From Basics to Frontiers: A Comprehensive Review of Plasma-Modified and Plasma-Synthesized Polymer Films.

This comprehensive review begins by tracing the historical development and progress of cold plasma technology as an innovative approach to polymer engineering. The study emphasizes the versatility of cold plasma derived from a variety of sources including low-pressure glow discharges (e.g.

Molecular acclimation of to halite brine inclusions.

Halophilic microorganisms have long been known to survive within the brine inclusions of salt crystals, as evidenced by the change in color for salt crystals containing pigmented halophiles. However, the molecular mechanisms allowing this survival has remained an open question for decades. While protocols for the surface sterilization of halite (NaCl) have enabled isolation of cells and DNA from within halite brine inclusions, "-omics" based approaches have faced two main technical challenges: (1) removal of all contaminating organic biomolecules (including proteins) from halite surfaces, and (2) performing selective biomolecule extractions directly from cells contained within halite brine inclusions with sufficient speed to avoid modifications in gene expression during extraction.

Observational, Multicenter Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Cervical Disk Arthroplasty With Mobi-C in the Treatment of Cervical Degenerative Disk Disease. Results at 10 years Follow-Up.

Background: Cervical disk arthroplasty replacement (CDA) was developed to avoid specific disadvantages of cervical fusion. The purpose of this paper is to provide 10-year follow-up results of an ongoing prospective study after CDA.

Methods: Three hundred eighty-four patients treated using the Mobi-C (ZimVie, Troyes, France) were included in a prospective multicenter study.

Cyto- and bio-compatibility assessment of plasma-treated polyvinylidene fluoride scaffolds for cardiac tissue engineering.

As part of applications dealing with cardiovascular tissue engineering, drop-cast polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) scaffolds have been treated by cold plasma to enhance their adherence to cardiac cells. The scaffolds were treated in a dielectric barrier device where cold plasma was generated in a gaseous environment combining a carrier gas (helium or argon) with/without a reactive gas (molecular nitrogen). We show that an Ar-N plasma treatment of 10 min results in significant hydrophilization of the scaffolds, with contact angles as low as 52.

Postoperative meningocele after anterior cervical discectomy and arthroplasty on a case report.

Anterior dural tears complicated by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage with anterior meningocele are rare. Indeed, in the literature, cases are described during anterior arthrodesis, but no cases of post-cervical arthroplasty are described. The management of this type of complication is poorly described and not consensual.

Cold-Atmospheric Plasma Induces Tumor Cell Death in Preclinical In Vivo and In Vitro Models of Human Cholangiocarcinoma.

Through the last decade, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has emerged as an innovative therapeutic option for cancer treatment. Recently, we have set up a potentially safe atmospheric pressure plasma jet device that displays antitumoral properties in a preclinical model of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a rare and very aggressive cancer emerging from the biliary tree with few efficient treatments. In the present study, we aimed at deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor effects of CAP towards CCA in both an in vivo and in vitro context.

Stress mirror polishing for future large lightweight mirrors: design using shape optimization.

This study proposes a new way to manufacture large lightweight aspherics for space telescopes using stress mirror polishing (SMP). This technique is well known to allow reaching high quality optical surfaces in a minimum time period, thanks to a spherical full-size polishing tool. To obtain the correct surface's aspheric shape, it is necessary to define precisely the thickness distribution of the mirror to be deformed, according to the manufacturing parameters.

Anterior lumbar fusion techniques: ALIF, OLIF, DLIF, LLIF, IXLIF.

An anterior approach to the lumbar spine is increasingly used in performing fusion. Depending on the level to be treated, several approaches have been developed to deal with the anatomic obstacles encountered: pure anterior, oblique anterior or lateral, and trans- or pre-psoas. Conventional techniques incur risk of muscle lesion and severe bleeding, and have been replaced by minimally invasive approaches, often with video assistance after rapid closure of laparoscopic approaches with gas insufflation.

Clinical and radiological evaluation of cervical disc arthroplasty with 5-year follow-up: a prospective study of 384 patients.

Background: Cervical total disc replacement was developed to avoid known complications of cervical fusion. The purpose of this paper was to provide 5-year follow-up results of an ongoing prospective study after implantation of cervical disc prosthesis.

Methods: Three hundred and eighty-four patients were treated using Mobi-C cervical disc (Zimmer Biomet, Troyes, France) and included in a prospective multicentre study.

Adipose tissue protects against sepsis-induced muscle weakness in mice: from lipolysis to ketones.

Background: ICU-acquired weakness is a debilitating consequence of prolonged critical illness that is associated with poor outcome. Recently, premorbid obesity has been shown to protect against such illness-induced muscle wasting and weakness. Here, we hypothesized that this protection was due to increased lipid and ketone availability.

The Hepatic Glucocorticoid Receptor Is Crucial for Cortisol Homeostasis and Sepsis Survival in Humans and Male Mice.

