Complete Insertion Research Articles

Impact of complete dentures treatment on Oral health-related quality of Life (OHRQoL) in edentulous patients: A descriptive case series study.

To evaluate the changes in oral health-related quality of life [OHRQoL] before and three months after complete denture oral rehabilitation using the Geriatric oral health assessment index [GOHAI] in Pakistani elderly edentulous patients. In this descriptive case series study a total of 80 edentulous patients were recruited from Islamic International Dental Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan from November 2021 to April 2022. The OHRQoL was evaluated twice by using the GOHAI- Urdu version. First, before getting the complete denture, and subsequently after three months of using a prosthesis. The data were analysed using SPSS-23. Pre and post-comparison were done by t-test. Moreover, the ANOVA test was utilized to assess the socio-demographic variables-GOHAI score and association. The mean GOHAI scores increased significantly from 22.9 (SD = 3.01) at baseline to 28.1 (SD = 5.59) after three months (P = 0.001), reflecting an overall increase of 5.2 points. At baseline, the ability of the patient to swallow comfortably was found to have the highest mean GOHAI score of 3.02 (SD= 1.24) and after three months of complete denture insertion, the same questionnaire item further improved with the highest mean GOHAI score of 3.43 (SD=1.05). The socio-demographic characteristics-based comparison of mean pre and post-insertion GOHAI scores suggested a statistically significant difference (p=0.001). The OHRQoL in elderly edentulous patients improved after complete denture delivery, and a significant improvement was noted in most GOHAI domains.

Electrocochleography in Cochlear Implant Recipients: Correlating Maximum Response With Residual Hearing.

Electrocochleography (ECochG) is increasingly recognized as a biomarker for assessing inner ear function in cochlear implant patients. This study aimed to objectively determine intraoperative cochlear microphonic (CM) amplitude patterns and correlate them with residual hearing in cochlear implant recipients, addressing the limitations in current ECochG analysis that often depends on subjective visual assessment and overlook the intracochlear measurement location. In this prospective study, we investigated intraoperative pure-tone ECochG following complete electrode insertion in 31 patients. We used our previously published objective analysis method to determine the maximum CM amplitude and the associated electrode position for each electrode array. Using computed tomography, we identified electrode placement and determined the corresponding tonotopic frequency using Greenwood's function. Based on this, we calculated the tonotopic shift, that is, the difference between the stimulation frequency and the estimated frequency of the electrode with the maximum CM amplitude. We evaluated the association between CM amplitude, tonotopic shift, and preoperative hearing thresholds using linear regression analysis. CM amplitudes showed high variance, with values ranging from -1.479 to 4.495 dBµV. We found a statistically significant negative correlation () between maximum CM amplitudes and preoperative hearing thresholds. In addition, a significant association () between the tonotopic shift and preoperative hearing thresholds was observed. Tonotopic shifts of the maximum CM amplitudes occurred predominantly toward the basal direction. The combination of objective signal analysis and the consideration of intracochlear measurement locations enhances the understanding of cochlear health and overcomes the obstacles of current ECochG analysis. We could show the link between intraoperative CM amplitudes, their spatial distributions, and preoperative hearing thresholds. Consequently, our findings enable automated analysis and bear the potential to enhance specificity of ECochG, reinforcing its role as an objective biomarker for cochlear health.

First principles computation of novel hydrogen-doped CsSrO3 with excellent optoelectronic properties as a potential photocatalyst for water splitting

