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OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the role of ultrasound in postoperative care after major lung resection. BACKGROUND: High accuracy of lung ultrasound imaging was proved in various medical fields. The experience with ultrasound after thoracic surgery is limited. METHODS: Patients scheduled for major lung resection were consecutively included in a prospective study comparing two modalities of imaging examinations, namely those employing ultrasound and X-ray in the diagnoses of pneumothorax and pleural effusion. Two examinations were performed. One after recovery from anaesthesia, the second before chest tube removal. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients underwent 87 examinations. X-ray and ultrasound examinations showed substantial and fair agreements for pneumothorax (Cohen's kappa coefficients 0.775 and 0.397) and slight and substantial agreements for pleural effusion (Cohen's kappa coefficients 0.036 and 0.611). The sensitivity bounds for pneumothorax were 45.5-58.5 % at the first and 29.7-59.4 % at the second examination. Sensitivity bounds for pleural effusion were 0-86.2 % at the first and 32.6-36.9 % at the second examination. Except for two cases of pneumothorax being missed by X-ray imaging, the rest of mismatches were clinically irrelevant conditions with no impact on clinical decision and patient's outcome. CONCLUSION: The use of ultrasound can reduce the number of X-ray examinations and thus lower the radiation exposure after major lung resections (Tab. 4, Ref. 30). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, synthesis of some new tetrazole and 1,3-oxazepine derivatives have been prepared, starting from reaction of L-ascorbic acid in dry acetone in presence of dry hydrogen chloride to give the acetal [8]. Reaction of the latter with p-nitrobenzoyl chloride in pyridine afforded ester [9] which was dissolved in (65%) acetic acid in ethanol resulted glycol compound [10]. The aldehyde compound [11] was prepared by reaction of glycol with sodium periodate in distilled water. The compounds 2-(4-oxo-2-phenylquinazolin-3(4H)-yl)acetic acid [2] and 2-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)acetic acid [3] were prepared by reaction of 2-phenyl-4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazin-4-one[1] and phthalic anhydride with glycine in presence of glacial acetic acid respectively. Compounds [4] and [5] were afforded by reaction of compounds [2] and [3] with thionyl chloride and then condensation of compounds [4] and [5] with hydrazine hydrate resulted compounds [6] and [7]. The isomethine compounds [12-17] were synthesized from reaction of hydrazide compounds [6 and 7] with aldehyde compounds. Oxazepine and tetrazole compounds were prepared from condensation of imine compound with phthalic anhydride and sodium azide respectively. Structures of the prepared compounds were identified by the physical proparties, spectroscopic methods including fourier transform and some of them 1HNMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Authors evaluate the impact of intraprocedural complications on successful technical realisation and long-term clinical outcome of the uterine fi broid embolisation. BACKGROUND: The uterine artery embolisation (UAE) has become an accepted treatment method for uterine fi broids. In general, the unilateral embolisation is considered to be insufficient due to poor clinical effect. METHODS: Overall, 165 uterine artery embolisations were analysed (retrospectively-prospectively) in 163 female patients. Intraprocedural complications and their impact on the possibility to perform bilateral embolisationwere evaluated. In patients with unscheduled unilateral embolisation, short-term as well as longterm clinical effects were observed with mean follow-up period of 41 months. RESULTS: The bilateral uterine artery embolisation was possible in 95.7% (95%, CI 91.3-99.4%) procedures. The unilateral embolisation was reported in 7 procedures (4.3%, CI 1.2-8.3%) and reasons were following: resistant arterial spasm in 4 patients (2.5%, CI 0.7%-5.3%) and impossible catheterisation due to unfavourable anatomic situation in 3 patients (1.8%, CI 0.3-4.1%). Other complications, such as dissection and perforation, did not affect the successful technical realisation. The long-term clinical effect of unscheduled unilateral embolisation was reported in 5 patients. CONCLUSION: The results of our series of unscheduled unilateral uterine fi broid embolisation had high longterm clinical success rate. In way of unscheduled unilateral embolisation, we recommend MRI follow-up and reintervention only in way of persistence or recurrence