A vortex method of 3D smoke simulation for virtual surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A realistic virtual surgery simulation needs to simulate smoke as electrical cutting causes thermal tissue damage. The vortex particle method of simulating smoke can realistically present the vortex details and motion trajectory of the smoke, but there is high computational cost. METHODS: To address this problem, we propose the 3D Vortex Particles in Cube Algorithm (3D-VPICA). 3D-VPICA can realistically show the visual effect of smoke and reduce the computational cost. In addition, in order to enhance the reality of the smoke, we propose the Auxiliary Particles Algorithm (APA) method to deal with the collision problem of smoke. RESULTS: The 3D-VPICA can calculate the velocity of the vortex particles speedily with the help of cube grids and with the complexity decreasing from O(N2) to O(N) + O(Mlog 2M). The APA can ensure that boundary conditions are satisfied when the smoke collides with irregular surfaces. Experimental results show that 3D-VPICA is faster than traditional methods of smoke simulation and that APA is successful in simulating smoke colliding with moving objects with irregular surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed 3D smoke simulation method was applied to a virtual surgery system using a high frequency electric knife. The cutting and coagulate operations were fluent and the smoke flowed with fidelity.

Kinetics of spontaneous water-N2 imbibition in carbon molecular sieves.

In this study, a new kinetic model of spontaneous liquid-gas imbibition (SLGI) for microporous adsorbents has been developed. With three carbon molecular sieves (CMS) as adsorbents, N2 as gas probe and water as liquid probe, the kinetics of spontaneous water-N2 imbibition in CMS has been investigated at atmospheric pressure, and the applicability of the kinetic model to the SLGI has been assessed. The influences of the particle size of CMS and the experimental temperature in the range of 20-35 °C on the imbibition process have been analyzed based on the kinetic model. The relations between the kinetic parameters of the SLGI and the microporous parameters of the CMS obtained by CO2 adsorption at 273 K have been elucidated. The results indicate that the imbibition process is controlled by the diffusion of the water molecules into and N2 out of the micropores and the adsorption of the water on the pore surface of the CMS. The equilibrium gas recovery is positively related with the micropore volume, and the gas recovery rate depends mainly on the micropore size of the CMS.

Biomass gasification for hydrogen rich gas in a decoupled triple bed gasifier with olivine and NiO/olivine.

Catalytic steam gasification of biomass has been carried out in decoupled triple bed gasification (DTBG) system which consists of pyrolyzer, reformer and combustor. Olivine and NiO/olivine used as in-situ tar destruction catalyst. The result shows the gasification system with catalytic bed materials allows an option to improve tar removal that enhances H2 production. A gas yield of 1.59 Nm3/kg daf with H2 concentration of 56.1 vol% and tar content as low as 0.6 g/Nm3 has been achieved with the presence of NiO/olivine. Olivine and NiO/olivine reduced tar yield by 55% and 94% respectively compared to quartz. Gas yield, tar removal efficiency and water conversion enhanced by higher reformer temperature. The longer residences time of catalyst in reformer leads in-situ reduction of olivine and NiO/olivine that adds up in-situ tar reforming. Particularly, in-situ reduction of NiO to metallic Ni enhances tar and CH4 reforming reaction.

A Novel Haptic Interactive Approach to Simulation of Surgery Cutting Based on Mesh and Meshless Models.

In the present work, the majority of implemented virtual surgery simulation systems have been based on either a mesh or meshless strategy with regard to soft tissue modelling. To take full advantage of the mesh and meshless models, a novel coupled soft tissue cutting model is proposed. Specifically, the reconstructed virtual soft tissue consists of two essential components. One is associated with surface mesh that is convenient for surface rendering and the other with internal meshless point elements that is used to calculate the force feedback during cutting. To combine two components in a seamless way, virtual points are introduced. During the simulation of cutting, the Bezier curve is used to characterize smooth and vivid incision on the surface mesh. At the same time, the deformation of internal soft tissue caused by cutting operation can be treated as displacements of the internal point elements. Furthermore, we discussed and proved the stability and convergence of the proposed approach theoretically. The real biomechanical tests verified the validity of the introduced model. And the simulation experiments show that the proposed approach offers high computational efficiency and good visual effect, enabling cutting of soft tissue with high stability.

Development of an Electrochemical Ceramic Membrane Filtration System for Efficient Contaminant Removal from Waters.

