Visual Indicator for Intradialytic Hypotension Prediction Using Variation and Compensation of Heart Rate.

Background: To date, most intradialytic hypotension (IDH) studies have proposed technologies to comprehensively predict the occurrence of IDH using the patient's baseline information and ultrafiltration (UF) information, but it is difficult to apply the technologies while identifying the patient's condition in real time.

Methods: In this study, we propose an IDH indicator that uses heart rate (HR) change information to identify the patient's condition in real time and visually shows whether IDH has occurred. The data used were collected from 40 dialysis patients in a clinical trial conducted in the Artificial Kidney Unit at Yeungnam University Medical Center, Korea, from 18 July to 29 November 2023.

GloGen: PPG prompts for few-shot transfer learning in blood pressure estimation.

With the rapid advancements in machine learning, its applications in the medical field have garnered increasing interest, particularly in non-invasive health monitoring methods. Blood pressure (BP) estimation using Photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals presents a promising opportunity for real-time, continuous monitoring. However, existing models often struggle with generalization, especially for high-risk groups like hypotension and hypertension, where precise predictions are crucial.

Editorial for the Special Issue on Analysis, Design and Fabrication of Micromixers II.

Micromixers are important components of lab-on-a-chip systems, and also have many biological and chemical applications [...

Kinematic Properties of a Twisted Double Planetary Chaotic Mixer: A Three-Dimensional Numerical Investigation.

In this study, a numerical investigation based on the CFD method is carried out to study the unsteady laminar flow of Newtonian fluid with a high viscosity in a three-dimensional simulation of a twisted double planetary mixer, which is composed of two agitating rods inside a moving tank. The considered stirring protocol is a "Continuous sine squared motion" by using the dynamic mesh model and user-defined functions (UDFs)to define the velocity profiles. The chaotic advection is obtained in our active mixers by the temporal modulation of rotational velocities of the moving walls in order to enhance the mixing of the fluid for a low Reynolds number and a high Peclet number.

Evaluation of Hydrodynamic and Thermal Behaviour of Non-Newtonian-Nanofluid Mixing in a Chaotic Micromixer.

Three-dimensional numerical investigations of a novel passive micromixer were carried out to analyze the hydrodynamic and thermal behaviors of Nano-Non-Newtonian fluids. Mass and heat transfer characteristics of two heated fluids have been investigated to understand the quantitative and qualitative fluid faction distributions with temperature homogenization. The effect of fluid behavior and different AlO nanoparticles concentrations on the pressure drop and thermal mixing performances were studied for different Reynolds number (from 0.

Does the morphology of the umbilicus influence the incidence of surgical site infections in transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy?

Background: Transumbilical laparoscopic appendectomy (TULA) may be a feasible alternative to conventional laparoscopic appendectomy. However, a transumbilical incision may increase incisional surgical site infections (SSIs) compared to conventional laparoscopic appendectomy. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the morphology of the umbilicus and the incidence of SSIs in patients who underwent TULA.

Mixing Enhancement of Non-Newtonian Shear-Thinning Fluid for a Kenics Micromixer.

In this work, a numerical investigation was analyzed to exhibit the mixing behaviors of non-Newtonian shear-thinning fluids in Kenics micromixers. The numerical analysis was performed using the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) tool to solve 3D Navier-Stokes equations with the species transport equations. The efficiency of mixing is estimated by the calculation of the mixing index for different cases of Reynolds number.

Editorial for the Special Issue on Analysis, Design and Fabrication of Micromixers.

During the last couple of decades, there have been rapid developments in analysis, design, and fabrication of micromixers [...

Kinematic Measurements of Novel Chaotic Micromixers to Enhance Mixing Performances at Low Reynolds Numbers: Comparative Study.

In this work, a comparative investigation of chaotic flow behavior inside multi-layer crossing channels was numerically carried out to select suitable micromixers. New micromixers were proposed and compared with an efficient passive mixer called a Two-Layer Crossing Channel Micromixer (TLCCM), which was investigated recently. The computational evaluation was a concern to the mixing enhancement and kinematic measurements, such as vorticity, deformation, stretching, and folding rates for various low Reynolds number regimes.

Enhancement of Mixing Performance of Two-Layer Crossing Micromixer through Surrogate-Based Optimization.

Optimum configuration of a micromixer with two-layer crossing microstructure was performed using mixing analysis, surrogate modeling, along with an optimization algorithm. Mixing performance was used to determine the optimum designs at Reynolds number 40. A surrogate modeling method based on a radial basis neural network (RBNN) was used to approximate the value of the objective function.

A Review of Passive Micromixers with a Comparative Analysis.

A wide range of existing passive micromixers are reviewed, and quantitative analyses of ten typical passive micromixers were performed to compare their mixing indices, pressure drops, and mixing costs under the same axial length and flow conditions across a wide Reynolds number range of 0.01-120. The tested micromixers were selected from five types of micromixer designs.

Asymmetrical Split-and-Recombine Micromixer with Baffles.

The present work proposes a planar micromixer design comprising hybrid mixing modules of split-and-recombine units and curved channels with radial baffles. The mixing performance was evaluated numerically by solving the continuity and momentum equations along with the advection-diffusion equation in a Reynolds number range of 0.1-80.