of symptoms with concurrent MRI fi nding of residual fi broids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: Objective: To conducted a spatial analysis for stratification of priority malaria control areas in Kahnuj County, as part of field exercise. Methods: Information of Health Centers of Kahnuj County has been used for stratification retrospectively. A knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) study was arranged to provide preliminary information about the knowledge, attitude and practice related to malaria in the area. Results: Numbers of malaria cases has been decreased in year 2008. There were five important vectors of malaria in this region including: Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi), Anopheles dthali (An. dthali), Anopheles superpictus (An. superpictus), Anophels culicifacies (An. culicifacies), and Anopheles fluviatilis (An. fluviatilis), but majority of malaria cases in this county was related to Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax). Educational levels of community were 38%, 20%, 10% and 32% for illiterate, primary, secondary and university levels, respectively. KAP study revealed that about 37% of people have got malaria at least once and only 27% of people knew that mosquito is the vector of malaria. Conclusions: Malaria in Kahnuj represents a real threat. Transmission occurs in city center. An. stephensi can be suspected for the first peak of malaria cases in late spring in Kahnuj city. An. fluviatilis has a relatively high density in autumn while two malaria cases due to P. falciparum were reported in 2008. Based on KAP study, the knowledge of respondents seems good but the attitude and practice is low. According to the data such as API, main malaria vector, transmission rate, and foreign migrants, the Kahnuj County has been spatially divided into three strata based on various characteristics. The authorities should implement all the interventions based on stratification. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cement pressurisation is an important step in total hip arthroplasty that determines the long-term integration at the cement-bone interface. Our aim was to evaluate the performance of a new pressuriser designed by us against the standard existing pressurisers in an in vitro experimental set-up using two parameters: cement penetration and cement pressurisation. A polypropylene cup model was designed to represent the acetabulum. DePuy’s T-handle, Exeter and our own plunger type pressuriser were each tested for cement pressurisation in this acetabular model. Cement penetration and pressures were measured. The cement intrusion into the capillaries with the DePuy pressuriser was found to vary between 2 and 8 mm (mean: 5 mm at the pole and 4.6 mm at the rim), with the Exeter pressuriser it varied between 3 and 9 mm (mean: 5.8 mm at the pole and 7.8 mm at the rim) and with the plunger type pressuriser it varied between 4 and 6 mm (mean 5.2 mm at the pole and 4.8 mm at the rim). The peak pressure achieved with the DePuy pressuriser was 60 kPa whereas it was 70 kPa with the plunger type pressuriser. The mean penetration with the plunger type pressuriser was found to be better than the other types. The penetration was found to be more uniform with equal penetration at the rim as well as at the pole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a part of the upgrades for the PHENIX detector at RHIC,a silicon vertex tracking detector is planned. This detector will consist of two pixel layers followed by two strip-pixel layers in the barrel region,an d four mini-strip layers in the endcap region. As a part of the development phase of the vertex detector, we have set up three sensor testing facilities at Brookhaven National Laboratory, at State University of New York, Stonybrook, and at University of New Mexico to characterize the preproduction sensors, and develop our testing and quality assurance plans. Preliminary results from these test are presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé Nous décrivons l’association entre l’aspect radiologique postopératoire immédiat et l’échec aseptique précoce de l’arthroplastie totale de la hanche. Soixante-trois hanches sont entrées dans le groupe de l’échec aseptique et 138 dans le groupe témoin. L’alignement de la tige fémorale n’était associé à l? échec (p=0.283). L’épaisseur du manteau de ciment était associé à l? échec dans les zones de Gruen 6 (p=0.040) et 7 (p=0.003). Une association significative a été trouvée avec la présence de liserés dans les zones de Gruen 3 (p=0.0001) et 5 (p=0.0001). Le niveau de cimentation a été associé à l’échec pour les grades C (p=0.001) et D (p=0.001) de Barrack. Cette étude