This research exhaustively inquired about the structural, photocatalytic, mechanical, and optoelectronic characteristics of the cubic perovskite CsSrO3−x Hx with the CASTEP code’s implementation of the GGA-PBE formalism. It aims to examine the characteristics of CsSrO3−xHx cubic perovskite with varied concentrations of substituents (x = 0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.1, 2.4, 2.7, and 3.0). The stability and synthesizability of the compound are guaranteed by the values of elastic constants and negative formation enthalpies. As H-insertion increases, there are variations in the values of anisotropy and elastic moduli. A semiconductor’s wide bandgap narrows as dopant concentration rises, changing its nature from indirect to direct. The findings imply that the compound’s electronic characteristics can be altered through the application of dopants, rendering them appropriate for a range of optoelectronic uses. The inclusion of hydrogen caused the structural change from cubic to tetragonal and orthorhombic. The distortion caused the lattice parameters to vary in values. Tolerance factor lies in range of 0.7–1 that ensures structural stability of CsSrO3−x Hx. Our computed results reveal the anisotropic nature of our compound. The obtained bandgap for CsSrO3−xHx indicates that both O2 evolution and H2 reduction are allowed since the requisite redox potentials are satisfied. Photocatalytic properties of CsSrO2.4H0.6 reveals that it is the best doped system as a potential candidate for water-splitting photocatalysis, as it has equal effectiveness to both oxidation and reduction processes. The bandgap was shown to decrease from 5.33 eV to 2.812 eV at complete hydrogen insertion, which also had an impact on the material’s optoelectronic characteristics. All the optical considerations such as dielectric functions, refractive indices, extinction coefficients, optical reflectivity, absorption coefficients, and loss functions are also thoroughly explained. The material exhibits mechanical stability along with ionic and covalent bonding.

Helical reorganization in the context of membrane protein folding: Insights from simulations with bacteriorhodopsin (BR) fragments

Membrane protein folding is distinct from folding of soluble proteins. Conformational acquisition in major membrane protein subclasses can be delineated into insertion and folding processes. An exception to the “two stage” folding, later developed to “three stage” folding, is observed within the last two helices in bacteriorhodopsin (BR), a system that serves as a model membrane protein. We employ a reductionist approach to understand interplay of molecular factors underlying the apparent defiance. Leveraging available solution NMR structures, we construct, sample in silico, and analyze partially (PIn) and fully inserted (FIn) BR membrane states. The membrane lateral C-terminal helix (CH) in PIn is markedly prone to transient structural distortions over microsecond timescales; a disorder prone region (DPR) is thereby identified. While clear transmembrane propensities are not acquired, the distortions induce alterations in local membrane curvature and area per lipid. Importantly, energetic decompositions reveal that overall, the N-terminal helix (NH) is thermodynamically more stable in the PIn. Higher overall stability of the FIn arises from favorable interactions between the NH and the CH. Our results establish lack of spontaneous transition of the PIn to the FIn, and attributes their partitioning to barriers that exceed those accessible with thermal fluctuations. This work paves the way for further detailed studies aimed at determining the thermo-kinetic roles of the initial five helices, or complementary external factors, in complete helical folding and insertion in BR. We comment that complementing such efforts with the growing field of machine learning assisted energy landscape searches may offer unprecedented insights.

ARTIS Pheno®: a potential tool for cochlear implant surgery

PurposeCochlear implantation is a standard approach to hearing rehabilitation and encompasses three main stages: appropriate patient selection, a challenging surgical procedure, which should be as atraumatic as possible and preserve cochlear structures, and lifelong postoperative follow-up. Computed tomography (CT) is performed to assess postoperative implant position. The Siemens Advanced Radar Target Identification System (ARTIS) Pheno provides fluoroscopic imaging during surgery and has so far been mainly used by cardiologists, neurosurgeons and trauma surgeons.MethodsSix patients with difficult anatomy or a challenging medical history were selected for a surgical procedure, during which we planned to use the ARTIS Pheno to accurately position and assess implant position under fluoroscopy during and immediately after surgery. In all six cases, the ARTIS Pheno was used directly in the surgical setting. The procedures were performed in cooperation with the neuroradiology department in an interdisciplinary manner.ResultsIn all six patients, fluoroscopy was used to visualise the procedure at different stages of surgery. In five patients, the procedure was successfully completed. This approach allowed us to finally assess implant position and confirm the correct and complete insertion of the electrode while the patient was still under anaesthesia.ConclusionThese cases showed positive surgical outcomes. Although the procedure is more complex than a standard approach, patients can be managed in a safe, effective and appropriate manner. The assessment of implant position in real time during surgery leads to greater patient and surgeon satisfaction. The approach presented here ensures a high quality of cochlear implant surgery even in difficult surgical situations and meets the requirements of modern surgery.

A Hollow Microneedle Equipped with a Micropillar for Improved Needle Insertion and Injection of Drug Solution.