Inability to remove low-molecular-weight anthropogenic contaminants is a critical issue in low-pressure membrane filtration processes for water treatment. In this work, a novel electrochemical ceramic membrane filtration (ECMF) system using TiO2@SnO2-Sb anode was developed for removing persistent p-chloroaniline (PCA). Results showed that the ECMF system achieved efficient removal of PCA from contaminated waters. At a charging voltage of 3 V, the PCA removal rate of TiO2@SnO2-Sb ECMF system under flow-through mode was 2.4 times that of flow-by mode. The energy consumption for 50% of PCA removal for TiO2@SnO2-Sb ECMF at 3 V under flow-through mode was 0.38 Wh/L, much lower than that of flow-by operation (1.5 Wh/L), which was attributed to the improved utilization of the surface adsorbed HO· and dissociated HO· driven by the enhanced mass transfer of PCA toward the anode surface. Benefiting from the increased production of reactive oxygen species such as O2•-, H2O2, and HO· arising from excitation of anatase TiO2, TiO2@SnO2-Sb ECMF exhibited a superior electrocatalytic activity to the SnO2-Sb ECMF system. The degradation pathways of PCA initiated by OH· attack were further proposed, with the biodegradable short-chain carboxylic acids (mainly formic, acetic, and oxalic acids) identified as the dominant oxidized products. These results highlight the potential of the ECMF system for cost-effective water purification.

Clinical application of two-step fine impression into single complete denture with mandibular alveolar ridge atrophy / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#The present study investigated the clinical effects of a single complete denture using two-step fine impression during the restoration of mandibular alveolar ridge atrophy. @*Methods @#A back-end window tray that was personalized and adjusted was used to obtain the original impression for a mandibular alveolar ridge case. The individual trays were made with the conception of mandibular occlusal denture, and the final impression was obtained after active edge shaping using different viscous silicones. @*Results @#A case of single complete denture with mandibular alveolar ridge atrophy restoration was accomplished using a single complete denture and two-step fine impression. The denture was well fixed and functioned well, and the patient was satisfied.@*Conclusion @#The application of fine impression into a single complete denture is helpful for the restoration of mandibular alveolar ridge atrophy.

Contaminant Removal from Source Waters Using Cathodic Electrochemical Membrane Filtration: Mechanisms and Implications.

Removal of recalcitrant anthropogenic contaminants from water calls for the development of cost-effective treatment technologies. In this work, a novel electrochemical membrane filtration (EMF) process using a conducting microfiltration membrane as the cathode has been developed and the degradation of sulphanilic acid (SA) examined. The electrochemical degradation of SA in flow-by mode followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with the degradation rate enhanced with increase in charging voltage. Hydrogen peroxide as well as oxidants such as HO• and Fe(IV)O2+ were generated electrochemically with HO• found to be the dominant oxidant responsible for SA degradation. In addition to the anodic splitting of water, HO• was formed via a heterogeneous Fenton process with surface-bound Fe(II) resulting from aerobic corrosion of the steel mesh. In flow-through mode, the removal rate of SA was 13.0% greater than obtained in flow-by mode, presumably due to the better contact of the contaminant with the oxidants generated in the vicinity of the membrane surface. A variety of oxidized products including hydroquinone, p-benzoquinone, oxamic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, acetic acid, formic acid, and oxalic acid were identified and an electrochemical degradation pathway proposed. These findings highlight the potential of the cathodic EMF process as an effective technology for water purification.

Nox4 NADPH oxidase contributes to smooth muscle cell phenotypes associated with unstable atherosclerotic plaques.

Plaque instability associated with acute coronary syndromes results in part from apoptosis and senescence of cells within the atherosclerotic (AS) lesion. Increased cellular oxidative stress has been proposed to contribute to plaque progression and changes in composition, leading to plaque instability. Our objective was to examine the role of NADPH oxidase in smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypes associated with an unstable plaque. Aortae were isolated from pre-lesion (8 weeks of age) and post-lesion (35 weeks of age) hypercholesterolemic mice (ApoE(-/-)/LDLR(-/-), AS), and age-matched normal C57BL/6J mice. We observed an age-dependent increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in aorta from AS mice, with evidence for elevated ROS prior to lesion development. Whereas macrophage infiltration was restricted to the lesion, oxidized lipids extended beyond the plaque and into the vessel wall. Consistent with these findings, we observed dynamic changes in the expression of NADPH oxidases in AS vessels. Specifically, Nox1 expression was increased early and decreased with lesion progression, while induction of Nox4 was a late event. Nox2 and p22(phox) were elevated throughout lesion development. Similar to observations in aortae, SMCs isolated from the lesion of AS aortae had decreased Nox1 and increased Nox4 levels as compared to SMCs from normal mice. AS SMCs demonstrated increased generation of ROS, cell cycle arrest, evidence of senescence, and increased susceptibility to apoptosis. Overexpression of Nox4 in normal SMCs recapitulated the phenotypes of the AS SMCs. We conclude that increased expression of Nox4 in AS may drive SMC phenotypes that lead to the plaque instability and rupture responsible for myocardial infarction and stroke.