Effects of Bridge-Shaped Microchannel Geometry on the Performance of a Micro Laminar Flow Fuel Cell.

A laminar flow micro fuel cell comprising of bridge-shaped microchannel is investigated to find out the effects of the cross-section shape of the microchannel on the performance. A parametric study is performed by varying the heights and widths of the channel and bridge shape. Nine different microchannel cross-section shapes are evaluated to find effective microchannel cross-sections by combining three bridge shapes with three channel shapes.

Single and Multi-Objective Optimization of a Three-Dimensional Unbalanced Split-and-Recombine Micromixer.

The three-dimensional geometry of a micromixer with an asymmetrical split-and-recombine mechanism was optimized to enhance the fluid-mixing capability at a Reynolds number of 20. Single and multi-objective optimizations were carried out by using particle swarm optimization and a genetic algorithm on a modeled surrogate surface. Surrogate modeling was performed using the computational results for the mixing.

Effectiveness of Antithymocyte Globulin Induction Dosing Regimens in Kidney Transplantation Patients: A Network Meta-analysis.

Background: Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) is an induction therapy in kidney transplantation, but our knowledge about the relation between outcomes and ATG regimens is limited. We compared ATG effectiveness in kidney transplantation according to dosage and administration schedule.

Methods: Reports from 1970 until May 2018 in CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Science Citation Index Expanded were searched.

Transumbilical Single-Incision Laparoscopic-Assisted Appendectomy (TULAA) Is Useful in Adults and Young Adolescents: Comparison with Multi-Port Laparoscopic Appendectomy.

Single-port laparoscopic appendectomy (SLA) in most previous studies has used intracorporeal excision of the appendix and needed a longer operative time than multi-port laparoscopic appendectomy (MLA), although SLA does have the potential benefit of an almost invisible scar within the umbilicus. Some studies have reported that extracorporeal transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy (TULAA) in children took a considerably reduced operative time compared to MLA. We adopted TULAA in adults, adding routine dissection of the peritoneal attachment of the appendix.

Editorial for the Special Issue on Passive Micromixers.

Micromixers are important components of microfluidic systems [...

Numerical and Experimental Study on Mixing Performances of Simple and Vortex Micro T-Mixers.

Vortex flow increases the interface area of fluid streams by stretching along with providing continuous stirring action to the fluids in micromixers. In this study, experimental and numerical analyses on a design of micromixer that creates vortex flow were carried out, and the mixing performance was compared with a simple micro T-mixer. In the vortex micro T-mixer, the height of the inlet channels is half of the height of the main mixing channel.

Multi-Objective Optimizations of a Serpentine Micromixer with Crossing Channels at Low and High Reynolds Numbers.

In order to maximize the mixing performance of a micromixer with an integrated three-dimensional serpentine and split-and-recombination configuration, multi-objective optimizations were performed at two different Reynolds numbers, 1 and 120, based on numerical simulation. Numerical analyses of fluid flow and mixing in the micromixer were performed using three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations and convection-diffusion equation. Three dimensionless design variables that were related to the geometry of the micromixer were selected as design variables for optimization.

Flavans and diphenylpropanes with PTP1B inhibition from Broussonetia kazinoki.

Three new (1a/1b and 2b) and five known flavans (2a, 6a/6b, 7, and 8), one new flavan glycoside (3), and two new (4 and 5) and six known 1,3-diphenylpropanes (9-14) were isolated from the twigs of Broussonetia kazinoki. Compounds 1, 2, and 6 are scalemic mixtures, and were resolved by chiral HPLC to provide 1a/1b, 2a/2b, and 6a/6b. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including NMR, MS, and ECD analyses.

Parametric Study of an Electroosmotic Micromixer with Heterogeneous Charged Surface Patches.

A T-shaped micromixer featuring electroosmotic flow with heterogeneous charged surface patches on the channel walls was analyzed, and an improved design was proposed to enhance mixing performance. Numerical analysis was performed using steady Navier-Stokes equations with an additional electrokinetic body force. The numerical results for species concentration were validated with available experimental data.

Parametric investigation on mixing in a micromixer with two-layer crossing channels.

This work presents a parametric investigation on flow and mixing in a chaotic micromixer consisting of two-layer crossing channels proposed by Xia et al. (Lab Chip 5: 748-755, 2005). The flow and mixing performance were numerically analyzed using commercially available software ANSYS CFX-15.

Could laparoscopic appendectomy in pregnant women affect obstetric outcomes? A multicenter study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the perioperative and obstetric outcomes of pregnant women between laparoscopic surgery and open surgery and to evaluate the predictive factors for overall obstetric outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of pregnant women who underwent appendectomy between January 2008 and June 2015 at six hospitals affiliated to Hallym University.

Results: Eighty patients were evaluated.

Comparison of short- and long-term outcomes of an early experience with robotic and laparoscopic-assisted resection for rectal cancer.

Background/aims: Robotic surgery is increasingly used for rectal cancer. We compared the short- and long-term outcomes between robotic- and laparoscopic-assisted resection for rectal cancer.

Methodology: A retrospective chart review was performed between 2006 and 2010.