tabla.-- et al.A simple hydrothermal method has been used to prepare for the first time high-concentration, microstructurally compact agar hydrogels (3–30 g agar per 100 ml H2O). These gels reach concentrations unachievable by conventional methods and overcome problems normally associated to them. They feature superior homogeneity, modified and controllable porosity, increased densities and higher strength, thus widening possible applications of this widely used biocompatible polysaccharide.Partial funding from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) (CTQ2008-06779-C02-01).Peer reviewe

Secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in elderly population of Turkey: A subgroup analysis of ELDERTURK study

Background: Secondary prevention plays an important role after acute coronary event due to high risk of adverse events in elderly. In present study we aimed to evaluate the lifestyle, management of risk factors and medical treatment for secondary protection in elderly patients with known coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: ELDERTURK is a non-interventional, multi-centered, observational study, which included total of 5694 elderly patients ( > 65 years) from 50 centers in Turkey. In this study elderly patients from the ELDERTURK population with known CHD were evaluated for cardiovascular risk factors, comor- bidities and medication usage. Results: A total of 2976 (52.3% of study) out of 5694 patients included in the ELDERTURK study were evaluated. All had known CHD with a mean age of 73.4 ± 6.2 years and 60.3% were male. 13.0% of patients were smokers, 42.4% were overweight and 21.1% were obese. Only 23.6% of patients reported to do regular exercise, 73.4% had history of hypertension, 47.4% had dyslipidemia and 33.9% had diabetes mellitus. The rate of patients with systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg were 31.1% and only 13.9% of patients had a recommended ≤ 70 mg/dL level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Anti- platelet, statin, beta-blocker and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker usage was limited to 27.3%. Conclusions: The ELDERTURK study shows that many patients with CHD have a high prevalence of modifiable risk factors and unhealthy lifestyle. Apart from this, many patients are not receiving thera- peutic intervention and as a consequence most were not achieving the recommended goals.   

Intraperitoneal drain placement and outcomes after elective colorectal surgery: international matched, prospective, cohort study

Despite current guidelines, intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery remains widespread. Drains were not associated with earlier detection of intraperitoneal collections, but were associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased risk of surgical-site infections.Background Many surgeons routinely place intraperitoneal drains after elective colorectal surgery. However, enhanced recovery after surgery guidelines recommend against their routine use owing to a lack of clear clinical benefit. This study aimed to describe international variation in intraperitoneal drain placement and the safety of this practice. Methods COMPASS (COMPlicAted intra-abdominal collectionS after colorectal Surgery) was a prospective, international, cohort study which enrolled consecutive adults undergoing elective colorectal surgery (February to March 2020). The primary outcome was the rate of intraperitoneal drain placement. Secondary outcomes included: rate and time to diagnosis of postoperative intraperitoneal collections; rate of surgical site infections (SSIs); time to discharge; and 30-day major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade at least III). After propensity score matching, multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to estimate the independent association of the secondary outcomes with drain placement. Results Overall, 1805 patients from 22 countries were included (798 women, 44.2 per cent; median age 67.0 years). The drain insertion rate was 51.9 per cent (937 patients). After matching, drains were not associated with reduced rates (odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95 per cent c.i. 0.79 to 2.23; P = 0.287) or earlier detection (hazard ratio (HR) 0.87, 0.33 to 2.31; P = 0.780) of collections. Although not associated with worse major postoperative complications (OR 1.09, 0.68 to 1.75; P = 0.709), drains were associated with delayed hospital discharge (HR 0.58, 0.52 to 0.66; P < 0.001) and an increased risk of SSIs (OR 2.47, 1.50 to 4.05; P < 0.001). Conclusion Intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery is not associated with earlier detection of postoperative collections, but prolongs hospital stay and increases SSI risk

A micromechanical approach to elastic modulus of long-term aged chicken feather fibre/poly(lactic acid) biocomposites

