Initial Amount Research Articles

North Carolina Academic Health Centers and Social Determinants of Health

Background Academic health centers (AHCs) have traditionally focused on 3 core missions: patient care, research, and education. The current changing health care environment requires AHCs to broaden their focus to improve the health of their communities. This study reports the opportunities and challenges for the 5 North Carolina AHCs addressing social determinants of health (SDOH). Methods We used a mixed methods design. We analyzed financial data from systemwide community benefits reports and the Form 990 Schedule H of the primary medical centers (when available) from the 5 AHCs, and we conducted 4 key informant (KI) interviews at each of the 5 AHCs for a total of 20 interviews. Results Overall, AHCs spend a very small percentage of their total spending on community improvement services and community benefit operations. By far, the largest amount spent on community benefit is for treating patients eligible for charity care. Food insecurity and access to health care were the most addressed SDOH. Housing was viewed as a crisis that needed to be addressed at statewide and national levels. Limitations Community benefits reports from North Carolina AHCs lack important details. Key informant interviews provide far more recent information on the quantity and breadth of initiatives than the latest community benefits reports that were all completed pre-pandemic. We only interviewed 4 stakeholders from each AHC in North Carolina. Conclusion A new strategic vision must incorporate social accountability into the AHCs’ core missions to remove barriers and institute and sustain change, but the AHCs face a steep challenge to incorporate social accountability at a core mission level.

Asymmetric Nanopore Sensor for Logic Detection of Dam and M.SssI Methyltransferases in Combination of DNA Walker and Autocatalytic Hybridization Reaction.

The detection of DNA methyltransferase (MTase) was crucial for understanding gene expression regulation, cancer mechanisms, and various biological processes, contributing significantly to disease diagnosis and drug development. Herein, a nanopore sensor based on cascaded signal amplification of DNA walker and autocatalytic hybridization reaction (AHR) was developed for the ultrasensitive determination of various MTases. In the presence of Dam MTase, the hairpin structure HD underwent methylation and cleavage by DpnI endonuclease, forming T-DNA fragments. These T-DNA fragments were used to activate the DNA walker, which moved across the surface of magnetic beads step by step, generating a large quantity of initiator I by cleaving the substrate. The initiator I subsequently activated the AHR. The AHR included a hybridization chain reaction (HCR) amplifier and a catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) convertor. The HCR amplifier generated multiple novel CHA triggers, which activated the CHA convertor. This, in turn, stimulated the HCR amplifier, creating an AHR circuit that resulted in the formation of numerous DNA nanowires. These DNA nanowires were adsorbed onto the G4-PAMAM-modified nanopore surface under the influence of an electric field, thereby altering the surface charge of the nanopore and changing the ionic rectification curve. The detection limit of the Dam MTase nanopore sensor reached 0.0002 U/mL. By modification of the recognition sites of the probes, this nanopore system could also be used for the detection of M.SssI MTase. Moreover, a four-input parallel concatenated logic circuit (AND//INHIBIT-OR) had been constructed and applied for the multivariate detection of Dam MTase and M.SssI MTase, presenting a novel conceptual model for advancing the construction of nanopore logic gate systems and their applications in biosensing.

Establishment of a multiplex qPCR method for sensitive detection of proteolytic psychrotrophic bacteria in raw milk

Initial microbiological species and quantity of raw milk significantly affect dairy product quality. In particular, some psychrotrophic bacteria in raw milk can produce heat-stable hydrolases that reduce the stability of dairy products during their shelf life. The purpose of this study was to establish a multiplex real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) rapid detection method for Pseudomonas fluorescens and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, which generally produce protease in raw milk. The primers and probes with good specificity, universality and high sensitivity to the target bacteria were screened by ordinary PCR and qPCR experiments. The quantitative linear relationship and sensitivity of the method for detecting pure DNA and artificially contaminated simulated milk samples were verified. The results showed that the limit of detection (LOD) of this method for pure DNA could reach 3.16×10-5 ng/μL. The detection of artificially contaminated samples showed that the LOD for P. fluorescens and L. lactis subsp. lactis could reach 250 and 22 CFU/mL, respectively. The multiplex qPCR method established in this study has good specificity and high sensitivity, which can be used to rapidly detect psychrotrophic bacteria in raw milk. It provides an effective reference strategy for the dairy industry to ensure the microbiological quality of raw milk from the source.