montre que des critères radiologiques simples peuvent être utilisés pour identifier les ? arthroplasties à risque? sur les clichés post-opératoires immédiats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We study the distributions of conduction band and valence band electronic states associated with hydrogenated amorphous silicon. We find that there are substantial deviations from square-root distributions of electronic states, particularly deep within the bands and within the gap region. We clearly identify where these distributions of electronic states exhibit square-root functional dependencies by fitting square-root functional forms to some experimental data. The corresponding DOS effective masses are determined, and are found to be about 2 to 4 times greater than the crystalline silicon case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) was generated against the RBOK strain of rinderpest virus (RPV). All of them bound to the N protein of RPV. The antigen capture ELISA using the mAbs could detect the virus in crude viral preparations. The mAb 12BF8.1.1 showed higher reactivity with cell-associated (CA) virus, whereas the mAbs 12AD10.1.1, 12BD7.1.1 and 12DG7.1.1 showed higher reactivity with extracellular virus (hereafter referred to as cell-free (CF) virus). The mAbs 12BF8.1.1 and 12AD10.1.1 could detect the virus in infected Vero cell culture supernatants (CCS) as early as 24 h post-cytopathic effect (CPE) initiation. Detergent treatment (Triton X-100) of RPV preparations enhanced the binding of the mAbs to the virus. All the seven mAbs showed specific fluorescence in virus-infected cell cultures. The immunofluorescence (IFA) using mAbs was found to be more sensitive and reliable than the immunoperoxidase test (IPT) for detection of rinderpest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-four strains of Salmonella enteritidis, isolated from several outbreaks of salmonellosis from different poultry farms in India, were checked for the plasmid profile and detection of virulence gene(s) by PCR. Most of the strains contained only a single plasmid of 55 kb. Additional plasmids of 23.2 kb and 8.7 kb were seen in one of the strains, and another strain carried only two plasmids of 23.2 kb and 8.7 kb. Four strains did not carry any plasmid. PCR amplification showed the presence of virulence-associated genes in all the isolates harbouring the 55 kb plasmid. Intraperitoneal inoculation of mice, with most of the strains carrying the 55 kb plasmid, caused 100% mortality. Most strains lacking the 55 kb plasmid were avirulent. In chickens, oral inoculation of the S. enteritidis strains carrying the 55 kb plasmid produced 40–100% mortality, with characteristic signs of salmonellosis. Oral inoculation of strains lacking the 55 kb plasmid did not cause any mortality. Hence, it appears that the large plasmid of S. enteritidis probably contributes towards virulence in mice and chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical inactivity and low resting heart rate variability (HRV) are associated with increased coronary heart disease incidence. In the Whitehall II study of civil servants aged 45-68 years (London, United Kingdom, 1997-1999), the strength of the association of moderate and vigorous activity with higher HRV was examined. Five-minute recordings of heart rate and HRV measures were obtained from 3,328 participants. Calculated were time domain (standard deviation of NN intervals) and high-frequency-power measures as indicators of cardiac parasympathetic activity and low-frequency power of parasympathetic-sympathetic balance. Leisure-time physical activity (metabolic equivalent-hours per week) was categorized as moderate (≥3-<5) and vigorous (≥5). Moderate and vigorous physical activity were associated with higher HRV and lower heart rate. For men, linear trends of higher low-frequency power with increasing quartile of vigorous activity (304.6 (low), 329.0, 342.4, 362.5 (high); p < 0.01) and lower heart rate with increasing quartile of moderate activity (69.6 (low), 69.2, 68.9, 67.8 (high); p < 0.05) were found. These associations remained significant after adjustment for smoking and high alcohol intake. For men whose body mass index was >25 kg/m2, vigorous activity was associated with HRV levels similar to those for normal-weight men who engaged in no vigorous activity. Vigorous activity was associated with higher HRV, representing a possible mechanism by which physical activity reduces coronary heart disease risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Corneal scraping is ideal diagnostic procedure for infective keratitis. It is needed to find simple and proper microbiological investigative modalities for corneal