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The thermogravimetry (TGA) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) methods have been used to measure the free water in low-moisture foods. In this study, the 2nd derivative thermogravimetry (2nd DTG) method distinguished the free and bound water based on the speed of moisture evaporation, which could be used for both low-moisture and high-moisture foods. First, the key factors related to moisture evaporation were optimized. Isothermal temperature of 30 ~ 50°C, dynamic temperature of 0.033 ~ 0.133°C/min, and flow rate of nitrogen of 20 ~ 40 mL/min were the optimal parameters for the 2nd DTG method. Under these conditions, the repeatability and reproducibility of the 2nd DTG method were enhanced, its applicability was expanded to high-moisture foods, and the accuracy was ± 4.0% of the nuclear magnetic resonance results. Hence, the 2nd DTG method is better suited for the measurement of free water in foods.

Four body-size and fourteen head-size measurements were taken from each Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) according to the measurements adapted from Verdade. Regression equations between body-size and head-size variables were presented to predict body size from head dimension. The coefficients of determination of captive animals concerning body- and head-size variables can be considered extremely high, which means most of the head-size variables studied can be useful for predicting body length. The result of multivariate allometric analysis indicated that the head elongates as in most other species of crocodilians. The allometric coefficients of snout length (SL) and lower ramus (LM) were greater than those of other variables of head, which was considered to be possibly correlated to fights and prey. On the contrary, allometric coefficients for the variables of obita (OW, OL) and postorbital cranial roof (LCR), were lower than those of other variables.

Hundreds of millions of patients are suffering from cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases worldwide, and this public health problem continues to grow. It has been proven that liver fibrosis is reversible after the elimination of the etiology, especially in the early stage. Thus, early diagnosis of liver fibrosis is of vital importance for clinical treatment. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for both diagnosis and staging of fibrosis, but is suboptimal, due in large parts to its invasive nature and sundry associated complications. To overcome this, a number of non-invasive diagnosis based on serum biomarkers or imaging modalities have been developed. While diagnosis based on serum biomarkers is cheaper and more acceptable to patients, almost none developed to date are liver-specific, and may engender a false positive error. The imaging modalities have evolved rapidly and are taking on more and more important roles in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objectives: To investigate the clinic effectiveness, safety and feasibility of Narcotrend® monitor for evaluation of depth of anesthesia in congenital heart disease (CHD) infants undergoing cardiac surgery., Methods: A total of 80 infants receiving general anesthesia in selective surgery were randomly selected. Infants were assigned into two groups (n=40 per group). In the Narcotrend group, the depth of anesthesia was monitored with the Narcotrend monitor. In the standard group, the depth of anesthesia was controlled according to the experience. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were determined, as well as the dose of fentanyl, muscle relaxant, recovery time and extubation time were recorded., Results: In both groups, vital signs were stable during the surgery. When compared with the standard group, the MAP and HR were more stable, the total dose of fentanyl and muscle relaxant were significantly reduced and the recovery time and extubation time were markedly shortened in the Narcotrend group., Conclusion: The application of Narcotrend monitor was beneficial to the control of the depth of anesthesia in CHD infants receiving total intravenous anesthesia, in which small amount of narcotics can achieve optimal anesthesia. Moreover, the recovery time and extubation time are reduced and the harmful consequence such as intraoperative awareness can be avoided., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To report the immediate changes of intraocular (IOP) pressure after an intravitreal injection of 2.5mg (0.1 ml) of bevacizumab., Methods: Prospective, non-controlled, interventional case series of 45 patients undergoing intravitreal injection of 2.5mg (0.1 mL) of bevacizumab for a variety of retinal disorders. IOP was measured with a Goldmann tonometer at baseline, immediately after, 30 minutes and one day after injection in all of the cases. The main outcome measured was the IOP immediately after injection., Results: At baseline the mean IOP was 16.6±2.8mm Hg (range, 10-24 mm Hg; median, 16 mm Hg; 25(th) percentile, 14 mm Hg and 75(th) percentile, 18 mm Hg). IOP rose to 53.9±18.2mm Hg (range, 16-78 mm Hg, median, 54 mm Hg; 25(th) percentile, 40 mm Hg and 75(th) percentile, 70 mm Hg; p<0.001) immediately after the injection. After 30 minutes, the IOP normalized but was still higher than baseline with a mean of 19.8±5.2 mm Hg (range, 10-36 mm Hg; median,18 mm Hg; 25(th) percentile,16 mm Hg and 75(th) percentile, 24 mm Hg; P<.01). At 24 hours the IOP was 15.7±3.1 mm Hg (range,10-24 mm Hg; median, 16 mm Hg; 25(th) percentile,14 mm Hg and 75(th) percentile,18 mm Hg; p>0.05)., Conclusions: An intravitreal injection of 2.5mg (0.1 ml) of bevacizumab causes a transient elevation of IOP that tends to return to normal 30 minutes later., (Copyright © 2010 Sociedad Española de Oftalmología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)