Research Progress of Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy

Colorectal cancer ranks third in the global cancer data in 2020. Colorectal scope is the most effective method to diagnose colorectal diseases such as benign and malignant colorectal tumors. The poor quality of intestinal preparation causes an increased rate of missed diagnosis of colorectal tumors, reduces the rate of cecal intubation for colorectal examination, increases the discomfort, and reduces the compliance of re-examination. Therefore, we should try our best to improve the quality of intestinal preparation. This study reviewed the latest advances related to the preoperative preparation for colonoscopy. Recent research shows that smartphone apps can provide more detailed education and guidance on bowel preparation;Pre-packaged foods are more suitable as a way to eat before colonoscopy. The use of smaller doses, better taste of cathartic agents, and some auxiliary measures, combined with the patient’s situation to provide personalized intestinal preparation measures to improve the quality of intestinal preparation. Starting from the quality of colonoscopy bowel preparation, continuous improvement of patients’ tolerance to bowel preparation, continuous improvement of bowel preparation plan based on individual factors’ needs, and better communication with examined subjects by using existing scientific information technology, may be the hot spot of colonoscopy bowel preparation research in the next few years.

Characterization, preparation, and reuse of metallic powders for laser powder bed fusion: a review

Laser powder bed fusion(L-PBF) has attracted significant attention in both the industry and academic fields since its inception, providing unprecedented advantages to fabricate complex-shaped metallic components. The printing quality and performance of L-PBF alloys are infuenced by numerous variables consisting of feedstock powders, manufacturing process,and post-treatment. As the starting materials, metallic powders play a critical role in infuencing the fabrication cost, printing consistency, and properties. Given their deterministic roles, the present review aims to retrospect the recent progress on metallic powders for L-PBF including characterization, preparation, and reuse. The powder characterization mainly serves for printing consistency while powder preparation and reuse are introduced to reduce the fabrication costs.Various powder characterization and preparation methods are presented in the beginning by analyzing the measurement principles, advantages, and limitations. Subsequently, the effect of powder reuse on the powder characteristics and mechanical performance of L-PBF parts is analyzed, focusing on steels, nickel-based superalloys, titanium and titanium alloys, and aluminum alloys. The evolution trends of powders and L-PBF parts vary depending on specific alloy systems, which makes the proposal of a unified reuse protocol infeasible. Finally,perspectives are presented to cater to the increased applications of L-PBF technologies for future investigations. The present state-of-the-art work can pave the way for the broad industrial applications of L-PBF by enhancing printing consistency and reducing the total costs from the perspective of powders.

Insight into demand-driven preparation of single-atomic mediators for lithium–sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur(Li-S) batteries have attracted considerable attention as one of the most appealing energy storage systems.Strenuous efforts have been devoted to tackling the tremendous challenges,mainly pertaining to the severe shuttle effect,sluggish redox kinetics and lithium dendritic growth.Single-atomic mediators as promising candidates exhibit impressive performance in addressing these intractable issues.Related research often utilizes a trial-and-error approach,proposing solutions to fabricate single-atomic materials with diversified features.However,comprehensive review articles especially targeting demand-driven preparation are still in a nascent stage.Inspired by these considerations,this review summarizes the design of single-atomic mediators based on the application case-studies in LiS batteries and other metal-sulfur systems.Emerging preparation routes represented by chemical vapor deposition technology are introduced in a demand-oriented classification.Finally,future research directions are proposed to foster the advancement of single-atomic mediators in Li-S realm.

