High Recovery Rate Research Articles

Mixed matrix membranes by post-modified UiO-66-NH2 for efficient treatment of dyeing wastewater

The preparation of modified membranes utilizing the UiO-66 framework for wastewater filtration is regarded as one of the most promising approaches to wastewater treatment, owing to its high efficiency and cost-effectiveness. In this study, a post-modified MOF, UiO-66-RSA, was synthesized via the condensation reaction of UiO-66-NH2 and 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. PVDF mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were fabricated for the first time by mixing UiO-66-RSA into PVDF using the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. Compared to pure PVDF membranes, the newly developed membrane, M4, demonstrated enhanced compatibility and superior mechanical strength. In dyeing wastewater treatment applications, M4 showed excellent separation efficiency for dye and heavy metal mixed wastewater, achieving rejection rates exceeding 90%. Additionally, it maintained a high flux recovery rate (FRR > 90%) and rejection rate (Rejection > 90%) after six filtration cycles of dye-containing wastewater, indicating strong recyclability. These findings suggest that MMMs embedded with UiO-66-RSA hold significant promise for dyeing wastewater treatment.

Therapeutic Effects of Bacteroides fragilis Vesicles in a Model of Chemically Induced Colitis in Rats.

The anti-inflammatory properties of Bacteroides fragilis vesicles were studied in a rat model of dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. According to the histology results, addition of B. fragilis vesicles to the therapy promoted colon repair. Evaluation of the disease activity index confirms the high rate of colon recovery: against the background of vesicle administration, the absence of blood in stool, normal stool consistency, and body weight normalization were observed.

Mechanical circulatory support for cardiogenic shock during the peripartum period.

Cardiomyopathies account for more than half of the cardiovascular disease during the peripartum period. In the extreme, patients may present with cardiogenic shock (CS) requiring mechanical circulatory support (MCS). The aim of this study was to report our experience with CS requiring MCS in the peripartum period. We present a single-center retrospective analysis of all CS cases involving MCS during the peripartum period that occurred between 2012 and 2023. Eleven cases were included. Median age was 33, median BMI was 30.4, and 73% underwent a caesarian-section for delivery. CS presentation occurred in 36.4% during pregnancy and in 63.6% after delivery. Most patients were in Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) Stage C shock and in 37% the suspected etiology was peripartum cardiomyopathy. MCS usage included intra-aortic balloon pump (4), Impella microaxial blood pump (2), veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (6), and temporary right ventricle assist devices (2), with some patients having multiple MCS devices. The rate of major complications was 36.4%. During a median follow-up of 4.5 years, 7 patients had sustained cardiac recovery (63.6%), 1 patient (9.1%) underwent cardiac transplantation, 2 patients (18.2%) received a durable LVAD, and 2 (18.2%) have died. MCS in severe CS cases during the peripartum period is rare and associated with favorable outcomes. High recovery rates suggest favoring first MCS/LVAD over transplant.

Quantification of Letrozole, Palbociclib, Ribociclib, Abemaciclib, and Metabolites in Volumetric Dried Blood Spots: Development and Validation of an LC-MS/MS Method for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) may be beneficial for cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6is), such as palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib, due to established exposure–toxicity relationships and the potential for monitoring treatment adherence. Developing a method for quantifying CDK4/6is, abemaciclib metabolites (M2, M20), and letrozole in dried blood spots (DBS) could be useful to enhance the feasibility of TDM. Thus, an optimized LC-MS/MS method was developed using the HemaXis DB10 device for volumetric (10 µL) DBS collection. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a reversed-phase XBridge BEH C18 column. Detection was performed with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, utilizing ESI source switching between negative and positive ionization modes and multiple reaction monitoring acquisition. Analytical validation followed FDA, EMA, and IATDMCT guidelines, demonstrating high selectivity, adequate sensitivity (LLOQ S/N ≥ 30), and linearity (r ≥ 0.997). Accuracy and precision met acceptance criteria (between-run: accuracy 95–106%, CV ≤ 10.6%). Haematocrit independence was confirmed (22–55%),with high recovery rates (81–93%) and minimal matrix effects (ME 0.9–1.1%). The stability of analytes under home-sampling conditions was also verified. Clinical validation supports DBS-based TDM as feasible, with conversion models developed for estimating plasma concentrations (the reference for TDM target values) of letrozole, abemaciclib, and its metabolites. Preliminary data for palbociclib and ribociclib are also presented.

