Use of oxygen therapy for pneumocephalus: a systematic review.

Pneumocephalus is the pathologic collection of air in the intracranial cavity. In sufficient volumes, it can contribute to symptoms ranging from headaches to death. For conservative treatment, oxygen use is commonplace. Although this is an accepted tenet of clinical practice, it is not necessarily founded on robust trials. An electronic search of databases EMBASE and MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library was undertaken as per the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Three articles were included. Although the modes of oxygen delivery were heterogenous (non-rebreather versus endotracheal versus hyperbaric chamber), all studies concluded favorably on the use of oxygen therapy for increased reabsorption of pneumocephalus.

Identification of bitter peptides in aged Cheddar cheese by crossflow filtration-based Fractionation, Peptidomics, statistical screening and sensory analysis.

Despite bitterness being a common flavor attribute of aged cheese linked to casein-derived peptides, excessive bitterness is a sensory flaw that can lead to consumer rejection and economic loss for creameries. Our research employs a unique approach to identify bitter peptides in cheese samples using crossflow filtration-based fractionation, mass spectrometry-based peptidomics, statistics and sensory analysis. Applying peptidomics and statistical screening tools, rather than traditional chemical separation techniques, to identify bitter peptides allows for screening the whole peptide profile. Five peptides-YPFPGP (ß-casein [60-65]), YPFPGPIPN (ßA2-casein [60-68]), LSQSKVLPVPQKAVPYPQRDMPIQA (ß-casein [165-189]), YPFPGPIHNS (ßA1-casein [60-69]) and its serine phosphorylated version YPFPGPIHN[S] (ßA1-casein [60-69])- demonstrated high levels of bitterness with mean bitterness intensity values above 7 on a 15-point scale. In the future, this data can be combined with the microbial and protease profile of the Cheddar samples to help understand how these factors contribute to bitter taste development.

Diagnosis and treatment of nail melanoma: a review of the clinicopathologic, dermoscopic, and genetic characteristics.

Nail melanoma (NM) is an important differential diagnosis in patients with longitudinal melanonychia. However, diagnosis is often challenging as it is difficult to differentiate from other pigmented nail disorders. The main challenge for diagnosis is obtaining adequate nail matrix biopsy specimens for histopathological assessment. Furthermore, the histopathological changes in the early stages of NM are subtle and contribute to a delay in diagnosis and care. Therefore, the integration of clinical and histopathological analyses is essential. Clinical and dermoscopic features, such as a broadened width of asymmetric bands in an irregular pattern, with multicolour pigmentation, periungual pigmentation, and continuous growth, are features that support the diagnosis of NM. The essential histological features that must be assessed are cellular morphology, architectural features, melanocyte density, and inflammatory changes. The reported mutations in NMs were BRAF (0-43%), NRAS (0-31%), KIT (0-50%), NF1 (0-50%), and GNAQ (0-25%). Surgery is the primary treatment for NM. The recommended treatment for in situ or minimally invasive NM is functional surgery, but cases with suspected bone invasion should be treated with amputation. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are indicated for advanced stages of NM. This review summarizes the updated guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of NM.

RHEB gene therapy maintains the chondrogenic characteristics and protects cartilage tissue from degenerative damage during experimental murine osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by cartilage degeneration resulting from hypertrophic changes in chondrocytes caused by altered gene expression. The involvement of Ras homolog enriched in brain (RHEB) in OA regulation is unclear. METHODS: Human knee articular cartilage samples - were analyzed for structural and biological changes by histology, immunohistochemistry, real time PCR and western blotting. OA-mouse model developed by surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) were treated with adenovirus harboring Rheb gene to analyze onset and progression of OA. Histological scoring, immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL assay was performed to assess cartilage damage across the entire joint. RESULTS: Human and mouse OA cartilage is degenerated and has markedly reduced levels of RHEB. Human OA-degenerated chondrocytes (DC) exhibited a fibroblastic phenotype and 80 % of degenerative cartilage were senescent, with higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Gene expression analysis of DC revealed almost no COL2A1 expression and reduced SOX9 and RHEB expression. Transient transfection of RHEB rescued the DC phenotype and reduced senescence and ROS levels markedly. RHEB overexpression also increased COL2A1 and SOX9 expression. In an OA-mouse model, the Rheb protein level decreased as the severity of OA increased. Ectopic expression of Rheb using adenovirus in mouse-OA cartilage suppressed surgically-induced OA pathogenesis accompanied by modulation of Adamts5, Mmp 13, Col 10, and Col2a1 expression. Rheb induction significantly reduced apoptosis in OA-cartilage. CONCLUSION: RHEB plays an important role in maintaining the chondrogenic characteristics of chondrocytes, and has potential in preventing progression of OA in the destabilize the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model of OA.

