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Despite the development of several industrial Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) megaprojects worldwide, minimal literature on LNG megaprojects is available in the non-proprietary public domain and academia, with the consequent lack of availability of practical tools, guidelines, and benchmarks for the use of professionals engaged in developing and managing LNG megaprojects. Cognizant of this fact, the authors have attempted a study of standard project management systems to explore practical ways to meet the unique needs of LNG megaprojects management and systematically assimilate lessons learned to replicate successes and avoid failures. Considering the complexity of the LNG value chain, a management system approach has been adopted. Combining academic and industrial knowledge, this study identifies nine significant areas that, when improved, should enhance the management of LNG megaprojects throughout their lifecycle — from initiation to handover for operation. With hundreds of billions of dollars invested in current LNG projects, even minor improvements can be worth billions. This study also addresses the challenges of megaprojects development, gaps that need to be overcome, and the importance of quality and lessons learned. Finally, although the focus of this study is the management of LNG megaprojects, it is expected that many improvements identified here would find relevance in managing large and complex projects, even in other industrial sectors.

The aim of the present work is to study the corrosion inhibition of Al 7475 alloy by an expired mouthwash drug (EMWD) in a 1 M HCl solution. The corrosion rate was optimized by the Doehlert experimental design at various temperatures, concentrations of inhibitor, and rotational velocity. The corrosion behavior was investigated by mass loss, Tafel potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. SEM, MOMT, XRD, FT-IR spectrum, and drop wettability measurement were used in characterizations of EMWD and surface morphology. Optimum conditions for corrosion control of EMWD on aluminum were 44.12 °C, 141.71 mL/L of EMWD per liter of acid, and 234.89 rpm. Maximum corrosion inhibition efficiency was 84.717% at higher levels of temperature and inhibitor concentration. It is observed that EMWD follows the Langmuir Adsorption Isotherm with negative values of ΔGadso, proposing a stable spontaneous inhibition process. The inhibitor efficiency increased as the inhibitor concentration increased. Moreover, increasing the solution temperature and rotational velocity had an adverse influence on inhibitor efficiency. The results of mass loss were in good agreement with potentiodynamic polarization and EIS. Polarization diagrams revealed that the inhibitor acts as a mixed-type inhibitor. It could be concluded that response surface Doehlert design (RSDD) was adequately applicable in the optimization of corrosion inhibition process variables and that EMWD sufficiently inhibited the corrosion of the aluminum at the studied conditions. Simulation of the EMWD molecules adsorption on the metal surface by quantum chemical theoretical studies was a powerful tool for supporting experimental outcomes.

A simplified model of heat and mass transfer of integrated solar still with an underground heat exchanger (GHEX) is presented. The solar still has 70 m length and 0.5 m2 inlet area. Moreover, the underground heat exchanger was 70 m length and 0.2 m diameter. The model includes a theoretical analysis in the transient mode for both the solar still and underground heat exchanger under warm climate region throughout the year. This system uses solar energy to saturate the air in the solar still, which is conducted into a buried pipe. Fresh water will be formed by condensation as long as the surface temperature of the pipe wall is less or equal to the dew point temperature of the humid air. A numerical method has been employed to solve the governing equations of heat and mass transfer characteristics in both the solar still and the underground heat exchanger. The soil temperature was taken as a function of soil depth and time along the year. The amount of fresh water produced was found strongly depends on solar intensity. It was respectively 4.7 (kg/m day) and 0.32 (kg/m day) for the highest and lowest values of solar radiation during the year. A good agreement has been shown when the results were compared with previous work.

Present study explores native L-asparaginase encapsulated long-acting cross-linker-free PLGA-nanoformulation in an Ehrlich ascites tumor model. L-asparaginase-PLGA nanoparticles for tumor were prepared using a double emulsion solvent evaporation technique, optimized and validated by Box-Behnken Design. L-ASN-PNs showed a particle size of 195 nm ± 0.2 nm and a PDI of 0.2. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques revealed its smooth morphology and elicited an in-vitro release of 80% of the drug, following the Higuchi drug release model. In-vivo studies of L-ASN-PNs on an Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) model were completed and compared with the standard medication of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment. L-ASN-PN treated mice showed a 51.15% decrease in tumor volume and 100% survival rate with no reduction in body weight, no haemotoxicity and no hepatotoxicity, as evident from the hematological parameters, and liver enzyme parameters that were well within the prescribed limits. Chemotherapy has severe side effects and restricted therapeutic success. Henceforth, the purported L-Asparaginase PLGA nanoparticles are a suitable entity for better tumor regression, intra-tumor accumulation and no hematological side-effects.

