A type of graft macroinitiator, synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) and atom transfer radical polymerization, was employed to prepare polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) with graft copolymer matrix; meanwhile, a linear macroinitiator was also synthesized via RAFT polymerization. The effect of linear and graft macroinitiators on the electro-optical (EO) properties of the PDLCs was investigated. The results showed that the graft macroinitiator could make a large difference to the EO properties of the PDLCs. The memory effect was reduced remarkably, but the driving voltage increased and transmittance decreased. A possible mechanism is presented.
Background: We previously reported the techniques for total endoscopic atrial septal defect (ASD) repair on hearts arrested with cardioplegia through three small incisions in the chest wall without aid of a surgical robotic system. The optimal results motivated us to use total thoracoscopic technology for ASD on perfused beating hearts. Methods: From 2010 to 2017, 161 patients with a mean age of 28.31±12.34 years who underwent nonrobotically assisted total thoracoscopic closure for ASD were included in this study, and those patients were also divided into two groups, including group A and group B. In group A, 115 patients underwent the procedure on beating hearts without aorta cross-clamped; in group B, 46 patients underwent the procedure on hearts arrested with cardioplegia with aorta cross-clamped. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was peripherally achieved as well. Results: Total thoracoscopic ASD closures were successfully performed without in-hospital mortality or other serious complications in all patients of both groups. Dacron or bovine patches were used in 81 and 32 patients in the two groups, respectively. Duration of operation, duration of CPB, aorta cross-clamped time, duration of mechanical ventilation, the length of intensive care unit (ICU) and post-operative hospital stay in group A, were all shorter than those in group B (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in blood transfusion during operation or post-operation thoracic drainage. During follow-up, echocardiograms at 3, 30, 90 and 365, showed no residual shunt or tricuspid regurgitation. Conclusions: Total thoracoscopic closure of ASD without assistance of a surgical robotic system on beating heart is safe and feasible and can be used as a therapeutic option for ASD, and by using the mentioned technique, less injuries are applied to patients.
The
accumulation of ice and contaminants on the surface of composite
insulators will cause high energy consumption or even major hazards
to power systems. In this work, the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone
rubber was modified by surface micropatterning and material compositing.
Highly crosslinked poly(cyclotriphosphazene-co-4,4′-sulfonyldiphenol)
(PZS) was used to directly coat ferroferric oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles. The obtained core–shell Fe3O4@PZS microspheres were loaded with carbon nanotubes
(CNTs) to get CNTs/Fe3O4@PZS as the photothermal
magnetic filler. The PDMS/CNTs/Fe3O4@PZS surfaces
with micronscale truncated cones were prepared via a combined method
of compression molding and magnetic attraction. The 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane-coated
template and magnetic field can increase the height of the microstructure
to ∼76 μm and maintain the contact angle of microstructured
PDMS/CNTs/Fe3O4@PZS surfaces at a high level
(∼152°). Compared with the flat PDMS surface, the micronscale
truncated cones extend the freezing time from 4.5 to 11.5 min and
also undermine the ice adhesion strength from ∼25 to ∼17
kPa for the microstructured PDMS/CNTs/Fe3O4@PZS
surface. The temperature of the PDMS/CNTs/Fe3O4@PZS surface molded with magnetic attraction increases linearly with
time and the internal magnetic fillers and achieves 280 °C in
10 s. The efficiency of temperature rise is increased by ∼46%,
and hence the entire frozen water droplet can melt within 20 s. The
strategy combining active deicing with passive anti-icing undoubtedly
promotes the development of high efficiency anti-icing materials and
can be applied on insulators to prevent icing flashover.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) results from an abnormal accumulation of lipids within hepatocytes, and is commonly associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia. Metformin is commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and, in recent years, it was found to play a potential role in the amelioration of NAFLD. However, the mechanisms underlying the protective effect of metformin against NAFLD remain largely unknown. Transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a master transcriptional regulator of lysosomal biogenesis and autophagy and, when activated, is effective against disorders of lipid metabolism. However, the role of TFEB in hepatic steatosis is not well understood. In this report, we demonstrate that the activity of TFEB is reduced in the liver of mice fed a high-fat diet. Metformin treatment significantly reverses the activity of TFEB, and the protective effect of metformin against hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance is dependent on TFEB. We show that metformin-induced autophagy is regulated by TFEB, and our findings reveal that TFEB acts as a mediator, linking metformin with autophagy to reverse NAFLD, and highlight that TFEB may be a promising molecular target for the treatment of NAFLD.
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