Faster Recovery Rate Research Articles

Graphene-crosslinked two-way reversible shape memory polyurethane nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical and electrical properties

Highly flexible, conductive, and two-way reversible shape memory polyurethane nanocomposites were prepared with the in situ synthesized method, containing different graphene nanosheet contents ranging from 1.0 to 8.0 wt%. The dispersion of the nanocomposites in the polymer was monitored by scanning electron microscopy and thermal properties, mechanical properties, electrical properties, shape memory properties were comparatively investigated. The results showed that the nanocomposite was more stable when the content of graphene is 2 wt% in the crosslinked network structure. In comparison to pristine polyurethane, the graphene crosslinked polyurethane composite exhibited better thermostability, breaking stress, and exceptional elongation-at-break. The resulting composite exhibited 93 % shape fixity, 95 % shape recovery of 2.0 % loading, and fast electroactive shape recovery rate. Moreover, the polymers also showed good reversible two-way shape memory behaviors, thus it could be a promising material for the fabrication of graphene-based actuating devices.

Heterojunction CuO@ZnO microcubes for superior p-type gas sensor application

CuO@ZnO core–shell cubes with controlled shell thickness were synthesized using a facile and environment-benign two-step solution route. A bending behavior was observed when electrical testing was conducted on the CuO@ZnO core–shell heterostructure coating, demonstrating formation of heterojunction barrier. Moreover, the CuO@ZnO appears to be a superior material for p-type sensor applications, it offers 2.6 times higher response, faster recovery rate and better selectivity comparing to the pristine CuO sensor. The enhanced gas sensing performance can be attributed to the coating of ZnO shell and improvement of the effectively electrical contacts between heterojunction materials.

Prioritizing Riparian Conservation: A Methodology Developed for the Santa Clara River, California

Riparian ecosystems perform many important ecological functions, but human activities have seriously altered and degraded these systems. To avoid continued habitat loss and associated losses in biodiversity, lands that contain intact riparian habitat can be acquired and managed for conservation values and degraded riparian areas can be restored. The Nature Conservancy (the Conservancy) is implementing a riparian conservation project on the Santa Clara River in Ventura County, California that includes both approaches. Because larger restoration projects have faster recovery rates and are more self-sustaining, the Conservancy is protecting and restoring as much contiguous riparian habitat as possible using a “conservation nodes” approach. To this end, we have begun acquisition of high-value parcels, and have developed a methodology for prioritizing additional land acquisition and restoration actions on the river. The methodology is based on quantitative measures of five criteria for 68 discrete parcels of real property contained within five nodes designated as high priority for conservation. The criteria were combined into a score for each parcel. We found that the five nodes varied in terms of their average parcel score, and in terms of the completeness of parcel acquisition. Nine of the top 20 scoring parcels have yet to be acquired by a conservation entity. We also found that the potential conservation value to be gained by restoring all of the parcels within a node varies by node. Conservation entities using this prioritization approach can phase implementation of large-scale projects by allowing restoration work to begin while acquisition efforts continue.

Identifying key climate and environmental factors affecting rates of post-fire big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) recovery in the northern Columbia Basin, USA

Sagebrush steppe of North America is considered highly imperilled, in part owing to increased fire frequency. Sagebrush ecosystems support numerous species, and it is important to understand those factors that affect rates of post-fire sagebrush recovery. We explored recovery of Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) and basin big sagebrush (A. tridentata ssp. tridentata) communities following fire in the northern Columbia Basin (Washington, USA). We sampled plots across 16 fires that burned in big sagebrush communities from 5 to 28 years ago, and also sampled nearby unburned locations. Mixed-effects models demonstrated that density of large–mature big sagebrush plants and percentage cover of big sagebrush were higher with time since fire and in plots with more precipitation during the winter immediately following fire, but were lower when precipitation the next winter was higher than average, especially on soils with higher available water supply, and with greater post-fire mortality of mature big sagebrush plants. Bunchgrass cover 5 to 28 years after fire was predicted to be lower with higher cover of both shrubs and non-native herbaceous species, and only slightly higher with time. Post-fire recovery of big sagebrush in the northern Columbia Basin is a slow process that may require several decades on average, but faster recovery rates may occur under specific site and climate conditions.

