Oxygen-Evolving Radiotherapy-Radiodynamic Therapy Synergized with NO Gas Therapy by Cerium-Based Rare-Earth Metal-Porphyrin Framework.

The efficacy of traditional radiotherapy (RT) has been severely limited by its significant side effects, as well as tumor hypoxia. Here, the nanoscale cerium (Ce)-based metaloxo clusters (Ce(IV)6)-porphyrin (meso-tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin, TCPP) framework loaded with L-arginine (LA) (denoted as LA@Ce(IV)6-TCPP) is developed to serve as a multifarious radio enhancer to heighten X-ray absorption and energy transfer accompanied by O2/NO generation for hypoxia-improved RT-radiodynamic therapy (RDT) and gas therapy. Within tumor cells, LA@Ce(IV)6-TCPP will first react with endogenous H2O2 and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) to produce O2 and NO to respectively increase the oxygen supply and reduce oxygen consumption, thus alleviating tumor hypoxia. Then upon X-ray irradiation, LA@Ce(IV)6-TCPP can significantly enhance hydroxyl radical (•OH) generation from Ce(IV)6 metaloxo clusters for RT and synchronously facilitate singlet oxygen (1O2) generation from adjacently-coordinated TCPP for RDT. Moreover, both the •OH and 1O2 can further react with NO to generate more toxic peroxynitrite anions (ONOO-) to inhibit tumor growth for gas therapy. Benefitting from the alleviation of tumor hypoxia and intensified RT-RDT synergized with gas therapy, LA@Ce(IV)6-TCPP elicited superior anticancer outcomes. This work provides an effective RT strategy by using low doses of X-rays to intensify tumor suppression yet reduce systemic toxicity.

Ultrasonic Evaluation of the Asian Nasal Soft Tissue Envelope.

OBJECTIVE: The thickness of the nasal soft tissue envelope (STE) plays a crucial role in the final rhinoplasty results. The Asian nasal contour is typically characterized by a thicker STE and broader nasal tip, but objective data are lacking. The purpose of this study was to objectively measure nasal dermal thickness and overall STE thickness and to determine any demographic differences. METHODS: From July to September 2023, 110 patients presenting for consultation underwent ultrasound evaluation of their nasal STE. STE thickness was measured at predetermined subsites and compared with published data on white patients. RESULTS: The thickness of the STE in Asian patients was greater than that in white patients. The STE was thickest at the supratip (mean [SD]), (4.88 [0.74] mm) rather than at the nasion and thinnest at the rhinion (2.25 [0.51] mm). The nasal tip (4.07 [0.72] mm) showed comparable STE thickness with the nasion (4.13 [0.72] mm) but had a significantly thicker dermis than the nasion (2.35 ± 0.49 mm vs. 1.35 ± 0.35 mm, P < 0.05). Male sex and higher BMI tended to be correlated with a thicker nasal STE, but age did not show any relationship. A thicker nasal tip STE showed significantly greater nasal tip width and nasal alar thickness. CONCLUSION: STE thickness at different nasal subsites varies and affects external nasal contour and rhinoplasty outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Preoperative prediction of lymphovascular and perineural invasion in gastric cancer using spectral computed tomography imaging and machine learning.

BACKGROUND: Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and perineural invasion (PNI) are important prognostic factors for gastric cancer (GC) that indicate an increased risk of metastasis and poor outcomes. Accurate preoperative prediction of LVI/PNI status could help clinicians identify high-risk patients and guide treatment decisions. However, prior models using conventional computed tomography (CT) images to predict LVI or PNI separately have had limited accuracy. Spectral CT provides quantitative enhancement parameters that may better capture tumor invasion. We hypothesized that a predictive model combining clinical and spectral CT parameters would accurately preoperatively predict LVI/PNI status in GC patients. AIM: To develop and test a machine learning model that fuses spectral CT parameters and clinical indicators to predict LVI/PNI status accurately. METHODS: This study used a retrospective dataset involving 257 GC patients (training cohort, n = 172; validation cohort, n = 85). First, several clinical indicators, including serum tumor markers, CT-TN stages and CT-detected extramural vein invasion (CT-EMVI), were extracted, as were quantitative spectral CT parameters from the delineated tumor regions. Next, a two-step feature selection approach using correlation-based methods and information gain ranking inside a 10-fold cross-validation loop was utilized to select informative clinical and spectral CT parameters. A logistic regression (LR)-based nomogram model was subsequently constructed to predict LVI/PNI status, and its performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: In both the training and validation cohorts, CT T3-4 stage, CT-N positive status, and CT-EMVI positive status are more prevalent in the LVI/PNI-positive group and these differences are statistically significant (P < 0.05). LR analysis of the training group showed preoperative CT-T stage, CT-EMVI, single-energy CT values of 70 keV of venous phase (VP-70 keV), and the ratio of standardized iodine concentration of equilibrium phase (EP-NIC) were independent influencing factors. The AUCs of VP-70 keV and EP-NIC were 0.888 and 0.824, respectively, which were slightly greater than those of CT-T and CT-EMVI (AUC = 0.793, 0.762). The nomogram combining CT-T stage, CT-EMVI, VP-70 keV and EP-NIC yielded AUCs of 0.918 (0.866-0.954) and 0.874 (0.784-0.936) in the training and validation cohorts, which are significantly higher than using each of single independent factors (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study found that using portal venous and EP spectral CT parameters allows effective preoperative detection of LVI/PNI in GC, with accuracy boosted by integrating clinical markers.