On gravity-driven liquid nitrogen jets reach and horizontal spread for extinction of ground fires by aerial means

This paper describes experimental and numerical results on the reach and the spread of gravity-driven jets of liquid nitrogen (LN2) on the ground for applications to fire extinction by aerial means. A series of experiments released LN2 jets from different elevations in ambient air to measure their reach and spread distances upon the impingement. A numerical model was developed to simulate the behavior of such jets. Upon validation, the numerical model was used to further predict the LN2 pool mass and spreading distances under various release configurations. Results showed that the LN2 survivability is greatly affected by the release height of the cryogen, since the LN2 quantity reaching the ground decreases as the release height increases. Moreover, releasing larger initial LN2 quantities and, most importantly using larger nozzle diameters, both the LN2 pool mass and spreading diameter can be extended. Additional experiments were conducted where cryogen jets were released onto small (∼300 cm2) alcohol pool fires; results showed that only limited quantities of the LN2 evaporated in transit to the fire, and small amounts of the cryogen expediently snuffed the fires. A simplified model also suggested that in fire supression/extinction by LN2 the fuel cooling mechanism is of secondary importance compared to the mechanism of separating the fuel from oxygen.

Assessment of Enzymatically Derived Blackcurrant Extract as Cosmetic Ingredient-Antioxidant Properties Determination and In Vitro Diffusion Study.

Blackcurrant is an anthocyanin-rich berry with proven antioxidant and photoprotective activity and emerging prebiotic potential, widely applied in cosmetic products. Hereby, highly efficient enzyme-assisted extraction of blackcurrant polyphenols was performed, giving extract with very high antioxidant activity. Obtained extract was characterized in terms of anthocyanin composition, incorporated into three different cosmetic formulations and subjected to Franz cell diffusion study. Experimental values obtained using cellulose acetate membrane for all four dominant anthocyanins (delphinidin 3-glucoside, delphinidin 3-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside) were successfully fitted with the Korsmeyer-Peppas diffusion model. Calculated effective diffusion coefficients were higher for hydrogel compared to oil-in-water cream gel and oil-in-water emulsion, whereas the highest value was determined for cyanidin 3-rutinoside. On the other hand, after a 72 h long experiment with transdermal skin diffusion model (Strat-M® membrane), no anthocyanins were detected in the receptor fluid, and only 0.5% of the initial quantity from the donor compartment was extracted from the membrane itself after experiment with hydrogel. Present study revealed that hydrogel is a suitable carrier system for the topical delivery of blackcurrant anthocyanins, while dermal and transdermal delivery of these molecules is very limited, which implies its applicability for treatments targeting skin surface (i.e., prebiotic, photoprotective).

IMPROVING FRESHWATER YIELD FROM SIMPLE SEAWATER DISTILLATION DISPENSERS THROUGH CONDENSER PIPE MODIFICATIONS

The primary objective of this study is to enhance the freshwater production efficiency of a basic seawater distillation apparatus by modifying the condenser pipe. Seawater, initially possessing a salt level of 20%, has undergone treatment via a distillation procedure facilitated by a distillation dispenser. The empirical findings indicated that the utilization of both single and double condenser pipes yielded notable disparities in the generation of freshwater. The initial quantity of freshwater generated by the single condenser pipe was comparatively lower during the course of the trial, whereas the double condenser pipe yielded a greater volume of freshwater over an extended duration. Hence, the careful choice of condenser pipes has the potential to significantly impact the effectiveness and operational capabilities of the distillation dispenser system. The findings of this research offer significant contributions towards the advancement of distillation dispenser technologies that are more efficient, particularly in coastal regions reliant on seawater as a primary water resource. This study has the potential to enhance the accessibility of potable water in regions where obtaining freshwater from natural sources is challenging.

