The effect of SonoPrep? on EMLA? cream application for pain relief prior to intravenous cannulation

The aim the study was to determine the effect of SonoPrep? on the delivery and analgesic effects of EMLA? cream prior to intravenous (iv) cannulation in a tertiary pediatric emergency department. Children aged between 5 and 10?years were enrolled. Patients were randomized to receive either sonophoresis with SonoPrep? or sham sonophoresis followed by application of EMLA? cream for 5?min prior to iv cannulation. The primary outcome measurement was the child's rating of pain immediately after iv placement, using a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS). Parents or guardians and blinded researchers were additionally asked to rate their perception of the child's pain using the 10-cm VAS and the Wong-Baker Face scale. A total of 42 patients completed the study (21 in the study group, 21 in the control group). The baseline characteristics between the groups were similar. The VAS pain score was significantly lower in children treated with sonophoresis compared with the sham sonophoresis (median (percentiles 25th-75th), 20.0 (10.0-22.5) vs. 60.0 (31.0-87.5); p?相似文献   

Morphometric analysis and fine structure of the vestibular epithelium of aged C57BL/6NNia mice

The vestibular organs of young and very old C57BL/6NNia (B6) mice were compared by light and electron microscopy. Hair cell density decreased an average of 14% in the utricle, 19% in the saccule and posterior crista, 23% in the horizontal crista, and 24% in the anterior crista. Hair cell size remained the same throughout the mouse's life span as did the ratio of Type I to Type II hair cells. The most apparent sign of advanced age was dense inclusions found in sensory and supporting cells. Although small inclusions were present at five weeks, by 29 months, additional, larger forms appeared. An unusual melanin-like form was characteristic of old Type I hair cells. Synaptic morphology and synaptic bodies were well preserved even in very old B6 mice. Elongated bars were common in Type I hair cells and spheroid synaptic bodies were the most common form in Type II hair cells. Large clusters of synaptic bodies occurring in both young and old mice were seen only in Type I hair cells. Although the B6 strain suffers from genetically determined early cochlear degeneration, it does not experience early degeneration of the peripheral vestibular organs.     

Effect of Non-Thermal Plasma Treatment of Contaminated Zirconia Surface on Porphyromonas gingivalis Adhesion and Osteoblast Viability

Plasma treatment on a zirconia surface prevents bacterial contamination and maintains osteoblast activity. To assess the degree of adhesion of Porphyromonas gingivalis on a zirconia surface after non-thermal plasma (NTP) treatment, specimens were treated with plasma for 60, 300, and 600 s, after which P. gingivalis was inoculated onto the surface and incubated for 48 h. To assess osteoblast activity after NTP treatment, osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) were dispensed onto the specimens contaminated with P. gingivalis immediately after NTP for 60 and 120 s, followed by incubation for 48, 72, and 96 h. P. gingivalis was cultured after 60 s of NTP treatment of zirconia. The NTP and control groups showed no significant difference (p = 0.91), but adhesion was significantly increased following NTP treatment for 300 s or longer (300, 600 s groups) (p < 0.05). After NTP treatment of P. gingivalis-contaminated zirconia, osteoblast activity significantly increased at 72 and 96 h (I60 and I120 s group) in the groups treated with plasma (p < 0.017). Application of NTP to dental zirconia implants for 60 s not only inhibits the proliferation of P. gingivalis, which causes peri-implantitis but also increases osseointegration on zirconia surfaces contaminated with P. gingivalis.     

Effects of Wollastonite Fiber and Styrene–Butadiene Latex Polymer on the Long-Term Durability of Cement-Based Repair Materials

Concrete structures are constructed in various geographical environments and climates, and frequently fail to fulfill their original functions over time due to issues such as aging and damage. Research on concrete structure repair materials is being conducted to solve these problems. This study evaluated the durability of a repair material composed of ultra-rapid hardening cement, styrene–butadiene (SB) latex polymer, and wollastonite mineral fiber. The performance targets were as follows: compressive strength of 20 MPa at 1 day of age and 45 MPa at 28 days of age, chloride ion charge passed of less than 1000 Coulombs, carbonation depth of 20 mm or less, and resistance to repeated freezing and thawing (relative dynamic modulus of elasticity) of 80% or more. The ultra-rapid hardening cement:silica sand ratio of 1:1.5 was the experimental variable, and the unit weight of each material in the mix proportion was determined to satisfy the flow requirement of 200 ± 5 mm. This flow ensured sufficient fluidity for spraying, which is the most widely used method for applying repair material. Wollastonite mineral fiber and SB latex polymer were added at 3% and 5% of the unit weight of the binder, respectively. The mechanical property of the repair material was evaluated through compressive strength, and durability was evaluated through chloride ion penetration, alkali resistance, resistance to carbonation, water absorption, and repeated freezing and thawing tests. The compressive strength satisfied both target values, regardless of the addition of SB latex polymer and wollastonite mineral fiber. The chloride ion penetration test, which was used as an indicator of durability, showed that mixtures without SB latex and wollastonite mineral fiber were not satisfied the target charge passed of 1000 Coulombs, while mixtures with latex and mineral fiber reached the target value. Notably, the co-addition of latex and wollastonite fiber showed the highest resistance to chloride ion penetration, alkali ion, carbonation, repeated freezing and thawing, and the least absorption. The results confirmed that the durability of the repair material based on ultra-rapid hardening cement was most effectively improved by the co-addition of SB latex polymer and wollastonite mineral fiber.     