VDRA downregulate ß-catenin/Smad3 and DNA damage and repair associated with improved prognosis in ccRCC patients.

The clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) spotlighted the poorest survival, while chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC) was associated with the best survival. Earlier studies corroborated vitamin D receptor (VDR) was a promising molecular for improving the prognosis of RCC. In contrast to VDRA, the one of VDR isoforms, VDRB1 (VDR isoform B1) has an N-terminal extension of 50 amino acids and is less ligand-dependent. However, the functional differences between VDRA and VDRB1, and their roles in the prognosis of ccRCC and chRCC, have not been investigated. In the present study, we uncovered that the transcripts related to vitamin D pathway and cellular calcium signaling were effectively decreased in the context of ccRCC, yet failed to exert a comparable effect within chRCC. Specially, minimally levels of VDRA wherein kidneys of patients suffering from ccRCC predict shorter survival time. In addition, the protein expressions for ß-catenin/Smad3 pathway and DNA damage and repair pathways were obviously impeded in VDRA-overexpressed ccRCC cells, yet this inhibitory effect was conspicuously absent in enable VDRB1 cells. Our results provide a new idea to improve the prognosis of ccRCC via VDRA upregulation.

Human serum albumin as the carrier to fabricate STING-activating peptide nanovaccine for antitumor immunotherapy.

Tumor vaccines are emerging as one of the most promising therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. With the advantages of low toxicity, convenient production and stable quality control, peptide vaccines have been widely used in preclinical and clinical trials involving various malignancies. However, when used alone, they still suffer from significant challenges including poor stability and immunogenicity as well as the low delivery efficiency, leading to limited therapeutic success. Herein, the STING-activating peptide nanovaccine based on human serum albumin (HSA) and biodegradable MnO2 was constructed, which can improve the stability and immunogenicity of antigenic peptides as well as facilitate their uptake by dendritic cells (DCs). Meanwhile, Mn2+ degraded from the nanovaccine can activate the STING pathway and further promote DCs maturation. In this way, the prepared nanovaccine can efficiently mediate T-cell immune responses, thereby exerting the effects of tumor prevention and therapy. Moreover, the prepared nanovaccine possesses the advantages of low cost, convenient preparation and good biocompatibility, showing great potential for practical applications.

Immunosuppressive Microenvironment in H3K27 Mutant Pediatric Diffuse Midline Glioma: Single-Cell and Bioinformatics Insights on CD8A, IL7R, and ICAM1.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) pose a grave threat as a malignant tumor primarily affecting children in the pons region. These tumors exhibit a distinct and heightened resistance to therapeutic interventions, coupled with exceptionally aggressive behavior. METHODS: In this study, we accessed DMG data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Subsequently, we performed functional annotation and conducted pathway enrichment analysis as well as gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Constructing a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, we identified pivotal hub genes. To evaluate the impact of these hub genes on immune infiltration, we employed the CIBERSORT algorithm. Furthermore, to bolster our findings, we conducted a single-cell analysis. RESULTS: Our findings indicate the involvement of CD8A, IL7R, and ICAM1 in immune responses targeting diverse immune cell types, such as T cells, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, γδ T cells, and Macrophages M1. Additionally, the presence of immune checkpoints, including IDO1 and TIGIT, likely contributes to intratumoral immunosuppression, thereby fostering the development of an aggressive phenotype and resistance in pediatric DMG. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the collective findings of our study suggest the potential role of CD8A, IL7R, and ICAM1 as innovative biomarkers for diagnosing and prognosticating pediatric DMG. Moreover, these molecules hold promise as therapeutic targets in the management of this disease. The implications of our research underscore the importance of exploring these novel avenues for improved patient outcomes.