Integral fractionation of Arundo donax using biphasic mixtures of solvents derived from biomass: An environmentally friendly approach

Arundo donax, one of the most invasive plants in the world, but also a promising source of lignocellulose materials was employed as a feedstock for a biorefinery process. Water-extracted Arundo donax samples were subjected to one-step biphasic fractionation in catalyzed media containing water and 1-butanol, an environmentally-friendly solvent. The effects of selected operational variables (catalyst concentration, temperature and reaction time) on the measured effects (solid recovery yield and compositions of the solid, aqueous and organic phases resulting from treatments) were assessed using statistical methods. The results allowed a quantitative discussion on aspects regarding the selectivity of component separation (lignin, glucan, and hemicelluloses), the overall recovery of valuable products, and the selection of operational conditions enabling extensive delignification (around to 90 %) and high recovery rates of glucan and hemicellulose-derived sugars (above 80 % and 75 %, respectively). This study provides new insights into biphasic fractionation, highlighting the selective separation of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin into a single and sustainable process, thereby by enhancing biomass resource while reducing environmental impact.

Swelling-assisted surface grafting strategy for multichannel antifouling membranes: Reconstruction of surface pore structure and applications in microalgae harvesting and blood purification

Membrane fouling remains a major challenge in membrane separation. The modification of hydrophilic membrane surfaces can mitigate irreversible fouling deposition, thereby improving antifouling properties. Effective surface modification strategies are essential techniques for developing highly efficient antifouling membranes. In this work, a swelling-assisted surface grafting strategy was proposed for multichannel antifouling membranes, where various lengths of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) brushes were grafted on the surface of polysulfone membrane using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The successful grafting of PVP polymer brushes was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Changes in membrane morphology and pore structure were observed via scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. During the grafting process, the amphiphilic macromolecules formed through grafting were selectively swelled by graft solvent, leading to the formation of mesopores in both the surface layer and sublayer of the membrane, which formed additional water transport channels. The introduction of hydrophilic polymer brushes and the change of pore structure significantly boosted the hydrophilicity and permeability of the membranes. As a result, the water contact angle decreased from 85° to 42°, accompanied by an approximate 3.24-fold increase in pure water flux (PWF). Due to superior hydrophilicity, modified membranes demonstrated exemplary performance in microalgae harvesting, boasting a microalgae retention rate nearing 100 % and low fouling resistance (2.12 × 1012 m−1). In algal filtration experiments, a confocal laser scanning microscope was employed to assess the activity of filtered algae on the membrane surface. The prepared membranes effectively maintained the bioactivity of algae while also achieving a high flux recovery rate (90.7 %) following filtration and cleaning. Furthermore, in blood cell compatibility tests, the modified membranes exhibited resistance to blood cell adhesion and sustained a low hemolysis rate (0.06 %). Overall, this strategy offers unique insights into the fabrication of antifouling surfaces and shows considerable promise for large-scale applications in microalgae harvesting and blood purification.

