Investigation of the dorsolateral branch of the posterior intercostal artery for use as the pedicle of a free flap: A cadaveric study and case series

Background The dorsolateral branch of the posterior intercostal artery (DLBPI) can be easily found while harvesting a latissimus dorsi (LD) musculocutaneous flap for breast reconstruction. However, it remains unknown whether this branch can be used for a free flap and whether this branch alone can provide perfusion to the skin. We examined whether the DLBPI could be reliably found and whether it could provide sufficient perfusion. Methods We dissected 10 fresh cadavers and counted DLBPIs with a diameter larger than 2 mm. For each DLBPI, the following parameters were measured: distance from the lateral margin of the LD muscle, level of the intercostal space, distance from the spinal process, and distance from the inferior angle of the scapula. Results The DLBPI was easily found in all cadavers and was reliably located in the specified area. The average number of DLBPIs was 1.65. They were located between the seventh and eleventh intercostal spaces. The average length of the DLBPI between the intercostal space and the LD muscle was 4.82 cm. To assess the perfusion of the DLBPIs, a lead oxide mixture was injected through the branch and observed using X-rays, and it showed good perfusion. Conclusions The DLBPI can be used as a pedicle in free flaps for small defects. DLBPI flaps have some limitations, such as a short pedicle. However, an advantage of this branch is that it can be reliably located through simple dissection. For women, it has the advantage of concealing the donor scar underneath the bra band

The manipulations of surface anisotropy and interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction by an amorphized oxide Ta capping layer

The perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (iDMI) energy density in Ta/Pt/Co/plasma-enhanced oxide layer systems are systematically investigated by using the magneto-optical Kerr effect and Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy. The wedge-type top Ta layer is grown and the in-situ plasma-enhanced oxidation process is performed to form an amorphized oxide layer. Consequently, the surface anisotropy energy is significantly reduced in a certain TaO (x) thickness range and the iDMI energy density is relatively maintained. From these systematic experiments, we reveal that the PMA energy is strongly affected by both top and bottom interfaces, but the contribution from the bottom interface is dominant for the iDMI energy density.FALS

Enhanced hydrogen reaction kinetics of nanostructured Mg-based composites with nanoparticle metal catalysts dispersed on supports

Hydrogen reaction kinetics of nanocrystalline MgH\u2082 co-catalyzed with Ba3(Ca\u2081\u208axNb\u2082\u208bx)O\u2089\u208b\u3b4 (BCN) proton conductive ceramics and nanoparticle bimetallic catalyst of Ni/Pd dispersed on singlewall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) support has been investigated. The nanoparticle bimetallic catalysts of Ni/Pd supported by SWNTs were synthesized based on a novel polyol method using NiCl\u2082\ub76H\u2082O, PdCl\u2082, NaOH and ethylene glycol (EG). The nanostructured Mg composites co-catalyzed with BCN and bimetallic supported catalysts exhibited stable hydrogen desorption capacity of 6.3\u20136.7 wt.% H\u2082 and the significant enhancement of hydrogen desorption kinetics at 230\u2013300 \ub0C in comparison to either non-catalyzed MgH\u2082 or the nanocomposite of MgH\u2082 catalyzed with BCN.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

The buffer layer effect of the exchange stiffness constants on Co thin film

The exchange stiffness of Cobalt thin films with various buffer layers (Pd, Pt, Ta, and no buffer) has been studied by Brillouin scattering in the applied magnetic field of up to 175 mT. We found that Pd and Pt buffer layers led to higher exchange stiffness constants more than 12% compared to the Ta buffer layer, whereas, it was difficult to determine the exchange stiffness constant with no buffer layer due to broad spinwave spectra with poor signal-to-noise ratios. The determined exchange stiffness constant value is 25.7 ± 0.1, 25.6 ± 0.2, and 22.7 ± 0.1 pJ/m for Pd, Pt, and Ta buffer layers. We also observed that the Pd-underlayered sample gives us the largest saturation magnetization and in contrast the Ta underlayer shows the relatively smaller values. This observation indicates that the exchange stiffness constant and the saturation magnetization exhibit the same trend on various buffer layers. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.1

Identification of a novel divergent calmodulin isoform from soybean which has differential ability to activate calmodulin-dependent enzymes

Calmodulin plays pivotal roles in the transduction of various Ca2+-mediated signals and is one of the most highly conserved proteins in eukaryotic cells. In plants, multiple calmodulin isoforms with minor amino acid sequence differences were identified but their functional significances are unknown. To investigate the biological function of calmodulins in the regulation of calmodulin-dependent enzymes, we cloned cDNAs encoding calmodulins in soybean. Among the five cDNAs isolated from soybean, designated as SCam-1 to -5, SCaM-4 and -5 encoded very divergent calmodulin iso forms which have 32 amino acid substitutions from the highly conserved calmodulin, SCaM-1 encoded by SCaM-1 and SCaM-3. SCaM-4 protein produced in Escherichia coli showed typical characteristics of calmodulin such as Ca2+-dependent electrophoretic mobility shift and the ability to activate phosphodiesterase. However, the extent of mobility shift and antigenicity of SCaM-4 were different from those of SCaM-1. Moreover, SCaM-4 did not activate NAD kinase at all in contrast to SCaM-1. Also there were differences in the expression pattern of SCaM-1 and SCaM-4. Expression levels of SCaM-4 were approximately 5-fold lower than those of SCaM-1 in apical and elongating regions of hypocotyls. In addition, SCaM-4 transcripts were barely detectable in root whereas SCaM-1 transcripts were as abundant as in apical and elongating regions of hypocotyls. In conclusion, the different biochemical properties together with differential expression of SCaM-4 suggest that this novel calmodulin may have different functions in plant cells.X11115sciescopu

Dorsal Suspension for Morton’s Neuroma

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: We performed a dorsal suspension of neuroma using the dorsal transverse ligament for the treatment of Morton’s neuroma. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the functional outcomes and complications of dorsal suspension with those of neurectomy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of thirty-eight (40 feet, 40 neuromas) and thirty-six (36 feet, 36 neuromas) patients who underwent dorsal suspension and neurectomy, respectively. At twenty-four month follow-up, the visual analog scale was used to evaluate pain, and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) was used to investigate patient-reported function of activities of daily living and sports. Satisfaction analysis was performed using the Coughlin scale, and postoperative complications were also evaluated. Results: Both groups reported significant pain relief, and there were no significant differences between the groups with respect to postoperative pain (dorsal suspension group, mean, 12.0; neurectomy group, mean, 25.8; p = .99). The postoperative FAAM outcomes showed no significant between-group differences in activities of daily living (dorsal suspension group, mean, 89.5, neurectomy group, mean, 77.2; p = .22) or sports subscales (dorsal suspension group, mean, 85.5; neurectomy group, mean, 69.4; p = .97). Satisfaction analysis showed ‘excellent’ and ‘good’ results in the dorsal suspension and neurectomy groups (95% and 77.7%, respectively). Complications reported in the dorsal suspension and neurectomy groups were numbness (5% vs 61.1%, respectively, p < .05) and paresthesia (5% vs 33.3%, respectively, p < .05). Conclusion: Compared with neurectomy, dorsal suspension provided comparable pain relief and improvement in terms of functional outcomes, as measured by the FAAM. With its lower rate of complication and high satisfaction, dorsal suspension can be another operative option for the treatment of Morton’s neuroma