Clinical efficacy of blood derivatives on wound healing: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

This study aims to evaluate the clinical effects of different blood derivatives on wound healing using network meta-analysis. PubMed, Embase, OVID, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Cochrane Central were searched to obtain studies about blood derivatives on wound healing until October 2023. R 4.2.0 and Stata 15.0 softwares were used for data analysis. Forty-four studies comprising 5164 patients were included. The results of network meta-analysis showed that the healing area from high to low was GF + ORCCB, ORCCB, GF, PRF, Unnas paste dressing, APG, PRP injection, PRP, PRP + thrombin gel, PPP, HPL, CT. The healing time from low to high was PRP + thrombin gel, GF, PRP, PC + K, PC, APG, PRF, CT, Silver sulfadiazine ointment. The number of patients cured from high to low was APG, PRP injection, PRP, Aurix, PRF, Leucopatch, HPL, Antimicrobial Ointment Dressing, CT, 60 µg/cm2 repifermin, 120 µg/cm2 repifermin, AFG, PPP. The order of analgesic effect from high to low was AFG, Aminogam gel, PRF, PRP, Oxidised oil, APG, GF, CT. The order of the number of wound infection cases from low to high is APG, 20 µg/cm2 repifermin, 60 µg/cm2 repifermin, PRP, LeucoPatch, CT, PPP, Antiseptic ointment dressing. Healing area: GF + ORCCB had the best effect; Healing time: PRP + thrombin gel took the shortest time. The number of cured patients and the reduction of wound infection: APG has the best effect. Analgesic effect: AFG has the best effect. More studies with large sample sizes are needed to confirm the above findings.

Comparison of heavy metal pollution and ecological risk assessment in ballast tank sediments based on two applicable reference standards.

The potential risks of ballast tank sediments have garnered global attention. This study collected sediment samples from ballast tanks of four transoceanic ships and determined 27 metal(loid) s by GB 5085.6-2007 and 9 metal(loid)s by GB 18668-2002. The pollution characteristics and ecological risk assessment of 8 typical heavy metals measured by both standards were analyzed and compared. Concentrations of Cd, Zn, and As were found to be high in the ballast tank sediments, and attention should also be directed toward Sn and Mn, which were rarely studied in ballast tank sediments. The concentration of Ni had significant differences between the two standards (P < 0.05). The results of ecological risk methods indicate that Cd, Zn, and As pose significant ecological risks. GB 5085.6-2007 demonstrated sensitivity in reflecting the ecological risks of heavy metals. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into establishing a unified standard for heavy metals for future ballast tank sediment management.

Transconjunctival fat repositioning blepharoplasty: is excess fat herniation a prerequisite?

BACKGROUND: The fat repositioning technique has been widely used for the treatment of tear trough deformity, and there is a strong belief that excess fat herniation is a prerequisite for the procedure. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate its effect in patients with minimal or no excess fat herniation. METHODS: A total of 232 patients underwent the procedure and met the inclusion criteria. Of them, 198 were primary cases, and 34 had a history of fat removal for blepharoplasty. The amount of infraorbital fat was evaluated preoperatively by palpation. Release of the tear trough ligament and fat redistribution were sequentially performed as previously described. Surgical outcome was assessed based on Hirmand's grading system and the FACE-Q scales. RESULTS: Tear trough deformities were eliminated in more than 85% of cases. Aesthetic results were comparable between the primary and secondary surgery groups. The percentage of patients who complained of extremely or moderately severe tear trough deformities decreased from 86.3% preoperatively to 34.0% postoperatively. The scores of the lower eyelid FACE-Q decreased significantly (P<0.05). Patients were satisfied with their decision to undergo blepharoplasty (78.2±18.7). Undercorrection of the tear trough occurred in 30 patients. Other complications included 12 cases of transient conjunctiva bleeding, 2 cases of eyelid numbness, and 6 cases of dry eye. These resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSION: Fat repositioning is a feasible and effective technique for the treatment of tear trough deformities in patients with minimal or no excess orbital fat herniation provided that a fat pad is palpable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Assessing the effectiveness of filtration + UV-C radiation for the treatment of simulated ballast water at various holding times.