Objectives: Erythrocytes or red blood cells (RBCs) are the most abundant cells in blood. They transport oxygen from lungs to tissues and bring back carbon dioxide from tissues to lungs. Being non-nucleated and lacking the cellular organelles, they have been widely used for in vitro toxicity studies. The present study was carried out to study the comparative in vitro toxicity of cadmium (Cd) on RBCs of camel and cow. Methods: Both cow and camel whole blood samples were exposed to 0, 10, 50 and 100 μM of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) and the tubes were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. The erythrocytes from both the species were separated and used for biochemical determinations for markers of oxidative stress. Results: Cd caused a concentration dependent decrease in bovine glutathione (GSH) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. However, in the case of camel RBCs, the decrease in GSH content and SOD activity were observed at medium and high concentrations only. Cd exposure also resulted in significant inhibition of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase in both bovine and camel RBCs. The GPx in camel RBCs was inhibited only at a high concentration of Cd. Various concentrations of Cd inhibited the catalase in bovine RBCs only, without any significant inhibition of catalase in camel RBCs. Medium and high concentrations of Cd caused an increase in lipid peroxidation in bovine RBCs. In the case of camel RBCs, none of the used concentrations of Cd caused lipid peroxidation. Conclusions: The present study concludes that in vitro incubation of camel and bovine RBCs with Cd causes an impairment of their antioxidant system and therefore increases their susceptibility to hemolysis. However, the camel RBCs appear to have an increased resistance to oxidative stress generated by cadmium exposure.

Testing, designing and fabricating a friendly vapor absorption cooling system was the main purpose of the present study using water and methanol as a working fluid. Various Iraqi environmental conditions (Hilla City) are the operating conditions under which the test rig experiment was performed. The temperature of the heat source, condenser, absorber and evaporator, is the involved property in the test calculations. The system is tested during June and July 2019. The results show that the COP of the absorption cooling system ranged from 0.22 to 0.38 while the range of temperature drop in evaporator is (9.8 °C–15.8 °C). Condensation and absorption temperatures are under 45 °C while the maximum temperature of the driving water was 85 °C. The results also show that the generator temperature had a great effect on the system performance.

A theoretical study of humidification – dehumidification (HDH) process in transient mode inside an open solar distiller is presented. Energy and mass balances of the water layer, airstream, and glass cover of the distiller are formulated and numerically simulated. Dry air enters into the distiller is heated up and humidified by solar radiation. When the glass temperature is lower than or equal to the dew point of the humid air, the vapor condenses on the inner side of the glass cover and runs down where the fresh water is collected. The results show that the productivity of fresh water is strongly affected by the water, air, and glass temperatures and the maximum productivity achieved in March was 2.2 kg/m2 day. The increase in air velocity inside the solar distiller increases the evaporation rates and decreases the productivity. The distiller length required to reach the saturated state essentially depends on the air velocity and the water temperature. A comparison of the current analysis with other works showed a good agreement. Keywords: Active solar still, Open-type solar still, Solar humidification-dehumidification