Hollow-type microneedles (hMNs) are a promising device for the effective administration of drugs into intradermal sites. Complete insertion of the needle into the skin and administration of the drug solution without leakage must be achieved to obtain bioavailability or a constant effect. In the present study, several types of hMN with or without a rounded blunt tip micropillar, which suppresses skin deformation, around a hollow needle, and the effect on successful needle insertion and administration of a drug solution was investigated. Six different types of hMNs with needle lengths of 1000, 1300, and 1500µm with or without a micropillar were used. Needle insertion and the disposition of a drug in rat skin were investigated. In addition, the displacement-force profile during application of hMNs was also investigated using a texture analyzer with an artificial membrane to examine needle factors affecting successful insertion and administration of a drug solution by comparing with in vivo results. According to the results with the drug distribution of iodine, hMN1300 with a micropillar was able to successfully inject drug solution into an intradermal site with a high success rate. In addition, the results of displacement-force profiles with an artificial membrane showed that a micropillar can be effective for depth control of the injected solution as well as the prevention of contact between the hMN pedestal and the deformed membrane. In the present study, hMN1300S showed effective solution delivery into an intradermal site. In particular, a micropillar can be effective for depth control of the injected solution as well as preventing contact between the hMN pedestal and the deformed membrane. The obtained results will help in the design and development of hMNs that ensure successful injection of an administered drug.

Incomplete insertion of pedicle screws triggers a higher biomechanical risk of screw loosening: mechanical tests and corresponding numerical simulations.

Screw loosening is a widely reported issue after spinal screw fixation and triggers several complications. Biomechanical deterioration initially causes screw loosening. Studies have shown that incomplete insertion of pedicle screws increases the risk of screw breakage by deteriorating the local mechanical environment. However, whether this change has a biomechanical effect on the risk of screw loosening has not been determined. This study conducted comprehensive biomechanical research using polyurethane foam mechanical tests and corresponding numerical simulations to verify this topic. Pedicle screw-fixed polyurethane foam models with screws with four different insertion depths were constructed, and the screw anchoring ability of different models was verified by toggle tests with alternating and constant loads. Moreover, the stress distribution of screw and bone-screw interfaces in different models was computed in corresponding numerical mechanical models. Mechanical tests presented better screw anchoring ability with deeper screw insertion, but parameters presented no significant difference between groups with complete thread insertion. Correspondingly, higher stress values can be recorded in the model without complete thread insertion; the difference in stress values between models with complete thread insertion was relatively slight. Therefore, incomplete thread insertion triggers local stress concentration and the corresponding risk of screw loosening; completely inserting threads could effectively alleviate local stress concentration and result in the prevention of screw loosening.

Mechanical Investigation of Solid MNs Penetration into Skin Using Finite Element Analysis

In the past two decades, microneedles (MNs) patches as a promising platform have been extensively investigated for transdermal delivery of drug drugs, cells, and active substances and extraction of bio‐fluids. To realize painless, efficacious, and safe transdermal delivery, these MNs must penetrate the skin to the appropriate depth without breaking or bending. Therefore, effective prediction of mechanical properties such as skin penetration of microneedles is crucial for the material and structural design of MNs. In this article, a numerical simulation of the insertion process of the microneedle into various types of skin modeling is reported using the finite element method. The effective stress failure criterion has been coupled with the element deletion technique to predict the complete insertion process. The numerical results show a good agreement with the reported experimental data for the deformation and failure of the skin and the insertion force.

Effect of Prosthetic Rehabilitation on Airway Space in Edentulous Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea- a Preliminary Observational Study.