In recent years, the issue of invasive alien species brought on by ballast water has drawn increasing attention, and advances in ballast water treatment technologies have been made. One of the most popular combined ballast water treatment technologies utilized in ballast water management systems (BWMSs) globally is filtration + UV-C radiation. During the actual voyage of the ship, ballast water is treated by the BWMS and then enters the dark ballast tanks until the ballast water is discharged. Marine organisms are able to complete DNA damage caused by UV radiation in dark ballast tanks. Therefore, the length of holding time affects the effectiveness of the BWMS in treating ballast water. The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of filtration + UV-C irradiation treatment at different holding times for the removal or inactivation of phytoplankton and zooplankton populations during simulated ballast water treatment. Results indicate that the holding time after the filtration + UV-C radiation treatment increased the inactivating efficacy, especially for zooplankton in natural seawater. For phytoplanktons in ballast water, the strongest impact on the treatment efficacy was reached with a holding time of 24 h.

Detector-grade perovskite single-crystal wafers via stress-free gel-confined solution growth targeting high-resolution ionizing radiation detection.

Solution-processed organic‒inorganic halide perovskite (OIHP) single crystals (SCs) have demonstrated great potential in ionizing radiation detection due to their outstanding charge transport properties and low-cost preparation. However, the energy resolution (ER) and stability of OIHP detectors still lag far behind those of melt-grown inorganic perovskite and commercial CdZnTe counterparts due to the absence of detector-grade high-quality OIHP SCs. Here, we reveal that the crystallinity and uniformity of OIHP SCs are drastically improved by relieving interfacial stress with a facial gel-confined solution growth strategy, thus enabling the direct preparation of large-area detector-grade SC wafers up to 4 cm with drastically suppressed electronic and ionic defects. The resultant radiation detectors show both a small dark current below 1 nA and excellent baseline stability of 4.0 × 10-8 nA cm-1 s-1 V-1, which are rarely realized in OIHP detectors. Consequently, a record high ER of 4.9% at 59.5 keV is achieved under a standard 241Am gamma-ray source with an ultralow operating bias of 5 V, representing the best gamma-ray spectroscopy performance among all solution-processed semiconductor radiation detectors ever reported.

Effect of flowing water on the pharmacokinetic properties of norfloxacin in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) after single-dose oral administration.

BACKGROUND: The recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) is a widely used, water-saving and efficient aquaculture model. However, bacterial diseases are common in farmed fish reared at high densities. Although antibiotics effectively treat these diseases, developing efficient methods to increase drug clearance in fish and decrease the concentrations of antibiotic residues in aquatic products is essential. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the effect of flowing water in the RAS on norfloxacin (NOR) pharmacokinetics in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). METHODS: Channel catfish were randomly divided into the control group (RAS group) and the experimental group (flow-through aquaculture system group) (120 individuals/group). A NOR dose of 20 mg/kg was then orally administered to the fish. Plasma, muscle, liver and kidney samples were collected up to 168 h after treatment. NOR concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using a non-compartmental method. RESULTS: Flowing water had a significant effect on the plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of NOR, increasing NOR clearance in the kidney, muscle and plasma. The time to maximum concentration of NOR was shorter in the plasma and longer in the kidney and liver. Moreover, flowing water increased the maximum concentration of NOR in the kidney, muscle and plasma and decreased the area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to the last measurable concentration in the liver and plasma. Flowing water decreased the withdrawal period in muscle from 10 to 6 days. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that flowing water can potentially increase NOR clearance in channel catfish.

Simulation Experiment Research of Mine Roadway Simulating Test Device with Adjustable Wind Velocity and Temperature and Humidity.

