Periodontitis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a major global health concern linked to significant morbidity and mortality. Recent research has explored the relationship between ASCVD and periodontitis, a prevalent inflammatory oral condition. Epidemiological studies have suggested a strong association between periodontitis and ASCVD, even proposing that periodontal disease could be a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular conditions.

A Pressure Sensing Device to Assist in Colonoscopic Procedures to Prevent Perforation-A Case Study.

Colonoscopy has a limited field of view because it relies solely on a small camera attached to the end of the scope and a screen displayed on a monitor. Consequently, the quality and safety of diagnosis and treatment depend on the experience and skills of the gastroenterologist. When a novice attempts to insert the colonoscope during the procedure, excessive pressure can sometimes be applied to the colon wall.

Ultrasonic fatigue analysis of 3D-printed carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

The development of 3D printing technologies using composite materials has revolutionized additive manufacturing. Using these technologies, various products can be fabricated with strengths beyond the limits of the strength of the polymer used. However, although parts manufactured using carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) 3D printing have excellent characteristics, research on their durability is lacking, making their application difficult in the real industry.

Loss of Sirtuin 6 in osteoblast lineage cells activates osteoclasts, resulting in osteopenia.

Adult bone homeostasis requires a fine-tuned balance between the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. This osteoblast-osteoclast coupling is therapeutically important because it limits the efficacy of most anabolic or anti-resorptive treatments for osteoporosis. Sirtuin6 (SIRT6), a histone deacetylase, was implicated recently as an important regulator in bone homeostasis, but its in vivo function in osteoblast lineage cells remains unclear, mainly due to a lack of in vivo experiments with osteoblast lineage-specific Sirt6 knockout mice.

2-Step Drop Impact Analysis of a Miniature Mobile Haptic Actuator Considering High Strain Rate and Damping Effects.

In recent times, the haptic actuators have been providing users with tactile feedback via vibration for a realistic experience. The vibration spring must be designed thin and small to use a haptic actuator in a smart device. Therefore, considerable interests have been exhibited with respect to the impact characteristics of these springs.

Friction and Wear Reduction of Eccentric Journal Bearing Made of Sn-Based Babbitt for Ore Cone Crusher.

An anti-friction Babbitt alloy-coated bearing made by a casting process is a journal bearing, which is used in an ore cone crusher eccentric. The main purpose of the Babbitt coated eccentric is to provide a low friction to support and guide a rotating shaft. Despite the fact that the Babbitt-coated eccentric offers a low friction coefficient and can be operated without a continuous supply of lubricant, it suffers from mining environments and short service life.

Pretreatment optimization of the biomass of Microcystis aeruginosa for efficient bioethanol production.

Microalgae are considered to be the future promising sources of biofuels and bio products. The algal carbohydrates can be fermented to bioethanol after pretreatment process. Efficient pretreatment of the biomass is one of the major requirements for commercialization of the algal based biofuels.

Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma: Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI findings correlated with pathologic features and prognosis.

Purpose: To evaluate gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) with special emphasis on correlation of MRI findings with histopathologic tumor characteristics and survival outcomes after curative surgery.

Materials And Methods: Our Institutional Review Board approved this study, with a waiver of informed consent. For 82 patients (64 men, 18 women; mean age, 54.

Enhancing the Feasibility of Microcystis aeruginosa as a Feedstock for Bioethanol Production under the Influence of Various Factors.

Microcystis aeruginosa, a freshwater microalga, is capable of producing and accumulating different types of sugars in its biomass which make it a good feedstock for bioethanol production. Present study aims to investigate the effect of different factors increasing growth rate and carbohydrates productivity of M. aeruginosa.

Design and verification of a novel hollow vibrating module for laser machining.

If a vibration module is added on laser machining system, the quality of surface finish and aspect ratio on metals can be significantly enhanced. In this study, a single mobility model of vibrating laser along the path of laser beam was put forward. In order to realize the desired unidirectional motion, a resonance type vibration module with optical lens was designed and manufactured.