Moderate hearing loss is related with social frailty in a community-dwelling older adults: The Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS).

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether hearing loss is associated with social frailty in older adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of cohort study data. Hearing was measured using of Pure-tone audiometry. Hearing loss was determined based on the average of hearing thresholds at 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz in the ear that had better hearing. Social frailty was defined based on the summation of the following 5 social components (1. Neighborhood meeting attendance 2. Talking to friend(s) sometimes 3.Someone gives you love and affection 4. Living alone 5. Meeting someone every day). Participants who had no correspondence to the components were considered non-social frailty; those with 1-2 components were considered social prefrailty; and those having 3 or more components were considered social frailty. RESULTS: The prevalence of non-social frailty, social prefrailty, social frailty was 27.6%, 60.7% and 11.7% respectively. Of the five questions, two components (Neighborhood meeting attendance and Presence of someone who shows love and affection to the participants) were associated with hearing loss (p < 0.001). Compared to non-social frailty, the odds ratio of social frailty for hearing loss was 2.24 (95% CI 1.48-3.38) after adjusting for age, residential area, economic status, smoking, depressive disorder and MMSE, and 2.17 (95% CI 1.43-3.30) after further adjustments with physical frailty. CONCLUSION: Hearing loss was associated with social frailty even after controlling confounding factors even including physical frailty.

The effects of cortisol and adrenal androgen on bone mass in Asians with and without subclinical hypercortisolism.

Analyses using the largest Korean cohort of adrenal incidentaloma (AI) revealed that subtle cortisol excess in premenopausal women and reduced dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) in postmenopausal women and men are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) reduction in Asian patients with subclinical hypercortisolism (SH). INTRODUCTION: Few studies evaluated bone metabolism in Asians with SH. We investigated associations of cortisol and DHEA-S, an adrenal androgen, with BMD in Asians with AI, with or without SH. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data of a prospective multicenter study from Korea. We measured BMD, bone turnover markers, cortisol levels after 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (1-mg DST), DHEA-S, and baseline cortisol to DHEA-S ratio (cort/DHEA-S) in 109 AI patients with SH (18 premenopausal, 38 postmenopausal women, and 53 men) and 686 with non-functional AI (NFAI; 59 premenopausal, 199 postmenopausal women, and 428 men). RESULTS: Pre- and postmenopausal women, but not men, with SH had lower BMDs at lumbar spine (LS) than those with NFAI (P = 0.008~0.016). Premenopausal women with SH also had lower BMDs at the hip than those with NFAI (P = 0.009~0.012). After adjusting for confounders, cortisol levels after 1-mg DST demonstrated inverse associations with BMDs at all skeletal sites only in premenopausal women (ß = - 0.042~- 0.033, P = 0.019~0.040). DHEA-S had positive associations with LS BMD in postmenopausal women (ß = 0.096, P = 0.001) and men (ß = 0.029, P = 0.038). The cort/DHEA-S had inverse associations with LS BMD in postmenopausal women (ß = - 0.081, P = 0.004) and men (ß = - 0.029, P = 0.011). These inverse associations of cort/DHEA-S remained significant after adjusting for cortisol levels after 1-mg DST (ß = - 0.079~- 0.026, P = 0.006~0.029). In postmenopausal women, the odds ratios of lower BMD by DHEA-S and cort/DHEA-S was 0.26 (95% CI, 0.08-0.82) and 3.40 (95% CI, 1.12-10.33), respectively. CONCLUSION: Subtle cortisol excess in premenopausal women and reduced DHEA-S in postmenopausal women and men may contribute to BMD reduction in Asians with SH.