The design and development process of wind velocity sensors for mining has been a challenging task due to the complexity of a large number of field tests. To resolve this problem, this study aimed to provide a comprehensive test device for the design and development of high-precision wind velocities sensor for mining. Through a combination of experiments and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), a device that can simulate the mine roadway environment was developed. The device can control the temperature, humidity, and wind velocity parameters to fully replicate the mine roadway environment. It gives designers and developers of high-precision wind velocity sensors for mining a rational and scientific testing environment. In order to quantitatively define the uniformity of air flow in the mine highway section, the research introduced the non-uniformity determination method. The approach was expanded to assess the cross-sectional uniformity of temperature and humidity. The wind velocity within the machine can increase to 8.5 m/s by selecting the right kind of fan. The minimum wind velocity non-uniformity at this moment is 2.30%. The device's internal temperature can be raised to 38.23 °C and its humidity level can be increased to 95.09% by carefully crafting the rectifier orifice plate's structure. At this time, the lowest temperature non-uniformity is 2.22%, and the lowest humidity non-uniformity is 2.40%. The device's average wind velocity is 4.37 m/s, its average temperature is 37.7 °C, as well as its average humidity is 95%, per the emulate results. The device's non-uniformity in wind velocity, temperature, and humidity is 2.89%, 1.34%, and 2.23%, respectively. It is capable of simulating the mine roadway environment in its entirety.

A study on treatment efficacy of ballast water treatment system applying filtration + membrane separation + deoxygenation technology during shipboard testing.

The efficacy of a BWMS with filtration + membrane separation + deoxygenation technology in treating ballast water was investigated under marine operational circumstances in five shipboard tests. The shipboard tests were carried out between August 2020 and March 2021 onboard a bulk carrier JIN HAI HUA, which sailed between Mawei, Qinhuangdao and Caofeidian in China throughout spring, summer, and fall season. The discharge results in all five tests met the D-2 standard in IMO BWMS Code, with the shortest holding time of less than three days. The BWMS does not involve application of chemicals or generation of by-products, and is considered to be an appropriate choice for certain types of ships.

Effect of ventilation mode and airflow rate on the flow field and particle mass concentration distribution of a high-speed rail carriage in the putty polishing workshop.

Objectives. The putty polishing procedure usually produces a large number of micron-sized particles, which can lead to serious respiratory diseases as well as skin conditions. The diagonal ventilation system is widely used to decrease the particle concentration in different environments. However, it becomes less effective for a large empty factory workshop, such as the polishing workshop for high-speed rail carriages, in which the diagonal ventilation mode usually results in turbulence in the airflow. In this article we report that the situation can be improved by optimizing the number and locations of the air inlets and outlets in the carriage-polishing workshop. Three modified ventilation modes are proposed, whose efficiencies are evaluated by numerical simulations and compared to the diagonal mode. Results. The results show that the mode with two inlets close to the ceiling and two outlets close to the floor yields the best performance. Besides, the optimum airflow rate under this mode is further determined by both simulations and in-situ measurements. The results reported can serve as a reference for the design of the ventilation systems in the polishing workshops of similar sizes.

Oxidation towards enrofloxacin degradation over nanoscale zero-valent copper: mechanism and products.

Enrofloxacin (ENR) is a widely used veterinary fluoroquinolone antibiotic and is frequently detected in water environments. The degradation of ENR was examined utilizing molecular oxygen mediation using nanometer zero-valent copper (nZVC) as the catalyst in this work. The dosage of nZVC, initial pH, and reaction temperature were investigated as contributing factors to ENR degradation. The effects of Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, and humic acid on the degradation of ENR were investigated. The actual effects were evaluated using natural water. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) that participated in the reaction were identified, their generation mechanisms were elucidated, and the effects on ENR degradation were assessed. More emphasis was given to exploring ENR degradation and transformation pathways via analyses of HPLC-TOF-MS. Data showed that at 35 ℃, with an initial pH of 3 and exposed to air, an nZVC dose of 0.5 g·L-1 degraded ENR by 99.51% dramatically. HO• radicals were identified as the dominant ROS, and conversions among Cu0, Cu+, and Cu2+ played crucial roles in the generation of ROS. The destruction mechanism of ENR was speculated based on analyses of HPLC-TOF-MS results as the transformation of the piperazine ring into an oxidized state with a -COOH substitution with HO•, which caused ENR to be mineralized and converted into CO2, H2O, and [Formula: see text]. The ECOSAR program has been used to evaluate the toxicity of ENR and its degradation products, and oxidative degradation of nZVC significantly reduced its toxicity and increased its biodegradability. This research proposes a capable and practical method for removing ENR from water.

The Influence Mechanism of Political Skill on Safety Voice Behavior in High-Risk Industries: The Mediating Role of Voice Efficacy.