This research focused on synthesizing a CdIn 2 Se 4 @Ch nanocomposite by doping CdIn 2 Se 4 into chitosan using a photolysis assisted ultrasonic process. The aim was to enhance the photodegradation efficiency of ofloxacin and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid under sunlight. The synthesized CdIn 2 Se 4 @Ch nanocomposite was investigated via different techniques, including XRD, XPS, FTIR, TEM, DSC, TGA, UV-Vis and PL. The study also investigated the influence of various reaction parameters, including the effects of inorganic and organic ions. The synthesized nanocomposite demonstrated exceptional efficiency, achieving 86 % and 95 % removal rates, with corresponding rate constants of 0.025 and 0.047 min-1. This performance surpasses that of CdIn 2 Se 4 by approximately 1.35 and 2.25 times, respectively. The values of COD were decreased to 78 and 86 % for ofloxacin and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic, while the TOC values decreased to 71 and 84 %, respectively, from their premier values. The improvement in performance is associated with the introduction of CdIn 2 Se 4 into chitosan, resulting in the self-integration of Cd into the catalyst. This creates a localized accumulation point for electrons, enhancing the efficiency of charge separation and further reducing the surface charge of chitosan. Experimental evidence suggests that superoxide and hydroxyl radicals play a significant role in the photodegradation of pollutants. Additionally, the nanocomposite exhibits excellent stability and can be reused up to five times, indicating remarkable stability and reusability of the developed photocatalyst., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The complement system is an important humoral immune surveillance mechanism against tumours. However, many malignant tumours are resistant to complement mediated lysis. Here, we report secretion of complement factor H related protein 5 (FHR5) by primary tumour cells derived from Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. We investigated whether the secreted FHR5 exhibited functional activity similar to factor H, including inhibition of complement mediated lysis, acting as a co-factor for factor I mediated cleavage of C3b, and decay acceleration of C3 convertase. Immunoblotting analysis of primary GBM cells (B30, B31 and B33) supernatant showed the active secretion of FHR5, but not of Factor H. ELISA revealed that the secretion of soluble GBM-FHR5 by cultured GBM cells increased in a time-dependent manner. Primary GBM-FHR5 inhibited complement mediated lysis, possessed co-factor activity for factor I mediated cleavage and displayed decay acceleration of C3 convertase. In summary, we detected the secretion of FHR5 by primary GBM cells B30, B31 and B33. The results demonstrated that GBM-FHR5 shares biological function with FH as a mechanism primary GBM cells potentially use to resist complement mediated lysis., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.)

This study aims to assess the effect of Eurycoma longifolia aqueous extract on chilled and cryopreserved quality of bull sperm. Semen samples were obtained from four Simmental-Brangus. Each sample was divided into two fractions: the first fraction was used for chilling the semen, and the second fraction was used for the freezing process. Both fractions were extended with Tris-egg yolk extender supplemented with 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mg/ml Eurycoma longifolia aqueous extract. The diluted chilled fraction was chilled at 5 °C for 6 days, whereas the frozen-thawed fraction was frozen in liquid nitrogen. Data revealed that 1 mg/ml E. longifolia aqueous extract yielded significantly (p < .05) higher sperm motility, morphology, viability, and sperm membrane integrity compared with the control group and other treated groups in chilled semen evaluation. For cryopreserved sperm, a significant difference (p < .05) in sperm motility, viability, sperm membrane integrity, DNA integrity, and lipid peroxidation was observed between 5 mg/ml E. longifolia aqueous extract and other treated and control groups. However, no significant difference in the percentage of sperm exhibiting normal sperm morphology was observed among the groups. In conclusion, the addition of 0.25 and 1 mg/ml E. langifolia extract to chilled semen and 5 mg/ml E. longifolia aqueous extract to cryopreserved sperm into Tris-egg yolk extender helps in maintaining superior quality of bull spermatozoa during chilling and freezing., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Eosinophilic airway inflammation is often present in asthma, and reduction of such inflammation results in improved clinical outcomes. We hypothesised that fevipiprant (QAW039), an antagonist of prostaglandin D2 receptor 2, might reduce eosinophilic airway inflammation in patients with moderate-to-severe eosinophilic asthma., Methods: We performed a single-centre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial at Glenfield Hospital (Leicester, UK). We recruited patients with persistent, moderate-to-severe asthma and an elevated sputum eosinophil count (≥2%). After a 2-week single-blind placebo run-in period, patients were randomly assigned (1:1) by the trial pharmacist, using previously generated treatment allocation cards, to receive fevipiprant (225 mg twice per day orally) or placebo, stratified by the use of oral corticosteroid treatment and bronchoscopy. The 12-week treatment period was followed by a 6-week single-blind placebo washout period. The primary outcome was the change in sputum eosinophil percentage from baseline to 12 weeks after treatment, analysed in the intention-to-treat population. All patients who received at least one dose of study drug were included in the safety analyses. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01545726, and with EudraCT, number 2011-004966-13., Findings: Between Feb 10, 2012, and Jan 30, 2013, 61 patients were randomly assigned to receive fevipiprant (n=30) or placebo (n=31). Three patients in the fevipiprant group and four patients in the placebo group withdrew because of asthma exacerbations. Two patients in the fevipiprant group were incorrectly given placebo (one at the mid-treatment visit and one throughout the course of the study). They were both included in the fevipiprant group for the primary analysis, but the patient who was incorrectly given placebo throughout was included in the placebo group for the safety analyses. Between baseline and 12 weeks after treatment, sputum eosinophil percentage decreased from a geometric mean of 5·4% (95% CI 3·1-9·6) to 1·1% (0·7-1·9) in the fevipiprant group and from 4·6% (2·5-8·7) to 3·9% (CI 2·3-6·7) in the placebo group. Compared with baseline, mean sputum eosinophil percentage was reduced by 4·5 times in the fevipiprant group and by 1·3 times in the placebo group (difference between groups 3·5 times, 95% CI 1·7-7·0; p=0·0014). Fevipiprant had a favourable safety profile, with no deaths or serious adverse events reported. No patient withdrawals were judged by the investigator to be related to the study drug., Interpretation: Fevipiprant reduces eosinophilic airway inflammation and is well tolerated in patients with persistent moderate-to-severe asthma and raised sputum eosinophil counts despite inhaled corticosteroid treatment., Funding: Novartis Pharmaceuticals, AirPROM project, and the UK National Institute for Health Research., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Oral anticoagulants (OAC) are effective in the prevention of thromboembolic events but are underused. The 1st year following the beginning of vitamin K antagonists is associated with higher bleeding rate, especially in patients with international normalized ratio (INR) of >4, leading to discontinuation of OAC. We hypothesized that the decision to discontinue OAC during the 1st year in patients with events of overanticoagulation is not fully justified., Setting: A retrospective study of the association between warfarin overanticoagulation during the 1st year of treatment and the outcome and complications in patients admitted to an internal medicine department with INR>4., Subjects: A cohort of 249 patients was divided according to OAC treatment duration: ≤12 months (group I, n=72; mean age, 79.1 years) and >12 months (group II, n=177; mean age, 78.3 years)., Results: International normalized ratio upon admission was higher in group I (INR, 6.88 versus 6.16; P=0.003). Patients in group I were overanticoagulated for a longer period (46.4% versus 18.5%; P<0.001) but had lower time in therapeutic range (39.0% versus 60.2%; P=0.001). The frequency of INR monitoring was higher in group I. The incidence of major and minor bleeding events and survival was similar., Conclusions: Patients who are admitted with INR>4 during the 1st year of OAC therapy are overanticoagulated for a longer period, have lower time in therapeutic range, but do not present with higher incidence of bleeding events, all compared with patients treated for longer than 12 months. Stricter INR monitoring and careful patient selection may prevent the discontinuation of OAC.

