OBJECTIVE Portal pressure gradient (PPG) after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) <12 mmHg has been reported as the only factor predictive of increase in platelet count. As flow velocities measured on Doppler ultrasound are related to pressure gradient based on the Bernoulli equation, we used this parameter to predict increased platelet count after TIPS placement. METHODS A ...

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the fracture toughness epoxy-based graphene nanocomposites. single edge notched bending (SENB) samples with precrack tips were created by either tapping or sliding methods. For method, a tap conducted on razor blade such crack length 2 mm instantly propagated. slid forward and backward into samples, generated edge. SENB loadings (0.15 0.3 wt%) s...

This paper presents a novel method for the attachment of a 1.8-nm Au nanoparticle (Au-NP) to the tip of an atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe through the application of a current-limited bias voltage. The resulting probe is capable of picking up individual objects at the sub-4-nm scale. We also discuss the mechanisms involved in the attachment of the Au-NP to the very apex of an AFM probe tip....

BACKGROUND Review of studies published in medical education journals over the last decade reveals a diversity of pedagogical approaches and educational goals related to teaching reflection. AIM The following tips outline an approach to the design, implementation, and evaluation of reflection in medical education. METHOD The method is based on the available literature and the author's experi...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a new therapeutic modality for variceal bleeding. In this study we compared the two year survival and rebleeding rates in cirrhotic patients treated by either variceal band ligation or TIPS for variceal bleeding. METHODS Eighty cirrhotic patients (Pugh score 7-12) with variceal bleeding were randomly allocated to ...

Analysis of the emission pattern from optical diffuser tips is vital to their usage in biomedical applications, especially as they find growing functionality beyond established phototherapy techniques. The use of ultraviolet radiation with diffuser tips increases the need to accurately characterize these devices, both for effective application and to avoid potentially dangerous exposure conditi...

Microtubules are tubular biopolymers of the cytoplasm. They play numerous critical roles in a cell such as providing mechanical support and structural tracks for the anchoring and transport of chromosomes, organelles, and vesicles. They also form the microtubule assembly, which is critical for the coordination of mitosis and cell migration. The most dynamic part of the assembly are the microtub...

Individual metal alloy nanowires of constant diameter and high aspect ratio have previously been self-assembled at selected locations on atomic force microscope (AFM) probes by the method reported in Yazdanpanah et al (2005 J. Appl. Phys. 98 073510). This process relies on the room temperature crystallization of an ordered phase of silver-gallium. A parallel version of this method has been impl...

BACKGROUND In refractory ascites/hydrothorax (RA), uncovered transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is shown to be superior to large-volume therapeutic paracentesis (LVP) for long-term control of ascites, but at a cost of increased risk of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Use of covered TIPS has shown to improve shunt patency rate over uncovered TIPS. This retrospective analysis was p...

Introduction and Aim: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS). It is associated with a reduced quality of life and poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to compare two groups of patients who did and did not develop overt HE after TIPS. We looked for differences between these groups before TIPS. MATERIALS AND METHODS A...