Impact of reduced-graphene-oxide functionalization of flower-like zinc-oxide nanostructures on sensing performance of resistive ethanol gas sensor

This research presents a sensitive resistive ethanol gas sensor based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-functionalized Zinc oxide nanoflowers (ZnO NFs). Upon completion of synthesis, the resulting nanostructures were cast onto the photolithographed silver interdigitated electrodes positioned on an Al2O3 substrate. The graphene oxide (GO) with a low oxidation degree was synthesized using a Hummer's method. In the pursuit of optimizing sensing performance, rGO-functionalized ZnO NFs were synthesized through a one-pot hydrothermal process, utilizing different initial quantities of GO (0 mg, 2 mg, 8 mg, and 12 mg). According to the gas sensing measurements, the fabricated sensor with 8 mg initial GO showed the highest response to ethanol at 250 °C. The results show that the GO addition reduced the optimal working temperature of the pure ZnO NFs from 350 °C to 250 °C. The sensor exhibited a good selectivity, repeatability, and high long-term stability. Enhanced ethanol sensing response of the optimized gas sensor was related to the formation of p-n heterojunction between p-type rGO (formed during hydrothermal process at 200 °C) and n-type ZnO and the presence of the optimal amount of rGO on the surface of NFs. The results obtained in this investigation stress the significance of pinpointing the optimal quantity of GO for producing rGO-ZnO nanoflowers with the highest possible sensitivity to ethanol gas.

Granular Activated Bamboo Charcoal and Silica Gel as Water Treatment Against Microbial Contaminants: A Comparative Analysis

The growing demand for clean and safe water necessitates the investigation of innovative materials that can be utilized in water treatment applications. In this regard, a simple and cost-effective water treatment method was developed to address the water supply problem in rural areas. This study provided knowledge and conducted a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of two main methods for treating microbial contaminants in lake water: granular activated charcoal and silica gel. Furthermore, the experiment was subjected to before and after the application of activated carbon and silica gel. The pre-testing was conducted to identify the initial quantity of microbial contaminants. The preparation methods for bamboo into charcoal are initiated with the following steps: cutting, drying, loading, and sealing the drum kiln, heating, carbonization, cooling, and removing charcoal. Afterward, the bamboo charcoal underwent a chemical process to create activation using potassium hydroxide to generate a large surface area and enhance the adsorption capability. The two treatments were added to the lake water sample via filtration. Moreover, the post-testing involves performing serial dilution and microbial counts to determine the difference between before and after the contaminant's growth. Based on the results, the granular activated carbon is more effective than the silica gel because of its greater adsorption capacity resulting from its extensive pore spaces. This research study contributes significantly to researchers in the field and further advancements in utilizing granular activated carbon and silica gel to ensure clean and sustainable resources.

Evaluating the Potential of Modified Mango Leaves as a Biosorbent for the Removal of Mercury (II) Ion and Congo Red from Wastewater

The discharge of harmful metallic elements from industrial byproducts has resulted in notable environmental and public health risks. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of mango leaves as a cost-effective adsorbent in eliminating Hg (II) ions from industrial effluents. Experimental procedures were carried out under controlled conditions at ambient temperature to evaluate the influence of pH, contact duration, initial metal levels, adsorbent quantity, and temperature on the adsorption mechanism. The most favorable pH for optimal Hg (II) ions adsorption was identified at pH 7. The adsorption process displayed swift kinetics in the initial 30 minutes of contact, leading to a removal rate exceeding 90%, with equilibrium achieved after 70 minutes of stirring. Analysis of kinetics revealed a significant correlation coefficient for a pseudo-second-order kinetic equation. The absorption of Hg (II) ions escalated with increased stirring intensity and decreased adsorbent amount. The interaction between Hg (II) ions, Congo red, and mango leaves was analyzed employing Langmuir, Freundlich, and BET isotherm models. The equilibrium data was best fitted by the Langmuir model, presenting a correlation coefficient of 0.98 and a maximum adsorption capacity of 28.40 mg/g. These results underscore the potential of mango leaves as an affordable bio adsorbent for addressing heavy metal pollution in wastewater.