Evidence from epidemiologic studies has suggested that carotenoids, and lycopene in particular, decrease the risk of cancer: however, not all studies support this view. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms whereby lycopene and other carotenoids may exert their chemoprotective effects, we and others performed a series of studies that used a large panel of cancer cell lines of different lineages and animal models of human cancer. In this review we address some of the mechanisms proposed for the cancer-preventive activity of tomato lycopene, focusing on the induction of the antioxidant response element transcription system and the inhibition of the transcriptional activity of sex hormones, such as estrogens and androgens, and the activity of growth factors, such as insulin-like growth factor. We also considered the modulation by lycopene of the transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, retinoid X receptor, liver X receptor, and activating protein-1. The ligands and the phytonutrient regulators of these transcription systems contain electrophilic active groups, whereas lycopene and nonxanthophylic carotenoids are devoid of them. Thus, we suggest that at least some of the cellular effects of carotenoids are mediated through their derivatives formed either by chemical oxidation or by enzymatic cleavage inside the cells. This review highlights findings that pertain to this exciting avenue of research, which is currently under intense scrutiny in several laboratories worldwide.

Since cholesterol and lipid content may affect cell membrane fluidity, we assumed that treatment of mice with lipid lowering statins would enhance the engulfing capacity of their macrophages. Four groups of animals were examined. Group I-treated with pravastatin, group II--with simvastatin--both drugs in a dosage of 40 mg/kg daily, 5 days/week for a total of 3 weeks. Mice in group III received atorvastatin 5 mg/kg for the same time period. Group IV--untreated animals serving as controls. The phagocytic capacity of the peritoneal macrophages was evaluated by their ability to engulf latex particles. In addition, the mitogen response of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and splenocytes to Con A and PHA was examined. Compared to the controls, the percentage of phagocyting cells in pravastatin-treated mice was enhanced by 18%, with simvastatin--by 24% and in atorvastatin-treated animals by 8%. The three statins increased the phagocytic index by 79.5%, 88.8% and 62%, respectively. The mitogen response of splenocytes from mice treated with the three statins to Con A increased by 68%, 48% and by 40%, respectively. Compared with the controls the response to PHA was higher in animals treated with pravastatin (84%), simvastatin (73%) and atorvastatin (57%). The response of PBMC from statin-treated animals to both mitogens did not differ from that of the controls. The results suggest that statins, at least those hereby investigated, may exert a beneficial effect on the immune function of the macrophages.