Minimally invasive left ventricular assist device placement.

The use of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as bridge-to-transplant and destination therapy has increased significantly in the recent years along with the rapidly increasing heart failure patient population worldwide. It is crucial to be familiar with the standard surgical technique of LVAD implantation, but also to further advance the technique to optimize patient outcomes. Numerous studies have shown minimally invasive cardiac surgeries, including cardiac valves procedures can improve patient outcomes with decrease post-operative bleeding, reduced blood transfusion requirement, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery rate and lower hospital cost. With the advancement of mechanical circulatory support, the smaller and current generation of centrifugal continuous-flow LVADs has made minimally invasive LVAD implantation feasible. In this review, we described our surgical technique of minimally invasive LVAD placement. In addition to the standard pre-LVAD implantation evaluation, multiple studies, including chest radiography, chest computed tomography and echocardiography are further examined for patient selection and planning of the operation. Instead of a full standard sternotomy, a lateral mini-thoracotomy and hemi-sternotomy or second intercostal space anterior mini-thoracotomy are utilized. Special techniques are also applied to allow easy access for future re-entry, e.g., heart transplantation and to improve post-operative outcomes. Off-pump approach is our prefer approach for the minimally invasive procedure. With minimally invasive approach, avoiding a full sternotomy, can reduce surgical trauma and post-operative bleeding, and can make subsequent LVAD explantation and heart transplantation less technically challenging and will allow patients to have a faster post-operative recovery rate. With the intact pericardium, the right ventricle can be protected from acute unrestricted dilation and further right heart failure after LVAD placement. The use of off-pump approach allows the avoidance of cardiopulmonary bypass and will decrease the incidence of post-operative vasoplegia and coagulopathy. With the current generation of LVADs, minimally invasive surgical approach is very feasible and may improve patient outcomes. Further large prospective randomized studies will help to further demonstrate the potential advantages and disadvantage of minimally invasive LVAD placement. The upcoming generations of LVADs and minimally invasive instrumentations are currently being evaluate and will further advance the success of LVAD therapy.

Distinct Pattern of Regulatory T Cell Reconstitution after Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation in Pediatric Patients with Reduced Intensity Conditioning Regimen

Introduction: Compared to peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood (UCB) contains relatively higher frequencies of regulatory T cells (Tregs) with a distinct CD4+CD25bright subset. This may partially explain the less frequent and less severe acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) seen in UCB transplantation (UCBT), in particular when comparing to similarly HLA-matched or mismatched living donor recipients. Treg reconstitution after UCBT is far less understood compared to living donor blood and marrow transplantation. It may also influence GvHD occurrence. Therefore, we set out to longitudinally examine the regeneration of Treg subsets and their kinetics that is impacted by proliferation and apoptosis in parallel. Tregs were defined as T cells expressing CD4+CD25brightCD127lowFoxp3+ phenotypes. Their reconstitution was examined in parallel with CD3+T cells, conventional CD4+ T cells (CD4+Tcon), sjTREC and TCRVβ repertoire complexity score. Treg reconstitution in patients with or without aGvHD was also evaluated.Methods: Twenty pediatric patients (age range from 6m to 15y) with non-malignant diseases were transplanted and studied under an IRB approved protocol with low distant Campath+Flu/Mel/Thiotepa based reduced intensity conditioning regimen (RIC) (NCT01852370). Treg subsets were examined based on combinatorial expression of CD4, CD25, CD127, Foxp3, Helios, CD45RO, CD45RA, CD62L. Proliferation activity was determined by Ki67 antigen expression. Gating strategies are shown in Fig 1. Resting/activated Tregs were defined according to Sakaguchi publication (Immunity. 2009;30:899-911). Blood samples were collected pre-UCBT, on day 100 (D+100), at 6, 9 months, and 1 year post-UCBT. For each subset in each patient, the "reconstitution rate" (RR) was determined to represent recovery status of each population, and to normalize variations among individuals and different subsets. It was calculated as a ratio of given parameter at a specific time point post-UCBT, compared to same parameter measured pre-UCBT.Results and Discussion:Treg recovery compared to other T cells. After 100 days post-RIC-UCBT, the absolute # of Tregs in those patients without aGvHD recovered to 58% pre-UCBT (0.58 RR), which was comparable to TCRb repertoires regeneration (0.8 RR). However, Treg reconstitution was faster than the recovery rate in total CD3+ T cells (0.17 RR, P =0.05), CD4+Tcon (0.22 RR, P =0.6), CD8+ Tcon (0.18 RR, P =0.3) and sjTREC (0 RR, P =0.006). Tregs co-expressing central memory phenotype (CD45RO+CD62L+) had faster recovery rates (1.0 RR, P =0.001)) than naïve subsets (0.02RR). These findings point to rapid Treg recovery post-RIC-UCBT.Treg recovery and aGvHD. At D+100, the absolute number of Tregs in patients with aGvHD, was significantly lower (Fig3a) explained by fewer of them entering the cell cycle (lower abs# of Ki67+Treg/ul, Fig3c), while there was no difference in CD4+Tcon values whether or not aGvHD occurred (Fig3b, d). This leads to an overall decreased ratio of #Treg/#CD4+Tcon and #Ki67+Treg/#Ki67+CD4+Tcon. At D+100, those with aGvHD had fewer Tregs in circulation (#/ul) displaying the central memory phenotype or Helios (Fig4). These findings point to impaired Treg homeostasis in patients with aGvHD primarily due to lower rates of proliferation, since apoptosis was not increase as measured by activated Casp3 expression. Reduced Treg numbers in those with aGvHD is likely not the consequence of poor thymopoiesis at D+100, since sjTREC production post-UCBT were similarly absent in both groups. Alternatively, it reflects differences in homeostatic expansion of the infused Treg pool. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Early clinical results of channel-assisted combined fixation and interbody fusion for treating lumbar vertebra diseases by muscle-splitting approach