Effects of site preparation methods on soil physical properties and outplanting success of coniferous seedlings in boreal forests

This study assessed the effect of patch scarification and mounding on the physical properties of the root layer and the success of tree planting in various types of forests.This study was conducted on 12 forest sites in taiga forests of the European part of Russia.A total of 54 plots were set up to assess seedling survival;root collar diameter,height,and heigh increment were measured for 240 seedlings to assess growth.In the rooting layer,240 soil samples were taken to determine physical properties.The study showed that soil treatment methods had no effect on bulk density and total porosity in Cladina sites.However,reduced soil moisture was noted,particularly in mounds,resulting in increased aeration.In Myrtillus sites,there were increased bulk density,reduced soil moisture,and total porosity in the mounds.Mounding treatment in Polytrichum sites resulted in reduced soil moisture and increased aeration porosity.In the Myrtillus and Polytrichum sites,patch scarification had no effects on physical properties.In Polytrichum sites,survival rates,heights,and heigh increments of bareroot Norway spruce seedlings in mounds were higher than in patches;however,the same did not apply to diameter.In Cladina and Myrtillus sites,there was no difference in growth for bareroot and containerised seedlings with different soil treatments.Growing conditions and soil types should be considered when applying different soil treatment methods to ensure high survival rates and successful seedling growth.

Microfluidic preparation of surfactant-free ultrafine DAAF with tunable particle size for insensitive initiator explosives

High purity and ultrafine DAAF(u-DAAF)is an emerging insensitive charge in initiators.Although there are many ways to obtain u-DAAF,developing a preparation method with stable operation,accurate control,good quality consistency,equipment miniaturization,and minimum manpower is an inevitable requirement to adapt to the current social technology development trend.Here reported is the microfluidic preparation of u-DAAF with tunable particle size by a passive swirling microreactor.Under the guidance of recrystallization growth kinetics and mixing behavior of fluids in the swirling microreactor,the key parameters(liquid flow rate,explosive concentration and crystallization temperature)were screened and optimized through screening experiments.Under the condition that no surfactant is added and only experimental parameters are controlled,the particle size of recrystallized DAAF can be adjusted from 98 nm to 785 nm,and the corresponding specific surface area is 8.45 m^(2)·g^(-1)to 1.33 m^(2)·g^(-1).In addition,the preparation method has good batch stability,high yield(90.8%-92.6%)and high purity(99.0%-99.4%),indicating a high practical application potential.Electric explosion derived flyer initiation tests demonstrate that the u-DAAF shows an initiation sensitivity much lower than that of the raw DAAF,and comparable to that of the refined DAAF by conventional spraying crystallization method.This study provides an efficient method to fabricate u-DAAF with narrow particle size distribution and high reproducibility as well as a theoretical reference for fabrication of other ultrafine explosives.

Protected simultaneous quantum remote state preparation scheme by weak and reversal measurements in noisy environments

We discuss a quantum remote state preparation protocol by which two parties, Alice and Candy, prepare a single-qubit and a two-qubit state, respectively, at the site of the receiver Bob. The single-qubit state is known to Alice while the two-qubit state which is a non-maximally entangled Bell state is known to Candy. The three parties are connected through a single entangled state which acts as a quantum channel. We first describe the protocol in the ideal case when the entangled channel under use is in a pure state. After that, we consider the effect of amplitude damping(AD) noise on the quantum channel and describe the protocol executed through the noisy channel. The decrement of the fidelity is shown to occur with the increment in the noise parameter. This is shown by numerical computation in specific examples of the states to be created. Finally, we show that it is possible to maintain the label of fidelity to some extent and hence to decrease the effect of noise by the application of weak and reversal measurements. We also present a scheme for the generation of the five-qubit entangled resource which we require as a quantum channel. The generation scheme is run on the IBMQ platform.

