Shifting perspectives on coastal impacts and adaptation

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports reflect evolving attitudes in adapting to sea-level rise by taking a systems approach and recognizing that multiple responses exist to achieve a less hazardous coast.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Surface topography of hydroxyapatite affects ROS17/2.8 cells response

Hydroxyapatite (HA) has been used in orthopedic, dental, and maxillofacial surgery as a bone substitute. The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of surface topography produced by the presence of microporosity on cell response, evaluating: cell attachment, cell morphology, cell proliferation, total protein content, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. HA discs with different percentages of microporosity (< 5%, 15%, and 30%) were confected by means of the combination of uniaxial powder pressing and different sintering conditions. ROS17/2.8 cells were cultured on HA discs. For the evaluation of attachment, cells were cultured for two hours. Cell morphology was evaluated after seven days. After seven and fourteen days, cell proliferation, total protein content, and ALP activity were measured. Data were compared by means of ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range test, when appropriate. Cell attachment (p = 0.11) and total protein content (p = 0.31) were not affected by surface topography. Proliferation after 7 and 14 days (p = 0.0007 and p = 0.003, respectively), and ALP activity (p = 0.0007) were both significantly decreased by the most irregular surface (HA30). These results suggest that initial cell events were not affected by surface topography, while surfaces with more regular topography, as those present in HA with 15% or less of microporosity, favored intermediary and final events such as cell proliferation and ALP activity

A first-principles study of oxygen vacancy pinning of domain walls in PbTiO3

We have investigated the interaction of oxygen vacancies and 180-degree domain walls in tetragonal PbTiO3 using density-functional theory. Our calculations indicate that the vacancies do have a lower formation energy in the domain wall than in the bulk, thereby confirming the tendency of these defects to migrate to, and pin, the domain walls. The pinning energies are reported for each of the three possible orientations of the original Ti-O-Ti bonds, and attempts to model the results with simple continuum models are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, with 3 postscript figures embedded. Uses REVTEX and epsf macros. Also available at http://www.physics.rutgers.edu/~dhv/preprints/lh_dw/index.htm

PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS AND THE RISK OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASES: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are most widely used medications for acid related gastrointestinal disorders. Accessible evidence based studies suggest that the increased use of PPI is linked to a greater risk of developing kidney diseases. This review aims to determine the association of kidney disease with the use of proton pump inhibitor with various study designs. PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases as well as a reference list of relevant articles were systematically searched for studies by using the following search terms; ‘proton pump inhibitors’, ‘acute kidney injury’, ‘chronic kidney disease’ and ‘end stage renal disease’. Both observational and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exploring the association of PPI use with kidney disease were eligible for inclusion. A total of 8 articles, including 9 studies (n = 794,349 participants) were identified and included in the review. Majority of the studies showed a higher risk of kidney outcomes in patients taking PPIs, with effect higher of acute kidney injury (4-to 6-fold) compared with chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease (1.5-to 2.5-fold). However, the studies suggest that the strength of evidence is weak and could not prove causation. The risk increased considerably with the use of high dose of PPIs and prolonged duration of exposure necessitates the monitoring of renal function. Exercising vigilance in PPI use and cessation of proton pump inhibitor when there is no clear indication may be a reasonable approach to reduce the population burden of kidney diseases

Medial epicondyle fractures in children: a study of functional outcome of surgical fixation

Background: Medial epicondyle fracture is a common elbow injury in children. It is associated with elbow dislocation in many cases. Treatment of displaced medial epicondyle fracture with and without elbow dislocation is a debated topic. Surgical and non surgical methods are practiced with variable results.Methods: Our study was a prospective study of medial epicondyle fractures treated by surgical fixation with k wires. We studied total of 24 cases out of which 15 had elbow dislocation. The study period was from 2012 to 2015 and indications for surgery were displacement more than 5 mm, elbow instability, incarceration of fragment, ulnar nerve irritation. Open reduction and internal fixation with K wire done. We used joystick method while reducing the fragment with k wire which was a great help. We assessed the cases using mayo elbow performance score.Results: Our study yielded excellent results in 92% of patients (mayo elbow performance score &gt;90). There was no major difference in clinical outcome between two groups of patients. Complications like instability and non-union not seen following surgical fixation with K wires. The mean loss of flexion, extension, supination, and pronation was 4, 5, 3 and 2 degrees respectively with elbow dislocation group and 2, 3, 1, 1 in without dislocation group. Pre op instability seen in 54% patients was absent in follow up period. Stiffness was more in elbow dislocation group but overall performance was almost equal.Conclusions: Surgical fixation of medial epicondyle fractures yields excellent results and may be advisable when indicated