Objective To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of channel-assisted spatium intermusculare approach interbody fusion for treating lumbar vertebra diseases. Methods A total of 81 patients with lumbar vertebra diseases were treated from June 2012 to December 2013, including 35 males and 46 females between 29 and 76 years old with an average age of 54.6. There were 36 cases of lumbar disc degeneration, 10 cases of recurrence in situ after lumbar disc herniation surgery, 6 cases of huge lumbar disc herniation, 11 cases of lumbar disc herniation with spinal canal stenosis, 5 cases of extreme lateral lumbar disc herniation and 13 cases of lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis. There were 67 cases of single segment lesion and 14 cases of two segment lesions. Lesion sites contained L1, 2 in 1 case, L3, 4 in 4 cases, L4, 5 in 50 cases, L5S1 in 12 cases, L3, 4 and L4, 5 in 8 cases, and L4, 5 and L5S1 in 6 cases. Results The length of incision was 2.42±0.45 cm in cases of single segment lesion and 4.28±0.38 cm in cases of two segment lesions. The operation time was 96.00±21.53 minutes and intraoperative blood loss was 347.50±241.62 ml. During the operation, one case suffered from dural laceration, cerebrospinal fluid leakage and ipsilateral nerve root injury. Two cases suffered from pedicle fractures. Eight cases experienced epidermal necrosis of the incision. One case had poor wound healing. Three cases suffered from nerve injury. A total of 76 patients were followed up for 12-30 months, averagely 20.5 months. Intervertebral height of lesion segments was apparently recovered after surgery, and maintained in good condition during the final follow-up. No significant difference in the changes of area and grade of multifidus was detected 12 months after surgery and before surgery. Except 4 cases, the remaining had interbody fusion with a fusion rate of 94.7%. The balance between the coronal plane and sagittal plane of the lumbar spine was evidently improved. Average Japanese Orthopaedic Association score increased from 12.66±1.88 points preoperatively to 26.4±1.92 points during the final follow-up, which showed significant differences. Conclusion The method of channel-assisted spatium intermusculare approach interbody fusion has some advantages for treating lumbar vertebra such as small incision, fewer traumas, less bleeding, fast recovery, and high fusion rate. However, there is a long time of operation in the early stage and high occurrence rate of complications. Key words: Lumbar vertebrae; Bone screws; Zygapophyseal joint; Spinal fusion