Bowel preparation experiences and needs before follow-up colonoscopy in older adult postoperative colorectal cancer patients: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND The bowel preparation process prior to colonoscopy determines the quality of the bowel preparation,which in turn affects the quality of the colonoscopy.Colono-scopy is an essential procedure for postoperative follow-up monitoring of colorec-tal cancer(CRC)patients.Previous studies have shown that advanced age and a history of colorectal resection are both risk factors for inadequate bowel prepara-tion.However,little attention has been paid to the bowel preparation experiences and needs of predominantly older adult postoperative CRC patients.AIM To explore the experiences and needs of older adult postoperative CRC patients during bowel preparation for follow-up colonoscopy.METHODS Fifteen older adult postoperative CRC patients who underwent follow-up colonoscopy at a tertiary hospital in Shanghai were selected using purposive sampling from August 2023 to November 2023.The phenomenological method in qualitative research was employed to construct an interview outline and conduct semi-structured interviews with the patients.Colaizzi's seven-step analysis was utilized to organize,code,categorize,summarize,and verify the interview data.RESULTS The results of this study were summarized into four themes and eight sub-themes:(1)Inadequate knowledge about bowel preparation;(2)Decreased physiological comfort during bowel preparation(gastrointestinal discomfort and sleep deprivation caused by bowel cleansing agents,and hunger caused by dietary restrictions);(3)Psychological changes during different stages of bowel preparation(pre-preparation:Fear and resistance due to previous experiences;during preparation:Irritation and helplessness caused by taking bowel cleansing agents,and post-preparation:Anxiety and worry while waiting for the colonoscopy);and(4)Needs related to bowel preparation(detailed instructions from healthcare professionals;more ideal bowel cleansing agents;and shortened waiting times for colonoscopy).CONCLUSION Older adult postoperative CRC patients'knowledge of bowel preparation is not adequate,and they may encounter numerous difficulties and challenges during the process.Healthcare professionals should place great emphasis on providing instruction for their bowel preparation.

Evaluating bacterial contamination and surgical site infection risks in intracorporeal anastomosis: Role of bowel preparation

We recently read the study by Kayano et al on intracorporeal anastomosis(IA)for colon cancer,which assessed bacterial contamination and medium-term onco-logical outcomes and affirmed that IA is analogous to extracorporeal anastomosis in reducing intraperitoneal bacterial risk and achieving similar oncological results.Our commentary addresses gaps,particularly concerning bowel preparation and surgical site infections(SSIs),and highlights the need for comprehensive details on the bowel preparation methods that are currently employed,including mecha-nical bowel preparation,oral antibiotics(OA),their combination,and specific OA types.We emphasize the necessity for further analyses that investigate these me-thods and their correlation with SSI rates,to enhance clinical protocol guidance and optimize surgical outcomes.Such meticulous analyses are essential for refi-ning strategies to effectively mitigate SSI risk in colorectal surgeries.

Clinical Value of Endodontic Patients Treated with Calcium Hydroxide Preparations

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of endodontics patients treated with calcium hydroxide preparation. Methods: The study cases were selected from the endodontics patients who visited our hospital during the period from January 2022 to December 2023, and 97 cases were randomly selected according to the numerical table method and divided into two groups. There were 49 cases in the control group and 48 cases in the experimental group. The control group received conventional therapy, while the experimental group received treatment with calcium hydroxide preparation, and the clinical value of the two different treatment modalities was observed and analyzed. Results: In the experimental group, 45 out of 48 patients (93.75%) showed effectiveness, compared to 39 out of 49 patients (79.59%) in the control group. The effectiveness rate was significantly higher in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Initially, the VAS scores between the two groups were similar (P > 0.05), but after 1 and 3 months of treatment, the scores decreased in both groups. However, the experimental group had a greater decrease, indicating lower pain levels (P < 0.05). The experimental group had fewer complications (8.33%) compared to the control group (24.49%), with a significant difference (P < 0.05). Satisfaction with treatment was higher in the experimental group (95.83%) compared to the control group (95.83%), resulting in an overall higher satisfaction rate in the experimental group (83.67%;P < 0.05). Conclusion: The treatment effect of endodontics with calcium hydroxide preparation is remarkable, which not only can effectively help patients to relieve their pain and reduce the incidence of complications but also plays an important role in improving patients’ satisfaction with treatment, which is worthwhile to be vigorously promoted in the clinic and learn from it.

