Switchable adhesion of soft composites induced by a magnetic field.

Switchable adhesives have the potential to improve the manufacturing and recycling of parts, and to enable new modes of motility for soft robots. Here, we demonstrate magnetically-switchable adhesion of a two-phase composite to non-magnetic objects. The composite's continuous phase is a silicone elastomer, and the dispersed phase is a magneto-rheological fluid.

[Preventive measures of diabetic foot complications].

Diabetic foot complications are a public health challenge and preventive measures although simple are often not enforced, as evidenced by the lack of decrease in the rate of ulcers and amputation in Switzerland. This article proposes a risk score to grade individual risk of the diabetic patient and an individualized prevention measures as this risk. We discuss the importance of collaboration of various specialists.

[Ears "made of stone" - unusual secondary phenomenon of undersubstituted adrenal insufficiency].

History And Clinical Findings: A 69-year-old man was admitted with cough, fever and dyspnea. For years, an adrenal insufficiency has been substituted with low-dose hydrocortisone. The hypotensive and tachycardic patient exhibited remarkable stony hard ears.

Activation of electrical triggers of atrial fibrillation in hyperthyroidism.

Context: A shortening of the atrial refractory period has been considered as the main mechanism for the increased risk of atrial fibrillation in hyperthyroidism. However, other important factors may be involved.

Objective: Our objective was to determine the activity of abnormal supraventricular electrical depolarizations in response to elevated thyroid hormones in patients without structural heart disease.

Comparative effects of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone on fasting and postprandial low-density lipoprotein size and subclasses in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To assess the effects of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone on fasting and postprandial low-density lipoprotein (LDL) size and subclasses in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: Nine Type 2 diabetic patients (age 61 +/- 10 years, body mass index 30 +/- 5 kg/m(2), glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] 7.5 +/- 0.