Association of blood n-3 fatty acid with bone mass and bone marrow TRAP-5b in the elderly with and without hip fracture.

The plasma n-3 fatty acid level was 26.2% lower in patients with osteoporotic hip fracture than in those with osteoarthritis. In all patients, n-3 fatty acid was positively associated with bone mineral density and inversely associated with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b level in bone marrow aspirates, reflecting the bone microenvironment. INTRODUCTION: Despite the potential beneficial role of n-3 fatty acid (FA) on bone metabolism, the specific mechanisms underlying these effects in humans remain unclear. Here, we assessed whether the plasma n-3 level, as an objective indicator of its status, is associated with osteoporosis-related phenotypes and bone-related markers in human bone marrow (BM) samples. METHODS: This was a case-control and cross-sectional study conducted in a clinical unit. n-3 FA in the blood and bone biochemical markers in the BM aspirates were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and immunoassay, respectively. BM fluids were collected from 72 patients who underwent hip surgery because of either osteoporotic hip fracture (HF; n = 28) or osteoarthritis (n = 44). RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, patients with HF had 26.2% lower plasma n-3 levels than those with osteoarthritis (P = 0.006), and each standard deviation increment in plasma n-3 was associated with a multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of 0.40 for osteoporotic HF (P = 0.010). In multivariate analyses including all patients, a higher plasma n-3 level was associated with higher bone mass at the lumbar spine (ß = 0.615, P = 0.002) and total femur (ß = 0.244, P = 0.045). Interestingly, the plasma n-3 level was inversely associated with the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b level (ß = - 0.633, P = 0.023), but not with the bone-specific alkaline phosphatase level, in BM aspirates. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide clinical evidence that n-3 FA is a potential inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis that favors human bone health.

The association of cortisol and adrenal androgen with trabecular bone score in patients with adrenal incidentaloma with and without autonomous cortisol secretion.

Despite ethnic differences in cortisol sensitivity, only one study in Caucasians has assessed trabecular bone score (TBS) in patients with subclinical hypercortisolism (SH). We showed that both subtle cortisol excess and reduced adrenal androgen may contribute to impaired bone quality in Asian women with SH. INTRODUCTION: One study in Caucasians has assessed trabecular bone score (TBS), an index of bone microstructure, in adrenal incidentaloma (AI) patients with subclinical hypercortisolism (SH). There are ethnic differences in cortisol sensitivities between Caucasian and Asian populations. We investigated the associations of cortisol and the adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) with TBS in AI patients with SH, adrenal Cushing's syndrome (CS), and nonfunctional AI (NFAI). METHODS: We measured TBS, cortisol levels after the overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (1 mg DST), and cortisol/DHEA-S in 61 patients with SH (30 men; 31 women), 19 with adrenal CS (4 men; 15 women), and 355 with NFAI (213 men; 142 women). RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, the serum cortisol level after 1 mg DST was inversely correlated with TBS in men (ß = -0.133, P = 0.045) and women (ß = - 0.140, P = 0.048). Higher cortisol/DHEA-S ratio was associated with lower TBS in women (ß = - 0.252, P < 0.001), but not men. This inverse association of cortisol/DHEA-S ratio in women remained statistically significant after adjusting for the serum cortisol level after 1 mg DST (ß = - 0.221, P = 0.008). Compared with women with NFAI, women with SH had 2.2% lower TBS (P = 0.040). Deteriorated bone microstructure (TBS < 1.230) was associated with the serum cortisol level after 1 mg DST (odds ratio [OR], 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-4.53) and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.03-4.08). CONCLUSIONS: Subtle cortisol excess in both genders and reduced DHEA-S, especially in women, may contribute to impaired bone quality in Asian patients with SH.

