EFFECTS OF LIQUID SWIRLING ON GAS-TO-LIQUID MASS TRANSFER IN THREE-PHASE FLUIDIZED BEDS

The swirling flow mode of liquid phase was adopted to promote the gas-to-liquid mass transfer in three-phase(gas-liquid-solid) fluidized beds. Effects of gas(0.01-0.09m/s) and liquid(0.035-0.172m/s) velocities, particle size(1.7-6.0mm) and swirling ratio of liquid phase(0-0.5) on the volumetric gas-to-liquid mass transfer coefficient in the bed were examined. The mass transfer coefficient increased up to 70% by adjusting the swirling flow of liquid phase, especially when the gas velocity is relatively low range. The value of gas-to-liquid mass transfer coefficient was well correlated in terms of dimensionless groups which were derived from the dimensional analysis on the mass transfer system

Mechanisms of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells During Peritoneal Dialysis

A growing body of evidence indicates that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC) may play an important role in the development and progression of peritoneal fibrosis during long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) leading to failure of peritoneal membrane function. Here, we review our own observations and those of others on the mechanisms of EMT of HPMC and suggest potential therapeutic strategies to prevent EMT and peritoneal fibrosis during long-term PD. We found that high glucose and H2O2 as well as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) induced EMT in HPMC and that high glucose-induced EMT was blocked not only by inhibition of TGF-β1 but also by antioxidants or inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Since MAPKs are downstream target molecules of reactive oxygen species (ROS), these data suggest that high glucose-induced generation of ROS and subsequent MAPK activation mediate high glucose-induced EMT in HPMC. We and others also observed that bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) prevented EMT in HPMC. Glucose degradation products (GDP) were shown to play a role in inducing EMT. Involvement of a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in TGF-β1-induced EMT has also been proposed in cultured HPMC. A better understanding of the precise mechanisms involved in EMT of HPMC may provide new therapeutic strategies for inhibiting peritoneal fibrosis in long-term PD patients

An unusual presentation of multiple cavitated lung metastases from colon carcinoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Consolidation with or without ground-glass opacity is the typical radiologic finding of lung metastases of adenocarcinoma from the gastrointestinal tract. Lung excavated metastases from gastrointestinal carcinoma are very rare.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>The authors describe an unusual presentation of multiple cavitated lung metastases from colon adenocarcinoma and discuss the outcome of a patient. The absence both of symptoms and other disease localizations, the investigations related to different diagnostic hypotheses and the empirical treatments caused a delay in correct diagnosis. Only a transparietal biopsy revealed the neoplastic origin of nodules.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This report demonstrates that although lung excavated metastases are described in literature, initial failure to reach a diagnosis is common. We would like to alert clinicians and radiologists to the possibility of unusual atypical features of pulmonary metastases from colon adenocarcinoma.</p

Giant liver hemangioma resected by trisectorectomy after efficient volume reduction by transcatheter arterial embolization: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Liver hemangiomas are the most common benign liver tumors, usually small in size and requiring no treatment. Giant hemangiomas complicated with consumptive coagulopathy (Kasabach-Merritt syndrome) or causing severe incapacitating symptoms, however, are generally considered an absolute indication for surgical resection. Here, we present the case of a giant hemangioma, which was, to the best of our knowledge, one of the largest ever reported.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 38-year-old Asian man was referred to our hospital with complaints of severe abdominal distension and pancytopenia. Examinations at the first visit revealed a right liver hemangioma occupying the abdominal cavity, protruding into the right diaphragm up to the right thoracic cavity and extending down to the pelvic cavity, with a maximum diameter of 43 cm, complicated with "asymptomatic" Kasabach-Merritt syndrome. Based on the tumor size and the anatomic relationship between the tumor and hepatic vena cava, primary resection seemed difficult and dangerous, leading us to first perform transcatheter arterial embolization to reduce the tumor volume and to ensure the safety of future resection. The tumor volume was significantly decreased by two successive transcatheter arterial embolizations, and a conventional right trisectorectomy was then performed without difficulty to resect the tumor.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To date, there have been several reports of aggressive surgical treatments, including extra-corporeal hepatic resection and liver transplantation, for huge hemangiomas like the present case, but because of its benign nature, every effort should be made to avoid life-threatening surgical stress for patients. Our experience demonstrates that a pre-operative arterial embolization may effectively enable the resection of large hemangiomas.</p

Dysaesthesia in the mental nerve distribution triggered by a foreign body: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Foreign bodies' entrapments in the mandibular and submandibular regions are quite common. CASE PRESENTATION: We report an unusual case of foreign body (amalgam filling) entrapment over the mental foramen causing dysaesthesia in the distribution of the mental nerve. An interesting sign was blue discoloration of the overlaying oral mucosa which was interpreted as amalgam tattooing. CONCLUSION: Surgical removal of the foreign object eliminated the reported symptoms

Physiological impact of nanoporous acupuncture needles: Laser Doppler perfusion imaging in healthy volunteers

Background Recently, porous acupuncture (PA), which is anodized to increase its surface area for higher stimulation intensity, was developed and showed significantly improved therapeutic effects with more comfort as compared with original acupuncture (OA) in vivo. However, the impact of PA on the change of local blood flow as well as its efficacy and acceptability has not yet been confirmed in a clinical trial. In a randomized, controlled crossover clinical trial, we investigated the effects of PA on the change in local blood flow using laser Doppler perfusion imaging and considered the sensation of pain intensity and discomfort severity using a visual analogue scale (VAS) to explore its physiological impact and the possibility of PA in clinical use. Methods Twenty-one healthy participants were randomly treated with PA or OA on one side of Zusanli (ST36) and each participant served as his or her own control. Baseline local blood flow and galvanic skin response (GSR) were obtained for 5 min and acupuncture interventions were subsequently performed. Next, local blood flow and GSR were subsequently obtained for 10 min after insertion, 10 min after manipulation, and 5 min after the withdrawal of acupuncture. At the end of the experiment, participants were asked to indicate the sensation of pain intensity at each session of insertion, retention, manipulation, and withdrawal as well as the overall pain intensity and discomfort severity. Results PA significantly increased the local blood flow as compared with OA and there was no significant difference in GSR between patients treated with PA versus OA in each phase of insertion and manipulation. No significant difference in pain intensity or discomfort severity was found during manipulation, retention, or withdrawal of acupuncture. Conclusions These results indicate that PA increases local blood flow, which can be closely related to the observed enhanced performance, without any associated discomfort or pain, suggesting its applicability in clinical practice. © 2019 Kim et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.1

Recent advances in unveiling active sites in molybdenum sulfide-based electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Hydrogen has received significant attention as a promising future energy carrier due to its high energy density and environmentally friendly nature. In particular, the electrocatalytic generation of hydrogen fuel is highly desirable to replace current fossil fuel-dependent hydrogen production methods. However, to achieve widespread implementation of electrocatalytic hydrogen production technology, the development of highly active and durable electrocatalysts based on Earth-abundant elements is of prime importance. In this context, nanostructured molybdenum sulfides (MoS x ) have received a great deal of attention as promising alternatives to precious metal-based catalysts. In this focus review, we summarize recent efforts towards identification of the active sites in MoS x -based electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). We also discuss recent synthetic strategies for the engineering of catalyst structures to achieve high active site densities. Finally, we suggest ongoing and future research challenges in the design of advanced MoS x -based HER electrocatalysts