Sepsis is hallmarked by hypercortisolemia, a stress response essential for survival. This elevation in plasma cortisol is partially brought about by suppressed hepatic cortisol breakdown. We demonstrate that a controlled downregulation of the hepatic glucocorticoid receptor (hepatic GR) is crucial.

Plasma-activation of tap water using DBD for agronomy applications: Identification and quantification of long lifetime chemical species and production/consumption mechanisms.

Cold atmospheric plasmas are weakly ionized gases that can be generated in ambient air. They produce energetic species (e.g.

On the Role of Illness Duration and Nutrient Restriction in Cholestatic Alterations that Occur During Critical Illness.

Background And Aims: Elevated markers of cholestasis are common in response to critical illness, and associated with adverse outcome. The role of illness duration and of nutrient restriction on underlying molecular pathways of such cholestatic responses have not been thoroughly investigated.

Methods: In a mouse model of surgery- and sepsis-induced critical illness, molecular pathways of cholestasis were investigated up to 7 days.

The Role of Autophagy in Critical Illness-induced Liver Damage.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which activates the unfolded protein response (UPR), mediate critical illness-induced organ failure, often affecting the liver. Autophagy is known to alleviate both and suppressed or insufficiently activated autophagy in prolonged illness has shown to associate with organ failure. Whether insufficient autophagy contributes to organ failure during critical illness by affecting these underlying mechanisms is incompletely understood.

Use of a Central Venous Line for Fluids, Drugs and Nutrient Administration in a Mouse Model of Critical Illness.

This protocol describes a centrally catheterized mouse model of prolonged critical illness. We combine the cecal ligation and puncture method to induce sepsis with the use of a central venous line for fluids, drugs and nutrient administration to mimic the human clinical setting. Critically ill patients require intensive medical support in order to survive.

Role of Glucagon in Catabolism and Muscle Wasting of Critical Illness and Modulation by Nutrition.

Rationale: Critical illness is hallmarked by muscle wasting and disturbances in glucose, lipid, and amino acid homeostasis. Circulating concentrations of glucagon, a catabolic hormone that affects these metabolic pathways, are elevated during critical illness. Insight in the nutritional regulation of glucagon and its metabolic role during critical illness is lacking.

Optimization and Preclinical Perception of an Artificial Simulator for Endodontic Training: A Preliminary Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of ceramic, hybrid ceramic, and commercial plastic bloc root canal simulator (RCS) as preclinical training aids in the learning phase of endodontic treatments. A previously developed hydroxyapatite ceramic RCS was improved by adding epoxy resin to the ceramic matrix to more closely mimic the organic phase of dentin and to simulate the clinical situation as realistically as possible. The sintered hydroxyapatite ceramic RCS was vacuum infiltrated with epoxy resin, and the degree of infiltration was evaluated by methylene blue staining.

Premorbid obesity, but not nutrition, prevents critical illness-induced muscle wasting and weakness.

Background: The 'obesity paradox' of critical illness refers to better survival with a higher body mass index. We hypothesized that fat mobilized from excess adipose tissue during critical illness provides energy more efficiently than exogenous macronutrients and could prevent lean tissue wasting.

Methods: In lean and premorbidly obese mice, the effect of 5 days of sepsis-induced critical illness on body weight and composition, muscle wasting, and weakness was assessed, each with fasting and parenteral feeding.

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Brussels, Belgium. 15-18 March 2016.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.].

Physical activity training in US medical schools: Preparing future physicians to engage in primary prevention.

Background: Medical professionals serve as influential sources of information and guidance for their patients. Medical school may be an opportune time to provide future physicians with training in physical activity (PA) so that it can be more effectively addressed in clinical practice.

Methods: To assess the inclusion and amount of PA training in US medical school curricula, we attempted to conduct structured interviews with the program directors of the 171 accredited US medical education programs in the spring of 2013.

Periodontal disease and stroke: a meta-analysis of cohort studies.

This review aimed to determine the association between periodontal disease and stroke incidence by a meta-analysis of cohort studies. Cohort studies that evaluated the incidence of stroke (fatal or non-fatal, ischaemic or haemorrhagic) and baseline periodontal status and calculated relative risk values were included. The quality of the included studies was assessed using an evaluation grid.

Effect of cationic and anionic surfactants on the application of calcium carbonate nanoparticles in paper coating.

Modification of calcium carbonate particles with surfactant significantly improves the properties of the calcium carbonate coating on paper. In this study, unmodified and CTAB (hexadecyltetramethylammonium bromide)- and oleate-modified calcium carbonate nanoparticles were prepared using the wet carbonation technique for paper coating. CTAB (cationic surfactant) and sodium oleate (anionic surfactant) were used to modify the size, morphology, and surface properties of the precipitated nanoparticles.