Curriculum Reform Practices in “Cosmetic Product Formulation Design and Preparation Technology” Under the Perspective of Integration of Industry, Education, and Research

With the upgrading of industries,the cosmetics industry has posed new requirements for technical talents.As a professional core course in cosmetic technology,“Cosmetic Product Formulation Design and Preparation Technology”serves as the foundation for cultivating students’abilities in cosmetic development and preparation.To foster high-quality skilled talents capable of adapting to the rapid growth of color cosmetics and to better promote the deep integration of scientific and technological industries with curriculum teaching,the teacher team embarked on active explorations and practical teaching research for curriculum teaching reform from four dimensions:strengthening top-level design,enriching teaching content,optimizing teaching design,and reforming assessment methods.These efforts have enhanced students’comprehensive vocational qualities and innovative consciousness,contributing to the teaching reform in higher vocational colleges under the integration of industry,education,and research.

On-spot preparation of EDTA solution for the treatment of band keratopathy:a case report

Dear Editor,We report a case of band keratopathy who experienced several ocular surgeries,secondary uveitis and glaucoma which eventually led to severe band keratopathy.We use commonly-used vacuum blood collection tubes with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid dipotassium salt(EDTA-K2)to prepare chelation solution on-spot to remove the calcium deposits on the corneal surface.It is proved to be relatively safety,efficacy,cost-effective.

Common Artifacts and Remedies in Histological Preparations

The importance of the accuracy of preparing biological specimen as histological sections that can be examined under a microscope lies in reflecting a true image of the tissue that includes all its components, which are used in scientific research or for the purpose of diagnosing various diseases of the body. Despite this, some cellular structures within the tissue may suffer from some alterations that result from the appearance of defects during any stage of preparing these microscopic sections, which alter or interfere with the precise cellular structures and morphology that constitute the tissue and thus give a different image for tissue features and cause confusion in the work histopathologist in the diagnosis. There are several reasons that can cause a misdiagnosis of the sample that occurs during the surgical separation process or after separation during the stages of microscopic preparation techniques from fixation stage, tissue processing, embedding or microtomy, staining until mounting procedures. The constant need to identify these defects and their causes in addition to try to reduce them is one of the biggest challenges evident in pathology laboratories. Therefore, this study aims to review the most common defects that occur in any stage of tissue processing, with an explanation of their causes and appropriate ways to avoid them.

Progress in preparation of AlN-reinforced magnesium matrix composites:A review

As a ceramic material,AlN has very good thermophysical and mechanical properties.In addition,AlN is an effective refining agent for Mg alloys because it has a lattice constant similar to that of Mg.Therefore,AlN is an ideal reinforcement for magnesium matrix composites(MMCs),and is attracting increasing attention.This review addresses the development of preparation technologies for AlN-reinforced Mg matrix composites.The mainstream preparation techniques include stir casting,melt infiltration,powder metallurgy,and in-situ methods.In addition,the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are analyzed in depth,and it is pointed out that the next direction for the preparation of high-performance AlN-reinforced MMCs is less aluminization and multiple technologies integration.

Optimization of Preparation of Oregano Oil Microspheres by Box-Behnken Response Surface Methodology

[Objectives]To optimize the formulation and preparation of oregano oil microspheres by Box-Behnken response surface methodology.[Methods]Chitosan was used as the carrier material to prepare oregano oil microspheres by emulsion crosslinking method.The encapsulation efficiency,drug loading and ID 50 were used as the evaluation indicators,and the comprehensive score(OD)obtained by"coefficient of variation-AHP comprehensive weighting method"was used as the final evaluation indicator.The formulation design and preparation process were optimized by single factor experiment and Box-Behnken response surface methodology,and the optimal process parameters were determined.[Results]The optimal formulation and preparation process parameters of oregano oil microspheres were as follows:the ratio of oregano oil to chitosan was 2∶1,the emulsifying speed of double emulsion was 200 r/min,the amount of emulsifier in the colostrum was 4%,and the volume of curing agent was 1.0 mL.The average encapsulation efficiency was 45.33%±1.32%,the average drug loading was 30.59%±2.45%,and the median diameter(ID 50)was 52.596μm±0.023%.[Conclusions]The encapsulation efficiency,drug loading and ID 50 of oregano oil chitosan microspheres prepared by emulsion crosslinking method met the requirements.The drug-loaded microsphere not only can be used as a preparation finished product for direct application,but also be used as a product intermediate to lay a foundation for the research and development of subsequent dosage forms.

