Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Lung Involvement: A Comprehensive Review.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with multiorgan manifestations, including pleuropulmonary involvement (20-90%). The precise mechanism of pleuropulmonary involvement in SLE is not well-understood; however, systemic type 1 interferons, circulating immune complexes, and neutrophils seem to play essential roles. There are eight types of pleuropulmonary involvement: lupus pleuritis, pleural effusion, acute lupus pneumonitis, shrinking lung syndrome, interstitial lung disease, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH), pulmonary arterial hypertension, and pulmonary embolism.

Role of injection laryngoplasty in preventing post-stroke aspiration pneumonia, case series report.

Introduction: Injection laryngoplasty is a common procedure for patients with vocal fold dysfunction, but the literature on its benefits has been mainly focused on those related to structural lesions or laryngeal nerve involvement. Stroke patients may be at increased risk of aspiration due to insufficient vocal fold motion. However, how injection laryngoplasty can be of benefit in stroke patients has not been reported yet.

Quantitative Analysis of Microstructures and Reaction Interfaces on Composite Cathodes in All-Solid-State Batteries Using a Three-Dimensional Reconstruction Technique.

The composite cathode of an all-solid-state battery composed of various solid-state components requires a dense microstructure and a highly percolated solid-state interface different from that of a conventional liquid-electrolyte-based Li-ion battery. Indeed, the preparation of such a system is particularly challenging. In this study, quantitative analyses of composite cathodes by three-dimensional reconstruction analysis were performed beyond the existing qualitative analysis, and their microstructures and reaction interfaces were successfully analyzed.

Determining Peak Cough Flow Cutoff Values to Predict Aspiration Pneumonia Among Patients With Dysphagia Using the Citric Acid Reflexive Cough Test.

Objective: To investigate the clinical usefulness of the peak cough flow generated during the citric acid reflexive cough test (0.28 mol/L) by determining the appropriate cutoff values that could accurately predict aspiration pneumonia within the first 6 months after onset.

Design: Retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database.

Reduced Diaphragm Excursion During Reflexive Citric Acid Cough Test in Subjects With Subacute Stroke.

Background: Diaphragm excursion is limited during respiratory maneuvers after a stroke. How the diaphragm is limited during reflexive coughs and affects the effectiveness of cough in stroke patients is unclear. This study aimed to measure reflexive cough strength by cough peak flow (CPF) induced by citric acid nebulization (2.

Comparative Skin Evaluation After Split-Thickness Skin Grafts Using 2 Different Acellular Dermal Matrices to Cover Composite Forearm Defects.

Purpose: The combination of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and split-thickness skin graft (STSG) has been widely adopted to overcome functional and cosmetic limitations of conventional STSG. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of this combination using 2 types of ADM: cadaveric acellular dermal matrix (CDM) and bovine acellular dermal matrix (BDM).

Methods: We recruited 72 patients undergoing autologous STSG to cover radial forearm free flap donor sites.

Simple Correction of Alar Retraction by Conchal Cartilage Extension Grafts.

Background: Alar retraction is a challenging condition in rhinoplasty marked by exaggerated nostril exposure and awkwardness. Although various methods for correcting alar retraction have been introduced, none is without drawbacks. Herein, we report a simple procedure that is both effective and safe for correcting alar retraction using only conchal cartilage grafting.

Influence of Oxygen Gas Ratio on the Properties of Aluminum-Doped Zinc Oxide Films Prepared by Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtering.

Aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) thin films were deposited on glass and polyimide substrates using radio frequency magnetron sputtering. We investigated the effects of the oxygen gas ratio on the properties of the AZO films for Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-film solar cell applications. The structural and optical properties of the AZO thin films were measured using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and UV-Visible-NIR spectrophotometry.

Optimization of CdS Buffer Layer for High Efficiency CIGS Solar Cells.

In present work, effects of the thickness on the structural and optical properties of chemically deposited CdS thin films were investigated. In addition, we fabricated Cu(In, Ga)Se2 solar cells with various thicknesses of CdS buffer layer and optimized the thickness for a high efficiency. When the CdS thin films were thicker, the crystallinity improved but the transmittance decreased.

Diagnostic Value of Elevated D-Dimer Level in Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Acute or Subacute Brain Lesions.

Objective: To define the risk factors that influence the occurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with acute or subacute brain lesions and to determine the usefulness of D-dimer levels for VTE screening of these patients.

Methods: Medical data from January 2012 to December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Mean D-dimer levels in those with VTE versus those without VTE were compared.