Synthesis of Aluminum Phosphate-Coated Halloysite Nanotubes: Effects on Morphological, Mechanical, and Rheological Properties of PEO/PBAT Blends.

Polymer blending has been widely used to fabricate polymeric films in the last decade due to its superior properties to a single component. In this study, an aluminum phosphate-coated halloysite nanotube (HNTs@AlPO4) was fabricated using a one-pot heterogeneous precipitation method, organically modified HNTs@AlPO4 (o-HNTs@AlPO4) was used to improve the performance of polyethylene oxide/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PEO/PBAT) blends, and the mechanical and rheological properties of the PEO/PBAT/o-HNTs@AlPO4 films were systematically discussed. According to our results, there is an optimal addition for adequate AlPO4 nanoparticle dispersion and coating on the surface of HNTs, and organic modification could improve the interfacial compatibility of HNTs@AlPO4 and the polymeric matrix. Moreover, o-HNTs@AlPO4 may serve as a compatibilizer between PEO and PBAT, and PEO/PBAT/o-HNTs@AlPO4 films have better mechanical and rheological properties than the PEO/PBAT blends without the o-HNTs@AlPO4 component.

Value of Combination of Heart, Lung, and Diaphragm Ultrasound in Predicting Weaning Outcome of Mechanical Ventilation.

BACKGROUND Postextubation distress is detrimental to the prognosis of critically ill patients with successful spontaneous breathing trial. The known risk factors of failed weaning are associated with the heart, lungs, and diaphragm. The aim of this study was to explore the role of a combined model including indicators of heart, lung, and diaphragm ultrasound in predicting the weaning outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients' clinical data and ultrasonic features of heart, lungs, and diaphragm were recorded. Patients were included in either the failed weaning group (n=24) or the successful weaning group (n=81). The association of potential variables with the risk of weaning failure was determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The accuracy of potential indicators for predicting the weaning outcome were evaluated and a multiindicator combined model was established to improve the predictive accuracy. RESULTS Brain natriuretic peptide (odds ratio [OR]=1.120, P=0.004), left-atrial pressure (LAP) (OR=1.333, P=0.005), lung ultrasound score (LUS) (OR=1.736, P=0.001), and hemidiaphragm dysfunction (OR=3.942, P=0.014) were associated with an increased risk of weaning failure. However, all of these indicators could not accurately predict the weaning outcome independently (all areas under the curve [AUCs] <0.9). The combination of LAP, LUS, and hemidiaphragm dysfunction showed the highest AUC (AUC=0.919). CONCLUSIONS The combined model including LAP, LUS, and hemidiaphragm dysfunction were the most accurate method for the prediction.