Effectiveness of cold application and lavender oil on pain during drain removal: A randomized clinical trial.

Background and Aim: Analgesics are frequently used to prevent acute pain while removing the drain. Additional non-pharmacological methods have come to the agenda as a result of the fact that the pain cannot be fully controlled, and the pharmacological treatment response is variable. Our research was intended to determine the effectiveness of lavender aromatherapy and cold application in controlling pain during drain removal procedure. Materials and Methods: The sample of the prospective randomized controlled study consisted of 121 patients. Patient data were collected using the introductory information form and the numerical pain scale. Four groups of patients were formed (lavender oil, oxygen, cold application, control), respectively. In all groups, vital signs and pain levels were evaluated before the drain removal procedure, as soon as and 15 minutes after it was withdrawn. Results: Within the limits of study, lavender aromatherapy and cold application to the drainage area were found to be effective in reducing pain during drainage. When the effect on vital signs was evaluated, it was found that the pre-procedure systolic blood pressure was higher in both the lavender group and the cold application group than the post-procedure systolic blood pressure, and the respiratory rate was higher in the control group during the procedure. Conclusions: According to the study, it was found that applying lavender and cold application to the patients before the drainage procedure was effective in controlling pain.

Follicular flushing versus direct aspiration in poor responder IVF patients: a randomized prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare follicular flushing with a double-lumen needle with direct aspiration on the number of oocytes collected in a poor responder population in IVF. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a randomized controlled prospective single-center study between March 2011 and June 2016 at the ART center in the Medico-Surgical and Obstetric Center in Schiltigheim, France. Patients undergoing IVF who had ≤ 4 follicles ≥ 14 mm on the day of HCG administration were recruited and then randomized to one of two groups : simple aspiration group (= NO FLUSH) with a single-lumen 17-gauge needle or follicular flushing group (= FLUSH) which underwent oocyte puncture with aspiration and follicular flushing with a double-lumen 17-gauge needle. The primary end-point was the number of oocytes collected. Secondary assessment criteria were the fertilization rate, the number of transferable embryos, the number of clinical pregnancies and their outcome. RESULTS: 252 patients were included: 127 in the Flush group and 125 in the No flush The number of oocytes retrieved per patient was significantly lower in the FLUSH group: 2.41 than in the NO FLUSH group: 3.42 (p < 0.001). The number of transferable embryos, fertilization rate (68.8 % in the FLUSH group versus 75 % p = 0.682), or pregnancy rate weren't different but (15 versus 13). However the number of failed punctures was significantly higher in the FLUSH group (11 % versus 3.2 % p = 0.016) and the duration of oocyte retrieval was significantly longer in the FLUSH group where the median time was 10 min whereas it was only 7 min in the NO FLUSH group, p < 0.001 CONCLUSION: Follicular flushing in poor responders is not beneficial and could be detrimental with an increasing procedure time and less oocytes retrieved.

P3HT-graphene bilayer electrode for Schottky junction photodetectors.

We have investigated the effect of a poly (3-hexylthiophene-2.5-diyl)(P3HT)-graphene bilayer electrode on the photoresponsivity characteristics of Si-based Schottky photodetectors. P3HT, which is known to be an electron donor and absorb light in the visible spectrum, was placed on CVD grown graphene by dip-coating method. The results of the UV-vis and Raman spectroscopy measurements have been evaluated to confirm the optical and electronic modification of graphene by the P3HT thin film. Current-voltage measurements of graphene/Si and P3HT-graphene/Si revealed rectification behavior confirming a Schottky junction formation at the graphene/Si interface. Time-resolved photocurrent spectroscopy measurements showed the devices had excellent durability and a fast response speed. We found that the maximum spectral photoresponsivity of the P3HT-graphene/Si photodetector increased more than three orders of magnitude compared to that of the bare graphene/Si photodetector. The observed increment in the photoresponsivity of the P3HT-graphene/Si samples was attributed to the charge transfer doping from P3HT to graphene within the spectral range between near-ultraviolet and near-infrared. Furthermore, the P3HT-graphene electrode was found to improve the specific detectivity and noise equivalent power of graphene/Si photodetectors. The obtained results showed that the P3HT-graphene bilayer electrodes significantly improved the photoresponsivity characteristics of our samples and thus can be used as a functional component in Si-based optoelectronic device applications.

