A novel electrode for simultaneous detection of multiple heavy metal ions without pre-enrichment in food samples.

Integrating a pre-enrichment step into electrochemical detection methodologies has traditionally been employed to enhance the performance of heavy metal detection. However, this augmentation also introduces a degree of intricacy into the sensing process and increases energy consumption. In this work, Mo-doped WO3 is grown in situ on carbon cloth by one-step electrodeposition. The electrode detect multiple heavy metal ions simultaneously in the range of 0.1-100.0 µM with LODs ranging from 11.2 to 17.1 nM. The electrode successfully detected heavy metal ions in diverse food samples. This pioneering detection strategy realized the direct and simultaneous detection of multiple heavy metal ions by utilizing the valence property of WO3 and oxygen vacancies generated by molybdenum doping. The Mo-WO3/CC pre-enrichment-free detection electrode boasts straightforward preparation, a streamlined detection procedure, swift response kinetics, and superior performance relative to previously reported electrodes, which makes it possible to develop a portable heavy metal ion detection device.

Dynamic alterations in M2 macrophage subtypes enhance flap expansion efficiency and tissue regeneration.

Dilatation of soft skin tissue is a common surgical procedure in plastic surgery. M2 macrophages play a critical role in reducing inflammation, promoting epithelial and vascular endothelial cell proliferation, enhancing collagen synthesis in fibroblasts, and orchestrating extracellular matrix remodelling by promoting angiogenesis, epithelialisation, and fibrosis. Macrophages improve flap survival by promoting microangiogenesis and collagen remodelling. However, the role of macrophages in flap expansion has not yet been investigated. Improving the expansion efficiency of dilatation flaps and promoting flap vascularisation are the pressing problems in the fields of plastic and reconstruction surgery. In the present study, we used a mouse model to assess the effects of macrophage activation on skin expansion, thickness, ultrastructure, intradermal angiogenesis, and collagen and cytokine levels. Our findings revealed dynamic changes in the macrophage content and subtypes within the expansion flaps. The enrichment of M2 macrophages significantly enhanced the efficiency of flap expansion, vascularisation, and collagen synthesis. Our findings underline the pivotal role of M2 macrophages in tissue regeneration at the molecular and biochemical levels. These findings provide a basis for improving flap expansion efficiency using M2 macrophages.

Submuscular plating vs. elastic stable intramedullary nailing for diaphyseal femur fractures in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: This review evaluates the safety and efficacy of submuscular plating (SMP) vs. elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) in the treatment of pediatric femur shaft fracture. Method: Studies comparing the efficacy and safety of SMP and ESIN in pediatric shaft fracture were retrieved from five databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, OVID, and Web of Science) from inception to March 2023 using a systematic literature search strategy. A total of 13 outcome measures, such as perioperative parameters, clinical outcomes, and radiographic results, were included in the meta-analysis. Results: Eight eligible studies involving 491 patients were included in the narrative synthesis. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. Meta-analysis showed reduced radiation time (RT), soft tissue irritation and angular deformation in the SMP group than in the ESIN group. However, the SMP group had greater estimated blood loss (EBL) than the ESIN group. The duration of surgery, length of hospital stay (LOS), implant removal, complications requiring surgery, Flynn score, incidence of infection, fracture healing time, and limb length discrepancy (LLD) were similar between the two groups. Only one study reported higher incidences of fracture nonunion or delayed healing in the ESIN group. Conclusion: SMP is an effective and safe intervention superior to ESIN in reducing soft tissue irritation, angular deformation and radiation time. Given the presence of potential bias and heterogeneity, surgeons should select the treatment that would provide the best outcomes for EBL, LOS, operation time, and bone nonunion or delayed healing based on their experience. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023404118, Identifier PROSPERO (CRD42021228512).

Can Procerus Transection Alter the Radix Morphology and Influence the Nasal Length? A Study of Photogrammetric Assessments and Anthropometric Measurements on Asian Patients.

BACKGROUND: The procerus is the main muscle across the radix that needs to be operated during rhytidectomy, however, it is unclear whether transecting it can morphologically affect the nose. METHODS: A retrospective study of Asian patients who underwent procerus transection during rhytidectomy in our single institution was performed to assess whether the radix profile had any change postoperatively. The procerus was transected at a plane above the nasion. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were included. All of them were female with an average age of 50.7 ± 5.2 years and a mean follow-up time of 7.8 ± 3.2 months. Twenty-seven (28.7%) had moderate horizontal wrinkles preoperatively, and sixty-seven (71.3%) had severe rhytides. Different degrees of wrinkle improvement were seen on 91 (96.8%) patients, and no improvement occurred to 3 (3.2%) patients after procerus transection. The anthropometric measurements on these patients did not find any significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative nasal heights, radix projections, nasal lengths, or nasofrontal angles (all p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Procerus transection primary contributes to wrinkle improvement. The morphological change of the radix following this operation is too subtle to be observed. This conclusion should be further verified on large samples as well as on other ethnic cohorts in a long-term follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors 10 assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full 11 description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, 12 please refer to the Table of Contents or the online 13 Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Guided suturing technique for midface lift through minimal temporal incision.