A Comparative Study of Epidural 0.75% Ropivacaine with Dexmedetomidine and 0.75% Ropivacaine Alone in Infra Umbilical Surgeries

Background: Different adjuvants are currently being employed alongside local anesthetics to extend the duration of pain relief during and after epidural block procedures for infra-umbilical surgeries. Dexmedetomidine is a recently popular neuroaxial adjuvant that acts as an extremely specific α2 adrenergic agonist. The purpose of this research is to evaluate and contrast the impacts of combining epidural giving of 0.75% ropivacaine with dexmedetomidine to the effects of using 0.75% ropivacaine alone. The focus was on evaluating the cardiovascular, sedative with analgesics potentiating The facets of these treatments.Methods: The research was randomized and studied in a double-blind, prospective fashion. It comprised 50 patients from the The individuals included in this study were classified as undertaking lower limb procedures were those who met the following criteria: Female, the age from 20 to 65, and holding American Society of Anesthesiologists Grades I and II. Informed agreement was given before the start of the study. Randomly, participants were divided into two groups, each consisting of 25 individuals. A 15 mL ropivacaine solution containing 0.75% was utilized to administrate epidural anesthesia to a group I (n = 25). In contrast, group II (n = 25) received the same 15 mL ropivacaine solution supplemented with 0.6 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine. The study compared two groups in terms of their hemodynamic changes and block characteristics. These characteristics included the time it took for analgesia to start at T10, the peak level of sensory perception analgesia achieved, the time it took for the sensory and motor block to reach their maximum levels, the time it took for the block to regress at the dermatome S1, and the time required to administer the initial quantity rescue effort analgesics to be administered within a 24-hour period.Results: Sedation score (p = 0.001), motor block intensity (p 0.001), and onset of action (p 0.001) were all significantly greater in the dexmedetomidine group. Additionally, motor block duration (p 0.001) was significantly longer. No significant differences were observed in the occurrence of maximal pain relief, low BP, or slow HR (p > 0.05), according to the study. There was a negligible and comparable occurrence of adverse effects (such as vertigo, tremor, and SpO2<90%) across all categories (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The research revealed noteworthy distinctions commencing with the inhibition of neural functions differs between the dexmedetomidine and ropivacaine groups, with dexmedetomidine producing more intense sustained motor block and sensory block. Both groups had greater sedation scores.

Role of manganese oxides and oxyhydroxides in phosphate sequestration in natural aquatic environments

Excessive inputs of phosphorus (P) to aquatic environments can lead to eutrophication. Adsorption of phosphate on Fe oxides is one of the main process that can limit P availability. Oxidized forms of Mn have also been suggested to play a role in P trapping. However, although a considerable number of studies have shown the relationships between the geochemistry of Fe and that of phosphates, few studies have attempted to show the direct links between Mn and P. In the present study, we studied the adsorption of phosphate on synthetized Mn(III) and Mn(IV) oxides placed under natural conditions. The aim was to compare the role of Fe and Mn oxides in phosphate adsorption. Two muddy sediments were collected in a river bed at the edge of a large agricultural area. A sandy sediment was collected downstream. A muddy and a sandy sample were taken in a coastal environment. The experiments on phosphate adsorption by sediment and Mn oxides were carried out in slurries containing in situ waters spiked with 10 μM phosphate. Control experiments without Mn-oxide addition showed that the natural sediments tested still had the capacity to adsorb phosphate, in particular due to the presence of reactive Fe(III) oxides, extractable by an ascorbate solution. The addition of Mn(III) and Mn(IV) oxides in much larger quantities than the initial quantity of Fe oxides had little impact on the rate of phosphate adsorption. For both Mn(III) and Mn(IV) oxides, the Mn/P ratio between added particulate Mn and adsorbed P was very high, with values between 260 and 1000. The Fe/P ratio of the iron oxides contained in the slurries was between 6 and 20. On average, the P adsorption capacity of the Fe oxides was 50 times greater than that of the Mn oxides. Manganese oxides are generally less abundant than iron oxides in natural environments. Mn oxides therefore play a minor role in P sequestration compared with Fe oxides. Even if there are environments where Mn oxides can concentrate, the reduction of Mn oxides and subsequent liberation of adsorbed P does not represent a major risk for eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems.