[Esthetic restoration for anterior teeth with the hot pressed porcelain laminate veneers].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the esthetic effect of anterior porcelain veneers fabricated with the heat pressed glass ceramic. METHODS: Thirty-two patients, who wanted to receive a aesthetic restorative treatment for 206 anterior teeth were selected. Among them, 20 were for dental fluorosis, 8 were for light tetracycline stained teeth, the other 4 were labial enamel hypoplasia or obvious crack on the surface of enamel. According to the color of adjacent teeth,skin and lips, heat pressed IPS e.max ingots of different color were chosen to mold the restorations. Afterwards, special straining technique was conducted on the marginal ridge and incisor ridge of the veneers after carefully trimmed in the mouth. Restorations were them bonded with Variolink II resin cement. After 7 years of follow-up, a modified USPHS criterion was used to evaluate the esthetic effect. RESULTS: The translucency of veneers was superior. Marginal integrity of the veneers was perfect and it docked well with the marginal terminate line of the abutment. There was no edge coloring after the veneers were used for 7 years, and the veneers produce an excellent chameleon effect by absorbing the color of adjacent teeth and gums, at the same time, veneers could produce a feature of surface morphology of natural enamel after careful carve. In the long-term clinical observation, 5 of the 206 veneers were fractured or fell off. CONCLUSIONS: This porcelain laminate veneers fabricated from the heat pressed IPS e.max Press ingots include the following advantages, such as simple operating procedure, high mechanical strength, very little dental tissue was ground off and nice aesthetic effect. Ultra-thin veneers are especially suitable for aesthetic practice to dental fluorosis, light tetracycline and natural worn teeth.

Spontaneous liquid-gas imbibition for characterization of carbon molecular sieves.

Spontaneous liquid-gas imbibition at 293.2K and 0.1 MPa was conducted to assess the micropore size and size-exclusion property of carbon molecular sieves (CMS). The CMS were firstly saturated with N(2) and then immersed into water. The volume of gas recovered by the water imbibition was measured and applied to evaluate the density of the N(2) adsorbed in the CMS. The micropore size of the CMS was determined by comparing the N(2) density from the water-N(2) imbibition with that calculated by grand canonical simulation. The micropore size evaluated by the liquid-gas imbibition coincides with that obtained by N(2) adsorption at ambient temperature. The size-exclusion property of the CMS was estimated through comparing the N(2) recovery by imbibition of liquids with increasing molecular dimensions, that is, water, benzene, and cyclohexane. The amount of N(2) recovered from benzene imbibition is dramatically less than that from the water imbibition, showing that the dominated micropore size of the CMS is smaller than 0.37 nm. Furthermore, the effect of chemical vapor deposition treatment on the porous texture of the CMS was revealed by the liquid-gas imbibition.

Increased expression of Nox1 in neointimal smooth muscle cells promotes activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9.

OBJECTIVE: Vascular injury causes neointimal hypertrophy, which is characterized by redox-mediated matrix degradation and smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and proliferation. We hypothesized that, as compared to the adjacent medial SMCs, neointimal SMCs produce increased superoxide via NADPH oxidase, which induces redox-sensitive intracellular signaling to activate matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). METHODS AND RESULTS: Two weeks after balloon injury, rat aorta developed a prominent neointima, containing increased expression of NADPH oxidase and reactive oxygen species (ROS) as compared to the medial layer. Next, SMCs were isolated from either the neointima or the media and studied in culture. Neointimal-derived SMCs exhibited increased Nox1 expression and ROS levels as compared to medial SMCs. Neointimal SMCs had higher cell growth rates than medial SMCs. ROS-dependent ERK1/2 phosphorylation was greater in neointimal SMCs. MMP-9 activity, as detected by gel zymography, was greater in neointimal SMCs under resting and stimulated conditions and was prevented by expression of an antisense to Nox1 or treatment with an ERK1/2 inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: Following vascular injury, the increased expression of Nox1 in SMCs within the neointima initiates redox-dependent phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and subsequent MMP-9 activation.