Impact of muscle atrophy on bone metabolism and bone strength: implications for muscle-bone crosstalk with aging and disuse.

Bone fractures in older adults are often preceded by a loss of muscle mass and strength. Likewise, bone loss with prolonged bed rest, spinal cord injury, or with exposure to microgravity is also preceded by a rapid loss of muscle mass. Recent studies using animal models in the setting of hindlimb unloading or botulinum toxin (Botox) injection also reveal that muscle loss can induce bone loss. Moreover, muscle-derived factors such as irisin and leptin can inhibit bone loss with unloading, and knockout of catabolic factors in muscle such as the ubiquitin ligase Murf1 or the myokine myostatin can reduce osteoclastogenesis. These findings suggest that therapies targeting muscle in the setting of disuse atrophy may potentially attenuate bone loss, primarily by reducing bone resorption. These potential therapies not only include pharmacological approaches but also interventions such as whole-body vibration coupled with resistance exercise and functional electric stimulation of muscle.

Activity measurement of 222Rn gas for a key comparison.

The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) participated, in 2015, in an international Key Comparison (KC) of gaseous radon-222 activity named CCRI (II) -K2.Rn-222 to confirm international equivalence of KRISS-established gaseous radon-222 measurement standards. LNHB acted as KC pilot laboratory. This paper describes the KC measurement procedure followed at KRISS using the defined solid angle counting method together with auxiliary relative measurement methods and presents the results.

Extended pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis in oncologic liver surgery is safe and effective.

Essentials The risk for venous thromboembolism after liver surgery remains high in the modern era. We evaluated the safety/efficacy of extended anticoagulation in liver surgery. This protocol reports zero venous thromboembolism events in 124 liver surgery patients. Extended anticoagulation after oncologic liver surgery is safe and effective. SUMMARY: Background The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after liver surgery remains high. Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of extended pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis after liver surgery for the prevention of VTE. Patient/Methods From August 2013 to April 2015, 124 patients who underwent liver resection for malignancy were placed on an extended pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis protocol. Intraoperative VTE prophylaxis included thromboembolic deterrent hoses and sequential compression devices. Once hemostasis had been ensured following hepatectomy, daily anticoagulant VTE prophylaxis was initiated for the duration of hospitalization. After hospital discharge, the large majority of patients (114, 91.9%) continued to receive anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis (enoxaparin) to complete a total course of 14 days after minor/minimally invasive hepatectomy or 28 days after major hepatectomy or a history of VTE. Results The cohort included 39 (31.2%) major hepatectomies and 38 (31.5%) minor/minimally invasive approaches. The intraoperative, postoperative and overall transfusion rates were 5.6%, 8.1%, and 10.5%, respectively. Pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis was started on postoperative day (POD) 0 for 40 (32.3%) patients and on POD 1 for 84 (67.7%) patients. During 90 days of follow-up, no postoperative symptomatic deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolic events were diagnosed. Standard-protocol computed tomography scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis that were obtained for 112 (90.3%) study patients showed no pulmonary emboli, or other thoracic, splanchnic or ileofemoral vein thromboses. Two (1.6%) patients had minor bleeding events that resolved after discontinuation of enoxaparin, requiring neither blood transfusion nor reoperation. The severe complication rate was 5.6%, with no 90-day mortalities. Conclusions These preliminary data suggest that extended pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis for liver surgery patients is safe and effective.

Correlation between socio-economic status and atopic dermatitis in Korean adults: the Korea national health and nutrition examination survey (2007-2014).