Truly the best of both worlds: Merging lineage‐specific and universal probe kits to maximize phylogenomic inference

AbstractPremiseHybridization capture kits are now commonly used for reduced representation approaches in genomic sequencing, with both universal and clade‐specific kits available. Here, we present a probe kit targeting 799 low‐copy genes for the plant family Annonaceae.MethodsThis new version of the kit combines the original 469 genes from the previous Annonaceae kit with 334 genes from the universal Angiosperms353 kit. We also compare the results obtained using the original Angiosperms353 kit with our custom approach using a subset of specimens. Parsimony‐informative sites and the results of maximum likelihood phylogenetic inference were assessed for combined matrices using the genera Asimina and Deeringothamnus.ResultsThe Annonaceae799 genes derived from the Angiosperms353 kit have extremely high recovery rates. Off‐target reads were also detected. When evaluating size, the proportion of on‐ and off‐target regions, and the number of parsimony‐informative sites, the genes incorporated from the Angiosperms353 panel generally outperformed the genes from the original Annonaceae probe kit.DiscussionWe demonstrated that the new sequences from the Angiosperms353 probe set are variable and relevant for future studies on species‐level phylogenomics and within‐species studies in the Annonaceae. The integration of kits also establishes a connection between projects and makes new genes available for phylogenetic and population studies.

"Hedgehog Ball"-Shaped Nanoprobes for Multimodal Detection and Imaging of Inflammatory Markers in Osteosarcoma Using Fluorescence and Electrochemiluminescence.

Inflammation can affect the progression of cancer at tumor sites, such as in osteosarcoma, by intensifying metastasis and complicating outcomes. The current diagnostic methods lack the specificity and sensitivity required for early and accurate detection, particularly in differentiating between inflammation-induced changes and tumor activities. To address this, a novel "hedgehog ball"-shaped nanoprobe, Fe3O4@Au-pep-CQDs, was developed and designed to enhance the detection of caspase-1, a key marker of inflammation. This magnetic nanoprobe facilitates simultaneous fluorescence (FL) and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection. Magnetic separation minimizes the quenching of nanoparticles in solution and eliminates the need for frequent electrode replacement in ECL tests, thereby simplifying diagnostic procedures. The experimental results showed that in the detection of caspase-1, the nanoprobe had a detection limit of 0.029 U/mL (FL) and 0.033 U/mL (ECL) and had a dynamic range of 0.05 to 1.0 U/mL. Additionally, the nanoprobe achieved high recovery rates of 94.36 to 102.44% (FL) and 94.36-100.12% (ECL) in spiked biological samples. Furthermore, the nanoprobe's capabilities were extended to in vivo bioimaging to provide direct, intuitive visualization of biological processes. These novel nanoprobes were able to significantly enhance the accurate detection of inflammation at tumor sites, thereby optimizing both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Recent advances on strategies and technologies for isolation of bovine milk-derived exosomes: An overview

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that play an important role in intercellular communication by facilitating the transfer of cell-specific constituents of the source cell to the recipient cell. They are secreted by various cell types and are available in all body fluids. Milk has been a part of the human diet since ages and is known to contain diverse bioactive components, including exosomes. Milk-derived exosomes (MDE) contain specific cargo with proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and other bioactive molecules that help in cell-to-cell communication and can alter the biological and physical processes of the recipient cells. These MDE can act as excellent nanocarriers for the delivery of drugs due to their stability and low immunogenicity. In this comprehensive review, the conventional isolation strategies based on ultracentrifugation, immunocapture, polymer-based precipitation, and chromatography and also the emerging technologies like microfluidic chips are discussed in detail. These provide functionally intact exosomes with high recovery rate. The available methods have one or the other limitations which pose challenges for the downstream analysis. Hence, integration of different methods is the most effective way to isolate exosomes with high recovery rate, purity and intact biological functions that open new avenues for exploring the therapeutic potential of MDE improving health and developing innovative medical interventions.