Efficiency and durability of hyaluronic acid of different particle sizes as an injectable material for VF augmentation

Conclusion: The results of the present investigation suggest that modification of HA could improve efficiency and durability in augmentation laryngoplasty. Objectives: Injection laryngoplasty (IL) is one of the most suitable options for treatment of glottic insufficiency, which is caused by vocal fold (VF) paralysis, atrophy, or scarring. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a widely used material for VF injection. This study was intended to evaluate the durability and efficiency of HA of different particle sizes for VF augmentation. Methods: Three types of HA, Restylane®, monophasic low-viscosity, and unequal particle-sized middle-viscosity HA were injected into the left VF of three groups with eight rabbits each. Results: After 6 and 10 weeks, the injected site was evaluated endoscopically, histologically, radiologically, and functionally. None of the 24 rabbits showed any signs of respiratory distress. Computed tomography (CT) images and endoscopic evaluation revealed sufficient augmented volume of the injected VF in all treated groups 6 weeks after the injection. Histological data at week 10 showed that unequal particle-sized HA did not migrate from its original injection site, while other HAs migrated to the periphery of the arytenoid cartilage. Videokymographic analysis showed more favorable vibrations of unequal particle-sized HA injected VF mucosa 10 weeks post-injection, compared to the other treatment groups.     

Efficacy and Safety of Omija (Schisandra chinensis) Extract Mixture on the Improvement of Hyperglycemia: A Randomized,Double-Blind,and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

A previous animal study demonstrated that the administration of Omija extract and soybean mixture (OSM) improved glycemic control in the type 2 diabetes model. In this study, we conducted a 12-week, randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical trial to determine the effects of OSM in humans with hyperglycemia. Participants with fasting plasma concentrations of 100–140 mg/dL were enrolled (n = 80) and administered either OSM or placebo products for 12 weeks. The outcomes included measurements of efficacy (fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial glucose (PPG), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), postprandial insulin (PPI), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), C-peptide, fructosamine, and lipid parameters) and safety at baseline and at 12 weeks. After the intervention, the OSM group showed significantly decreased levels of FPG, PPG (30, 60 min), PPI (60 min), insulin area under the curve (AUC), fructosamine, and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol compared to the placebo group. No clinically significant changes in any safety parameter were observed. Therefore, it is hypothesized that OSM supplementation is an effective and safe functional food supplement for humans with hyperglycemia.     

Investigation of borneols sold in Taiwan by chiral gas chromatography

Borneol is a monoterpene that is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. There are two different products sold in Taipei's traditional Chinese medicine market, natural and chemically synthesized borneol. Chemically synthesized borneol contains four stereoisomers, (+)-isoborneol, (?)-isoborneol, (?)-borneol, and (+)-borneol. The ratio of these four isomers in chemically synthesized and natural borneol products was determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. A huge variation between these products is highlighted in this survey. The results suggest that the Food and Drug Administrations in Asian countries should establish a regulatory standard regarding the ratio of the four different borneol isomers in both natural and chemically synthesized borneol.     

The KoreaN Cohort Study for Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (KNOW-CKD): A Korean Chronic Kidney Disease Cohort

The KoreaN Cohort Study for Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (KNOW-CKD) was launched in 2011 with the support of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The study was designed with the aim of exploring the various clinical features and characteristics of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Koreans, and elucidating the risk factors for CKD progression and adverse outcomes of CKD. For the cohort study, nephrologists at 9 tertiary university-affiliated hospitals participated in patient recruitment and follow-up. Biostatisticians and epidemiologists also participated in the basic design and structuring of the study. From 2011 until 2016, the KNOW-CKD Phase I recruited 2238 adult patients with CKD from stages G1 to G5, who were not receiving renal replacement therapy. The KNOW-CKD Phase II recruitment was started in 2019, with an enrollment target of 1500 subjects, focused on diabetic nephropathy and hypertensive kidney diseases in patients with reduced kidney function who are presumed to be at a higher risk of adverse outcomes. As of 2021, the KNOW-CKD investigators have published articles in the fields of socioeconomics, quality of life, nutrition, physical activity, renal progression, cardiovascular disease and outcomes, anemia, mineral bone disease, serum and urine biomarkers, and international and inter-ethnic comparisons. The KNOW-CKD researchers will elaborate a prediction model for various outcomes of CKD such as the development of end-stage kidney disease, major adverse cardiovascular events, and death.