The common causes of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are identified as anatomic and/or functional abnormality in the oral cavity, oropharynx, velopharynx, and hypopharynx leading to compromised airway space and increased collapsibility. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of implant-supported mandibular complete denture in improving the airway space among completely edentulous patients with OSA and compare it with conventional complete denture. In this observational study, completely edentulous individuals were screened with snoring, tiredness, observed apnea, high blood pressure, body mass index, age, neck circumference, and gender (STOP-Bang) questionnaire to evaluate the incidence of OSA. Ten mild-moderate patients were included as study participants. Lateral cephalograms (L1) made at the edentulous state was considered baseline. They were rehabilitated with complete denture prosthesis. One week after denture insertion, two implants were placed in the edentulous mandibular arch. Delayed loading protocol was followed. Lateral cephalogram (L2) was made 6 months after complete denture insertion and 6 months after implant-supported prosthesis (L3). Cephalometric tracings were used to evaluate change in upper airway space (UAS), middle airway space (MAS), and lower airway space (LAS). Repeated measures ANOVA was used to evaluate statistical significance in the airway measurements made at the three intervals. Post hoc Tukey HSD and Bonferroni test were used to assess if the differences obtained were truly significant. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in UAS, MAS and LAS between L1, L2 and L3 (p< 0.05). Post hoc Tukey HSD indicated that UAS increased significantly at all three intervals followed by LAS and MAS respectively (α=.05). Post hoc Bon-ferroni test indicated that implant-supported mandibular complete dentures had a significant improvement in airway space when compared to conventional complete dentures (α=.05). Implant-supported mandibular complete denture could be effective in edentulous patients with mild-moderate OSA.

Effect of Denture Wearing on Occurrence of Fungal Isolates: An Original Study.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of denture wearing on the occurrence of fungal isolates in the oral cavity before and after complete denture insertion. Fifty completely edentulous patients were selected. Swab samples were collected intraorally before the fabrication of complete dentures from the palatal mucosal surface and after complete denture fabrication (1 and 7 days after denture insertion). Further, these samples were inoculated and incubated. Results showed that in 48 patients, no isolate of fungus before denture insertion was found. In two subjects, results were false positive (contamination from the environment), and in six patients, there was an increase in growth, but not much significant increase of growth was seen (mild growth of fungus only after denture insertion). One of the major findings of this study was that the overall occurrence of fungal isolates (before and after denture insertion) in the oral cavity was not significant.

Acetabular metastatic defect reconstruction using the modular revision support cup MRS-C

Stabilization of metastatic acetabular defects with abone cement-augmented revision support cup for remobilization of oncological patients in advanced cancer stages. Metastatic acetabular defects (Metastatic Acetabular Classification, MAC2-4) in patients with aprognostic medium or long-term survival. Highly limited survival due to metastatic disease (< 6weeks). Local bone or soft tissue infection. Primary bone tumor with curative treatment option. Advanced pelvic discontinuity. Recent wound compromising systemic therapy. Standard hip approach. Curettage of the metastatic defect and careful reaming of the acetabulum before insertion of the cup. Predrilling of the dome und flange screws before application of the bone cement through the center hole of the implant and filling of the acetabular defect. Complete insertion of the screws for compound osteosynthesis. Implant of amodular inlay or dual mobility system. Full weight bearing or mobilization with two crutches according to the level of pain. Adjuvant local radiation therapy after wound consolidation. Continuation of systemic therapy according to tumor board decision. Between 2012 and 2019, we treated 14patients with metastatic acetabular defects using the modular revision support cup "MRS-TITAN® Comfort", MRS-C, Peter Brehm GmbH, Weisendorf, Germany) at our institution. Mean Harris Hip Score improvement was 23.2 with amean patient's survival of 9.7months due to the reduced cancer-related prognosis; 13of the 14implants endured the patient's prognosis. One implant had to be removed due soft tissue defect-related periprosthetic joint infection.

EVALUATION OF TRAUMATIC ULCERATIONS FREQUENCY AND SITE IN POST-INSERTION ADJUSTMENT RECALL VISITS IN COMPLETE DENTURE PATIENTS VISITING A DENTAL COLLEGE IN CHITWAN

Background: During the initial days after complete denture insertion, patients can face various difficulties like traumatic ulcerations, loss of retention, unstable denture, difficulty in mastication and speech etc. The aim of the study was to assess the site and number of traumatic ulcerations in maxillary and mandibular denture bearing area in post-insertion adjustment recall visits and also to find out the total number of adjustments recall visits required until the patients become comfortable with the denture. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 75 complete denture patients to look for the number and site of traumatic ulcerations and the number of post-insertion recall visits required until they became symptom free. Descriptive (frequency and percentage) statistical analysis was done using SPSS Statistical Software Package (version 21.0). Results: In the mandibular arch 49.33% (N=34) and in the maxillary arch 12.5% (N=9) patients required adjustment visits for traumatic ulcerations. In the first recall visit after 24 hrs, 34 patients showed traumatic ulcerations on mandibular arch while only 6 patients experienced traumatic ulcerations on the maxillary arch. Conclusions: The patients required more post insertion adjustments for traumatic ulcerations in the mandibular arch in comparison to maxillary arch. Traumatic ulcerations was most frequently found in distobuccal sulcus area in the maxillary arch and labial sulcus in the mandibular arch.