Evaluation of Recovery Rate in Poison Patients with or Without Standard Antidote Treatment

Aim: To evaluate the recovery rate of poisoning with regards to the availability and administration of standard antidote. Introduction: Poison consumption is one of the most common causes of death across the world. The reason is its easy availability and impulsive behaviour associated with suicidal thoughts. Antidotes are the agents which counteract the harmful effects of poison. Poisoning can be treated with antidotes but not all poisons have antidotes, this study helps to analyze the effectiveness of antidotes in early recovery from poisoning accompanied by stabilization techniques implemented. Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted in the inpatient department of General Medicine, Gandhi Hospital, Secunderabad from October 2021 to March 2022. Results: Poison consumption was more predominant among males, and young adults are the most affected age group. Suicide was identified as the primary reason for poison intake, while accidental poison ingestion was mostly seen in children. Pesticides were the most commonly consumed poisons. The antidote was administered in approximately 33% of cases, while it was not provided in 15%. For the remaining cases, an antidote was not available. The overall recovery rate was 77%, with females showing higher recovery rates than males. Adolescents had the highest recovery rate, followed by middle-aged adults. Conclusion: Our study concludes that the recovery was rapid in cases where a standard antidote was available and administered. Performing decontamination techniques within a few hours of poison consumption was also efficient.

Study on UV-Curable Acrylic Clear Viscoelastic Materials with Grafted Structures

Flexible substrates are crucial for wearable electronic strain sensors, but achieving biocompatibility, low cost, and aesthetic appeal alongside good mechanical performance remains challenging. Acrylic-based clear viscoelastic films (CVFs) are gaining attention due to their excellent transparency and potential for enhanced mechanical properties. This study synthesized copolymers CVF1-4 with varying branch content using soft monomers 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA), butyl acrylate (n-BA), and functional monomer acrylic acid (AA). Employing a "grafting-through" strategy, small molecule monomers, ATRP-synthesized oligomer pBA25, and photoinitiator 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) were in-situ polymerized under UV light to form transparent, flexible elastic films CVF1-4. Between -20 to 80 C, CVF1-4 demonstrated excellent mechanical properties such as low modulus (in the kPa range), low glass transition temperature (below -20 C), large deformation (500-600%), and high strain recovery rate (>95%). Among them, CVF3 with 15% branching showed a balanced comprehensive performance, exhibiting primarily elastic behavior at room temperature. Therefore, selecting appropriate molecular composition and grafting structure provides a simple and customizable solution for optimizing CVF properties.

In-situ Profiling of Environmental Hazardous Sulfamethoxazole in Aquatic and Artificial Saliva samples Using Perovskite Structured Bismuth Ferrite Incorporated Halloysite Nanotubes

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a widely used antibiotic, poses significant environmental and health risks due to its persistence and mobility in water systems, potentially leading to antibiotic resistance and ecological harm. Herein, we developed an electrochemical sensor based on Bismuth Ferrite (BiFeO3)/Halloysite Nanotube (BFO/HNT) composite for sensitive and selective SMX detection. The BFO/HNT composite was synthesized via a hydrothermal method and comprehensively characterized using EDS mapping, HRTEM, XRD, FT-IR, and XPS analysis. The BFO/HNT composite enhances the sensor’s performance due to its unique properties, such as increased electrochemical surface area (ECSA) and efficient electron transfer capability. The B-cation (Fe) in the BiFeO3 matrix plays a crucial role in boosting the electrochemical response by facilitating redox reactions. In addition, the HNTs provide a high surface area and excellent adsorption capabilities, which improve the sensor’s sensitivity by facilitating better interaction with SMX molecules. As the results, the prepared sensor demonstrates an impressive linear detection range of 0.01 to 2 µM and 22 to 122 µM, with a detection limit as low as 0.017 µM. Practical applications were validated by detecting SMX in tap water and artificial saliva, achieving high recovery rates of 98.87 % and 99.11 %.

Kinetics of Viral Shedding for Outbreak Surveillance of Emerging Infectious Diseases: Modeling Approach to SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Omicron Infection.