[The prefabricated post and composite resin core technique used in restoring residual crown of posterior tooth].

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical effect of repairing posterior residual crown using titanium alloy post combined with composite resin core technique. METHODS: Twenty-one patients (26 residual crown) with perfect root canal therapy were selected. Modern bonding technique was used to build up the core with titanium alloy post and flow composite resin together for crown restoration. RESULTS: After ten years of clinical observation, only 4 cases among the 21 patients failed in restoration. The rate of success was 85%. X-ray showed that the periapical alveolar bone density was enhanced after restoration. CONCLUSIONS: Standard root canal therapy and effective post-core strengthening can restore the function of the residual crown and retain the tooth.

[Research progress on real-time deformable models of soft tissues for surgery simulation].

Biological tissues generally exhibit nonlinearity, anisotropy, quasi-incompressibility and viscoelasticity about material properties. Simulating the behaviour of elastic objects in real time is one of the current objectives of virtual surgery simulation which is still a challenge for researchers to accurately depict the behaviour of human tissues. In this paper, we present a classification of the different deformable models that have been developed. We present the advantages and disadvantages of each one. Finally, we make a comparison of deformable models and perform an evaluation of the state of the art and the future of deformable models.

Endothelial cells negatively modulate reactive oxygen species generation in vascular smooth muscle cells: role of thioredoxin.

In intact vessels, endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) act as an integrated system, possibly through reactive oxygen species (ROS). Using a coculture system we tested whether ECs modulate VSMC redox status by regulating activity of NAD(P)H oxidase and antioxidants. VSMC production of O(2)(*-), H(2)O(2), and NO was assessed using fluoroprobes and amplex-red. NAD(P)H oxidase subunit expression and oxidase activity were determined by Western blotting and chemiluminescence, respectively. Expression of thioredoxin, SOD, growth signaling pathways (PCNA, p21cip1, CDK4, ERK1/2, p38MAPK) was evaluated by immunoblotting. Thioredoxin activity was assessed by the insulin disulfide reduction assay. In cocultured conditions, VSMC ROS production was reduced by approximately 50% without changes in NAD(P)H oxidase expression/activity versus monoculture (P<0.05). This was associated with decreased cell growth (P<0.05). Expression of Cu/Zn SOD and thioredoxin was increased in coculture versus monoculture VSMCs (P<0.01). Pretreatment of ECs with L-NAME (NOS inhibitor), NS-398 (Cox2 inhibitor), and HET0016 (20-HETE inhibitor) did not influence VSMC ROS formation, whereas CDNB, thioredoxin reductase inhibitor, abolished ROS modulating effects of ECs. These findings indicate that in a coculture system recapitulating intact vessels, ECs negatively regulate ROS production in VSMCs through thioredoxin upregulation. Functionally this is associated with growth inhibition. The modulatory actions of ECs are independent of NOS/NO, Cox2, and HETE and do not involve NAD(P)H oxidase. Our data identify novel mechanisms whereby ECs protect against VSMC oxidative stress, a process that may be important in maintaining vascular integrity.

[Intraocular lens power calculation after corneal refractive surgery].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effective method for the calculation of intraocular lens power retrospectively from post-LASIK cases. METHODS: It was a retrospective case series. 40 eyes of 28 patients (14 male and 14 Female) had the Phacoemulsification post-LASIK in HongKong Sanitorium & Hospital; the age ranged from 41.00 to 69.00 years ages, (50.68 +/- 6.56) years. LASIK was done from January, 1997 to April, 2005. Phacoemulsification was done from October, 2000 to September, 2005. RESULTS: Average axial length was (28.06 +/- 1.98) mm (rang from 24.28 to 31.96 mm). The initial refraction power (Spherical Equivalent, SE) before LASIK was from -3.13 to -18.00 D, (-10.44 +/- 3.93) D. K value pre-LASIK was 41.40 to 46.90 D, (43.57 +/- 1.47) D. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) preLASIK was 20/20 in 19 eyes, 20/25 in 10 eyes, 20/30 in 7 eyes and 20/40 in 4 eyes. The refraction power of 6 months post-LASIK (SE) was -2.83 to +1.25 D, (-0.32 +/- 0.95) D. The refraction power pre-phaco (SE) was -5.75 to +1.13 D, (-2.35 +/- 2.16) D. The calculated K1 (KpreLASIK-RpostLASIK + RpreLASIK) was 27.60 to 40.70 D, (34.62 +/- 3.56) D. The K from the IOLmaster (K2) was 32.39 to 43.53 D, (38.04 +/- 2.45) D. The target refraction of K1 was -3.69 to 0.61 D, (-1.32 +/- 1.00) D, the target refraction of K2 was -3.67 approximately 3.95 D, (-0.60 +/- 1.84) D. There was significant difference between these two target refraction, (t = -2.40, P = 0.02). The refraction power of post-phaco (> 3 months) was -4.50 to +1.75 D, (-1.10 +/- 1.51) D. The BCVA post-Phaco was 20/20 in 20 eyes, 20/25 in 9 eyes, 20/30 in 5 eyes and 20/40 in 6 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The formula used in the study for the calculation of intraocular lens power is accurate and effective.

