Overlapping Ablation Using a Coaxial Radiofrequency Electrode and Multiple Cannulae System: Experimental Study in ex-Vivo Bovine Liver

Objective To assess the sizes and configurations of thermal zones after overlapping ablations using a coaxial radiofrequency (RF) electrode and multiple cannulae in ex-vivo bovine liver. Materials and Methods For ablation procedures, a coaxial RF electrode and introducer set was used. Employing real-time ultrasound guidance and overlapping techniques in explanted, fresh bovine liver, we created five kinds of thermal zones with one (n=10), two (n=8), four (n=3), and six ablation spheres (n=3). Following ablation, MR images were obtained and the dimensions of all thermal zones were measured on the longitudinal or transverse section of specimens. The shape of the composite ablation zones was evaluated using three-dimensional MR image reconstruction. Results At gross pathologic examination of ten single-ablation zones (spheres), the long-axis (transverse) and short-axis lengths of zones ranged from 3.7 to 4.4 (mean, 4.1) cm and from 3.5 to 4.0 (mean, 3.7) cm, respectively. The long-axis (transverse) and short-axis lengths of double-ablation zones (cylinders) with 23% overlap ranged from 7.0 to 7.7 (mean, 7.3) cm and from 3.0 to 3.9 (mean, 3.5) cm, respectively; those with 58% overlap ranged from 6.0 to 6.4 (mean, 6.2) cm and from 3.8 to 4.6 (mean, 4.3) cm, respectively. The long-axis (diagonal) and short-axis lengths on a transverse section of four-ablation zones (cakes) ranged from 8.5 to 9.7 (mean, 9.1) cm and from 3.0 to 4.1 (mean, 3.7) cm, respectively. Gross pathologic examination of three composite six-ablation zones (spheres) showed that the long-axis (diagonal) and short-axis lengths of zones ranged from 9.0 to 9.9 (mean, 9.4) cm and from 6.8 to 7.5 (mean, 7.2) cm, respectively. T2-weighted MR images depicted low-signal thermal zones containing multiple curvilinear and spotty regions of hyperintensity. Conclusion Using a coaxial RF electrode and multiple cannulae, together with ultrasound guidance and precise overlapping ablation techniques, we successfully created predictable thermal zones in ex-vivo bovine liver.ope

Analytical Methods Response surface optimised extraction and chromatographic purification of rosmarinic acid from Melissa officinalis leaves

a b s t r a c t The extraction of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) leaves with aqueous methanol was optimised using response surface methodology. Fifteen runs were conducted following a Box-Behnken design (BBD) followed by ridge analysis using the concentration of methanol, the extraction temperature and time as the independent variables and taking the extraction yield of RA from lemon balm as the response variable. The optimal extraction conditions were a methanol concentration of 59.0% (v/v), a temperature of 54.8°C and a time of 64.8 min, which gave a maximal RA yield of 46.1 mg RA/g dry materials. The RA extract was loaded onto a column packed with Sephadex LH-20 and then was eluted with 100% methanol, which resulted in RA with a purity of 38.8% and a yield of 43.8%. The purity of RA increased by 3.1-fold when compared to its initial purity in the extract obtained from extraction

Virtual reality-based monitoring test for MCI: A multicenter feasibility study

ObjectivesAs the significance of the early diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has emerged, it is necessary to develop corresponding screening tools with high ecological validity and feasible biomarkers. Virtual reality (VR)-based cognitive assessment program, which is close to the daily life of the older adults, can be suitable screening tools for MCI with ecological validity and accessibility. Meanwhile, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been observed at a low concentration in the older adults with dementia or cognitive decline, indicating its potential as a biomarker of MCI. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and usability of a VR cognitive assessment program and salivary DHEA for screening MCI.MethodsThe VR cognitive assessment program and the traditional Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) test were performed on 12 patients with MCI and 108 healthy older adults. The VR program operates in a situation of caring for a grandchild, and evaluates the memory, attention, visuospatial, and executive functions. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), a partial correlation analysis, and receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were conducted for statistical analysis.ResultsAccording to the ANCOVA, no significant difference in MOCA scores was found between the normal and MCI groups (F = 2.36, p = 0.127). However, the VR total score of the MCI group was significantly lower than that of the normal group (F = 8.674, p = 0.004). There was a significant correlation between the MOCA and VR scores in the total and matched subdomain scores. The ROC curve analysis also showed a larger area under the curve (AUC) for the VR test (0.765) than for the MOCA test (0.598), and the sensitivity and specificity of the VR program were 0.833 and 0.722, respectively. Salivary DHEA was correlated with VR total (R2 = 0.082, p = 0.01) and attention scores (R2 = 0.086, p = 0.009).ConclusionThe VR cognitive test was as effective as the traditional MOCA test in the MCI classification and safe enough for older adults to perform, indicating its potential as a diagnostic tool. It has also been shown that salivary DHEA can be used as a biomarker for MCI

Female Millennials Wearing Workout Wear as Daily Wear in the U.S.