Previous studies have highlighted the importance of viral shedding using cycle threshold (Ct) values obtained via reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to understand the epidemic trajectories of SARS-CoV-2 infections. However, it is rare to elucidate the transition kinetics of Ct values from the asymptomatic or presymptomatic phase to the symptomatic phase before recovery using individual repeated Ct values. This study proposes a novel Ct-enshrined compartment model to provide a series of quantitative measures for delineating the full trajectories of the dynamics of viral load from infection until recovery. This Ct-enshrined compartment model was constructed by leveraging Ct-classified states within and between presymptomatic and symptomatic compartments before recovery or death among people with infections. A series of recovery indices were developed to assess the net kinetic movement of Ct-up toward and Ct-down off recovery. The model was applied to (1) a small-scale community-acquired Alpha variant outbreak under the "zero-COVID-19" policy without vaccines in May 2021 and (2) a large-scale community-acquired Omicron variant outbreak with high booster vaccination rates following the lifting of the "zero-COVID-19" policy in April 2022 in Taiwan. The model used Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo methods with the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm for parameter estimation. Sensitivity analyses were conducted by varying Ct cutoff values to assess the robustness of the model. The kinetic indicators revealed a marked difference in viral shedding dynamics between the Alpha and Omicron variants. The Alpha variant exhibited slower viral shedding and lower recovery rates, but the Omicron variant demonstrated swifter viral shedding and higher recovery rates. Specifically, the Alpha variant showed gradual Ct-up transitions and moderate recovery rates, yielding a presymptomatic recovery index slightly higher than 1 (1.10), whereas the Omicron variant had remarkable Ct-up transitions and significantly higher asymptomatic recovery rates, resulting in a presymptomatic recovery index much higher than 1 (152.5). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the chosen Ct values of 18 and 25 across different recovery phases. Regarding the impact of vaccination, individuals without booster vaccination had a 19% higher presymptomatic incidence rate compared to those with booster vaccination. Breakthrough infections in boosted individuals initially showed similar Ct-up transition rates but higher rates in later stages compared to nonboosted individuals. Overall, booster vaccination improved recovery rates, particularly during the symptomatic phase, although recovery rates for persistent asymptomatic infection were similar regardless of vaccination status once the Ct level exceeded 25. The study provides new insights into dynamic Ct transitions, with the notable finding that Ct-up transitions toward recovery outpaced Ct-down and symptom-surfacing transitions during the presymptomatic phase. The Ct-up against Ct-down transition varies with variants and vaccination status. The proposed Ct-enshrined compartment model is useful for the surveillance of emerging infectious diseases in the future to prevent community-acquired outbreaks.

PH-Sensitive blue and red N-CDs for L-asparaginase quantification in complex biological matrices

A novel fluorometric method for the determination of L-asparaginase, an enzyme crucial in cancer therapy and food industry applications, is presented. This sensitive and selective approach utilizes L-asparagine and two pH-sensitive carbon dots (blue-N-CDs and red-N-CDs) as probes. The interaction between L-asparagine and L-asparaginase liberates ammonia, causing an increase in pH. This pH change simultaneously decreases the fluorescence of blue-N-CDs while enhancing the emission of red-N-CDs, enabling ratiometric detection of L-asparaginase. Comprehensive characterization of both carbon dots and investigation of their response mechanism towards L-asparaginase were conducted using ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging techniques. The designed approach demonstrates outstanding linearity (20 to 2000 U L-1) and a low detection limit (6.95 U L-1) for L-asparaginase quantification. Moreover, when tested to human serum samples, the detection system exhibits outstanding selectivity and high recovery rates (96.15% to 99.75%) with low standard deviation, underscoring its suitability for practical implementation in clinical diagnostics.