Cholesterol catalyzes unfolding in membrane-inserted motifs of the pore forming protein cytolysin A

Plasma membrane-induced protein folding and conformational transitions play a central role in cellular homeostasis. Several transmembrane proteins are folded in the complex lipid milieu to acquire a specific structure and function. Bacterial pore forming toxins (PFTs) are proteins expressed by a large class of pathogenic bacteria that exploit the plasma membrane environment to efficiently undergo secondary structure changes, oligomerize, and form transmembrane pores. Unregulated pore formation causes ion imbalance, leading to cell death and infection. Determining the free energy landscape of these membrane-driven-driven transitions remains a challenging problem. Although cholesterol recognition is required for lytic activity of several proteins in the PFT family of toxins, the regulatory role of cholesterol for the α-PFT, cytolysin A expressed by Escherichia coli remains unexplained. In a recent free energy computation, we showed that the β tongue, a critical membrane-inserted motif of the ClyA toxin, has an on-pathway partially unfolded intermediate that refolds into the helix-turn-helix motif of the pore state. To understand the molecular role played by cholesterol, we carry out string-method-based computations in membranes devoid of cholesterol, which reveals an increase of ∼30 times in the free energy barrier for the loss of β sheet secondary structure when compared with membranes containing cholesterol. Specifically, the tyrosine-cholesterol interaction was found to be critical to creating the unfolded intermediate. Cholesterol also increases the packing and hydrophobicity of the bilayer, resulting in enhanced interactions of the bound protein before complete membrane insertion. Our study illustrates that cholesterol is critical to catalyzing and stabilizing the membrane-inserted unfolded state of the β tongue motif of ClyA, opening up fresh insights into cholesterol-assisted unfolding of membrane proteins.

Osteotomy of the Femoral Lateral Collateral Ligament Insertion for a Tight Lateral Compartment in Complex Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

Background: In cases of complex arthroscopic knee surgery in the lateral compartment, such as performing lateral meniscus repair or transplantation, a tight lateral compartment can jeopardize the best possible care and could lead to iatrogenic cartilage injury. This technique shows a way to increase arthroscopic working space in a tight lateral compartment by performing an osteotomy of the femoral insertion of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), utilizing a novel adjustable loop refixation technique. Indication: The femoral LCL insertion osteotomy can be performed if increased visualization and working space of the lateral compartment are needed during the complex arthroscopic knee surgery. Technique Description: After identification of the LCL femoral insertion, a 2-mm drill is passed through the LCL insertion to prepare for an anatomic reduction. The osteotomy is performed by taking a small bone plug together with the complete LCL insertion. Increased visualization and working space in the lateral compartment are obtained without damaging the intrinsic LCL structure. For reinsertion, the bone plug and proximal LCL is whipstitched with a high-strength suture and fixated to an adjustable loop Ultrabutton. The adjustable loop is shuttled through a predrilled 4.5-mm femoral tunnel and flipped on the medial side. The adjustable button is tensioned in 30° of flexion until the bone plug is anatomically reduced. Results: We present 1 patient who underwent a femoral LCL osteotomy during arthroscopic lateral meniscus allograft transplantation. The osteotomy healed without any issues, and there was no residual LCL laxity; which was confirmed with varus stress radiographs. Discussion/Conclusion: A femoral LCL insertion osteotomy can release a tight lateral compartment without damaging the intrinsic LCL structure. The adjustable loop fixation avoids the use of more traditional screw and washer fixation techniques, which tend to be more prominent and have the potential to back out. An osteotomy is more invasive than the “pie-crusting” technique of the medial collateral ligament for a tight medial compartment. However, it is required due to the poor intrinsic healing capacity of the LCL. Care should be taken to anatomically reduce the bone plug to avoid iatrogenic creation of LCL laxity. Patient Consent Disclosure Statement: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.

