Mesoscopic ring element growth and deformation induced biofilm streamer evolution in microfluidic channels.

In a fluid environment, biofilms usually form and grow into streamers attached to solid surfaces. Existing research on single streamers studied their formation and failure modes. In the experiment on biofilm growth in a microfluidic channel, we found that rings composed of bacteria and an extracellular matrix are important elements on a mesoscopic scale.

Retroperitoneal Castlemans disease mimicking a liver cancer: a case report.

Castleman disease (CD), a distinct lymphoproliferative disorder, is infrequently encountered in clinical practice and poses significant diagnostic challenges. We present the case of a 48-year-old asymptomatic female, admitted for evaluation of a hepatic mass detected in the liver's right lobe. Preoperative laboratory tests were within normal limits.

The porous structure induced heterogeneous and localized failure of the biofilm in microfluidic channels.

Understanding the mechanism of biofilm distribution and detachment is very important to effectively improve water treatment and prevent blockage in porous media. The existing research is more related to the local biofilm evolving around one or few microposts and the lack of the integral biofilm evolution in a micropost array for a longer growth period. This study combines microfluidic experiments and mathematical simulations to study the distribution and detachment of biofilm in porous media.

Clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes of acute pancreatitis among patients with COVID-19.

Objective: The existing literature on the combination of acute pancreatitis (AP) and COVID-19 is scarce. The objective of our study is to compare the clinical outcomes and occurrence of long COVID syndrome in AP patients with and without COVID-19, while investigating the potential impact of COVID-19 on the severity, mortality rate, and long COVID syndrome in these patients.

Methods: This retrospective, observational study was conducted at a single center.

Xanthogranulomatous inflammation involving the gallbladder, bile duct, and pancreas: a case report.

Xanthogranulomatous inflammation (XGI) is a rare, benign condition that can affect several organs, including the gallbladder, kidney, skin, gastrointestinal tract, lymph nodes, and soft tissues. It is often misdiagnosed as a malignancy. In this report, we present the case of a 79-year-old male who presented with persistent jaundice for 11 months.

Comparative outcomes of single-incision laparoscopic, mini-laparoscopic, four-port laparoscopic, three-port laparoscopic, and single-incision robotic cholecystectomy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Benign gallbladder diseases are common in surgery department, and the laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard procedure for benign diseases of gallbladder. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is conventionally performed using four laparoscopic ports. However, the clinical application of different LCs is equivocal and there is no comprehensive comparison to explore which surgical options could benefit patients with benign gallbladder diseases.

Matrix-producing cells formed 'Van Gogh bundles' facilitate Bacillus subtilis biofilm self-healing.

Biofilms grow and expand through cell differentiation into various phenotypes, which have different functions and cooperate with each other. In our experiments, we find that biofilms can heal after damaged, and we also find there is a special structure near the cut, which is called the 'Van Gogh bundles' by Jordi et al. because of its resemblance to Van Gogh's famous painting 'The Starry Night'.

Biofilm streamer growth dynamics in various microfluidic channels.

Biofilms are microbial colonies that are encapsulated in extracellular polymers secreted by cells through their proliferation and differentiation. Biofilms exist on solid surfaces, liquid surfaces, or in liquid media, where the growth of the bacterial biofilm is closely related to the velocity of the secondary flow, main flow, and geometry of the channel, which are difficult to measure in a natural fluid environment, making the study of the biofilm streamer growth process difficult. In this study, we used microfluidic channels made of polydimethylsiloxane to study the growth dynamics of biofilm streamers.

Effect of microfluidic channel geometry on Bacillus subtilis biofilm formation.

Biofilms are microbial colonies encased in an extracellular polymer matrix self-secreted through bacterial proliferation and differentiation. Biofilms exist almost everywhere such as sewers, rivers and oceans. In the fluid environment, the formation of biofilms is closely related to the relevant parameters of the flow field, such as the shear stress, the secondary flow, and the Reynolds number.

Osmotic pressure induced by extracellular matrix drives Bacillus subtilis biofilms' self-healing.

The formation of bacterial biofilms is due to the bacteria adhering to the contact surface, secreting exopolysaccharide (EPS) and proteins, which make a large number of bacteria aggregate to form communities. In our experiments, we find that biofilms can heal after being destroyed like cut. To understand how biofilms self-heal, we use a diffusion-reaction continuum model to simulate the biofilm self-healing process, by using the extended finite element and level set method through MATLAB.

Cell differentiation and motion determine the Bacillus subtilis biofilm morphological evolution under the competitive growth.

The growth discrepancy of Bacillus subtilis biofilms along different directions under the competitive growth drive the formation of anisotropic biofilm morphology directly. Two biofilms growing from two inoculating positions with different distances exhibit promoting or inhibiting growth behavior. Here we develop an optical imaging technology to observe the cell differentiation and the growth dynamics when the biofilm grows.

Geophysical implications for the formation of the Tamu Massif-the Earth's largest single volcano-within the Shatsky Rise in the northwest Pacific Ocean.

Recent geophysical research programs survey the Tamu Massif within the Shatsky Rise oceanic plateau in the northwest Pacific Ocean to understand the formation of this immense volcano and to test the formation hypotheses of large igneous province volcanism. Massive sheet basalt flows are cored from the Tamu Massif, implying voluminous eruptions with high effusion rates. Seismic reflection data show that the Tamu Massif is the largest single volcano on Earth, characterized by a central volcanic shield with low-gradient flank slopes, implying lava flows emanating from its center and spreading massive area on the seafloor.

Fabrication of hollow spheres by dry-gel conversion and its application in the selective hydrodesulfurization of FCC gasoline.

Hollow spheres were synthesized from MCM-41 solid spheres by dry-gel conversion. It was found that water amount has a major impact on the formation of hollow spheres. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed that the hollow spheres are between 500 and 600 nm in size with a dense shell of ca.

[Catalytic removal of NO on modified precious catalyst].

The streams of waste gases containing NO from industries would cause seriously pollution on the environment if they are directly discharged without further purification. The property of removal of NO from the waste gas at lower temperature performed on platinum catalyst by reduction with NH3 was investigated. Experimental study showed that the precious catalyst, platinum, had good activity at low temperature and high selectivity of catalytic removal of NO from the waste gas by ammonia.