[Design and analysis of spectral recognition system based on neural network].

The technology of spectral recognition is the foundation of qualitative analysis by spectrum. With the technology of pattern recognition developed, the technology of spectral recognition has been a important tool for quick detection in medicine, environment and petrochemical industry etc. Artificial neural network has many good qualities, such as nonlinear mapping, self-adaptive learning, robustness and fault tolerant ability. It is widely applied in signal procesing, knowledge engineering and pattern recognition etc. The present paper takes spectral signal according with Lambert-Beer' law as object, introduces basic pattern recognition theory of artificial neural network in brief, puts forward spectral recognition method based on multiple features and neural network according to spectral recognition need, makes system design and the basic frame of model, and gives an example for explanation.

Reactive oxygen species, cell growth, cell cycle progression and vascular remodeling in hypertension.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) include superoxide, hygrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical. Under physiological conditions, all vascular cell types produce ROS in a controlled and regulated fashion, mainly through nonphagocyte NADPH oxidase. An imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants results in oxidative stress. ROS are important intracellular signaling molecules. There is growing evidence that increased oxidative stress and associated oxidative damage are mediators of vascular injury in hypertension, as well as in other cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress causes vascular injury by reducing nitric oxide bioavailability, altering endothelial function and vascular contraction/dilation, promoting vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and hypertrophy, and increasing extracellular matrix deposition and inflammation. The present review focuses on the regulatory role of ROS on cell growth and cell cycle progression and discusses implications of these events in vascular remodeling in hypertension.

Reactive oxygen species and vascular remodelling in hypertension: still alive.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are reactive derivatives of O2 metabolism, including superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and nitric oxide. All types of vascular cells produce ROS, primarily via cell membrane-associated NAD(P)H oxidase. Cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, are associated with increased ROS formation (oxidative stress). Oxidative excess in the vasculature reduces levels of the vasodilator nitric oxide, causes tissue injury, promotes protein oxidation and DNA damage, and induces proinflammatory responses. ROS are also important intracellular signalling molecules that regulate vascular function by modulating vascular cell contraction/dilation, migration, growth/apoptosis, and extracellular matrix protein turnover, which contribute to vascular remodelling. Interventions to decrease ROS bioavailability regress remodelling and reduce blood pressure in experimental hypertension. Such strategies may have therapeutic potential in cardiovascular diseases.

Activation of NAD(P)H oxidase by lipid hydroperoxides: mechanism of oxidant-mediated smooth muscle cytotoxicity.

Oxidized lipids, such as 13-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HPODE), have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. 13-HPODE, a constituent of oxidized low-density lipoproteins, can induce cytotoxicity of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), which may facilitate plaque destabilization and/or rupture. 13-HPODE-induced cytotoxicity has been linked to oxidative stress, although the mechanisms by which this occurs are unknown. In the present study, we show that 13-HPODE and 9-HPODE (10-30 microM) increased superoxide (O2*-) production and induced cytotoxicity in SMC. The 13-HPODE-induced increase in O2*- was blocked by transfecting the cells with antisense oligonucleotides against p22phox, suggesting that the O2*- was produced by NAD(P)H oxidase. Similar concentrations of the corresponding HPODE reduction products, 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HODE) and 9-HODE, neither increased O2*- production nor induced cytotoxicity, while 4-hydroxy nonenal (4-HNE), an unsaturated aldehyde lipid peroxidation product, induced cytotoxicity without increasing O2*- production. Treatment with superoxide dismutase or Tiron to scavenge O2*-, or transfection with p22phox antisense oligonucleotides to inhibit O2*- production, attenuated 13-HPODE-induced cytotoxicity, but not that induced by 4-HNE. These findings suggest that activation of NAD(P)H oxidase, and production of O2*-, play an important role in lipid hydroperoxide-induced smooth muscle cytotoxicity.