scholarly journals Comparison of Acute Recoil between Bioabsorbable Poly-L-lactic Acid XINSORB Stent and Metallic Stent in Porcine Model

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yizhe Wu ◽  
Li Shen ◽  
Qibing Wang ◽  
Lei Ge ◽  
Jian Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Quantitative Coronary Angiography ◽  
Preclinical Study ◽  
Metallic Stent ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Inflated Balloon ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Plla Stent

Objective. To investigate acute recoil of bioabsorbable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) stent.Background. As newly developed coronary stent, bioabsorbable PLLA stent still encountered concern of acute stent recoil.Methods. Sixteen minipigs were enrolled in our study. Eight PLLA XINSORB stents (Weite Biotechnology Co., Ltd., China) and eight metallic stents (EXCEL, Jiwei Co., Ltd. China) were implanted into coronary arteries. Upon quantitative coronary angiography analysis, acute absolute recoil was defined as the difference between mean diameter of inflated balloon (X) and mean lumen diameter of stent immediately after deployment (Y), while acute percent recoil was defined as (X−Y)/Xand expressed as a percentage. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was performed immediately after implantation and 24 hours later to compare cross-sectional area (CSA) between two groups and detect stent malapposition or collapse.Results. Acute absolute recoil in XINSORB and EXCEL was0.02±0.13 mm and −0.08±0.08 mm respectively (P=0.19). Acute percent recoil in XINSORB and EXCEL was0.66±4.32% and −1.40±3.83%, respectively (P=0.45). CSA of XINSORB was similar to that of EXCEL immediately after implantation, so was CSA of XINSORB at 24-hours followup. Within XINSORB group, no difference existed between CSA after implantation and CSA at 24-hours followup. No sign of acute stent malapposition was detected by IVUS.Conclusions. The acute stent recoil of XINSORB is similar to that of EXCEL. No acute stent malapposition or collapse appeared in both kinds of stent. This preclinical study was designed to provide preliminary data for future studies of long-term efficacy and safety of XINSORB stent.

scholarly journals Historical Rainfall and Evapotranspiration Changes over Mpologoma Catchment in Uganda

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Ambrose Mubialiwo ◽  
Charles Onyutha ◽  
Adane Abebe
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Balance ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Careful Planning ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Nonparametric Approach ◽  
The Difference

Changes in the long-term (1948–2016) rainfall and evapotranspiration over Mpologoma catchment were analysed using gridded (0.25° × 0.25°) Princeton Global Forcing data. Trend and variability were assessed using a nonparametric approach based on the cumulative sum of the difference between exceedance and nonexceedance counts of data. Annual and March-May (MAM) rainfall displayed a positive trend (p<0.05), whereas October-December (OND) and June-September rainfall exhibited negative trends with p>0.05 and p<0.05, respectively. Positive subtrends in rainfall occurred in the 1950s and from the mid-2000s till 2016; however, negative subtrends existed between 1960 till around 2005. Seasonal evapotranspiration exhibited a positive trend (p>0.05). For the entire period (1948–2016), there was no negative subtrend in the OND and MAM evapotranspiration. Rainfall and evapotranspiration trends and oscillatory variation in subtrends over multidecadal time scales indicate the need for careful planning of predictive adaptation to the impacts of climate variability on environmental applications which depend on water balance in the Mpologoma catchment. It is recommended that future studies quantify possible contributions of human factors on the variability of rainfall and evapotranspiration. Furthermore, climate change impacts on rainfall and evapotranspiration across the study area should be investigated.

Effect of Xylitol Consumption on the Plaque-Saliva Distribution of Mutans Streptococci and the Occurrence and Long-term Survival of Xylitol-resistant Strains

1992 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 1785-1791 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Trahan ◽  
E. Söderling ◽  
M.-F. Drean ◽  
M.-C. Chevrier ◽  
P. Isokangas
Keyword(s):  
Dental Plaque ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Mutans Streptococci ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Long Term Survival ◽  
Whole Saliva ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
The Difference

