Textile materials inspired by structural colour in nature

The concept of mimicking structural colour in nature as an alternative to traditional textile coloration techniques would reduce dependency on dyes, pigments and vast quantities of water in the textile supply chain. Structural colours originate from the physical interaction of light with nanoscale structures. This is exhibited in the bodies and wings of certain species of butterfly, beetles and plants. The angular optical effects of the Chrysina gloriosa beetle result from the periodicity due to the cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) structure adopted by the cells in their exoskeleton. The optical properties of CLCs makes promising applications for optical sensors and anti-counterfeit materials. Application using inkjet printing technology enables designs to be tuned to meet product requirements, and with a hydrophobic treatment challenges associated with a rough surface such as textiles are overcome. Here we report inkjet printing CLC solutions onto hydrophobic pre-treated textiles. CIE L*a*b* values demonstrate the resultant colourful films display a greater degree of colour compared to those on untreated textiles.

The concept of mimicking structural colour in nature as an alternative to traditional textile coloration techniques would reduce dependency on dyes, pigments and vast quantities of water in the textile supply chain.     

The association between breastfeeding, maternal smoking in utero, and birth weight with bone mass and fractures in adolescents: a 16-year longitudinal study

Summary

The aim of this birth cohort study was to determine whether early life factors (birth weight, breastfeeding, and maternal smoking) were associated with bone mass and fractures in 16-year-old adolescents. The results suggest that breastfeeding is associated with higher bone mass and lower fracture risk at age 16 but not in utero smoking or birth weight.

Introduction

There are limited data on early life influences on bone mass in adolescence but we have previously reported in utero smoking, breastfeeding, and birth weight were associated with bone mass at age 8.

Methods

Birth weight, breastfeeding intention and habit, and maternal smoking during pregnancy were assessed at phase one in 1988–1999 and by recall during phase two in 1996–1997. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray densitometry. Fractures were assessed by questionnaire. Subjects included 415 male and female adolescents from Southern Tasmania representing 29 % of those who originally took part in a birth cohort study in 1988 and 1989.

Results

Breastfeeding (assessed in a number of ways) was associated with a 2–3 % increase in BMD at all sites apart from the radius and around a one third reduction in fracture risk which persisted after adjustment for confounders. In univariate analysis, birth weight was associated with BMD at the hip, radius, and total body but this did not persist in multivariate analysis and there was no association with fracture. Smoking in utero had no association with BMD at any site or fracture.

Conclusions

Breastfeeding is associated with a beneficial increase in bone mass at age 16 and a reduction in fracture risk during adolescence. The association previously observed at 8 years of age is no longer present for birth weight or smoking in utero.     

Diagnostic measures for sarcopenia and bone mineral density

Summary

Currently used diagnostic measures for sarcopenia utilize different measures of muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. These diagnostic measures associate differently to bone mineral density (BMD), as an example of muscle-related clinical outcome. These differences should be taken into account when studying sarcopenia.

Introduction

Diagnostic measures for sarcopenia utilize different measures of muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. To understand differences between these measures, we determined the association with respect to whole body BMD, as an example of muscle-related clinical outcome.

Methods

In the European cross-sectional study MYOAGE, 178 young (18–30 years) and 274 healthy old participants (69–81 years) were recruited. Body composition and BMD were evaluated using dual-energy X-ray densitometry. Diagnostic measures for sarcopenia were composed of lean mass as percentage of body mass, appendicular lean mass (ALM) as percentage of body mass, ALM divided by height squared (ALM/height²), knee extension torque, grip strength, walking speed, and Timed Up and Go test (TUG). Linear regression models were stratified for sex and age and adjusted for age and country, and body composition in separate models.

Results

Lean mass and ALM/height² were positively associated with BMD (P?<?0.001). Significance remained in all sex and age subgroups after further adjustment for fat mass, except in old women. Lean mass percentage and ALM percentage were inversely associated with BMD in old women (P?<?0.001). These inverse associations disappeared after adjustment for body mass. Knee extension torque and handgrip strength were positively associated with BMD in all subgroups (P?<?0.01), except in old women. Walking speed and TUG were not related to BMD.

Conclusions

The associations between diagnostic measures of sarcopenia and BMD as an example of muscle-related outcome vary widely. Differences between diagnostic measures should be taken into account when studying sarcopenia.     

Continuous hemoglobin monitoring during massive blood transfusion in a multivisceral pediatric transplant patient

A 10 year old, 25 kg girl, who was formerly a conjoined twin at the heart, diaphragm, liver, duodenum, bile ducts, and intestine, was admitted for a repeat liver, small bowel, pancreas, and kidney multivisceral transplant after having intestinal and liver failure. Intraoperatively, the patient had excessive bleeding, coagulopathy, and acidosis. Pulse co-oximetry was used for continuous monitoring of hemoglobin (Hb) during the procedure. Although noninvasive Hb appeared to follow a trend that correlated with arterial Hb concentration, it did not show accurate agreement with measured values from intermittent blood gas analysis. It may not be reliable during cases with abnormal physiology, rapid blood loss, and massive transfusion.