Analysis on temperature vacuum swing adsorption from wet flue gas carbon capture by using solid amine adsorbent with co-adsorption equilibrium models

Adsorption carbon capture has attracted extensive attention due to its low regeneration heat consumption, eco-friendly impacts and simplicity. However, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis of its energy consumption, economy and environment impact of adsorption carbon capture. This study aims to investigate the working performance using temperature vacuum swing adsorption (TVSA) from wet flue gas carbon capture utilizing co-adsorption equilibrium models for metal–organic framework (MOF) based amine materials. TVSA model is then carried out in terms of the continuous operational state, the dynamic changes in physical properties inside the bed, and the differences in properties at different positions within the bed layer. It is found that they often cannot simultaneously meet high CO2 recovery rates, productivity, and equivalent work. The analysis reveals that the optimal conditions, namely an adsorption temperature of 318 K and a CO2 component of 0.02 kmol during desorption, collectively result in reduced equivalent work and heightened productivity. The maximum productivity could reach 46.35 kg·m−3·h−1 for 5.6 v% water content and 308 K adsorption temperature. It is demonstrated that temperature vacuum swing adsorption for wet flue gas carbon capture using MOF based amine adsorbent is quite promising in terms of energy consumption and CO2 productivity in the future.

Single center experience with hourglass-like constriction neuropathy of suprascapular nerve.

Hourglass-like constriction (HGC) may occur in several peripheral nerves. However, data on the prognosis of motor weakness in patients with HGC of the suprascapular nerve (SSN) are limited compared with other nerves. Here, we aimed to describe the clinical and imaging features of HGC of the SSN. We retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with suprascapular neuropathy using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or electrodiagnostic studies over 16 years. After excluding extrinsic causes, patients with HGC of the SSN detected using MRI were included. Fourteen patients with HGC of the SSN were identified. MRI revealed that all HGCs were located between the origin of the SSN from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus and the suprascapular notch. Seven patients exhibited HGC precisely at the origin of the SSN from the brachial plexus. Four patients showed T2 hyperintensity of the SSN extending to the upper trunk of the brachial plexus or the extraforaminal cervical root. The initial treatments included observation (n = 1), steroid therapy (n = 12), suprascapular notch release (n = 1). Of the 12 patients with a sufficient follow-up period, nine fully recovered from motor weakness of the SSN with non-operative treatments. Six of the nine patients who recovered fully experienced their first clinical improvement more than 6 months after onset. Treatment strategies for HGC differ depending on the affected nerve. For HGC of the SSN, due to the high spontaneous recovery rate observed in our study, conservative management for at least 6 months should be initially considered.

Phenotypes of Dialysis-Requiring Acute Kidney Injury and Associations with Mortality in a South American Population.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex syndrome typically classified into strict categories. Alternatively, it may be more accurate to consider it as an intermediate event between an initiating cause and its outcome. Therefore, we investigated the burden of clinical scenarios associated with dialysis-requiring AKI (AKI-D) using latent class analysis (LCA) and examined the etiological spectrum and clinical phenotypes across different life stages. We analyzed 17,158 AKI-D patients from 170 medical facilities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2002-2012). Utilizing survival curves and mixed-effects Cox regression for survival estimation, LCA classified patients based on clinical characteristics and outcomes, focusing on etiological variation over the human lifespan. The median age was 75 (IQR 59-83). Infections were the most common cause (44.2%), particularly community-acquired pneumonia (23.8%). Cardiovascular issues, especially ischemic heart disease (9.0%) and acute heart failure (8.1%), were also significant. LCA identified four distinct patient classes with varying clinical and outcome profiles. Class 1 patients were younger (median age 66), predominantly male, with lower ICU admission and higher rates of community-acquired AKI (60.8%). They had the lowest mortality (39.5%) and highest recovery rates. Class 2 had intermediate mortality (67.4%) and the highest comorbidity burden (mean Charlson score: 3.39). Classes 3 and 4 had the highest mortality (82.8% and 78.6%), requiring more mechanical ventilation and vasopressor use. Class 3 had a high prevalence of sepsis (92.7%) with lower comorbidities, while Class 4 had high chronic heart disease (76.3%) and perfusion factors (79.4%). Despite high mortality, Class 3 recovered better than Class 2 and 4. Survival analyses revealed diverse outcomes across etiological groups, with liver-related conditions being the most severe. This study highlights the complexity of AKI and the utility of LCA in revealing its clinical heterogeneity. It underscores distinct etiological trends across ages, suggesting future research should integrate clinical profiles with advanced diagnostics to understand AKI's clinical and molecular phenotypes throughout life.