Background: To lower costs, many centers around the world utilize previously used, resterilized balloon catheters to perform coronary angioplasty There are no controlled trials regarding their safety and efficacy., Methods and Results: We performed the first randomized, double-blind, controlled, single-center clinical trial comparing the safety (clinical success) and efficacy (angiographic success) of reused versus new coronary angioplasty balloon catheters. A total of 377 procedures were included, 178 in the reused catheter arm and 199 in the new catheter arm. There were no significant differences in clinical or lesion characteristics among the two arms. The incidence of first balloon failure in the reused catheter arm was similar to that of the new catheter arm (12 cases [7%] v. 10 cases [5%], respectively). The angiographic success rate was also similar-176 cases (98.9%) in the reused catheter arm and 196 cases (98.5%) in the new catheter arm. The number of balloon catheters used per lesion, amount of contrast, and procedural and fluoroscopy time were similar in the two arms. At 30 days, the incidence of major adverse cardiac events was similar in both arms, 8 cases (4.5%) in the reused catheter arm and 10 cases (5%) in the new catheter arm. The incidence of fever was also similar., Conclusions: When performing coronary angioplasty, reused catheters are as effective (similar angiographic success) and safe (similar clinical success) as new catheters.

Hypothermia affects various components of the immune system, leading to impaired immune resistance. To examine the in vitro effect of low temperature on the ultrastructure and phagocytic function of rat peritoneal macrophages, cells were incubated at 4, 10, 24, and 37 degrees C for 60 min. Subsequently, their ultrastructure and capacity to engulf latex particles and generate superoxide anions were evaluated. The results showed a close inverse relationship between incubation temperature and ultrastructural changes, i.e., the lower the temperature, the higher the number of altered cells. In addition, at lower temperatures the number of cells capable of phagocytosis was reduced; the cells engulfed fewer particles per cell and generated less superoxide anions. These findings may be relevant for explaining the increased susceptibility to bacterial infections under hypothermic conditions., (Copyright 2000 Academic Press.)

Objective: We prospectively studied the course of exercise induced positive U-wave before and after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (angioplasty)., Background: Negative U-wave in ECG is known to be associated with the myocardial ischemia in the territory of the left anterior descending artery. Positive U-wave needs further evaluation to prove its diagnostic value in localization of coronary artery disease., Method: Twenty patients demonstrated exercise induced positive U-wave from a cohort of 730 patients referred because of chest pain. Exercise was carried to > or =90% of target heart rate. They underwent angiography and subsequent angioplasty for stenosis of 70% or greater. The exercise test was repeated post angioplasty. Careful screening for clinical endpoints and presence of ST segment depression and positive U-wave was done during exercise and the first 3 min of the recovery phase., Results: Fifteen patients had isolated exercise induced U-wave and five had additional ST segment depression of > or =1 mm. Significant stenosis (>70% diameter reduction) of the circumflex artery was seen in 11 (55%) and of the right coronary artery in 9 (45%) patients. Coronary artery stenosis was reduced from 90+/-2% to 13+/-1% (mean+/-S.D.) P<0.001. On repeat of the exercise test U-wave and ST depression disappeared in all 20 individuals. Effort tolerance was improved after angioplasty for a mean duration of 3 min and 38 s, P<0.001., Conclusion: Exercise induced positive U-wave is an infrequent but specific marker of significant single coronary (circumflex or right) artery stenosis. It may lend itself to the detection of restenosis.