scrapings by using direct microscopic methods, which are easily available and worthy in detection of micro -organisms so that eye clinics develop appropriate and well-timed diagnosis, treatment for averting visual loss. The study was designed to evaluate different staining techniques and culture media used for diagnosis of infective keratitis. It is a descriptive study carried out at Lahore General Hospital, Lahore during June, 2016 – June 2017, and the samples were processed according to SOPs at Microbiological laboratory of PGMI. Methods: Corneal scrapings were collected from fifty patients who were clinically diagnosed as infective keratitis by Ophthalmologist on clinical examination. The corneal scrapings were immediately inoculated on Chocolate agar, Blood agar, MacConkey agar and Sabouraud's Dextrose agar with antibiotics. The scrapings were stained with Gram's staining technique, Kinyoun staining, Giemsa stain and KOH wet mount preparation. Identification of bacterial and fungal pathogens was done by Microbiological SOPs in laboratory. Results: Out of 50 cases of corneal scrapings, 9 (18%) cases of bacterial pathogen were confirmed on Grams staining. One (2%) case of Nocardia spp. was confirmed on Kinyoun staining. 17 (34%) cases of fungal pathogens were confirmed on KOH/LPCB wet mount. Gram staining was 87.88% sensitive and 94.12% specific for diagnosing both bacterial and fungal pathogens. KOH/LPCB were 76.19% sensitive and 96.55% specific for only identification of fungal pathogens. 33 (66%) cases were confirmed in labo - ratory on cultures. Conclusion: Use of direct smear microscopy of corneal scrapings should be endorsed by different tech - niques and cultures from the patients who are clinically diagnosed as infective keratitis. Although culture is considered the gold standard but direct microscopy of smears provides prompt information of causative microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 0.8 MeV copper (Cu) ion beam irradiation-induced effects on structural, morphological and optical properties of tin dioxide nanowires (SnO2 NWs) are investigated. The samples are irradiated at three different doses 5 × 1012 ions/cm2, 1 × 1013 ions/cm2 and 5 × 1013 ions/cm2 at room temperature. The XRD analysis shows that the tetragonal phase of SnO2 NWs remains stable after Cu ion irradiation, but with increasing irradiation dose level the crystal size increases due to ion beam induced coalescence of NWs. The FTIR spectra of pristine SnO2 NWs exhibit the chemical composition of SnO2 while the Cu—O bond is also observed in the FTIR spectra after Cu ion beam irradiation. The presence of Cu impurity in SnO2 is further confirmed by calculating the stopping range of Cu ions by using TRM/SRIM code. Optical properties of SnO2 NWs are studied before and after Cu ion irradiation. Band gap analysis reveals that the band gap of irradiated samples is found to decrease compared with the pristine sample. Therefore, ion beam irradiation is a promising technology for nanoengineering and band gap tailoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We perform two-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations to quantitatively explore the torque balance criterion for gap-opening (as formulated by Crida et al.) in a variety of disks when considering a migrating planet. We find that even when the criterion is satisfied, there are instances when planets still do not open gaps. We stress that gap-opening is not only dependent on whether a planet has the ability to open a gap, but whether it can do so quickly enough. This can be expressed as an additional condition on the gap-opening timescale, , versus the crossing time, , i.e., the time it takes the planet to cross the region which it is carving out. While this point has been briefly made in the previous literature, our results quantify it for a range of protoplanetary disk properties and planetary masses, demonstrating how crucial it is for gap-opening. This additional condition has important implications for the survival of planets formed by core accretion in low mass disks as well as giant planets or brown dwarfs formed by gravitational instability in massive disks. It is particularly important for planets with intermediate masses susceptible to Type III-like migration. For some observed transition disks or disks with gaps, we expect that estimates on the potential planet masses based on the torque balance gap-opening criterion alone may not be sufficient. With consideration of this additional timescale criterion theoretical studies may find a reduced planet survivability or that planets may migrate further inwards before opening a gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]