Design of voice coil motor dynamic focusing unit for a laser scanner.

Laser scanning systems have been used for material processing tasks such as welding, cutting, marking, and drilling. However, applications have been limited by the small range of motion and slow speed of the focusing unit, which carries the focusing optics. To overcome these limitations, a dynamic focusing system with a long travel range and high speed is needed.

Feasibility of semiautomated MR volumetry using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI at hepatobiliary phase for living liver donors.

Purpose: To assess the feasibility of semiautomated MR volumetry using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI at the hepatobiliary phase compared with manual CT volumetry.

Methods: Forty potential live liver donor candidates who underwent MR and CT on the same day, were included in our study. Semiautomated MR volumetry was performed using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI at the hepatobiliary phase.

Acute outflow obstruction of hepatic veins in rabbits: quantitative analysis of hepatic perfusion with contrast-enhanced sonography.

Objectives: To compare time-enhancement curve parameters of contrast-enhanced sonography in acute partial hepatic venous outflow obstruction with those of a baseline study.

Methods: Contrast-enhanced sonography was performed in 11 rabbits with bolus administration of a sulfur hexafluoride contrast agent (0.1 mL/kg).

Note: Design of a novel ultraprecision in-plane XYθ positioning stage.

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and experimental results of a novel ultraprecision in-plane XYθ positioning stage with kinematic decoupling between translational motion and rotational motion components. Two translational motions are guided by four cymbal mechanisms that have both motion guide and motion amplifier. Four leaf springs guide a rotational motion amplified by a Scott-Russell linkage mechanism.

Ultralarge-area block copolymer lithography enabled by disposable photoresist prepatterning.

We accomplished truly scalable, low cost, arbitrarily large-area block copolymer lithography, synergistically integrating the two principles of graphoepitaxy and epitaxial self-assembly. Graphoepitaxy morphology composed of highly aligned lamellar block copolymer film that self-assembled within a disposable photoresist trench pattern was prepared by conventional I-line lithography and utilized as a chemical nanopatterning mask for the underlying substrate. After the block copolymer film and disposable photoresist layer were removed, the same lamellar block copolymer film was epitaxially assembled on the exposed chemically patterned substrate.

A new magnetic bearing using Halbach magnet arrays for a magnetic levitation stage.

Next-generation lithography requires a high precision stage, which is compatible with a high vacuum condition. A magnetic levitation stage with six degrees-of-freedom is considered state-of-the-art technology for a high vacuum condition. The noncontact characteristic of magnetic levitation enables high precision positioning as well as no particle generation.

Development of compact high precision two degree of freedom XY piezoelectric stepping positioner.

In this article, a linear piezoelectric stepping positioner developed by Kang et al. [Rev. Sci.

Development of compact high precision linear piezoelectric stepping positioner with nanometer accuracy and large travel range.

Many application areas such as semiconductor manufacture, precision optics alignment, and microbiological cell manipulation require ultraprecision positioning systems with a high positioning resolution and large motion range. This article describes the development of a compact high precision linear piezoelectric stepping positioner for precision alignment of optical elements. The positioner is designed to have a compact and symmetric structure, high positioning resolution, large motion range, high force density, adequate dynamic range, and power-off hold.

Hepatic arterial infusion alternating with systemic chemotherapy in patients with non-resectable hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.

Background And Aim: Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy has a number of limitations, including a low rate of complete response and frequent extrahepatic recurrence, in colorectal cancer patients with non-resectable hepatic metastases.

Methods: Twenty-nine colorectal cancer patients with non-resectable hepatic metastases were consecutively enrolled for HAI alternating with systemic chemotherapy (HA + SC group). The protocol comprised six cycles of alternating HAI (5-FU + leucovorin for 14 days, and mitomycin C on the first day) and systemic chemotherapy (5-FU + leucovorin).