INTRODUCTION: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common allergic diseases. Its prevalence has been increasing in recent decades. Socio-economic status is well-known risk factor of allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the relationship between socio-economic status and AD in Korean adults. METHODS: Data were acquired from 47 351 men and women, ≥19 years of age who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) conducted from 2007 to 2014. The presence of AD was based on self-reported physician diagnosis of AD in the Health Interview Surveys. RESULTS: The prevalence of AD was 3.1%, which decreased with increasing age. In univariate analysis, adults with AD were prone to be female, younger, never-married, well educated, lower household members, and urban dwelling (all P < 0.01). Monthly family income and smoking status were not associated with the presence of AD. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and asthma was higher in AD subjects (all P < 0.01), while obesity was not associated with adult AD. After adjusting for confounders, logistic regression analysis showed female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.483, 95% CI: 1.268-1.734), age (P < 0.01), marital status (Single: aOR: 1.307, 95% CI: 1.012-1.690; Never-married: aOR: 1.938, 95% CI: 1.513-2.482), urban residence (aOR: 1.281, 95% CI: 1.045-1.569) and asthma (aOR: 1.788, 95% CI: 1.416-2.258) were associated with higher prevalence of AD (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Female sex, age, marital status, urban residence, and the presence of asthma are important risk factors of the prevalence of AD in Korean adults.

Efficacy and safety of non-invasive body tightening with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive skin-tightening devices have become increasingly popular in response to increasing demand for improvements in skin laxity and tightening with minimal risk and recovery time. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of HIFU for skin tightening in the face and body. METHODS: A total of 32 Korean subjects enrolled in this prospective clinical trial. The subjects were treated with HIFU to both cheeks, lower abdomen, and thigh. Skin elasticity was measured before and after treatment using a Cutometer (CT575, Courage and Khazaka® , Cologne, Germany). Three blinded, experienced dermatologists evaluated paired pre- and post-treatment (week 4 and 12) photographs according to the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). Participants also completed self-assessments using GAIS. Subjects rated their pain on a numeric rating scale (NRS) immediately, 7 days, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: Skin elasticity measured via a Cutometer was significantly improved 12 weeks after treatment at all treated sites (P<.05). Both IGAIS and SGAIS showed significant improvements 12 weeks after treatment. Immediately after treatment the mean NRS score was 3.00±1.586, but no pain was reported at 4 and 12 weeks post-treatment. No serious adverse effects were observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: HIFU safely and effectively improves skin elasticity and clinical contouring of the face and body.

Periorbital melasma: Hierarchical cluster analysis of clinical features in Asian patients.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown melasma lesions to be distributed across the face in centrofacial, malar, and mandibular patterns. Meanwhile, however, melasma lesions of the periorbital area have yet to be thoroughly described. METHODS: We analyzed normal and ultraviolet light-exposed photographs of patients with melasma. The periorbital melasma lesions were measured according to anatomical reference points and a hierarchical cluster analysis was performed. RESULTS: The periorbital melasma lesions showed clinical features of fine and homogenous melasma pigmentation, involving both the upper and lower eyelids that extended to other anatomical sites with a darker and coarser appearance. The hierarchical cluster analysis indicated that patients with periorbital melasma can be categorized into two clusters according to the surface anatomy of the face. Significant differences between cluster 1 and cluster 2 were found in lateral distance and inferolateral distance, but not in medial distance and superior distance. Comparing the two clusters, patients in cluster 2 were found to be significantly older and more commonly accompanied by melasma lesions of the temple and medial cheek. CONCLUSION: Our hierarchical cluster analysis of periorbital melasma lesions demonstrated that Asian patients with periorbital melasma can be categorized into two clusters according to the surface anatomy of the face.

Association of circulating dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 levels with osteoporotic fracture in postmenopausal women.

Postmenopausal women with osteoporotic fracture (OF) had higher plasma dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4) levels than those without. Furthermore, higher plasma DPP4 levels were significantly associated with higher bone turnover and a higher prevalence of OF. These results indicated that DPP4 may be associated with OF by mediating bone turnover rate. INTRODUCTION: Evidence indicates that dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4) plays a distinct role in bone metabolism. However, there has been no report on the association, if any, between circulating DPP4 levels and osteoporosis-related phenotypes, including osteoporotic fracture (OF). Therefore, we performed a case-control study to investigate these associations in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This study was conducted in multiple centers in Korea. We enrolled 178 cases with OF and 178 age- and body mass index-matched controls. OF was assessed by an interviewer-assisted questionnaire and lateral thoracolumbar radiographs. Bone turnover markers (BTMs), bone mineral density (BMD), and plasma DPP4 levels were obtained in all subjects. RESULTS: After adjustment for potential confounders, subjects with OF had significantly higher DPP4 levels than those without (P = 0.021). Higher DPP4 levels were significantly positively associated with higher levels of all BTMs, but not with BMD at all measured sites. The differences in DPP4 levels according to OF status disappeared after an additional adjustment for each BTM, but not after adjustment for any BMD values. BTMs explained approximately half of the relationship between DPP4 and OF. The risk of OF was 3.80-fold (95% confidence interval = 1.53-9.42) higher in subjects in the highest DPP4 quartile than in those in the lowest quartile after adjustment for potential confounders, including femoral neck BMD. CONCLUSIONS: DPP4 may be associated with OF by at least partly mediating the bone turnover rate. Circulating DPP4 levels may be a potential biomarker that could increase the predictive power of current fracture risk assessment models.

Non-invasive tumescent cryolipolysis using a new 4D handpiece: a comparative study with a porcine model.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The growing demand for a youthful appearance, including a favorable body shape, has motivated recent developments in noninvasive body contouring techniques. Our aim was to investigate the efficacy and safety of a new version of a 4D handpiece-mounted cooling device for cryolipolysis with or without tumescent injections. METHODS: We conducted a side-by-side comparative study using two female porcine models. Two areas of each pig's left abdomen were treated using a conventional device and the new cooling device, and two areas of the right abdomen were also treated using the conventional and new cooling device, but both were combined with tumescent-solution injections. RESULTS: The conventional method alone yielded a 75.25% reduction in skin thickness, while the new cooling device alone yielded a 81.63% reduction. When paired with tumescent injections, the conventional device yielded a 86.3% reduction in skin thickness and the cooling device yielded a 85.9% reduction. Using histological analysis with H&E, oil red O, and toluidine blue stain, we confirmed that selective cryolipolysis was able to induce selective apoptosis of fat cells. CONCLUSION: This in vivo study presents a new 4D handpiece-assisted cooling device with tumescent anesthesia that is safe and effective for fat reduction.

Simulation of laser-tattoo pigment interaction in a tissue-mimicking phantom using Q-switched and long-pulsed lasers.

BACKGROUND: Laser therapy is the treatment of choice in tattoo removal. However, the precise mechanisms of laser-tattoo pigment interactions remain to be evaluated. METHODS: We evaluated the geometric patterns of laser-tattoo pigment particle interactions using a tattoo pigment-embedded tissue-mimicking (TM) phantom. RESULTS: A Q-switched (QS) neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser was used at settings of 532-, 660-, and 1064-nm wavelengths, single-pulse and quick pulse-to-pulse treatment modes, and spot sizes of 4 and 7 mm. Most of the laser-tattoo interactions in the experimental conditions formed cocoon-shaped or oval photothermal and photoacoustic injury zones, which contained fragmented tattoo particles in various sizes depending on the conditions. In addition, a long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser was used at a spot size of 6 mm and pulse widths of 3, 5, and 10 ms. The finer granular pattern of tattoo destruction was observed in TM phantoms treated with 3- and 5-ms pulse durations compared to those treated with a 10-ms pulse. CONCLUSION: We outlined various patterns of laser-tattoo pigment interactions in a tattoo-embedded TM phantom to predict macroscopic tattoo and surrounding tissue reactions after laser treatment for tattoo removal.

Facile Synthesis of Iron Oxide/Graphene Nanocomposites Using Liquid Phase Plasma Method.

Liquid phase plasma (LPP) method was applied, for the first time, to the impregnation of iron oxide nanoparticles onto graphene sheet. Iron oxide nanoparticles with the size of 50 nm were precipitated with uniform dispersion on the surface of graphene sheet. The amount of iron oxide nanoparticles precipitated on graphene sheets increased with increasing LPP process times. The XPS, Raman and EDX analyses showed that the iron oxide/graphene composites synthesized by the LPP process.