Prediction of boundary heat flux in mold by inverse problem method

This study utilizes inverse heat transfer techniques to analyze heat flux distribution within a mold. By collecting temperature data from thermocouples, a two-dimensional heat transfer model of the mold’s cross section is developed to investigate the transverse heat flux behavior, temperature distribution, relationship between heat flux and height, and three-dimensional heat flux within the mold. The direct problem model is solved using the finite volume method, while the inverse problem is tackled with the Levenberg-Marquardt Method (LMM) in conjunction with the Broyden method (BM). The model’s validity is confirmed through experimentation, which includes assessing the impact of initial parameter estimations, thermocouple placements and quantities, and measurement inaccuracies.

Indole-3-acetic acid regulating the initial adhesion of microalgae in biofilm formation

Regulating the microalgal initial adhesion in biofilm formation is a key approach to address the challenges of attached microalgae cultivation. As a type of phytohormone, Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) can promote the growth and metabolism of microalgae. However, limited knowledge has been acquired of how IAA can change the initial adhesion of microalgae in biofilm formation. This study focused on investigating the initial adhesion of microalgae under different IAA concentrations exposure in biofilm formation. The results showed that IAA showed obvious hormesis-like effects on the initial adhesion ability of microalgae biofilm. Under exposure to the low concentration (0.1 mg/L) of IAA, the initial adhesion quantity of microalgae on the surface of the carrier reached the highest value of 7.2 g/m2. However, exposure to the excessively high concentration (10 mg/L) of IAA led to a decrease in the initial adhesion capability of microalgal biofilms. The enhanced adhesion of microalgal biofilms due to IAA was attributed to the upregulation of genes related to the Calvin Cycle, which promoted the synthesis of hydrophobic amino acids, leading to increased protein secretion and altering the surface electron donor characteristics of microalgal biofilms. This, in turn, reduced the energy barrier between the carriers and microalgae. The research findings would provide crucial support for the application of IAA in regulating the operation of microalgal biofilm systems.

Phyto-constructed copper urchin-like nanoflakes to facilitate the catalytic elimination of organic pollutants

In this context, Copper (Cu) nanoparticles were advanced the use of a sustainable technique for the synthesis addressing Morindacitrafolia leaf (MCL) extract. The fabricated of catalyst were technically examined by using TEM, XRD, SEM, EDAX, AFM, UV–Vis spectrophotometer, and FT-IR research were used to evaluate the topological, crystallographic, and structural features. The produced M@Cu Nano catalyst’s catalytic ability was examined for an interaction involving methyl orange dye under the presence of NaBH4 as an inhibiting agent. In an effort to achieve optimal reduced chemical conditions, the implications of the catalytic dosage, pH, and dye initial quantity was examined. The M@Cu Nano trigger, once developed, effectively eliminated 99.9 % of the harmful organic dyesof methyl orange, suggesting it may have utility towards the treatment of debris and polluted water. This investigation demonstrates the inexperienced synthesis of Cu Nanoparticles and its programs in environmental remediation.