Fast response ammonia sensor based on porous thin film of polyaniline/sulfonated nickel phthalocyanine composites

Porous thin film composites of PANI/NiTSPc were deposited across the gaps of interdigitated Au electrodes (IAE) by an electrochemical polymerization method. The PANI/NiTSPc films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, atomic force microscopy (AFM) images, energy dispersive spectra (EDS), Raman spectra and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra. Ammonia (NH3) gas-sensing properties of the films prepared at optimum conditions were examined at room temperature. The observed response value (S) of the film to 100ppm NH3 was 2.75 with a response time as short as 10s. Furthermore, fast recovery rate, good reproducibility and acceptable long-term stability were also observed over a concentration range from 5 to 2500ppm The outstanding sensing performance may be attributed to the porous, ultra-thin film structure and the “NH3-capture” effect of the “flickering” NiTSPc molecules. Therefore, the proposed PANI/NiTSPc nanocomposite thin film sensors are excellent potential candidates for NH3 detection.

Fabrication and experimental validation of a full-scale depleted uranium bed with thin double-layered annulus configuration for hydrogen isotopes recovery and delivery

Metal hydride beds play an important role in the application of hydrogen-related energy. In the present work, a full-scale DU (depleted uranium) bed with the newly proposed bed design of thin double-layered annulus configuration was fabricated for hydrogen isotopes recovery and delivery. The hydrogen recovery/delivery properties and the thermal effect of the fabricated bed were experimentally investigated. It was found that the fabricated bed was able to achieve the hydrogen storage target of 17.5 mol H2 with a fast hydrogen recovery rate. Not only hydrogen delivery amount as high as 16.5 mol (∼94% of recovery amount) but also an average delivery rate of 20 Pa m3/s could be obtained at 450 °C, even though the hydrogen delivery time of the bed reached as long as 30.9 min. The fabricated DU bed also exhibited outstanding cyclic hydrogen recovery/delivery performances. Deterioration in both hydrogen recovery/delivery amount and rate was not observed even up to 10 cycles. Besides, it was shown that utilization of the water cooling loops drilled in the DU bed was beneficial to enhance the heat transfer and promote the hydrogen recovery process of the bed. Meanwhile, the internal structure of the fabricated bed was observed by ICT (industrial computed tomography). And the ICT results demonstrated that DU expanded seriously after hydrogen recovery/delivery cycles, resulting in the deformation of the filters in the bed. The experimental results suggested that the fabricated DU bed was technically feasible to be applied for hydrogen isotopes recovery and delivery in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor.

Immediate symptom response to manual therapy treatment for neck pain is related to rate and extent of recovery

Background:Manual therapies are commonly used in the management of neck pain to relieve symptoms, restoremobility and hasten recovery. Common practice in manual therapy is using immediate treatment responses to inform both treatment progression and prognosis. Within-session changes in symptoms have been shown to correlate with self-reported recovery rate. This study sought a detailed profile of the trajectory of recovery of neck pain treated with manual therapy and further information about the predictive value of withinsession improvements. Purpose:The aim of this studywas to describe the clinical course of a new episode of neck pain during a course of manual therapy treatment and to explore whether the early responses to treatment were related to longer term outcomes. Methods:Analysis of treatment responses and recovery in participants from two arms of a manual therapy randomised controlled trial. Participants were 181 people with a new episode of neck pain, treated with a course of mobilisation or manipulation of the neck on four occasions over two weeks. The clinical course during the episode of care was described using average preand post-treatment pain scores (numerical rating scale 0–10) for each occasion of treatment. Repeated measures t-test was used to compare scores within and between sessions. The relationships between immediate treatment effects and time taken to recover and the Global Perceived Effect (GPE) of treatment at 3 months were explored using multivariate regression analyses. Results: On each occasion of treatment, pain scores significantly decreased with the smallest average withinsession change 1.4 (95%CI 1.2 to 1.5). There was also small but statistically significant increases in average pain scores of up to 0.7 (95%CI 0.4 to 1.0) between treatment sessions without regression to the preceding pre-treatment level. The change in pain scores after the first treatment session was independently associated with high GPE scores at three months (B= 0.2, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.4). There were also significant univariate associations between the within-session changes in pain and the time taken to recover from the episode of neck pain. However, these associations were not independent of duration of symptoms, self-rated general health, or the presence of headache. Conclusion(s): These results indicate that people with neck pain who are treated with manual therapy experience a pattern of recovery of symptoms that coincides with the occasions of treatment and features improvement within sessions and slight relapse between sessions. These results also demonstrate that improvements in symptoms within a treatment session are associatedwith a faster rate of recovery from an episode of neck pain and with patient’s overall perception of the benefits of treatment at 3-month follow up. Implications:Manual therapists can use the information in this study to assist their patients’ understanding of the trajectory of their recovery from a new episode of neck pain. In particular, it is helpful for patients to understand that slight relapses between treatment sessions are the normand not necessarily an indicator of poor outcome.These results also assist clinical reasoning in manual therapy practice by demonstrating a predictive value of short term treatment responses.