BACKGROUND: The midface has been a difficult zone to manage in rejuvenating surgeries. The major challenge for midface lift is to achieve extensive dissection and elevate the composite tissues en bloc through minimal incisions. METHODS: In a total of 22 composite midface lift cases, a titanium cable wire was used. The wire was made into an elastic loop that guided three SMAS-suspending sutures out of the subcutaneous plane through a short incision at the temporal region. Then, each suture was fixated to the deep temporal fascia. Postoperative complications and the subjective assessment of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Surgeries were successfully commenced in all cases. Midface sagging, eye bags, and nasolabial folds all exhibited considerable improvements. Major complications such as nerve injury and alopecia were not observed. The patients were followed up for an average of 16.9 months. In general, 90% of the patients were satisfied with their outcome. CONCLUSION: This guided suspension suturing technique effectuates a more convenient and efficient way to conduct multi-points anchorage of the composite malar flap. When properly executed, this technique allows the anchorage sutures to bite into the deeper layer of the SMAS that ensures firm suspensions in midface rejuvenation surgery.

Fabrication of ZnO/Carbon Quantum Dots Composite Sensor for Detecting NO Gas.

ZnO and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and CQDs were doped into ZnO by a grinding method to fabricate a ZnO/CQDs composite. The X-ray diffraction and the scanning electron microscope revealed that the as-prepared ZnO has a structure of wurtzite hexagonal ZnO and a morphology of a flower-like microsphere which can provide more surface areas to adsorbed gases. The ZnO/CQDs composite has a higher gas sensitivity response to NO gas than ZnO microspheres. A gas sensitivity test of the ZnO/CQDs composite showed that the sensor had a high NO response (238 for 100 ppm NO) and NO selectivity. The detection limit of the ZnO/CQDs composite to NO was 100 ppb and the response and recovery times were 34 and 36 s, respectively. The active functional group provided by CQDs has a significant effect on NO gas sensitivity, and the gas sensitivity mechanism of the ZnO/CQDs composite is discussed.

Vertical Midface Lifting: An Improved Technique for Asians.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of the aging midface is increasingly deemed a key part of facial and periorbital rejuvenation. Compared with Westerners, Asians tend to have a relatively prominent zygoma and mandibular angle, thicker dermis, and greater propensity for scar formation. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to review our surgical method of vertical midface lifting in Asian patients and evaluate the clinical outcomes. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This retrospective observational study involved 116 Asian women who complained of an aged midface. All patients underwent midface rejuvenation surgery with one lower eyelid incision and 2 small frontal-temporal incisions. Clinical results were assessed objectively using photographs and subjectively by a patient satisfaction survey. RESULTS: All patients recovered well without major complications. High patient satisfaction (94%) was attained. The improvement scores as evaluated by the panel demonstrated a higher level of improvement for the malar eminence (8.3 ± 0.6), nasojugal groove (8.0 ± 0.8), and nasolabial fold (7.9 ± 0.7) than for the lower face (6.2 ± 1.0). CONCLUSION: Our vertical midface lift technique is safe and effective for older Asian patients with a midface aging appearance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Synthesis of three-dimensional hierarchical furball-like tungsten trioxide microspheres for high performance supercapacitor electrodes.

A hierarchical furball-like WO3 electrode material, based on stainless-steel mesh, was successfully synthesized via a simple in situ hydrothermal method. The electrode materials obtained are made from a self-assembled nanorod core and a connected/quasi-connected nano-thorn network shell, and could help utilize all the surface or near-surface regions for faradaic reaction. Furthermore, the furball-like WO3 special microstructure provides a more effective charge storage area, exhibiting a high specific capacitance of 8.35 F cm-2 and excellent cycling stability (93.4% of its initial value after 10 000 cycles). These performances indicate this furball-like WO3 material would be a promising candidate for high performance supercapacitors.

Image quality and diagnostic value of ultra low-voltage, ultra low-contrast coronary CT angiography.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the image quality (IQ) and diagnostic value of 70 kVp turbo high-pitch coronary CT angiography (THP-CCTA) using automated tube voltage selection (ATVS) and 30 mL of low-concentration contrast agent. METHODS: Patients who underwent 70 kVp THP-CCTA using ATVS with 30 mL of contrast agent (group A) were prospectively enrolled, and those who underwent conventional CCTA (100/120 kVp, prospective sequential mode with 65-75 mL of contrast agent) (group B) were retrospectively selected for study. IQ was assessed subjectively on a 5-point scale, and diagnostic value was assessed based on invasive coronary angiography as the gold standard. Heart rate (HR), HR fluctuation (HRF), body mass index (BMI), effective radiation dose (ED), and iodine uptake (IU) were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 796 patients (398/398 in groups A/B) were included. Between-group differences in age, gender, BMI, HR, HRF, and IQ values were not significant. The ED/IU values were 0.3 ± 0.1 mSv/9.0 ± 0.0 g and 5.8 ± 1.8 mSv/22.9 ± 1.0 g in groups A and B, respectively (p < 0.01). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of THP-CCTA for the diagnosis of ≥ 50% stenosis were 94.8%, 97.5%, 92.0%, 98.4%, and 96.9% respectively. The mean HR and coronary calcium score were independent predictors of diagnostic image quality, and the best cutoff values were 71.5 bpm and 444.1 respectively. CONCLUSION: This third-generation dual-source CT imaging modality, a 70-kVp THP-CCTA system using ATVS with 30 mL of low-concentration contrast agent, produces high-quality images with high diagnostic accuracy for significant stenosis, with ultra low ED and IU. This technique was most promising in individuals with an HR < 71.5 bpm and coronary calcium score < 444.1. KEY POINTS: • Turbo high-pitch CCTA using 70 kVp via automated tube voltage selection and 30 mL of low-concentration contrast agent is feasible. • This protocol provides high diagnostic accuracy for significant coronary stenosis and reduces radiation doses and iodine uptake significantly. • This protocol was most promising in individuals with an HR < 71.5 bpm and coronary calcium score < 444.1.