As an important indicator to measure the adaptability and development potential of individuals in an organization, political skill is rarely considered as an antecedent variable in the field of safety voice. This study is based on impression management theory and social cognitive theory. From the perspective of employee self-service-oriented safety voice motivation, we took political skill as a predictor of safety voice behavior and introduced voice efficacy as an intermediary variable to construct a theoretical model of the relationship between political skill, voice efficacy, and safety voice behavior. We used the method of questionnaire to collect data from employees in high-risk industries. SPSS and AMOS software were used as analysis tools to examine the relationship between political skill, voice efficacy, and safety voice behavior. The study results show that: (1) political skill has a significant positive impact on safety voice behavior; and (2) voice efficacy plays a mediating role in the relationship between political skill and safety voice behavior. In this study, a new predictor of safety voice behavior and its mediation mechanism were obtained. Political skill can not only reflect the psychological cognitive ability of individuals in dangerous work environments, but it is also an important manifestation of the social exchanges between employees and organizations. In the special organizational context where China generally values "guanxi", political skill has a stronger ability to predict and explain safety voice behavior. This research can help organizations obtain safety-related suggestions from employees in a timely manner and realize the sustainable development of safety management.

The occurrence of potential pathogenic bacteria on international ships' ballast water at Yangshan Port, Shanghai, China.

Ballast water is a primary vector for the global transfer of non-indigenous species, which threaten the balance of aquatic ecosystems. The second-generation high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and culture method (by the first-generation sequencing technology) were used to explore pathogens in ballast water from international ships on the routes of China-Australia (AU), China-Europe (E) and China-America (AM). No significant differences in dominant bacteria among ballast water samples from different routes. Thirty-four pathogens were detected in all samples by HTS, including Acinetobacter lwoffii, Brevundimonas vesicular and Pseudomonas sp., etc., while nine pathogens were detected by culture, including Pseudoalteromonas piscicida, Rhodococcus erythropolis and Vibrio alginolyticus, etc. All ballast water carried a potential bacteriological risk to Yangshan Port. The abundance of pathogens was significant affected by holding time, temperature, salinity and NH4. Detection of pathogens as much as possible through different technologies is desirable, more pathogens could provide beneficial information for enhancing ballast water management.

Influence of the Internal Structure Type of a Large-Area Lower Exhaust Workbench on Its Surface Air Distribution.

Local exhaust ventilation is an important method of contamination control, and the type of exhaust hood and the air distribution at the hood face have an important influence on the contamination control effect. When the hood face is large, it is difficult to create a uniform airflow distribution at the hood face, which if achieved, could improve the effect of contamination control. To that end, the large-area workbench used in the process of vaccine purification was taken as the research subject prototype for this study. According to the methods for generating a uniform airflow distribution at the hood face, the lower exhaust workbenches of four structures were established using CAD and simulated using Ansys Fluent. The best uniformity of workbench surface air distribution was with Structure-4, while the worst was with Structure-1. The workbench surface airflow distribution could not achieve uniformity when only an inclined bottom was used for the large-area lower exhaust workbench with one side outlet. The more internal slits there were, the greater the air distribution area and the more uniform the air distribution. The width of the area of workbench surface airflow distribution was determined by the width of the slits. The numerical simulation results were verified by experiments, which showed them to be credible.

Study on Application of YAG Laser-Assisted Ear Correction Model to Congenital Auricular Deformities.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to compare the clinical effects of a long-pulse-width 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser-assisted ear correction model and a simple ear correction model in the treatment of congenital auricular deformities in children older than 6 weeks. METHODS: A total of 129 children (179 ears) with congenital auricular deformities who were older than 2 months were included. Among them, 84 (119 ears) were treated with the ear correction model after long-pulse-width 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser irradiation (observation group) and 45 (60 ears) were treated with the ear correction model only (control group). The affected ears of the two groups were measured, the correction time was calculated, and the patients' family members filled in the satisfaction questionnaire before and after the treatment. RESULTS: The level of satisfaction of both groups improved after the treatment. The satisfaction level of the observation group was higher than that of the control group. Fewer days of correction were observed in the observation group than in the control group ( p < 0.05). The measurements of the affected ears in the two groups were significantly different after treatment. The difference after treatment of each measurement in the observation group was higher than in the control group. The therapeutic effect of the observation group was significantly better than that of the control group and the differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Long-pulse-width 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser combined with the ear correction model can improve the success rate of correction of congenital auricular deformities in over-aged ears. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.