Assessment of Fire Safety Management for Special Needs Schools in South Africa

The safety and well-being of learners with special educational needs in South Africa remain a paramount concern, significantly impacting their constitutional rights and dignity. Despite legislative commitments aimed at fostering inclusive education, a pervasive absence of adequate fire safety measures in special needs schools (SNSs) in South Africa has persisted, leading to the vulnerability of these learners. Tragic incidents, such as fatal fires in these schools, as reported in the literature, underscore the urgent need for immediate intervention to ensure the safety and security of these learners, especially with regards to fire hazards. This study, conducted within the Northwest Province of South Africa, assessed the state of fire safety management in SNSs by applying a series of chi-squared (χ2) tests of independence for categorical variables, descriptive statistics, and regression analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS), Version 20 and found that limited access to power is the potential root cause of fires in these schools; also, the limited amount of fire safety initiatives was a problem. In addition, the ordinal regression showed a statistically significant relationship when the question of to what extent the learners in the sampled schools are involved in fire safety programs was regressed with the questions of whether management and stakeholders were involved in fire safety programs and also on taking part in the physical fire safety programs (χ2 = 47.412; df = 2; p < 0.001; R2 = 70.5%). Furthermore, fire safety management was not sufficiently implemented in the sampled schools and the safety legislations of the country were not implemented accordingly when it came to fire safety. This study identified root causes of fire risks, gauged stakeholders’ awareness and involvement in fire safety management, and advocated for more stringent safety policies and practices within the SNS based on the above findings.

Temperature/pH/reduction-sensitive multiple stimulus-responsive nanogels synthesized by one-pot method for design as curcumin carriers

Curcumin (Cur) is of interest due to its widely reported pharmacology, which is limited by its low water solubility and low bioavailability of clinical use. Here, we report the characterization and application of a multiple stimulus-responsive nanogel loaded with Cur. Sensitive P(AM-co-NIPAM) nanogels for pH, temperature, and reduction stimuli were prepared by reflux precipitation polymerization method using AM and NIPAM as raw materials. DLS and SEM analyses showed that the fabricated nanogels had a uniform size distribution with spherical and nucleated-shell structures. By adjusting the feeding amounts of reactive monomers, cross-linkers, and initiators, a series of monodisperse nanogels with different particle sizes could be obtained. The representative nanogels have different Cur-loaded behaviors at different temperatures, times, and initial concentrations of the drug, as well as a sensitive release to changes in pH, temperature, or reducing conditions. Cur-P(AM-co-NIPAM) nanogels showed superior antioxidant activity over the free Cur in vitro. Meanwhile, it inhibited LPS and H2O2-induced oxidative stress, which could effectively inhibit the cellular production of excessive reactive oxygen species and had a protective effect against LPS-induced cellular damage. This nanogel controlled release system significantly improved the safety limit of Cur without hemolytic behavior and had good cytocompatibility. The successful development of such Cur nanogels will lead to advanced materials that can be functionalized and optimized for the controlled delivery of small molecules or biomolecules for targeted therapeutic and biomedical applications.

“Multi-Product Critical Loss: Allowing for Varying Margins, Prices, and Quantities in the Candidate Antitrust Market”

Abstract Critical loss analysis is important in defining antitrust product and geographic markets as it directly implements the hypothetical monopolist test. Traditionally, critical loss analysis assumes all products in the candidate market earn the same margin at current prices. In effect, this approach treats all products as a single, representative product. This is technically incorrect. This paper develops the appropriate measures of critical loss assuming products in the candidate markets have different margins, different current prices, and different initial quantities. We also address issues in the implementation of critical loss analysis. This paper is meant to be accessible to the practitioner.

FDI Inflows and Economic Growth: A Novel Application of Dose-Response Functions

In this work we estimate different dose-response functions linking FDI inflows received by developing countries with their economic growth. Although the impact of FDI on the economic growth of host countries has been widely investigated in literature, findings have been ambiguous. Our study proposes a novel ‘dose-response’ approach which allows the response of recipients to different amounts of treatment in terms of FDI inflow to be observed. Our findings show that the estimated dose-response functions are statistically significant for treatment values greater than 20%, after the treatment has been rescaled to a percentage measure of the maximum dose observed, and increasing at a decreasing rate, therefore suggesting three relevant results: a) a country receiving a greater amount of FDI inflows will present a higher economic growth; b) there might be a minimum amount of FDI inflows required to reach some policy effectiveness; c) the initial amounts of FDI inflow are more effective than the subsequent ones. Results will help policymakers to better isolate the effect of FDI on economic growth and conduct informed FDI cost-benefit analysis.