Experimental study on full-scale ZrCo and depleted uranium beds applied for fast recovery and delivery of hydrogen isotopes

Abstract Metal hydride bed is an important component for the deuterium–tritium fusion energy under development in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), in which the hydrogen recovery and delivery properties are influenced by the bed configuration, operation conditions and the hydrogen storage materials contained in the bed. In this work, a thin double-layered annulus bed configuration was adopted and full-scale beds loaded with ZrCo and depleted uranium (DU) for fast recovery and delivery of hydrogen isotopes were fabricated. The properties of hydrogen recovery/delivery together with the inner structure variation in the fabricated beds were systematically studied. The effects of operation conditions on the performances of the bed were also investigated. It was found that both of the fabricated ZrCo and DU beds were able to achieve the hydrogen storage target of 17.5 mol with fast recovery rate. In addition, experimental results showed that operation of employing extra buffer vessel and scroll pump could not only promote the hydrogen delivery process but also reduce the possibility about disproportionation of ZrCo. Compared with ZrCo bed, DU bed exhibited superior hydrogen delivery performances in terms of fast delivery rate and high hydrogen delivery amount, which could deliver over 16.4 mol H2 (93.7% of recovery amount) within 30 min at the average delivery rate of 20 Pa m3/s. Good reversibility as high as 10 cycles without obvious degradation tendency in both of hydrogen delivery amount and delivery rate for DU bed was also achieved in our study. It was suggested that the fabricated thin double-layered annulus DU bed was a good candidate to rapidly deliver and recover massive hydrogen isotopes for fusion energy application.

Shape memory polymer composites with woven fabric reinforcement for self-deployable booms

To characterize the nonlinear relationship between load and displacement and its dependency on temperature and time variations, the rate form of thermomechanical constitutive equations for shape memory polymers is newly derived. Experimental tests of the shape memory polymers are analyzed to acquire the parameters needed for the model. In order to generate a fast recovery rate and a higher recovery ratio, an asymmetric shape memory polymer composite reinforced with woven fabrics is developed and fabricated. Moreover, the efficiency of the asymmetric shape memory polymer composite is evaluated through shape recovery tests after bending. A numerical model of the shape memory polymer composite is newly established. In addition, the structural nonlinear behavior of the asymmetric shape memory polymer composite is analyzed with time and temperature dependence. A “[Formula: see text]”-shaped cross-sectional shape memory polymer composite boom is fabricated, and its deployment procedures are demonstrated for the application of self-deployable booms in gossamer space structures.

Clinical experience of tension-free hernioplasty for inguinal hernia

Objective To summarize the effect of tension-free hernioplasty for inguinal hernia .Methods Retrospective analysis of 619 cases of adult inguinal hernia underwent tension-free hernioplasty clinical data , curative effect and complications were observed .Results Patients could all get up 1 day after operation .Incisional pain was disappeared within 1-2days.Postoperative scrotal hematoma was found with 3 cases,no postoperative incision infec-tion,rejection.574 cases were followed up for 3 months to 4 years, there was no recurrence .Conclusion Adopting the method of Tension-free herniorrhaphy in treatment for inguinal hernia has the advantages of less trauma , faster postoperative recovery ,less complications and low recurrence rate etc . Key words: Hernia,inguinal; Patch repair; Tension-free mesh herniorrhaphy