Overdose with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) may lead to serious complications. CCBs act by blocking calcium entry into the cell, thus lowering intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i). [Ca2+]i during CCB overdose has not yet been reported. We measured [Ca2+]i in lymphocytes of a patient with acute verapamil overdose with a complex clinical picture. A 59-year-old woman was admitted after a suicidal ingestion of 7200 mg of a sustained-release verapamil preparation. She presented with hypotension, complete atrioventricular block, stupor, hypokalemia, and hyperglycemia. Acute oliguric renal failure, acute pancreatitis, and the adult respiratory distress syndrome further complicated her medical course. Treatment was supportive and she recovered completely. Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) was measured in the patient's lymphocytes using a spectrofluorometer with the calcium-sensitive dye Fura-2-acetoxymethyl ester. Thirty nine hours after the ingestion, [Ca2+]i was low at 52 nM (compared with 80 nM in a healthy control subject). Lymphocytic [Ca2+]i did not respond to stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Fourteen days after the verapamil overdose, after the patient had recovered completely, lymphocytic [Ca2+]i was still low at 55 nM. At this time, there was an incomplete response to PHA in the lymphocytes. Three months after the ingestion, [Ca2+]i was normal, with a normal response to PHA. Verapamil overdose may run a complex clinical course, but full recovery is to be hoped for with full supportive care. Cellular intoxication, as reflected by low lymphocytic [Ca2+]i, is prolonged and lags behind the clinical recovery by weeks.

The cost of medical care is constantly increasing. Therefore, ways of saving expenses should be considered. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the possibility than an awareness of the cost of drugs for treatment of hypertension may affect physicians' prescription decisions. A questionnaire containing the clinical data of a young and an elderly imaginary patient with moderate hypertension was given to 30 family physicians and 30 hospital physicians together with a list of appropriate drugs (phase I). This was repeated as phase II except that for this stage the cost of the drugs was brought to the participants' attention. Knowing the cost of the drugs caused a decrease in prescription of the more expensive drugs for the younger patients; of 60% (family physicians) and 87% (hospital physicians). For their elderly patients family physicians preferred the less expensive drugs at both phases. 25% of the hospital doctors changed their preference towards less expensive drugs at phase II. For the younger patient, no correlation was found between the number of years of physicians' practice and the cost of the drugs chosen. For the elderly patient, physicians from both groups preferred less expensive drugs at phase II without any relation to their years of practice. The results of this study indicate that a knowledge of the price of the drugs may affect physicians' prescription decisions, a fact that may result in considerable saving by health providing organizations.

Unlabelled: We prospectively studied the angiographic and clinical outcome in a group of 117 consecutive patients (140 vessels) undergoing coronary angioplasty in the stent ERA without surgical backup. There were no exclusion criteria. Intracoronary stents were deployed in 36 vessels (26%) either as a bailout procedure or for a suboptimal result following balloon angioplasty. Procedural success was achieved in 126 vessels in 108 patients (90%). Two patients developed Q-wave myocardial infarction and another two developed nonQ myocardial infarction. One patient died suddenly 2 days following an initially successful procedure. No patient was referred for emergency coronary artery bypass grafting and there were no vascular complications. Clinical or angiographic follow up was available in 87% of the patients and an angiographic follow up in 50% of the patients. At a median angiographic follow up of 210 days restenosis was seen in 34% of the vessels. Restenosis occurred in three of the 21 (14%) stented vessels and in 18 of the 41 (44%) nonstented vessels (P<0.02)., Conclusion: In the stent era, coronary angioplasty can be safely performed without surgical backup. A satisfactory immediate and long-term result could be achieved by stenting 26% of the vessels.

To elucidate the effect of sodium thiopentone anesthesia on the function of phagocytic cells, albino rats were anesthetized with 60 mg/kg. of sodium thiopentone. After 90 min., peritoneal macrophages were harvested and their capacity for superoxide anion generation was detected. Following anesthesia for 90 min. latex particles were injected intraperitoneally, and after additional 30 min. the macrophages were derived, embedded in agar and the number of cells engaged in phagocytosis, as well as the number of latex particles engulfed by each individual cell were counted in semi-thick sections. Macrophages of anesthetized animals showed a statistically significant decrease of both superoxide anion generation and mean number of phagocytic cells, and engulfed fewer particles than those of the controls. Similar results were obtained following incubation of the cells with sodium thiopentone in vitro. The serum corticosterone level in anesthetized rats was significantly higher than that of the control animals. The results indicate that impaired phagocytosis following anesthesia induced by sodium thiopentone, in addition to alterations of the immune system caused by surgical trauma, may be one of the reasons for increased susceptibility to infections of surgical patients during the postoperative period.

A case of silicosis in a 47-year-old worker who was employed for many years in a small souvenir casting shop is described. This work site demonstrates many unfavorable characteristics of small industries, such as lack of awareness of the need for safety measures, exposure control, protection of workers, and lack of compliance with environmental and medical-legal standards.