Research Progress on the Preparation of Inorganic/Natural Materials Composite Microspheres

Microspheres are a new type of drug carrier with great potential for development and application.Natural polymers have good biocompatibility,biodegradability,and are easily dispersed in living organisms,making them suitable for preparing microspheres.Inorganic materials(mainly inorganic minerals)have excellent mechanical properties and are inexpensive and easy to obtain.Through the coupling and hybridization of natural polymers and inorganic materials,they can complement each other's advantages and synergistically enhance efficiency,resulting in many excellent physical and chemical properties.Inorganic materials/natural polymer composite microspheres can be prepared by modifying natural polymers with inorganic materials through various methods such as emulsification crosslinking,solution mixing,in-situ synthesis,extrusion,etc.The application of inorganic materials/natural polymer composite microspheres in drug delivery systems has significant sustained-release effects,is safe and non-toxic,and the cost of carrier materials is relatively low,which has certain significance for the development of new drug carriers.This article reviews the recent research on the preparation,drug loading and release properties of inorganic material/natural polymer composite microspheres,analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of commonly used preparation methods,and looks forward to the development direction of composite microspheres.

Research Progress of Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy

Colorectal cancer ranks third in the global cancer data in 2020.Colorectal scope is the most effective method to diagnose colorectal diseases such as benign and malignant colorectal tumors.The poor quality of intestinal preparation causes an increased rate of missed diagnosis of colorectal tumors,reduces the rate of cecal intubation for colorectal examination,increases the discomfort,and reduces the compliance of re-examination.Therefore,we should try our best to improve the quality of intestinal preparation.This study reviewed the latest advances related to the preoperative preparation for colonoscopy.Recent research shows that smartphone apps can provide more detailed education and guidance on bowel preparation;Pre-packaged foods are more suitable as a way to eat before colonoscopy.The use of smaller doses,better taste of cathartic agents,and some auxiliary measures,combined with the patient’s situation to provide personalized intestinal preparation measures to improve the quality of intestinal preparation.Starting from the quality of colonoscopy bowel preparation,continuous improvement of patients’tolerance to bowel preparation,continuous improvement of bowel preparation plan based on individual factors’needs,and better communication with examined subjects by using existing scientific information technology,may be the hot spot of colonoscopy bowel preparation research in the next few years.

Analysis of the Implementation of Integrated Healthcare Management in Preoperative Preparation

Objective:To strengthen preoperative preparation management and reduce preoperative preparation defects.Methods:We set up a special medical care management team to investigate the preoperative preparation in surgical departments,analyze the causes of the shortcomings in preoperative preparation,and propose countermeasures.The medical staff jointly formulated plans related to preoperative preparation management including clear outline of responsibilities,strengthening of training,integrated medical care,timely feedback,and continuous improvement.Besides,the preoperative preparation of patients before and after the improvement measures were compared using statistical analysis.Results:The rate of inadequate preoperative preparation was 11.14 per thousand before the integrated management model was implemented.After the implementation of the integrated management model,the rate of inadequate preoperative preparation decreased to 2.99 per thousand,and the difference was statistically(P<0.05).Conclusion:The integrated management of preoperative preparation can help reduce the rate of preoperative complications and ensure the safety of surgery.

