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Objective: The present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of compression stockings for postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) prevention in patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the use of compression stockings for prevention of PTS were identified from the Medline, PubMed, and Embase databases as well as the Cochrane library. The resulting manuscripts were analyzed according to the criteria in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Results: Six RCTs involving 1465 patients with DVT were included. The meta-analysis indicated no statistical differences between the compression stocking and the control groups in PTS incidence, using either the Villalta scale (odds ratio [OR], 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-1.74) or the Ginsberg scale (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.72-1.77). Based on the Villalta scale categorization, there were no differences in the incidence of mild–moderate PTS (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.36-1.41) or incidence of severe PTS (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.15-3.11). The difference in the recurrence of venous thromboembolism (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.61-1.30) was also not significant. In the 3 RCTs that reported side effects of compression stockings, they were primarily related to discomfort, including itching, erythema, and rash. Conclusion: The present meta-analysis has indicated that compression stockings may not prevent PTS, as determined by either the Villalta or the Ginsberg scale, in patients with DVT. However, owing to the limited number of trials, the evidence is not strong enough to draw a reliable conclusion. Further larger, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trials are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this paper is to clarify the demographic, clinical and serologic characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overlap syndrome, known as ‘rhupus syndrome’. Methods: Between 1995 and 2012, 51 patients were classified as having rhupus among 3733 consecutive SLE patients. Rhupus was defined as a condition involving an overlap of RA and SLE features meeting the respective criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. The clinical and laboratory parameters of patients with rhupus syndrome were compared with those of 230 RA patients and 120 unselected SLE patients. Results: The age at the onset of rhupus was significantly younger than that of RA (p < 0.05), but similar to that of SLE. The initial manifestation was arthritis in 84.3% (43/51) of rhupus patients. Symptoms of SLE manifested after an average of 9.2 years. SLE was the initial diagnosis in 7.8% (four of 51) of patients, whereas both diseases developed simultaneously in 7.8% of the patients. SLE-associated manifestations were mild in rhupus syndrome, particularly neurologic disorders. Haematopoietic involvement was the most prominent systemic manifestation in rhupus patients. Conclusion: Rhupus syndrome constitutes a subgroup of patients with distinct demographic, clinical and immunological characteristics. RA typically presents first, and less-severe SLE-associated damage is apparent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NiAl-Cr(Mo) eutectic alloy doped with Dy was prepared by suction casting technique and its microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. It is found that with the addition of Dy, the Ni5Dy phase is formed along the NiAl/Cr(Mo) phase boundary in the intercellular region. By the suction casting method, the microstructure of the alloy get well optimisation which can be characterised by the fine interlamellar spacing, high proportion of eutectic cell area and fine homogeneous distributed Ni5Dy phase, The compression test results reveal that the room temperature and high temperature mechanical properties of the suction cast alloy improve significantly, compared with the conventionally cast alloy, [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of micro-Ru alloying addition on NiAl alloys were investigated by optical microscopy, SEM, X-ray diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction. The mechanical properties were characterised by Vickers microhardness measurement and compression tests at room temperature and various elevated temperatures. Micro-Ru alloying addition does not modify the crystal structure of NiAl alloys. However, local electronic structure may be modified owing to the specific site occupancy preference of Ru, smaller size difference between Ru and Al and different electronic nature of Ru and Ni. This is partially verified by the decrease of the long range order degree accurately measured via powder X-ray diffraction. As a result, a maximum softening effect occurs at 0·5 at.-%Ru addition indicated by Vickers microhardness measurement and compression testing results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer fibers are widely used in many industries, ranging from filtration, composites, tissue engineering, and electronics. The surface properties of polymer fibers are of importance in these applications. The surface properties of polymer fibers can be modified by different techniques. In this study, magnetron sputter coatings are used to generate functional nanostructures on polymer fiber surfaces. Conducting aluminum (Al) film, piezoelectric aluminum nitride (AlN) film, and ceramic film of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) are deposited onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers at low temperature. The surface topography and compositions of the funtionalized fibers are characterized by optical microscopy, scanning probe microscopy (SPM), and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The observations by SPM reveal the different morphology of the fibers with different coatings. The examination by the ESEM equipped with a full energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis indicates the change in the chemical compositions of the fiber surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical behaviour of polycrystalline Ni76Al23Zr alloy was studied as a function of heat treatment, environment, and temperature. It was found that the tensile ductility was very sensitive to temperature, the alloy showing low ductility at temperatures from 700 to 1000°C both in air and vacuum. Environmental embrittlement could be alleviated for those specimens with elongated grains. The ductile transgranular fracture was explained by stress concentration at the intersection of slip bands and grain boundaries. It was also found that an oxide layer, formed during tensile testing at elevated temperature, affected the environmental embrittlement of Ni3Al(Zr) alloy. An adherent Al rich oxide film was effective in protecting the underlying alloy from oxygen penetration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A randomized, comparative study undertaken in Nairobi, Kenya and a non-comparative evaluation undertaken in Carletonville, South Africa have both shown that a single oral dose of azithromycin 1 g is effective in the treatment of the genital ulcer disease (GUD), chancroid, with cure rates of 89% and 92% recorded respectively. While treatment failure was associated with human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity and lack of circumcision in Kenya, no such association could be found in the South African study. In both series, azithromycin treatment resulted in cure of both Haemophilus ducreyi culture-positive and culture-negative cases of GUD, including two cases subsequently diagnosed as lymphogranuloma venereum. A combination of single-dose azithromycin with single-dose benzathine penicillin may provide effective 'single-visit' syndromic treatment for GUD in many developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]