FTP7.8 Has Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) management of acute biliary obstruction due to gallstones been affected during the Covid-19 pandemic? – A single unit experience

Abstract Introduction British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) guidelines advised for ERCP procedures to be continued for emergency biliary pathologies during the Covid pandemic. We aim to compare the performance and outcomes of ERCP for acute gallstone biliary obstruction before, during, and post first and second covid waves at our unit. Methods Retrospective study of all patients with acute biliary obstruction secondary to gallstones who underwent ERCP from January to December 2020 (covid), compared with those between January to December 2019 (pre-covid), and between January to December 2021 (post-covid). Results 65 patients underwent ERCP for obstructed gallstones in the covid group, compared to 64 in pre-covid and 64 in post-covid group. Higher proportion of patients presented with severe jaundice (bilirubin &amp;gt;100) in the covid group, compared to pre-covid (P=0.031) and post-covid (P=0.028) groups. Proportion of patients with biliary sepsis requiring antibiotics was higher in covid group compared to pre-covid (P=0.031) and post-covid groups (P=0.047). The median waiting time for ERCP was 3 days in covid group, 4 days in pre-covid, and 5 days in post-covid. Compared to both pre-covid and post-covid groups respectively, there was no statistically significant reduction in the covid group in any of: proportion of complete CBD clearance (P=0.26 P=0.40), sphincterotomies performed (P=0.22, P=0.49), or successful CBD stent insertion (P=085. P=0.52). There was no statistical difference in post-ERCP complication rates comparing Covid with pre-covid (P=0.47), or post-covid (P=0.24) groups. Conclusions Quality of ERCP management of acute gallstone biliary obstruction has been maintained throughout the covid pandemic at our unit.

Through-Hole Detection and Finger Insertion Planning as Preceding Motion for Hooking and Caging a Ring-Shaped Objects

This study investigated a pregrasp strategy for hooking and caging ring-shaped objects. Through-hole features enable the robot hand to hook an object with holes by inserting its finger into one of the holes. Compared to directly grasping the ring, an inserting motion is more convenient to allow the uncertainty of positioning errors and avoid collisions between the hand and the object. Instead of recognizing the exact shape of the object, we only detected its ring-shaped feature as a through-hole to be inserted and estimated its approximate center position and orientation from the point cloud of the object. The estimated geometric properties enabled the approaching motion of the robotic gripper to complete insertion. The proposed perception and motion-planning method was demonstrated for rigid and deformable objects with holes.

Effect of nickel and rGO on the photocatalytic properties of Co3−xNixO4 prepared with citric acid and CTAB

This work summarizes the research about Co3−xNixO4 x = 0.0 (0%), 0.01 (1%), and 0.04 (4%) conducted with the addition of reduced graphene oxide, rGO, using two routes: with citric acid R1 (C₆H₈O₇, CA) and cetyltrimethylammonium R2 (C19H42BrN, CTAB) by sol-gel technique. The results show that the composite material —with rGO— enhanced the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB). According to the results, incorporating rGO into samples with low Ni concentrations of 1% and 4% and processed at 400 °C with R1, significantly increased their specific surface area to 31.372 m2.g−1 and 84.743 m2.g−1, respectively. The XRD technique shows the formation of pure cobalt spinel without associated secondary phases and with complete insertion of Ni into the structure. The presence of CA allows the formation of the oxide at lower temperatures. The results of the magnetic tests suggest that the samples obtained by the two synthesis routes present a paramagnetic behavior. The use of CTAB permits the formation of nanoparticles with low agglomeration. TEM images indicate that the sizes of the nanoparticles obtained in the synthesis are less than 20 nm. Thus, based on Raman spectroscopy, the vibrational modes corresponding to the Co3−xNixO4 structure were studied, identifying a broadening and displacement of the peaks with the addition of Ni.Moreover, the disappearance of the peaks corresponding to rGO and attributed to the coating of Co3−xNixO4 graphene nanoparticles was observed. The adsorption isotherms show the behavior of a mesoporous textured material. The diffuse reflectance indicates that R2 with a 1.72 eV value obtained the material with the smallest gap. In addition, the process identified that the existence of reduced graphene oxide increases the material’s specific surface area, which plays a crucial role in MB degradation, outperforming the 4% Ni sample that degraded 39.65% in a two-hour treatment.