Since the exposure of mutans streptococci to xylitol is known to select for xylitol-resistant (XR) natural mutants, the occurrence and long-term survival of such xylitol-resistant strains was evaluated in a cross-sectional sampling of participants of the Ylivieska xylitol study four years after the original two-year experimental period. Paraffin-stimulated whole saliva was first collected, and then plaque was collected and pooled. The salivary and dental plaque mutans streptococci were enumerated after growth on TSY20B agar. The proportion of XR strains was determined by autoradiography with 14C-xylitol. A strong and significant correlation (r = 0.645 and p = 0.005) between the number of mutans streptococci in saliva and in dental plaque was observed in non-consumers of xylitol. Such a correlation totally disappeared (r = 0.098 and p = 0.612) in xylitol-exposed consumers (habitual and former xylitol-consumers). The proportion of the salivary XR mutants (35%) in non-consumers (n = 16) was significantly lower than in the xylitol-exposed consumers (79%) (n = 27), (p = 0.0001) or in former consumers (75%) (n = 13), (p = 0.0008) or in the habitual consumers (83%) (n = 14), (p = 0.004). The proportion of XR mutants in dental plaque was, on the average, much lower than in the corresponding saliva. The proportion of XR in the plaque of xylitol non-consumers was half of that of the xylitol-exposed group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Taken together, the results suggest that: (1) xylitol consumption modifies the mutans streptococci distribution between the dental plaque and the saliva; (2) once selected by the habitual use of xylitol and established in the mouth, the XR natural mutant population maintains itself for up to four years after the withdrawal of the selective agent or at least under minimal and irregular consumption of the agent; and (3) an unknown characteristic of the XR mutants allows them to be more easily shed into the saliva from the plaque than the xylitol-sensitive parental strains.

scholarly journals A Superellipse with Deformation and Its Application in Describing the Cross-Sectional Shapes of a Square Bamboo

Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 2073
Author(s):  
Weiwei Huang ◽  
Yueyi Li ◽  
Karl J. Niklas ◽  
Johan Gielis ◽  
Yongyan Ding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Deformation Parameter ◽  
Rotational Symmetry ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Initial Application ◽  
Stem Development ◽  
The Cross ◽  
The Difference

Many cross-sectional shapes of plants have been found to approximate a superellipse rather than an ellipse. Square bamboos, belonging to the genus Chimonobambusa (Poaceae), are a group of plants with round-edged square-like culm cross sections. The initial application of superellipses to model these culm cross sections has focused on Chimonobambusa quadrangularis (Franceschi) Makino. However, there is a need for large scale empirical data to confirm this hypothesis. In this study, approximately 750 cross sections from 30 culms of C. utilis were scanned to obtain cross-sectional boundary coordinates. A superellipse exhibits a centrosymmetry, but in nature the cross sections of culms usually deviate from a standard circle, ellipse, or superellipse because of the influences of the environment and terrain, resulting in different bending and torsion forces during growth. Thus, more natural cross-sectional shapes appear to have the form of a deformed superellipse. The superellipse equation with a deformation parameter (SEDP) was used to fit boundary data. We find that the cross-sectional shapes (including outer and inner rings) of C. utilis can be well described by SEDP. The adjusted root-mean-square error of SEDP is smaller than that of the superellipse equation without a deformation parameter. A major finding is that the cross-sectional shapes can be divided into two types of superellipse curves: hyperellipses and hypoellipses, even for cross sections from the same culm. There are two proportional relationships between ring area and the product of ring length and width for both the outer and inner rings. The proportionality coefficients are significantly different, as a consequence of the two different superellipse types (i.e., hyperellipses and hypoellipses). The difference in the proportionality coefficients between hyperellipses and hypoellipses for outer rings is greater than that for inner rings. This work informs our understanding and quantifying of the longitudinal deformation of plant stems for future studies to assess the influences of the environment on stem development. This work is also informative for understanding the deviation of natural shapes from a strict rotational symmetry.

Intravascular Ultrasound Guidance for Peripheral Vascular Interventions

1994 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Scoccianti ◽  
Christopher S. Verbin ◽  
George E. Kopchok ◽  
Martin R. Back ◽  
Carlos E. Donayre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intravascular Ultrasound ◽  
Ultrasound Guidance ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Endovascular Interventions ◽  
Interventional Devices ◽  
Intravascular Stents ◽  
Ivus Imaging

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging during peripheral endovascular interventions adds important information regarding the distribution of disease by providing controlled measurements of the cross-sectional area of the vessel lumen and wall prior to and following procedures. IVUS is useful in determining the mechanism and efficacy of balloon angioplasty, in guiding atherectomy devices, and in assuring appropriate placement of intravascular stents. The incorporation of an IVUS element into catheter-based interventional devices may improve the immediate and long-term results of endovascular interventions by decreasing complications from dissection and perforation of the arterial wall. Combined IVUS-stent prototype catheters are being developed to enable imaging and deployment simultaneously. Similar devices are being explored to enhance expedient, precise delivery of endoluminal grafts. Future studies of endovascular techniques should include IVUS, when possible, to accurately quantitate the initial efficacy of devices and to determine the nature and distribution of recurrent lesions.