Increased Change in Cervical Lordosis is Associated With Decreased Rate of Recovery in Patients With C5 Palsy.

A retrospective chart review. The authors aim to investigate the role of clinical and radiographic parameters in patients who underwent posterior cervical surgery, and their association with C5 palsy severity and time to recovery. Postoperative C5 palsy affects 1%-30% of patients undergoing posterior decompression, with or without fusion. Causation and avoidance of this complication remain widely debated. A single institution review of patients who underwent posterior cervical spine surgery was focused on using specific Common Procedural Technology codes associated with the patient population of interest. Patients were excluded if they had inadequate pre and postoperative imaging, as well as a history of prior cervical spine surgery, concurrent anterior surgery, intradural pathology, spinal tumor, or spinal trauma. Radiographic measurements of the pre and postoperative images were completed with subsequent intraclass correlation coefficient analysis to confirm the precision of measurements. Out of 105 total patients, 35 (33%) patients developed a C5 palsy. Twenty-four (69%) of those palsies completely resolved, with a median time to recovery of 8 months. Preoperative demographics and radiographic parameters demonstrated heterogeneity among those patients who did and did not have a resolution of palsy. Patients with increased change in C2-C7 lordosis (P = 0.011) after surgery were associated with decreased likelihood of recovery. Patients without a smoking history (P = 0.009) had an increased likelihood of recovering from C5 palsy. The degree of increased lordosis in the treatment of degenerative cervical disease plays a role in the rate of recovery from C5 palsy. This should be considered during preoperative planning in determining the amount of lordosis desired. In addition, patients without a smoking history were associated with a higher rate of recovery. Level IV.

Synthesis, degradation Behavior, and recyclability property of novel bio-based Polyimine thermosets

Given the challenges in recycling, degradation, flammability and environmental protection of most petroleum-based thermosets, it is of great significance to develop degradable, recyclable, and flame-retardant thermosets from renewable feedstocks for material safety and promote sustainable development. Herein, novel Polyimine thermosets (PIts) were prepared from renewable vanillin and their degradation behavior and recyclability properties were systematically investigated. The prepared PIts exhibited excellent thermal properties (Tg: 91–158 °C and T5% above 250 °C), degradability and high monomer recovery rates (above 80 %). Meanwhile, the PIts demonstrated outstanding flame retardancy with a UL-94 V-0 rating achieved by forming noncombustible gas, phosphorus-containing species and nitrogen-containing hexatomic rings. Additionally, these PIts displayed high malleability with Ea ranging from 77.0-118.8 kJ.mol−1 and could be recycled via hot pressing without altering their chemical structure and original mechanical properties. This work presents a new strategy for fabricating bio-based advanced thermosets from renewable resources.

Application of free forearm flap in reconstruction of postoperative defect of external nasal malignant tumor

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of free forearm flaps in repairing the postoperative defect of external nasal malignant tumor. Methods:Six patients with nasal malignant tumor were treated with radical operation of external nasal malignant tumor and simultaneous reconstruction of external nasal defects with free forearm flap. Preoperative Allen experiment, ultrasonic Doppler blood flow meter or CT angiography confirmed that the forearm blood vessels were in good condition. Results:The free forearm flaps were obtained from six patients, and completely survived. During the follow-up period of 6-12months, all patients had good external nasal morphology, good nasal function, no nasal obstruction and anterior nostril stenosis, no obvious complications in donor hand and no local cancer recurrence. Conclusion:The free forearm flap is a reliable method to reconstruction the postoperative defect of external nasal malignant tumor, with a high success rate and good recovery of morphology and function recovery.