Influence of Fine Grains on the Bending Fatigue Behavior of Two Implant Titanium Alloys

By means of the ultrasonic surface impact (amplitude of 30 μm, strike number of 48,000 times/mm²), nanograins have been achieved in the surfaces of both Ti6Al4V(TC4) and Ti3Zr2Sn3Mo25Nb(TLM) titanium alloys, mainly because of the dislocation motion. Many mechanical properties are improved, such as hardness, residual stress, and roughness. The rotating–bending fatigue limits of TC4 and TLM subjected to ultrasonic impact are improved by 13.1% and 23.7%, separately. Because of the bending fatigue behavior, which is sensitive to the surface condition, cracks usually initiate from the surface defects under high stress amplitude. By means of an ultrasonic impact tip with the size of 8 mm, most of the inner cracks present at the zone with a depth range of 100~250 μm in the high life region. The inner crack core to TC4 usually appears as a deformed long and narrow α-phase, while the cracks in TLM specimens prefer to initiate at the triple grain boundary junctions. This zone crosses the grain refined layer and the deformed coarse grain layer. With the gradient change of elastic parameters, the model shows an increase of normal stress at this zone. Combined with the loss of plasticity and toughness, it is easy to understand these fatigue behaviors.     

Health Implications and Counseling Considerations for Individuals With Piercings and Tattoos

Body art has become common and mainstream. Tattoos and body piercings represent highly individual expressions of identity and personal values. Health care services are enhanced when clinicians understand the anatomy and physiology, common discomforts, and real but rare serious risks of body modification and are prepared to provide compassionate support for individuals’ choices. Special consideration must be given to the needs of childbearing women. By opening channels of communication, clinicians can engage with clients in shared decision making to help those who possess or desire body art take steps to reduce the risk of adverse effects and obtain prompt and effective medical care when problems arise. Through respectful discussion of existing body art, the therapeutic relationship is strengthened, and greater insight into an individual’s health needs may be achieved.     

Greater curve approach for laparoscopic gastric bypass: total stapler gastrojejunostomy

BACKGROUND: Gastric bypass is an established bariatric procedure that has undergone multiple modifications to improve its effectiveness. The side-to-side stapled technique is well recognized, but closure of the gastrotomy/enterotomy by the stapler can potentially narrow the Roux limb. Because of this, many surgeons will hand suture the closure of the gastrotomy/enterotomy. To obviate this difficulty, we inserted the linear stapler from the stomach's greater curvature, using a double-stapled anastomosis that minimized the need for hand suturing. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 307 patients undergoing this technique for laparoscopic gastric bypass. The weight loss and 30-day morbidity and mortality were tabulated and compared with those in other published series. RESULTS: Of the 307 patients, none died postoperatively. The overall 30-day morbidity rate was 15%. Two leaks from the gastrojejunostomy and 2 from the jejunojejunostomy (1.2%) developed. The mean percentage of excess weight loss was 34% at 3 months, 52% at 6 months, 73% at 1 year, 71% at 2 years, and 69% at 3 years. CONCLUSION: The greater curve approach avoids Roux limb obstruction, minimizes the need for hand suturing, and uses standard trocar incisions. Our short-term follow-up results are similar to those of series of other techniques.     

辛伐他汀对人低密度脂蛋白氧化修饰影响的实验研究

目的研究辛伐他汀在体外对低密度脂蛋白氧化修饰的影响.方法以低密度脂蛋白氧化修饰为模型,以硫代巴比妥酸反应物质(TBARS)生成量及相对电泳迁移率(REM)为指标,研究了辛伐他汀对铜离子(Cu2 )诱导低密度脂蛋白氧化修饰的抑制作用.结果随辛伐他汀浓度从1～10μmol/L的增加,TBARS值分别减少67.3%,73.9%,81.9%,REM值减少48.3%,55.2%,58.6%,呈浓度及时间依赖关系.其中10μmol/L辛伐他汀可几乎完全抑制低密度脂蛋白氧化.结论辛伐他汀在体外能明显抑制Cu2 诱导的低密度脂蛋白氧化修饰.     

Surface modification of titanium by etching in concentrated sulfuric acid

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the etching behavior of titanium in concentrated sulfuric acid and discuss its application on surface modification of titanium for biological use. METHODS: Commercially pure titanium (cpTi) plate was etched in 48% H2SO4 at RT -90 degrees C for 0.25-8 h. The weight loss was derived from the weight differences before and after etching. The surfaces after etching were characterized by surface roughness, X-ray diffractometry, and scannning electron spectroscopy. The apparent activation energy of the dissolution of cpTi into acid was derived from an Arrhenius plot of the rate of weight loss versus the acid temperature. RESULTS: The surface roughness of cpTi increased with the acid temperature and etching time. The surface roughness was strongly related to the weight loss. The weight loss increased drastically with the acid temperature after an initial period, which shortened with increasing acid temperature. The apparent activation energy for the dissolution of cpTi in H2SO4 was derived as 67.8 kJ/mol. SIGNIFICANCE: This study indicates that etching with concentrated sulfuric acid is an effective way to modify the surface of titanium for biological applications.     

高性能战斗机改装体检飞行员的耳功能分析

目的 分析高性能战斗机改装体检飞行员的咽鼓管功能、前庭功能和听功能状况。方法 对改装体检的196名飞行员的耳功能资料进行分析。结果 ①声导抗示196例392耳中193例368耳为A型曲线，6例7耳为AD型曲线，15例17耳为C型曲线。196例392耳均无声反射衰减；②眼震电图示196例前庭功能均正常：③纯音测听以气导在500、1000、2000、3000Hz的平均听阈表示，196例的结果为左耳12．58dB HL；右耳12．48dB HL，但37例47耳有高频区噪声性听损伤的表现。结论 参与高性能战斗机改装体检的飞行员，其耳功能状况总体良好，但部分有噪声性听损伤的应随访观察。