Few-layer MoS2 as nitrogen protective barrier.

We report experimental and theoretical investigations of the observed barrier behavior of few-layer MoS2 against nitrogenation. Owing to its low-strength shearing, low friction coefficient, and high lubricity, MoS2 exhibits the demeanor of a natural N-resistant coating material. Raman spectroscopy is done to determine the coating capability of MoS2 on graphene. Surface morphology of our MoS2/graphene heterostructure is characterized by using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. In addition, density functional theory-based calculations are performed to understand the energy barrier performance of MoS2 against nitrogenation. The penetration of nitrogen atoms through a defect-free MoS2 layer is prevented by a very high vertical diffusion barrier, indicating that MoS2 can serve as a protective layer for the nitrogenation of graphene. Our experimental and theoretical results show that MoS2 material can be used both as an efficient nanocoating material and as a nanoscale mask for selective nitrogenation of graphene layer.

The translucency effect of different colored resin cements used with zirconia core and titanium abutments.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the different color of resin cements and zirconia cores on the translucency parameter (TP) of the restoration that simulates the implant-supported fixed prosthesis using titanium base on the bottom. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Zirconia core plates (Zr-Zahn) were prepared in A2 shades (n = 11). Resin cement plates (3M ESPE) were prepared in A2, A1, translucent (TR) shades (n = 11). The initial color measurements and were measured on zirconia core plates, and resin cements plates using a spectrophotometer. Then, the resin cement plates were placed below the zirconia core plates, and the second measurements were done. The final measurements were done after placing the titanium discs in the bottom. The data were analyzed with two-way analysis of variance and Tukey honestly significant differences tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The highest TP values were recorded for A1-colored resin specimens and the lowest for zirconia core plates in the first measurement (P < 0.05). The addition of zirconia core decreased the TP values in all tested resin cement groups (P < 0.05). The highest TP value was recorded for A1-colored resin cement with zirconia core plates and the lowest for A2 and TR with zirconia core plates after second measurements (P < 0.05). The addition of titanium decreased the TP of the zirconia core plate and resin cement combination (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of a zirconia core under the resin cement dramatically reduced the TP values, and the presence of a titanium layer decreased the TP value and caused a darker appearance.

Is intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) beneficial in the first ART cycle? a multicentric randomized controlled trial.

Intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI), by selecting spermatozoa at high magnification improves the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) mainly after several failures. However, only few monocentric randomized studies are available and they do not analyse results as a function of sperm characteristics. In 255 couples attempting their first assisted reproductive technology (ART) attempt for male infertility (motile sperm count <1×106 after sperm selection, but at least 3×106 spermatozoa per ejaculate to allow a detailed analysis of sperm characteristics), a prospective randomized trial was performed to compare the clinical outcomes of IMSI and ICSI and to evaluate the influence of sperm characteristics on these outcomes. IMSI did not provide any significant improvement in the clinical outcomes compared with ICSI neither for implantation (24% vs. 23%), nor clinical pregnancy (31% vs. 33%) nor live birth rates (27% vs. 30%). Moreover, the results of IMSI were similar to the ICSI ones whatever the degree of sperm DNA fragmentation, nuclear immaturity and sperm morphology. These results show that IMSI instead of ICSI has no advantage in the first ART attempts. However, this does not rule out IMSI completely and more randomized trials must be performed especially regarding patients carrying severe teratozoospermia, or high sperm DNA fragmentation levels or having previous ICSI failures.

Surface induced asymmetry of acceptor wave functions.

Measurements of the local density of states of individual acceptors in III-V semiconductors show that the symmetry of the acceptor states strongly depends on the depth of the atom below a (110) surface. Tight-binding calculations performed for a uniformly strained bulk material demonstrate that strain induced by the surface relaxation is responsible for the observed depth-dependent symmetry breaking of acceptor wave functions. As this effect is strongest for weakly bound acceptors, it explains within a unified approach the commonly observed triangular shapes of shallow acceptors and the crosslike shapes of deeply bound acceptor states in III-V materials.