Study of Self Heating Effect in the wake of complete and partial bottom dielectric insertion under 5 nm Stacked Nanosheet Transistor

Beyond 7 nm technology nodes, a Stacked Nanosheet Field Effect Transistor (SNT) is a potential candidate to continue device scaling due to its higher ON/OFF current ratio and less Short Channel Effect than FinFET. However, its gate all-around structure with low thermal conductive HiK oxide material exacerbates the Self-Heating Effect (SHE) issue in the SNT. Further, a dielectric inserted beneath SNT to reduce leakage current disrupts the primary heat flow path through the substrate, aggravating the Self Heating Effect (SHE). This study focuses on exploring the thermal aspect of the SNT with partial and complete dielectric insertion under the device from a performance and reliability perspective. A 3D electrothermal analysis has been performed using Synopsys TCAD tool. The effect of partial and complete dielectric insertion under the device on lattice temperature was investigated in the case of single and double-stack nanosheet transistors. The effects of dielectric insertion on channel and substrate temperature were analyzed. Its variation with width, extension length, interface thermal resistance, and the number of sheets and stack pitch of SNT are discussed. Sheet-dependent heat flow through the substrate and source/drain contact explained for different types of SNT structures and its effect on device performance and reliability discussed. To discuss the effect of multiple parameters variation on the lattice temperature of the device, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) method was used. It was found that complete dielectric insertion leads to a severe heating issue in the SNT compared to partial and without dielectric insertion.

Correction: Temporal and spatially controlled APP transgene expression using Cre-dependent alleles

There were errors in Disease Models & Mechanisms (2022) 15, dmm049330 (doi:10.1242/dmm.049330).The authors recently discovered that one of the Cre-dependent transgenic mouse lines used in the study is not correctly described within the article. The mouse line labelled as R26-APP in the paper was originally described as containing both the Swedish and Iberian mutations, but carries only the Iberian mutation. This was discovered by The Jackson Laboratory when they sequenced through the complete insert to confirm the allele before entering the line into their repository for distribution. The authors also discovered an unintended point mutation located just outside the Aβ domain, M647T by APP695 numbering (M722T by APP770 numbering). They propose that the model should be identified as R26-APPIbe rather than as R26-APP.A diagram of the allele that appears in Fig. 2A has been corrected:In addition, a section describing the cloning methods in the Materials and Methods has been updated. The corrected and original versions are shown below:‘Cloning of R26-LSL-hAPPIbe transgene’ section (corrected). Human APPIbe 695 amino acid cDNA was generated in two steps. The N-terminal 1592 nucleotides of huAPP695 were cut from pcDNA3.1-sAPPα (a gift from Hui Zheng, BCM) with HindIII and SacI and subcloned into the same sites of transfer plasmid L4440 (Addgene, #1654). The remaining fragments were amplified from a human cDNA library using a two-step PCR method. Both PCR products contained the Ibe mutation as well as an overlap region needed to serve as an extended template for the second PCR. The first C-terminal fragment was amplified using hAPP C-terminus forward primer 5′-AACGAAAACCACCGTGGAGCT-3′ and Ibe reverse primer 5′-AAGGTGATGACGAACACTGTCG-3′. The second C-terminal fragment was amplified by Ibe forward primer 5′-CGACAGTGTTCGTCATCACCTT-3′ and hAPP C-terminus reverse primer 5′-GCGCGGATATCCTAGTTCTGCATCTGCTCAAAG-3′. The complete hAPP695Ibe C-terminus was then amplified from a mixture of the two shorter products using hAPP CT forward primer and hAPP CT reverse primer. The purified huAPPIbe C-terminal PCR fragment was digested with EcoRV and SacI and ligated into the EcoRV/SacI sites of L4440-APP(1-1592), resulting in L4440-APPIbe. The complete huAPPIbe sequence was transferred into an intermediary expression plasmid, which was digested with MluI and FseI and cloned into an Ai3-derived ROSA26 targeting vector (Madisen et al., 2010) to generate the final transgene construct pJJ-hAPPIbe. The modified Ai3 targeting vector retained the original Ai3 Cre-dependent CAG-loxP-stop-loxP sequence but removed the PGK-DTA negative selection cassette and shortened the 3′ targeting arm to reduce the overall vector size. All restriction enzymes were purchased from New England Biolabs (Ipswich, MA, USA).‘Cloning of R26-LSL-hAPPSwe/Ibe transgene’ section (original). Human APPSwe/Ibe 695 amino acid cDNA was amplified from the pBR322-APPSwe/Ind plasmid used to generate the Tg CRND8 mouse model (Chishti et al., 2001) (a gift from David Westaway, University of Alberta, Canada) with primers that converted the original Indiana mutation V717F into the Iberian mutation I716F (point mutation numbering is for the standard human APP 770 amino acid isoform). The N-terminus of APPSwe/Ibe 695 was amplified using the forward primer 5′-GGCCGGCCGCCACCATGCTGCCCGGTTTGGCACT-3′ and reverse primer 5′-AAGGTGATGACGAACACTGTCG-3′; the C-terminus was amplified using the forward primer 5′-CGACAGTGTTCGTCATCACCTT-3′ and reverse primer 5′-GCGCGACGCGTCTAGTTCTGCATCTGCTCAAAGAA-3′. The resulting hAPPSwe/Ibe fragments were combined by amplification using the forward primer 5′-GGCCGGCCGCCACCATGCTGCCCGGTTTGGCACT-3′ and reverse primer 5′-GCGCGACGCGTCTAGTTCTGCATCTGCTCAAAGAA-3′. The complete hAPPSwe/Ibe 695 cassette was digested with MluI and FseI, and cloned into an Ai3-derived ROSA26 targeting vector (Madisen et al., 2010) that had been cut with the same enzymes to generate the final transgene construct pJJ-hAPPSwe/Ibe. The modified Ai3 targeting vector retained the original Cre-dependent CAGloxP-stop-loxP sequence but removed the PGK-DTA negative selection cassette and shortened the 3′ targeting arm to reduce the overall vector size. All restriction enzymes were purchased from New England Biolabs (Ipswich, MA, USA).Throughout the paper, where the text refers to R26-APP, R26-APPSwe/Ibe or ROSA26-CAG-LSL-APPSwe/Ibe, corrections have been made to R26-APPIbe or ROSA26-CAG-LSL-APPIbe. The model will still be distributed by The Jackson Laboratory as stock #037319, but using the line name R26-APPIbe. The study results and conclusions remain unaffected.Both the online full-text and PDF versions have been updated. The authors apologise to readers for these errors and any inconvenience they may have caused.