Percutaneous enzyme emulsification endarterectomy

HYPOTHESIS Open endarterectomy is an effective treatment for atherosclerosis,1 and, Percutaneous endovascular techniques are associated with faster recovery and reduced complication rates,2 and An atherosclerotic plaque is made up of broadly the same components across the population,3 so Endovascular application of an enzyme/emulsifier mixture to an isolated vessel will allow the degradation, emulsification and removal of the atherosclerotic plaque and intima. VASCULAR SURGICAL APPROACHES to atherosclerotic vessels involve physical methods to treat atherosclerotic arteries vary between the use of stents or balloons to endarterectomy or bypass. Open-vessel endarterectomy has been established as an effective technique for the surgical management of arteries severely stenosed by atherosclerosis.1 However, endarterectomy requires open dissection, and its success depends on the skill of the operator. Furthermore, this technique usually is feasible only for short lengths of affected arteries. If a percutaneous technique could be developed, it would allow for endarterectomy to be performed with less dissection, leading to decreased operating times, decreased operative trauma, and faster recovery rates.

Synthesis of Mesoporous SnO2 Spheres and Application in Gas Sensors

AbstractMesoporous tin oxide (SnO2) spheres with a size of 500–700 nm have been successfully synthesized through annealing a tin hydroxide precursor was obtained by a one‐pot solvothermal process from a methanol system containing the surfactant polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). Experimental studies revealed that polyvinyl pyrrolidone plays a pivotal role in controlling the size and agglomeration of mesoporous spheres. The mesoporous SnO2 spheres with a surface area of 78.2 m2 g–1 and an average pore size of ca. 10 nm are monodispersed and the mesoporous structure can be maintained even after annealing at 500 °C for 2 h in air. Gas sensing tests showed that the SnO2 mesoporous spheres exhibit high sensitivity to H2, enhanced response to CO and also fast response and recovery rates, suggesting potential application as an advanced gas sensing material.

Extended Indications for Foot and Ankle Arthroscopy

Advances in foot and ankle arthroscopy have allowed surgeons to diagnose and treat a broadening array of disorders that were previously limited to open procedures. Arthroscopy of the posterior ankle, subtalar joint, and first metatarsophalangeal joint and tendoscopy can be used to address common foot and ankle ailments, with the potential benefits of decreased pain, fast recovery, and low complication rates. Posterior ankle and subtalar arthroscopy can be used to manage impingement, arthrofibrosis, synovitis, arthritis, fractures, and osteochondral defects. First metatarsophalangeal joint arthroscopy can address osteophytes, chronic synovitis, osteochondral defects, and degenerative joint disease. Tendoscopy is a minimally invasive alternative for evaluation and débridement of the Achilles, posterior tibial, flexor hallucis longus, and peroneal tendons.

Unilateral approach for bilateral decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis: a minimal invasive surgery.

To assess the feasibility and efficacy of a novel, minimally invasive spinal surgery technique for the correction of lumbar spinal stenosis involving unilateral approach for bilateral decompression. Cross-sectional observational study. Neurosurgery Department of PGMI, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from January to December 2010. A total of 60 patients with lumbar stenosis were randomly assigned to undergo either a conventional laminectomy (30 patients, Group A), or a unilateral approach (30 patients, Group B). Clinical outcomes was measured using the scale of Finneson and Cooper. All the data was collected by using a proforma and different parameters were assessed for a minimum follow-up period of three months. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS software version 17. Adequate decompression was achieved in all patients. Compared with patients in the conventional laminectomy group, patients who received the novel procedure (unilateral approach) had a reduced mean duration of hospital stay, a faster recovery rate and majority of the patients (88.33%) had an excellent to fair operative result according to the Finneson and Cooper scale. Five major complications occurred in all patient groups, 2 patients had unintended dural rent and 2 wound dehiscence each and fifth patient had worsening of symptoms. There was no mortality in the series. The ultimate goal of the unilateral approach to treat lumbar spinal stenosis is to achieve adequate decompression of the neural elements. An additional benefit of a minimally invasive approach is adequate preservation of vertebral stability, as it requires only minimal muscle trauma, preservation of supraspinous/intraspinous ligament complex and spinous process, therefore, allows early mobilization. This also shortens the hospital stay, reduces postoperative back pain, and leads to satisfactory outcome.