Prevention of meatal stenosis with W-flap glanuloplasty in hypospadias surgery: a long-term follow-up.

Meatal stenosis is a complication that can occur after hypospadias surgery. Although there are many different surgical techniques that can solve this problem, once it has occurred, meatal stenosis can be difficult to treat. To decrease meatal stenosis risk and to achieve an anatomically placed, aesthetically pleasing meatal opening, a new W flap was designed for glanuloplasty. The authors describe the technique in detail along with long-term results. A total of 356 hypospadias cases were operated using various urethroplasty methods. Independent from the preferred urethroplasty method, the W-flap was used for glanuloplasty in all patients. Patients were followed for 1 to 10 years. Meatal stenosis incidence was 0.8%, and good cosmetic results with a natural-looking, anatomically placed meatus and a well-directed urinary stream during urination were achieved. W-flap glanuloplasty, an addition to reconstructive surgeons' armamentarium, is applicable to most patients. It places the meatus in its appropriate anatomic location, increases the meatal diameter by insetting two flaps, avoids a circular anastomosis, reduces the risk of late contraction, helps to achieve good aesthetic results with good urinary stream, eliminates the need for stents, and reduces meatal stenosis risk overall. It is a good glanuloplasty alternative that can be applied with most hypospadias repair techniques.

Vulva reconstruction with a tissue expander.

A patient with exstrophy of the bladder in whom we performed vulva reconstruction using a tissue-expansion technique and local flaps was presented. The ultimate result was in concert with the anatomic characteristics of normal external genitalia with regard to type of skin, pigmentation, hair pattern, quality of circulation, and sensory supply.

A prospective immunofluorescence study of 111 cases of pruritic dermatoses of pregnancy: IgM anti-basement membrane zone antibodies as a novel finding.

Since 1981, all pregnant women presenting to our department with a pruritic dermatosis have been investigated by histological and immunopathological techniques. We recruited 111 patients and performed skin histology in 77, 109 direct immunofluorescence tests (DIF), 74 indirect immunofluorescence tests (IIF) and 15 Western blots (WB). We identified: (i) five typical cases of pemphigoid gestationis (PG) (4.5%), corresponding to an incidence of 1/7000 pregnancies. (ii) Five cases without PG but showing circulating anti-BMZ antibodies of IgM type. With the exception of one case, clinical features were homogeneous--occurrence of erythematous papular and/or urticarial lesions on the trunk, and less often, on the limbs between the 32nd and 38th week of pregnancy. Rapid clearance of lesions within a few days was the rule. Whenever performed, DIF was negative and IIF showed circulating anti-BMZ antibodies of IgM type. Western blot studies were negative in these five cases. (iii) One hundred and one cases with negative immunofluorescence tests, considered to be suffering from polymorphic eruption of pregnancy. Our results show the value of systematic immunopathological investigations in pregnant women presenting with a pruritic dermatosis, and raise the possibility of a new entity, as defined by circulating anti-BMZ antibodies of IgM type.

Facial resurfacing in xeroderma pigmentosum with monoblock full-thickness skin graft.

A case of xeroderma pigmentosum with multiple skin tumors on the face that was treated with total excision and replacement of face skin except the eyelids with a monoblock full-thickness abdominal skin graft is reported. The quality and tumor-free features of the monoblock full-thickness skin graft in xeroderma pigmentosum are indicated. Despite the increased morbidity of the donor region, the radical surgical approach advocated here has improved the prognosis in the case reported.

Elevation of deeply located vascular structures in order to facilitate end-to-side anastomosis.

This paper presents a simple method of carrying deeply located recipient vascular structures to the surface in order to facilitate end-to-side anastomoses in free-flap transplantations.

A twelve year experience with reduction mammoplasty and abdominoplasty.

In the last 12 years we performed mammoplasty on 191 patients, using the Wise pattern and the Strömbeck technique. In the same 12-year period, we also performed abdominoplasty in 108 patients, using the Pitanguy and the Grazer procedures. In the last four years we performed suction lipectomy in 43 patients, using the Illouz technique. In this article we present our moderate modifications on these techniques and the complications.