scholarly journals Human infections and co-infections with helminths in a rural population in Guichi, Anhui Province, China

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Hu ◽  
Rui Li ◽  
Michael P. Ward ◽  
Yue Chen ◽  
Henry Lynn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Anhui Province ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Republic Of China ◽  
Helminth Infections ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
The Village

Helminth infections are believed to be common in tropical and subtropical countries. A cross-sectional study was carried out in two villages located in Guichi District in Anhui Province, the People’s Republic of China, where multiparasitism was investigated using parasitological tests. The data collected were fitted to Bayesian multi-level models to profile risk factors for helminth infections. The prevalence of <em>Schistosoma</em> (<em>S.</em>) <em>japonicum</em>, <em>Ascaris</em> (<em>A.</em>) <em>lumbricoides</em> and <em>Trichuris</em> (<em>T.</em>) <em>trichiura</em> were 0.43% (range: 0-0.87% at the village level), 2.28% (range: 1.69-2.88%), and 0.21% (range: 0-0.42%), respectively. No hookworm infection was found. With regard to multiparasitism, only a 33-year-old female was found to be co-infected with <em>S. japonicum</em> and <em>A. lumbricoides</em>. Multiparasitism was unexpectedly rare in the study area, which contrasts with results from other studies carried out elsewhere in the country. The long-term usage of albendazole for individuals serologically positive for schistosomiasis may be the main reason, but this needs to be confirmed by future studies.

scholarly journals The Needs and Utilization of Long-Term Care Service Resources by Dementia Family Caregivers and the Affecting Factors

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (16) ◽  
pp. 6009
Author(s):  
Chia-Hui Chang ◽  
Yung Ming ◽  
Tsung-Hung Chang ◽  
Yea-Yin Yen ◽  
Shou-Jen Lan
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Affecting Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Difference

This study was to evaluate the utilization of long-term care service resources by caregivers of patients with dementia (PWD) and to determine affecting factors. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 100 dyads were enrolled and caregivers responded to the questionnaires. We found 40% of caregivers not using any care resources. Between those caregivers using and not-using care resources, we found differences (p < 0.05) in their health status and living conditions; the difference (p < 0.05) was also found in patients’ behavior and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The frequency of BPSD (OR = 1.045, p = 0.016, 95% CI = 1.001–1.083) and the living conditions (OR = 3.519, p = 0.007, 95% CI = 1.414–8.759) were related to their use of care resources. Particular BPSDs, such as anxiety or restlessness, throwaway food, aggressive behavior, tearing of clothes, and sexual harassment of patients were related to the caregivers’ use of care resources (p < 0.01). Health professionals have to evaluate the patients’ BPSD and identify the caregivers’ essential needs. Individualized medical care and BPSD-related care resources should be provided for patients and caregivers for taking off their care burden and improving patient care.

scholarly journals Care and curriculum

2015 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-6
Author(s):  
Victor Parchment ◽  
Naomi Mudachi
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Patient Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Clinical Empathy ◽  
Clinical Culture ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Physician Patient ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Clinical empathy has been repeatedly shown to increase patient satisfaction and improve clinical outcomes; therefore it forms an important cornerstone of the physician-patient therapeutic relationship. While some studies have shown that empathy in medical students decreases over the course of their education, other studies have contested these findings. Purpose: This paper reviews studies and relevant literature in order to explore the relationship between medical education and clinical empathy, and in particular, the difference in results between those studies that demonstrated a decline in clinical empathy and those studies that did not. Conclusion: Study design and methodology, differences in clinical culture, and differences in curriculum were identified as three possible influences that explain the lack of consensus in the literature. This paper recommends a twofold approach to further research in the field of clinical empathy development. First, future studies examining this phenomenon should focus on longitudinal designs that incorporate objective measures and patient factors rather than relying exclusively on cross-sectional studies utilising self-assessment. Second, medical schools should be encouraged to adopt or develop techniques to assess the clinical empathy of their students and implement solutions to mitigate a decline in empathy if required.

scholarly journals Resistance Training Recommendations to Maximize Muscle Hypertrophy in an Athletic Population: Position Stand of the IUSCA

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad Schoenfeld ◽  
James Fisher ◽  
Jozo Grgic ◽  
Cody Haun ◽  
Eric Helms ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Hypertrophy ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Athletic Population ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Whole Muscle