Due to the rise of fitness-conscious consumers who consider athletics not only a hobby but also a lifestyle (Petro, 2015), athleisure wear has become a large lifestyle trend among female consumers. it is common to see women in yoga pants and similar workout attire rather than skinny jeans as athleisure is now a comfortable lifestyle for consumers of all ages focusing more on lifestyle than performance (Marshal Cohen,2017).Regardless of age, athleisure has proven to be popular among females of all ages with exceptional popularity among millennials. Younger millennials (ages 18–24) tend to spend more time and money on beauty and specialty apparel retailers, sportier, eat healthier, cook less, and shop wholesale more often than older millennials (ages 25–34). Athleisure is an attractive clothing category becoming part of young female millennials’ lifestyles The purpose of the study is to determine how and why more young female millennials in the U.S. wear workout wear as daily wear and at they most value by doing so.This study explains and understand the popularity of athleisure among young female millennials in the U.S. The survey was distributed to fashion design and merchandising students enrolled in two fashion courses in a large public Midwestern university in the United States. In total, 235 participants completed the surveys, including 199 female students. For this study, only female students’ data were analyzed. Most participants were 18–24 years old (97.5%; n=194) and White or Caucasian (75.9%; n=151). The participants were asked various questions related to wearing workout wear as daily wear, workout habits, their interest in health issues as well as the self-objectification questionnaire (SOQ) developed by Noll and Fredrickson (1998). SOQ measures the extent to which individuals consider five observable physical attributes (i.e., weight, sex appeal, physical attractiveness, firm/sculpted muscles, and measurements) to be more important than five nonobservable physical attributes (i.e., physical coordination, health, strength, energy level, and physical fitness level). Respondents ranked all 10 attributes in the order of their impact on the physical self-concept, from least impact (rank=0) to greatest impact (rank=9). * Keywords: Athleisure, workout wear, millennial, self-objectification</p

Zahteve po feminističnem prostoru na Korejskem kibernetskem teritoriju

Članek analizira dva korejska spletna magazina Dalara in Unninet z namenom, da bi določili pogoje, ki omogočajo feminističnim online medijem preživeti, izražati alternativne in feministične glasove in graditi feministično skupnost. Raziskava je vključevala intervjuje z ljudmi, vključenimi v produkcijo spletnih magaziniov, ter kvalitativno in kvantitativno analizo njihovih vsebin. Avtorice ugotavljajo, da magazina pomembno prispevata k razširjanju prostora za ženske v virtualnem svetu in h graditvi omrežja žensk,ki je hkrati tehnološko zahteven in politiziran ter udoben in domač. Bralke se čutijo med seboj povezane in vzajemno odgovorne. Vendar pa Dalara in Unninet nista ubežala tradicionalnim omejitvam, ki so jim izpostavljeni ženski alternativni mediji.This paper analyses two Korean feminist webzines. We use the two cases to investigate the conditions under which feminist online media can survive, express alternative and feminist voices, and build a feminist community. The research is based on interviews with people involved in the zines\u27 production, and on qualitative and quantitative analyses of the zines\u27 contents, with particular attention to spaces provided for audience interactions. We conclude that Dalara and Unninet play a significant role in enlarging the meaningful space for women in virtual world and helping to builda women\u27s network that is both technologically sophisticated and politicized but also comfortable and familiar. Readers apparently feel bound to one another, with mutual responsibilities and reciprocal duties. But Dalara and Unninet did not escape the constraints imposed on traditional women\u27s alternative media. Time, energy, and money - always limited resources - remain intractable issues even for online communities

Optimization of Caffeic Acid Extraction from Dendropanax morbifera Leaves Using Response Surface Methodology and Determination of Polyphenols and Antioxidant Properties

The aim of this study was to optimize the extraction method for caffeic acid from the leaves of Dendropanax morbifera using response surface methodology (RSM), and subsequently determine the polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the D. morbifera leaves extracts. The extraction process considered operating variables such as solvent concentration, extraction temperature, and extraction time, which were optimized via Box–Behnken experimental design. In addition, the antioxidant capacity was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The optimal extraction conditions of 41.23% (v/v) methanol concentration, at 88.61 °C, and 1.86 h produced a maximum caffeic acid (CA) yield of 20.35 mg/g. Additionally, total polyphenols, total tannins, and total flavonoids contents in the leaves extracts of D. morbifera were 32.48 ± 2.05 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalents)/g, 17.61 ± 2.61 mg GAE/g, and 9.14 ± 0.17 mg QE (quercetin equivalents)/g, respectively. The results showed that methanol extracts exhibited an IC50 of approximately 14.3 mg AAE (ascorbic acid equivalent)/g. The results suggested that the extracts of D. morbifera leaves contain potential antioxidant activity, and could be a good source of functional food and used in medicinal applications

Comparison of Antioxidant Properties and Metabolite Profiling of <i>Acer pseudoplatanus</i> Leaves of Different Colors

Acer pseudoplatanus (maple) is a widely grown ornamental plant. In addition to its ornamental and ecological value, it also has potentially high economic value. It is a rich source of polyphenols and exhibits antioxidant activity. However, the relationship between polyphenol content and antioxidant activity in maple leaves of different colors (green, yellow, and red) has not yet been investigated. In this study, the total polyphenol (TP), total flavonoid (TFlav), tannin (TET), chlorophyll a and b (Chl a and b), total anthocyanin (TAN), and total carotene (TAC) contents in maple leaves of different colors were evaluated. Their antioxidant activities were determined based on the inhibition of lipid oxidation, DPPH scavenging, ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power, and iron-chelating abilities. The concentrations of TP, TET, TFlav, TAN, and TAC in red maple leaves were higher than those in green and yellow maple leaves. In addition, red maple leaves showed a higher antioxidant effect than the leaves of the other two colors. We observed that antioxidant activity was positively correlated with TP, TFlav, and TAN and negatively correlated with Chl a and b. Finally, we analyzed the metabolites of the different colored (i.e., green, yellow, and red) maple leaves using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and found that the metabolite profile significantly varied between the different colors. These results suggest that red leaves are a good source of polyphenols and antioxidants and have potential use in the development of functional foods and medicinal applications