Improved methodology for efficient establishment of the myocardial ischemia-reperfusion model in pigs through the median thoracic incision

To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of establishing porcine ischemia-reperfusion models by ligating the left anterior descending(LAD)coronary artery,we first randomly divided 16 male Bama pigs into a sham group and a model group.After anesthesia,we separated the arteries and veins.Subsequently,we rapidly located the LAD coronary artery at the beginning of its first diagonal branch through a mid-chest incision.Then,we loosened and released the ligation line after five minutes of pre-occlusion.Finally,we ligated the LAD coronary artery in situ two minutes later and loosened the ligature 60 min after ischemia.Compared with the sham group,electrocardiogram showed multiple continuous lead ST-segment elevations,and ultrasound cardiogram showed significantly lower ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening at one hour and seven days post-operation in the model group.Twenty-four hours after the operation,cardiac troponin T and creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme levels significantly increased in the model group,compared with the sham group.Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed the presence of many inflammatory cells infiltrating the interstitium of the myocardium in the model group but not in the sham group.Masson staining revealed a significant increase in infarct size in the ischemia/reperfusion group.All eight pigs in the model group recovered with normal sinus heart rates,and the survival rate was 100%.In conclusion,the method can provide an accurate and stable large animal model for preclinical research on ischemia/reperfusion with a high success rate and homogeneity of the myocardial infarction area.

Biomechanical characterization of a novel ring connector for sutureless aortic anastomosis

The surgical treatment for aortic diseases remains a challenge for any cardiac surgeon. The use of sutureless ring connector in aortic anastomosis can simplify the procedure and shorten anastomosis time. Therefore, we developed a novel device for sutureless aortic anastomosis. A series of experiments were carried out for tensile and leakproofcapacity assessments to verify the feasibility of the ring connector by using fresh swine aorta samples. In in vivo test,the ring connector was implanted in 6 swine with follow-up of 6 months. Radiographic and pathological studies of the aorta were performed. In the tensile tests, the strength was 32.7±5.9 Newton(N) in the sutureless anastomosis group,compared with 73.3±12.5 N in the control group by traditional manual suture. In the leakproof-capacity assessment,no sign of either leakage or bursting was evident at 280 mmHg of internal pressure in the aorta samples. In in vivo tests,it took 9.47±0.3 minutes for the sutureless anastomosis, compared with 15.58± 1.39 minutes for hand-sewn suturing. Insertion was easy and rapid. Radiographic and pathological studies were performed at first month, third month and sixth month after surgery, each time obtained from the two swine, showed patency of the anastomosis and no signs of stenosis, blood leakage, migration or pseudoaneurysm formation, except one paralyzed swine developed of thrombo-occlusion at the site of the sutureless anastomosis. The result indicates that this novel ring connector offers considerable promise for sutureless aortic anastomosis.

Influence of morphology on high-temperature rheological properties of bitumen modified with styrene-butadiene-styrene(SBS)copolymer

Different microstructures of the same polymer-modified bitumen(PMB)were obtained by subjecting the bitumen modified with styrene-butadiene-styrene(SBS)copolymer to isothermal annealing at various temperatures.The effects of the morphology on the rheological properties of SBS-modified bitumen were investigated within the hightemperature range.The PMB microstructures were quantitatively evaluated using image analysis.A dynamic shear rheometer was used to measure the rheological parameters of the PMB samples and perform the multiple stress creep and recovery(MSCR)test.A quantitative basis could be established on which to discuss the relationship between the PMB morphology and rheology.The image analysis indicated that conditioning by isothermal annealing evidently led to a difference in the microstructure of the samples.Variation of the thermal history is demonstrated to be a practical way to vary the morphology of the PMB with the same raw materials and formulation.Compared with the two-phase morphology,the single-phase microstructure tended to have a narrower linear viscoelastic(LVE)region of the PMB.Within the LVE region,especially at low frequencies,the homogenous PMB can store more energy when experiencing loadings and is more elastic.Outside the LVE region,based on the MSCR test results,the homogenous morphology could assist in reaching a higher percentage of strain recovery after the creep period.

Chemical and rheological analysis of unaged and aged bio-extended binders containing lignin

The use of alternative renewable sources to totally or partially replace bitumen is one of the most current challenges in the road pavement sector.The growing energy cost and environmental concerns lead to the necessity to find alternative solutions,by supporting at the same time sustainability and circular economy principles.Within this framework,this paper presents the application of a powder lignin,a natural bio-polymer deriving from byproducts of wood pulp and paper industry,to replace part of bitumen.The bituminous blend consisting in 70%of bitumen and 30%of powder lignin(by weight)was made in laboratory through the use of a high shear stirring mixer,and a reference plain bitumen characterized by a similar consistency(i.e.,same penetration grade)was used as comparison.Then,an extensive investigation on chemical and rheological properties of the bio-binder is presented.Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),saturates,aromatics,resins and asphaltenes(SARA),bending beam rheometer(BBR),frequency sweep tests and multiple stress creep recovery tests(MSCR)with a dynamic shear rheometer(DSR)were performed.Moreover,unaged,short-and long-term aging conditions were considered.Results indicated that powder lignin dominates the rheological behavior of the bio-binder and,from chemical analysis,it seems that it partially acts as a filler and partially as a binder.This would result in improved performances at both low and high temperatures,leading to a wider temperature range of performance grade(PG).Moreover,despite a stiffening effect is recognized,lignin also offers an antioxidant potentiality,reducing the aging susceptibility of the investigated bio-binder.

Chemical,morphological and rheological characterization of bitumen partially replaced with wood bio-oil:Towards more sustainable materials in road pavements

Nowadays,sustainability and circular economy are two principles to be pursued in all fields.In road pavement engineering,they can be put into practice through the partial substitution of bitumen with industrial residues and by-products deriving from renewable materials.Within this framework,this paper presents an extensive investigation of the chemical,morphological and rheological properties of bio-binders obtained by mixing a conventional 50/70 bitumen with different percentages by weight(0,5%,10%and 15%)of a renewable bio-oil,generated as a residue in the processing of wood into pulp and paper.Results show that overall the bio-oil provides a softening effect,which,in terms of performance,leads to an improvement of the low-temperature behaviour and fatigue resistance with respect to the control bitumen,in spite of an increased tendency to permanent deformation.Although no chemical reaction appears to occur after blending,the peculiarities of the bio-oil affect the chemistry of the resulting bio-binders,whereas no phase separation is observed from the microscopic analysis.In addition,a Newtonian behaviour,an unchanged temperature susceptibility and a good fitting of 1 S2 P1 D model to the rheological data are found,regardless of the bio-oil percentage considered.These promising outcomes suggest that such bio-binders can be favourably employed for several applications in road pavements.