Development of granular radioactive reference source from 152,154Eu adsorbed on tin tungstate matrix

A reference source with the granular active portion was made using 152,154Eu(III) loaded tin tungstate material. Batch equilibration method was used to investigate the interaction of 152,154Eu(III) radiotracer (10−4 M) in acid solutions on tin(IV) tungstate gel matrix. The sorption behavior of 152,154Eu(III) showed high affinity towards tin(IV) tungstate gel matrix at low pH values. Tin tungstate gel matrix was loaded with 152,154Eu from batch at pH 3. Standardization of the source was done spectroscopically with reference to primary certified set of radioactive sources and with the aid of HPGe detector. Random and true coincidence summing was carried out by following-up coincidence in 152Eu and possible interference between γ lines of 152Eu and 154Eu. The relation between the grain size and the activity of samples was studied. Correction factor for capsule attenuation was applied.

Screening for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus among febrile Indonesian Hajj pilgrims: A study on 28,197 returning pilgrims

There were 211,000 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims going to Mecca through 11 main airports in 2015 who were at risk of contracting the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). We aimed to find out whether there was any occurrence of MERS-CoV by performing screening on 28,197 returning pilgrims. Those with a body temperature of > 38 °C and respiratory symptoms were sent to the airport clinic to have an oropharyngeal swab and a bacterial culture. Fifteen pilgrims had fever (> 38 °C) accompanied by respiratory symptoms; of these, 12 patients were diagnosed with upper and lower respiratory tract infections and three patients with pneumonia. However, none of them were found to be infected with MERS-CoV. The bacterial cultures showed evidence of normal flora growth.

Impact of alkali cations on properties of metakaolin and metakaolin/slag geopolymers: Microstructures in relation to sorption of 134Cs radionuclide

Radio-cesium constitutes major environmental threats. Sorption of hazardous species onto geopolymeric sorbents is relatively recent and may give information about the retention mechanisms when geopolymers are applied to immobilize radwastes. Here, Na-MK, K-MK, Na-MKBFS, and K-MKBFS geopolymeric sorbents were synthesized from metakaolin (MK) and blast furnace slag (BFS) and were characterized using XRD, XRF, FT-IR, DTA/TGA and SEM. FT-IR/XRF results clarified the impact of mono-valent alkali cation (M⁺) in dividing the sorbents into Al-rich (sodium-based) and Si-rich (potassium-based). All sorbents were amorphous to semi-crystalline containing mica-phyllosilicates (greater in Si-rich), tobermorites (greater in MKBFS-based), gehlenite, calcite, quartz, hematite and hydrotalcite. Isotherms of ¹³⁴Cs radionuclide sorption were constructed, being regular with a positive temperature effect. Al-rich sorbents gave higher sorption capacities than Si-rich ones. Na-MK sorbent recorded the more distinctive sorption capacity (74.95mg/g; at 333K). Langmuir, Freundlich and D-R models were used to disclose the capacities and mechanisms governing the sorption processes. Sorption of Cs⁺ onto the examined sorbents was favorable. All systems were controlled by ion exchange mechanism, except ¹³⁴Cs/K-MK system which was controlled by physi- sorption mechanism. ¹³⁴Cs/Na-MK GP system was the only spontaneous among all. The endothermic natures were the common denominator between the tested systems.

Berberine inhibits experimental varicocele-induced cell cycle arrest via regulating cyclin D1, cdk4 and p21 proteins expression in rat testicles

The aim of this study was to uncover the protective effect of berberine (BBR), an antioxidant chemical, on experimental varicocele (VCL)-induced adverse effects on cell cycle machinery during early germ cells mitosis. To follow-up this study, 30 mature male Wistar rats were divided into control-sham, nontreated VCL, 50 mg kg-1 and 100 mg kg-1 BBR-treated VCL groups. Following 60 days, histological alterations were analysed by haematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining, and expressions of cyclin-D1, cyclin-dependent kinase-4 (cdk4) and p21 were investigated by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining technique. Finally, DNA ladder test was carried out to examine the testicular DNA fragmentation. Administration of BBR remarkably diminished the percentage of seminiferous tubules with deformed shape, depleted germ cells and germ cells dissociation compared to VCL-sole group. The IHC observations showed that BBR significantly (p < .05) reduced VCL-induced p21 expression increase and up-regulated cyclin-D1 and cdk4 expressions. Moreover, BBR decreased VCL-induced DNA fragmentation. In conclusion, BBR can promote cell cycle through cellular DNA content protection, p21 expression down-regulation and maintaining cyclin-D1 and cdk4 expressions. Thus, BBR could be considered as a novel protective biochemical agent against experimental VCL-induced derangements. However, more studies are needed to uncover BBR-induced effects on cells cycle process and germ cells development.

Nasal closure for severe hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia in 100 patients. The Lund modification of the Young's procedure: a 22-year experience

INTRODUCTION

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant vascular disease characterized by recurrent epistaxis, mucocutaneous telangiectasia and visceral arteriovenous malformations. The nosebleeds can be life-threatening and in these circumstances, radical treatment is required.

METHODS

Since 1994, closure of the nose has been undertaken to prevent severe nasal bleeding in patients meeting specific selection criteria. Outcome data collected on this cohort pre- and post-operatively is available for analysis.

RESULTS

From a cohort of 515 HHT patients, 100 have undergone nasal closure, bilateral ab initio in 81%. Fifty patients completed pre- and post-operative epistaxis severity questionnaires and provided information on post-operative problems and 28 completed a Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI). Overall most patients derived significant benefit from the procedure with complete cessation of nasal bleeding in 94%, a highly significant improvement in the epistaxis score and a mean GBI score of 53.4. Loss of smell and taste was the most frequent post-operative complaint.

CONCLUSION

HHT can be associated with life-threatening epistaxis significantly affecting patients quality of life. Permanent prevention of airflow is associated with complete or near-total cessation of epistaxis in the majority of patients.

Chemical aerosol Raman detector

A sensitive chemical aerosol Raman detector (CARD) has been developed for the trace detection and identification of chemical particles in the ambient atmosphere. CARD includes an improved aerosol concentrator with a concentration factor of about 40 and a CCD camera for improved detection sensitivity. Aerosolized isovanillin, which is relatively safe, has been used to characterize the performance of the CARD. The limit of detection (SNR = 10) for isovanillin in 15 s has been determined to be 1.6 pg/cm³, which corresponds to 6.3 × 10⁹ molecules/cm³ or 0.26 ppb. While less sensitive, CARD can also detect gases. This paper provides a more detailed description of the CARD hardware and detection algorithm than has previously been published.