The Different Properties of Geopolymer Composites Reinforced with Flax Fibers and Carbon Fibers.

The main motivation for this research was to improve the properties of geopolymers by reinforcement using synthetic and natural fibers, and to gain new knowledge regarding how the nature and/or the quantity of reinforcement fibers influences the properties of the final geopolymers. The main objective was to investigate the effects of different types of reinforcement fibers on the properties of the geopolymers. These reinforcement fibers were mainly environmentally friendly materials that can be used as alternatives to ordinary Portland cement. The authors used fly ash and river sand as the raw materials for the matrix, and added carbon fibers (CF), flax fibers (FF), or a hybrid of both (CFM) as reinforcements. The samples were prepared by mixing, casting, and curing, and then subjected to various tests. The main research methods used were compressive strength (CS), flexural strength (FS), water absorption (WA), abrasion resistance (Böhme's disk method), microstructure analysis (SEM), chemical composition (XRF), and crystal structure analysis (XRD). The results showed that the addition of fibers partially improved the mechanical properties of the geopolymers, as well as reducing microcracks. The CF-reinforced geopolymers exhibited the highest compressive strength, while the FF-reinforced geopolymers showed the lowest water absorption. The authors, based on previous research, also discussed the factors that influence fiber-matrix adhesion, and the optimal fiber content for geopolymers.

Changes in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, disturbance in activities of daily living, and depression following chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer: A prospective study.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the changes in oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN), disturbance in activities of daily living (ADL), and depression and their interrelationships during the cancer care trajectory in colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: Eighty-six subjects participated in the study and completed the questionnaire at three time points: pre-chemotherapy, undergoing chemotherapy, and 3 months after the completion of chemotherapy. The assessment tools were Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 for OIPN, Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool to measure disturbances in ADL, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for depression. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: While undergoing chemotherapy, 37.2% of the patients complained of OIPN and 32.6% exhibited OIPN at 3-month follow-up. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed a significant increase in OIPN after chemotherapy, which remained high at the 3-month follow-up. The most frequent symptom of OIPN was "tingling feeling in the hand and foot," and the second was "impotence." Disturbance in ADL by OIPN and depression showed similar patterns as OIPN. The mean score for disturbance in ADL of OIPN was 48.58. The mean score was 7.36 for depression, with a prevalence of 23.5%. There were significant correlations among the three variables, suggesting that OIPN may be casual in the OIPN- disturbance in ADL-depression symptom interrelationships. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that chemotherapy is highly associated with OIPN, disturbance in ADL by OIPN, and depression in colorectal cancer patients. Nursing intervention is needed to relieve depression as well as OIPN in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Importance of dynamic central venous pressure in Fontan circulation.

We tested our hypotheses that central venous pressure (CVP) shows an excessive increase in response to volume overload in Fontan circulation according to the extent of the reduction in venous capacitance (Cv), and that the maximum CVP after volume loading is associated with hepatic congestion. Changes in CVP after angiography (volume loading) were examined in 40 patients with Fontan circulation and 29 controls with biventricular circulation. CVP significantly increased with angiography in both groups, but the changes were much more evident in the Fontan group than in controls (3.3 ± 2.0 vs. 0.9 ± 1.4 mmHg, p = 0.0003). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that reduced Cv was the only significant determinant of CVP increase, independent of the amount of injected contrast medium, blood volume, pulmonary resistance, and ventricular diastolic stiffness (p < 0.05). Importantly, the use of a venodilator was associated with increased Cv and the resultant suppression of CVP elevation with volume load. In addition, CVP levels both at baseline (p = 0.02) and after volume loading (p = 0.01) were weakly but significantly correlated with the plasma levels of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, a marker of hepatic congestion; however, multivariate analysis revealed that the CVP level after volume loading was a more important determinant of hepatic congestion. The results of this study highlight the importance of assessing dynamic in addition to static CVP for a better understanding of Fontan circulation. The potential importance of Cv as a therapeutic target for improving Fontan physiology needs further elucidation.

Clinical Evaluation of the Hemodynamic Effects of the High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy on the Fontan Circulation.

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy supports respiratory effort with a minimal elevation in airway pressure. We examined hemodynamic effects of HFNC therapy in a 10-year-old girl with Fontan circulation, in which positive airway pressure has deleterious hemodynamic effects. The HFNC therapy at 30 L/min improved oxygenation without an increase in central venous pressure. It also reduced heart rate, and systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance, and increased cardiac output. In addition, the HFNC therapy improved the cerebral circulation measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. Thus, HFNC therapy may be a potentially useful noninvasive ventilation modality, particularly for patients with Fontan circulation.

Comparison of Surgical Outcomes according to Suturing Methods in Single Port Access Laparoscopic Myomectomy.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to consider the clinical experience of surgical outcome of single port access (SPA) laparoscopic myomectomy according to suturing methods. METHODS: The authors operated with 2 suturing method in SPA laparoscopic myomectomy for 246 patients and compared the surgical outcomes. RESULTS: The some significant difference of surgical outcome according to two suturing methods was demonstrated. Operating time was 100.50 minutes (± 42.09 minutes) in interrupted suture method group than 121.04 minutes (± 61.56 minutes) in continuous interlocking suture method group (P = 0.021). Estimated blood loss was less 222.59 mL (± 144.94 mL) in interrupted suture group than 340.11 mL (± 380.62 mL) in continuous interlocking suture method group (P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: This experience suggests that interrupted suture method was effective for operating time and estimated blood loss than continuous interlocking method in SPA laparoscopic myomectomy.

Indole-3-acetic acid: a potential new photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy of acne vulgaris.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: ALA (5-aminolevulinic acid) photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new treatment option for acne. However, it needs a relatively long incubation period and adverse effects are common. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is not toxic by itself but produces free radicals with ultraviolet B. In this study we examined the potential of IAA as a photosensitizer for acne treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Free radical formation was measured after visible light irradiation of IAA. Antimicrobial effect was evaluated by assessing growth suppression of Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus after IAA PDT. To evaluate the histological changes, skin biopsies were performed on nude mice skin after IAA PDT. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of IAA PDT, 14 acne patients were treated with the following IAA PDT regimen: three times each with a 15 minutes incubation period and a 2-week interval. The number of inflammatory lesions and the amount of sebum secretion were then assessed. RESULTS: IAA produced free radicals with green light irradiation. Importantly, IAA lost its photosensitizing ability after exposure to certain amount of light. This implies IAA PDT would not require post-procedure photo-protection. The growth of P. acnes and S. aureus were significantly suppressed with IAA PDT. In addition, IAA PDT treated skin showed destruction of follicular ostia epithelium. Interestingly, there was no significant difference between a 4 hours and a 30 minutes incubation, which means that longer absorption time is not necessary for IAA PDT. In the clinical study, inflammatory lesions and sebum secretion were significantly reduced. The procedure was painless and no adverse effect was observed. Photo-protection was not performed and there were no further phototoxic responses. CONCLUSIONS: IAA PDT has therapeutic effects on acne via its antimicrobial activities, its sebum-reducing effect and through relieving follicular occlusion. It is a very simple and safe treatment option for acne.