TPP (totally preperitoneal) making single incision laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair more feasible: a comparison with single incision laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal hernioplasty (SIL-TEP)

BackgroundTotally preperitoneal hernioplasty (TPP) is a concept which was introduced for distinguishing with totally extraperitoneal (TEP). There is few evidence reflecting the single incision laparoscopic totally preperitoneal (SIL-TPP) characteristic. The aim of study is to demonstrate the feasibility of single incision laparoscopic totally preperitoneal hernioplasty (SIL-TPP) and compare the outcomes with the single incision laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal hernioplasty (SIL-TEP) technique.MethodsDuring August 2018 and July 2022, 200 inguinal hernia patients received SIL-TPP and 56 patients received SIL-TEP in the First hospital of Ningbo university. The demographics, clinical characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative parameters were retrospectively analysed.ResultsSIL-TPP and SIL-TEP hernia repair were successfully conducted in all patients. There was no conversation happened in two group. Patients’ demographics were comparable when compared between the two groups adding the comparison initial 52 cases analysis (P > 0.05). The mean unilateral hernia operative time was significant shorter in the SIL-TPP group than SIL-TEP group (unilateral: 81.38 ± 25.32 vs. 95.96 ± 28.54, P: 0.001). Further study of unilateral hernia operative time revealed the mean indirect hernia operative time was significant shorter in the SIL-TPP group than SIL-TEP group (indirect: 81.38 ± 25.33 vs. 95.87 ± 28.54, P: 0.001). The unilateral hernia operation time trend of initial 52 cases of two group analysis revealed the operation time of SIL-TPP reduced faster than SIL-TEP along with treating number increasing (Figs. 2 and 3). The comparison of initial equal quantity unilateral hernia patient mean operative time revealed the SIL-TPP group was significant shorter than SIL-TEP group (85.77 ± 22.76 vs. 95.87 ± 28.54, P: 0.049). The rate of peritoneum tearing of SIL-TPP group was significant high than SIL-TEP (P = 0.005).ConclusionSIL-TPP hernia repair is a superior procedure and possess its own distinguished advantages. We recommend it rather than SIL-TEP for treating inguinal hernia, especially for indirect hernia. However, large-scale randomized controlled trials comparing SIL-TPP and SIL-TEP are needed to confirm these results.

One-Pot Construction of Articular Cartilage-Like Hydrogel Coating for Durable Aqueous Lubrication.

Articular cartilage has an appropriate multilayer structure and superior tribological properties and provides a structural paradigm for design of lubricating materials. However, mimicking articular cartilage traits on prosthetic materials with durable lubrication remains a huge challenge. Herein, an ingenious three-in-one strategy is developed for constructing an articular cartilage-like bilayerhydrogel coating on the surface of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (BH-UPE), which makes full use of conceptions of interfacial interlinking, high-entanglement crosslinking, and interface-modulated polymerization. The hydrogel coating is tightly interlinked with UPE substrate through hydrogel-UPE interchain entanglement and bonding. The hydrogel chains are highly entangled with each other to form a dense tough layer with negligible hysteresis for load-bearing by reducing the amounts of crosslinker and hydrophilic initiator to p.p.m. levels.Meanwhile, the polymerization of monomers in the top surface region is suppressed via interface-modulated polymerization, thus introducing a poroussurface for effective aqueous lubrication. As a result, BH-UPE exhibits an ultralow friction coefficient of 0.0048 during 10000 cycles under a load of 0.9MPa, demonstrating great potential as an advanced bearing material for disc prosthesis. This work may provide a new way to build stable bilayer coatings and have important implications for development of biological lubricating materials.