Factors affecting the quality of bowel preparation for colonoscopy in hard-to-prepare patients:Evidence from the literature

Adequate bowel cleansing is critical for a high-quality colonoscopy because it affects diagnostic accuracy and adenoma detection.Nevertheless,almost a quarter of procedures are still carried out with suboptimal preparation,resulting in longer procedure times,higher risk of complications,and higher likelihood of missing lesions.Current guidelines recommend high-volume or low-volume polyethylene glycol(PEG)/non-PEG-based split-dose regimens.In patients who have had insufficient bowel cleansing,the colonoscopy should be repeated the same day or the next day with additional bowel cleansing as a salvage option.A strategy that includes a prolonged low-fiber diet,a split preparation regimen,and a colonoscopy within 5 h of the end of preparation may increase cleansing success rates in the elderly.Furthermore,even though no specific product is specifically recommended in the other cases for difficult-to-prepare patients,clinical evidence suggests that 1-L PEG plus ascorbic acid preparation are associated with higher cleansing success in hospitalized and inflammatory bowel disease patients.Patients with severe renal insufficiency(creatinine clearance<30 mL/min)should be prepared with isotonic high volume PEG solutions.Few data on cirrhotic patients are currently available,and no trials have been conducted in this population.An accurate characterization of procedural and patient variables may lead to a more personalized approach to bowel preparation,especially in patients undergoing resection of left colon lesions,where intestinal preparation has a poor outcome.The purpose of this review was to summarize the evidence on the risk factors influencing the quality of bowel cleansing in difficult-to-prepare patients,as well as strategies to improve colonoscopy preparation in these patients.

Latest advances and progress in the microbubble flotation of fine minerals:Microbubble preparation,equipment,and applications

In the past few decades,microbubble flotation has been widely studied in the separation and beneficiation of fine minerals.Compared with conventional flotation,microbubble flotation has obvious advantages,such as high grade and recovery and low consumption of flotation reagents.This work systematically reviews the latest advances and research progress in the flotation of fine mineral particles by microbubbles.In general,microbubbles have small bubble size,large specific surface area,high surface energy,and good selectivity and can also easily be attached to the surface of hydrophobic particles or large bubbles,greatly reducing the detaching probability of particles from bubbles.Microbubbles can be prepared by pressurized aeration and dissolved air,electrolysis,ultrasonic cavitation,photocatalysis,solvent exchange,temperature difference method(TDM),and Venturi tube and membrane method.Correspondingly,equipment for fine-particle flotation is categorized as microbubble release flotation machine,centrifugal flotation column,packed flotation column,and magnetic flotation machine.In practice,microbubble flotation has been widely studied in the beneficiation of ultrafine coals,metallic minerals,and nonmetallic minerals and exhibited superiority over conventional flotation machines.Mechanisms underpinning the promotion of fine-particle flotation by nanobubbles include the agglomeration of fine particles,high stability of nanobubbles in aqueous solutions,and enhancement of particle hydrophobicity and flotation dynamics.

Bulk preparation of free-standing single-iron-atom catalysts directly as the air electrodes for high-performance zinc-air batteries

The keen interest in fuel cells and metal-air batteries stimulates a great deal of research on the development of a cost-efficient and high-performance catalyst as an alternative to traditional Pt to boost the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)at the cathode.Herein,we report a facile and scalable strategy for the large-scale preparation of a free-standing and flexible porous atomically dispersed Fe-N-doped carbon microtube(FeSAC/PCMT)sponge.Benefiting from its unique structure that greatly facilitates the catalytic kinetics,mass transport,and electron transfer,our FeSAC/PCMT electrode exhibits excellent performance with an ORR potential of 0.942 V at^(-3) mA cm^(-2).When the FeSAC/PCMT sponge was directly used as an oxygen electrode for liquid-state and flexible solid-state zinc-air batteries,high peak power densities of 183.1 and 58.0 mW cm^(-2) were respectively achieved,better than its powdery counterpart and commercial Pt/C catalyst.Experimental and theoretical investigation results demonstrate that such ultrahigh ORR performance can be attributed to atomically dispersed Fe-N_(5) species in FeSAC/PCMT.This study presents a cost-effective and scalable strategy for the fabrication of highly efficient and flexible oxygen electrodes,provides a significant new insight into the catalytic mechanisms,and helps to realize significant advances in energy devices.