The modulus of elasticity is a critical parameter for the performance design and analysis of biofibre-based biocomposite materials. As a result of criteria such as internal heterogeneity, the random distribution of fibres and the success of interfacial adhesion between the fibre and the matrix, it becomes difficult to predict the modulus of elasticity in practical ways. Therefore, one of the aims of this study is to determine the modulus of elasticity of biocomposite material reinforced with discontinuous and random fibres by means of micromechanical models and experimentally. In addition, it is also aimed to reveal which micromechanical model can be used reliably in predicting the modulus of elasticity of both aged and non-aged biocomposite materials due to the relationship between the analytical and experimental results. In order to achieve these objectives, initially, chicken feather fibre/poly (lactic acid) biocomposite specimens having 2, 5 and 10 % chicken feather fibre mass fractions were mixed and manufactured by extruding, and subsequently, tensile test specimens according to the appropriate standard were formed by the injection-moulding method. An agreement between the moduli of elasticity obtained from 6 micromechanical models and experimentally from the slope of the stress-strain curves resulting from tensile tests was determined

Design of an Independent Suspension for a Special Type Semi-Trailer: Conceptual Design Studies

Conceptual design steps of a 4.5 metric tonnes capacity, trailing arm-type independent suspension system, which will be applied to special type semi-trailers suitable for the transport of glass and other sensitive loads, are summarized. In the first phase of the work, the design volume of the suspension system is determined, by taking the total working stroke of the wheel into account. The spring and damping coefficients, which provide the required vertical vibration frequency and the chassis damping factor for the chassis, are calculated by using the mass-spring-damper model. By using these data, a multi-body (MB) model of the suspension system was created via Adams/Car (TM) multibody dynamics software package. Proper position of the control arm bearing which satisfies the minimum wheel base alteration during the wheel travel by using the Adams / Insight (TM) application. In the light of the factors such as the bearing position, chassis structure, the strokes of the spring and damper, pre-design of the control arm was carried out. Mass of this design was decreased about 37% with the help of topology optimization. Finite element (FE) analyses of the suspension system was also carried out via ANSYS (R) Workbench application for predicted loads on the wheel contact point which represent various load conditions. Results showed that the final design satisfies the safety condition for three times the design load. Kinematic inspection which was carried out by using the CATIA (R) V5R21 DMU Kinematics application was also showed that there is no penetration between the suspension components and the chassis for full jounce

Risk Factors of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Introduction: Secondary lymphedema is one of the major important long-term complications of breast cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to determine patient- and treatment-related risk factors of lymphedema in breast cancer patients

The influence levetiracetam on psychosocial and behavioral functioning in children: A case-control and follow-up study

WOS: 000406321300007PubMed ID: 28575765Background: Levetiracetam, a widely used antiepileptic drug in children, has been associated with psychosocial and behavioral problems, which are also influenced by epilepsy variables, including duration or seizure frequency. Purpose: The objective of this study is to investigate the frequency and timing of treatment-emergent psychosocial and behavioral problems in children receiving levetiracetam, irrespective of seizure variables which are possible confounders. Methods: A prospective, case-control study with a 3-month follow-up was conducted. Consecutive children aged 6 to 16 years with new-onset partial seizures were included in case of starting treatment with either levetiracetam or valproic acid. Psychosocial and behavioral functioning were assessed using a set of standardized questionnaires including Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) at baseline, 1 and 3-month follow-up. Patients' baseline scores were compared to healthy subjects. The difference in the follow-up SDQ and CDI scores was evaluated in patients receiving levetiracetam and valproic acid. Results: A total of 101 participants were analyzed; 32 patients in levetiracetam group, 19 patients in valproic acid group and 50 healthy controls. Baseline SDQ and CDI scores were not statistically different between patients and healthy subjects (p > 0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in CDI, total and subscale SDQ scores between patients receiving levetiracetam or valproic acid during the study period (p > 0.05). A girl aged 15 years receiving levetiracetam had a CDI score of 18 without suicidal ideation at baseline. She developed suicidal ideation and depression, which resolved after switching of levetiracetam to valproic acid, at the 1-month follow-up. No other psychiatric or behavioral side-effects were observed in other patients. Conclusion: Psychosocial and behavioral side-effects of levetiracetam treatment are not frequent and they don't emerge in most of children at lower doses. At this dose, and after 3 months, using these specific instruments, we did not observe any difference between the valproic acid and levetiracetam treatment groups. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved