B-RTO is an effective method for gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt and provides lower recurrence and bleeding rates. We believe that B-RTO can become a standard treatment for gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt, although treatment of worsened esophageal varices may be necessary after B-RTO.

A binary system consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and lead zirconate titanate (PZT) powder was investigated to determine its dielectric constant, piezoelectric constant, and Young’s modulus. An expression was obtained for the piezoelectric constant, and expressions for the dielectric constant and Young’s modulus were also mentioned. The calculated values had good agreement with the observed values for the composite with a large PZT volume fraction. The dielectric constant and the piezoelectric constant were 152 and 48.3×10−12 C/N, respectively, for the composite with the PZT volume fraction of 0.67. Changing the mixing ratio of PVDF and the fluorine elastomer, Young’s modulus was varied without changing the piezoelectric constant.

A study of the ferroelectric phase transition of vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene copolymers by ac calorimetryThe ferroelectric properties ofvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene copolymer were studied. The infrared absorption spectra and x-ray diffraction patterns of the melt-crystallized film suggested the similar crystalline form to the polar form I of polyvinylidene fluoride. It was found that the ferroelectric-to-paraelectric phase transition occurred at 70 ·C and was the first order in the meltcrystallized copolymer film by studying the dielectric constant, piezoelectric constant, D-E hysteresis loop, and DSC measurement. The Curie constant was 2200 K. The phase transition was accompanied by the expansion of the crystal lattice. PACS numbers: 77.90. + k, 77.80. -e, 77.60. + v 948

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Proper resolution of inflammation is essential to maintaining homeostasis, which is important as a dysregulated inflammatory response has adverse consequences, even being regarded as a hallmark of cancer. However, our picture of dynamic changes during inflammation remains far from comprehensive. METHODS:Here we used single-cell transcriptomics to elucidate changes in distinct cell types and their interactions in a mouse model of chemically induced colitis.RESULTS: Our analysis highlights the stromal cell population of the colon functions as a hub with dynamically changing roles over time. Importantly, we found that Serpina3n, a serine protease inhibitor, is specifically expressed in stromal cell clusters as inflammation resolves, interacting with a potential target, elastase. Indeed, genetic ablation of the Serpina3n gene delays resolution of induced inflammation. Furthermore, systemic Serpina3n administration promoted the resolution of inflammation, ameliorating colitis symptoms. CONCLUSIONS:This study provides a comprehensive, single-cell understanding of cell-cell interactions during colorectal inflammation and reveals a potential therapeutic target that leverages inflammation resolution.

The ferroelectric properties of vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene copolymers were studied. According to the x-ray diffraction patterns, the crystalline form of the copolymers with VDF molar content less than 80% was different from that of the copolymer with 82 mole % VDF. The Curie temperature was observed for the copolymers with the molar composition ranging from 37 to 80% in VDF by measuring the dielectric constants and endothermic peaks. The copolymers with low Curie temperature had the crystalline with wide interplanar spacing and small saturation polarization. The copolymer with 55 mole % of VDF showed a typical ferroelectric D-E hysteresis loop at 25 °C and showed a double hysteresis loop at just below the transition temperature.