Hypertrophy can be operationally defined as an increase in the axial cross-sectional area of a muscle fiber or whole muscle, and is due to increases in the size of pre-existing muscle fibers. Hypertrophy is a desired outcome in many sports. For some athletes, muscular bulk and, conceivably, the accompanying increase in strength/power, are desirable attributes for optimal performance. Moreover, bodybuilders and other physique athletes are judged in part on their muscular size, with placings predicated on the overall magnitude of lean mass. In some cases, even relatively small improvements in hypertrophy might be the difference between winning and losing in competition for these athletes. This position stand of leading experts in the field synthesizes the current body of research to provide guidelines for maximizing skeletal muscle hypertrophy in an athletic population. The recommendations represent a consensus of a consortium of experts in the field, based on the best available current evidence. Specific sections of the paper are devoted to elucidating the constructs of hypertrophy, reconciliation of acute vs long-term evidence, and the relationship between strength and hypertrophy to provide context to our recommendations.

Integrity Validation of Small Diameter-Thin Wall Pipeline Susceptible to Cracking or Crack-Like Indications: A Case Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nima Parsibenehkohal ◽  
Arash Ilbagi ◽  
Alex Tatarov ◽  
Frank Gareau
Keyword(s):  
Small Diameter ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Metal Loss ◽  
Thin Wall ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Line Pipe ◽  
Lack Of Fusion ◽  
Pressure Spike ◽  
The Difference

Abstract The integrity validation of small diameter, thin wall pipelines can be challenging. In-line inspection tool limitations for diameters below approximately 4.5-inch contribute significantly to this challenge. This paper will describe experiences related to the successful integrity validation of a 3-inch vintage high vapour pressure (propane) pipeline which was susceptible to external cracking as well as crack-like indications at the seam weld (e.g. hook cracks and lack of fusion). This line pipe was manufactured in 1967 with a low frequency electric resistance welding (ERW) process. The major threat was identified to be external corrosion since external metal loss up to 70% of the wall thickness was reported by in-line inspection (ILI). The cut-out samples obtained from integrity digs following the ILI were examined by magnetic particle inspection methods. Some external features on these cut-out samples were reported as cracks. The pipeline licensee involved Skystone to complete an engineering assessment and provide a short-term and long-term integrity plan to validate the integrity of the pipeline for continued service. The cut-out samples were re-examined. This examination included cross-sectional metallography of the area suspected to contain crack-like indications. No external cracking was identified; however, crack-like indications such as lack of fusion were found on the ERW seam. A pressure-spike test was designed as an integrity validation technique and completed successfully. This paper reviews the difference between the pressure-spike test and conventional pressure tests, the technical basis for the pressure-spike test, its limitations, and practical considerations that need to be considered. The regulatory recognition of spike testing as well as available recommended practices that refer to this approach will be discussed. A long-term integrity plan was developed by establishing an interval for the next pressure-spike test using fatigue life estimation.

scholarly journals Association of High Blood Homocysteine and Risk of Increased Severity of Ischemic Stroke Events

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (01) ◽  
pp. 034-038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Al Rasyid ◽  
Mohammad Kurniawan ◽  
Taufik Mesiano ◽  
Rakhmad Hidayat ◽  
Salim Harris
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Stroke Outcomes ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Short And Long Term

AbstractStroke is the leading cause of death and disability in the world as well as in Indonesia. Initial stroke severity is an important factor that affects short- and long-term stroke outcomes. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital from July 2017 to January 2018 to investigate the factors that affect stroke severity. A total of 77 acute ischemic stroke patients were divided into three groups, which include low blood homocysteine levels (< 9 μmol/L), moderate blood homocysteine levels (9–15 μmol/L), and high blood homocysteine levels (> 15 μmol/L). The acquired data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis test and a significant difference of initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and blood homocysteine levels (H = 13.328, p = 0.001) were seen, with a mean rank of 25.86 for low blood homocysteine levels, 33.69 for moderate blood homocysteine levels, and 48.94 for high blood homocysteine levels. The patients were then divided into two groups based on the NIHSS (≤5 and > 5) to calculate the risk correlation of blood homocysteine levels and NIHSS by using regression. We found that patients with high blood homocysteine levels had 14.4 times higher risk of having NIHSS > 5 compared with those with low blood homocysteine levels (p = 0.002, 95% confidence interval [CI] [2.714–76.407]), and 3.9 times higher risk compared with those with moderate blood homocysteine levels (p = 0.011, 95% CI [1.371–11.246]). We concluded that homocysteine is a risk factor for a higher stroke severity. Future studies to evaluate the usefulness of homocysteine-lowering therapy in stroke patients are recommended.

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