Magnetic Spheres as Foreign Body into the Bladder

A great variety of foreign bodies in the lower urinary tract have been described; many of them are self-inflicted by the patient with masturbatory purposes. Depending on the nature of the foreign body the diagnostic and management might be challenging. We report a case of an unusual magnetic self-inserted foreign body into the bladder for autoerotism and briefly discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic implications in this challenging situation. We describe all the steps we have used to adequately diagnose the problem, describe the foreign body and treatments for the patient. Related articles were found by utilizing the PubMed database and are summarized in this study. The management approach must be planned according to the nature of the foreign body and should minimize bladder and urethral trauma. However, most of cases can be managed endoscopically. Removal of magnetic foreign body may be quite challenging, requiring high-level surgical skills and minimally invasive techniques resulting in fast recovery and low complication rate.

Phenology and pollinating wasp dynamics of Ficus microcarpa L.f.: adaptation to seasonality.

BackgroundIn the obligate plant/pollinator mutualism, pollinator abundance is conditioned by the host resource. In order to investigate the population fluctuation of pollinating wasps and the phenological processes involved, this study examined the dual dynamics of the pollinator and the syconium phenology of a seasonal fruited fig tree population, Ficus microparpa, in Taipei, Taiwan.ResultsOur results revealed three seasons in the annual phenology: spring crop, summer-fall crop and winter trough seasons. The syconium quantity was correlated most significantly with temperature based on the generalized linear model with the meteorological data transformed by a principal component analysis. The pollinator population showed an increasing trend in spring, reached the maximum abundance in summer, and then declined drastically in winter, consistent with the syconium production fluctuation. With the small amount of local pollinators from the winter syconia and potential immigrating foundresses from other populations, the pollinator population size can increase very quickly from almost zero to over 40,000 wasps for this 29-tree local population within a season.ConclusionThis syconium phenological scheme, coupled with the fast-recovery rate of pollinators, may explain the worldwide adaptation and invasion of Ficus microcarpa.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1999-3110-54-11) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Arthroscopic treatment of popliteal cyst

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of arthroscopic treatment of popliteal cyst. Methods Data of 42 patients, who had undergone arthroscopic treatment for popliteal cyst from November 2005 to January 2010, were retrospectively analyzed. There were 13 males and 29 females, including 6 children, aged from 11 to 68 years （average, 43.2 years）. All popliteal cysts were unilateral, including 14 cases of right knee and 28 cases of left knee. Eleven patients had recurrent popliteal cyst, and all of them underwent initial open surgery, and the duration from the initial surgery to recurrence ranged from 6 to 35 months （average, 18 months）. According to the Rauschning and Lindgren classification, there were 3 cases of grade I, 18 cases of grade II and 21 cases of grade III. Based on the MRI, the long diameter of the popliteal cysts ranged from 4.2 to 7.9 cm （average, 5.4 cm）, the transverse diameter 2.1 to 2.5 cm （average, 2.3 cm） and anteroposterior diameter 1.6 to 2.2 cm （average, 2.0 cm）. All popliteal cysts were at posteriomedial parts of the knees, and 11 cases of popliteal cyst communicated with the knee joint cavity. Before operation, 1 to 2 ml methylene blue was injected into the cyst, which was used to determine the channel intraoperatively ac- cording to the site where methylene blue flowed out. The intraarticular diseases were thoroughly treated when the inner wall of the popliteal cyst was cleaned. Results The intraarticular diseases were found in all patients intraoperatively, including medial meniscus tear in 28 cases, lateral meniscus tear in 9 cases and lateral discoid meniscus in 4 cases. There were no blood vessel complications, nerve complications and incision complications. All patients were discharged 2 or 3 days postoperatively. All patients were followed up for 10 to 30 months （average, 18 months）. No recurrence of popliteal cyst occurred at final follow-up. According to the Rauschning and Lindgren classification, there were 38 cases of grade 0 and 4 cases of grade I. Conclusion The arthroscopic treatment of popliteal cyst has several advantages, such as mini-invasion, fast recovery and low recurrence rate. Key words: Popliteal cyst; Arthroscopy; knee joint