Antibacterial pathway of MoS2 nanosheets against Escherichia coli membrane via phospholipid extraction and localized phase transition.

The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance among pathogens have stimulated the quest for new generation antibacterials with minimal resistance inducing capabilities such as nanomaterials. Two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a transition metal chalcogenide, has recently been recognized to exhibit excellent broad-spectrum bactericidal efficiency. However, a detailed assessment of the molecular level interactions responsible for their antibacterial action is imperative to modulate their efficacy. Through an atomistic molecular dynamics study, the present study delineates the interactions happening at the nano-bio interface responsible for their antibacterial action against Escherichia coli (E. coli) membrane [Soft Matter, 2022, 18,7159-7170]. The study conveys a two-step pathway of MoS2 nanosheet interactions with the bacterial membrane; (i) spontaneous phospholipid extraction by the nanosheet via van der Waals interactions with lipid acyl tails followed by (ii) complete ingestion of the nanosheet in the bilayer hydrophobic core through a synergic effect of MoS2-lipid interactions and lipid-lipid self-interactions. The phospholipid extraction to the MoS2 surface originates cavity formation in the extracellular leaflet which in turn creates a water passage across the membrane, signifying the possibility of cytoplasmic leakage in realistic membranes. Further, on complete insertion in the bilayer, the nanosheet induces the formation of densely packed lipid layers in its vicinity and causes localized phase transition in the membrane. These structural deteriorations in the bacterial membrane can be escalated by increasing the size of the nanosheet as well as by increasing the nanosheet concentrations. Thus, the study outlines both phospholipid extraction as well as localized alterations in membrane morphology responsible for the antibacterial activity of MoS2 nanosheets against E. coli bacterial membrane.