Evaluation of postoperative outcomes in palatoplasty with three soft palate cleft repairs

The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative clinical and functional outcomes of palatoplasty with three soft palate cleft repairs and analyse the factors potentially impacting these outcomes. A retrospective analysis was conducted on a consecutive series of 337 patients who underwent primary cleft palate repair by palatoplasty modified with either Furlow Z-plasty (P-FZP, n = 77), intravelar veloplasty (P-IVV, n = 110), or combined intravelar veloplasty-Furlow Z-plasty (P-IVV-FZP, n = 150). The postoperative outcomes evaluated included wound healing (complete closure/fistula) and velopharyngeal function. Demographic and surgical data were analysed using both univariate and multivariate analysis. There was no significant difference between the groups with regard to the sex distribution, age at repair, cleft width, cleft type, or follow-up duration. However, relaxing incisions were significantly more common with P-FZP (26.0%) and P-IVV (29.1%) compared to P-IVV-FZP (10%) (P = 0.002 and <0.001, respectively). The complete wound closure rate was significantly higher with P-IVV-FZP (97.3%) compared to P-FZP (88.3%) (P = 0.012) and P-IVV (90%) (P = 0.015). The normal velopharyngeal function rate was comparable for P-IVV-FZP (86.7%) and P-FZP (83.1%), and both rates were significantly better than the rate with P-IVV (73.6%) (P = 0.039 and 0.029, respectively). The cleft type and width were identified as factors influencing postoperative outcomes. In conclusion, it may be appropriate to prioritize the palatoplasty with combined intravelar veloplasty-Furlow Z-plasty whenever feasible.

Analysis of Doppler reactivity of SMART reactor core for hybrid fuel configurations of UO2, MOX and (Th/U)O2 using OpenMC

In this study, the Doppler reactivity coefficient has been investigated for UO2, MOX, and (Th/U)O2 fuel types. The calculation has been carried out using the Monte Carlo method ( OpenMC). The effective multiplication factor keff has been evaluated for three materials with four different configurations without Integral Fuel Burnable Absorber (IFBA) rods and soluble boron. The results of MOX fuel, homogenous and heterogeneous thorium fuel configuration has been compared with the core of the reference fuel assembly (UO2). The calculation showed that the effective multiplication factor at 1 000 K was 1.26052, 1.14254, 1.22018 and 1.23771 for reference core, MOX, homogenous and heterogeneous configurations respectively. The results shows that reactivity has decreased with increasing temperature while the doppler reactivity coefficient remained negative. Moreover, the use of (Th/U)O2 homogenous and heterogeneous configuration had shown an improved response compared to the reference core at 600 K and 1 000 K. The doppler reactivity coefficient has been found as –8.98E-3 pcm/K, -0.8 655 pcmK for the homogenous and –8.854 pcm/K, -1.2253 pcm/K for the heterogeneous configuration. However, the pattern remained the same as for the reference core at other temperature points. MOX fuel has shown less response compared to the other fuel configuration because of the high resonance absorption coefficient of Plutonium. This study showed that the SMART reactor could be operated safely with investigated fuel and models.

Adsorption of Pb(II) ions from contaminated water by 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid-modified microcrystalline cellulose: Isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamic studies

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) has been utilized as an adsorbent material for the removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution after treatment with 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) at elevated temperature to obtain MMCC. The resulting adsorbent was characterized for point of zero point charge (pHZPC), estimation of carboxyl content, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scan electron microscopy (SEM), and textural properties, including surface area, and subsequently utilized for the removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution. The adsorption process was probed by investigating the effect of adsorbent dose, pH of solution, temperature, agitation time, and Pb(II) ion concentration. The results showed successful functionalization of MCC using BTCA, significantly improved the binding properties of the adsorbent towards Pb(II) ions. Isothermal adsorption data was analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models, evaluated via nonlinear regression analysis. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 1155 mg/g (at pH 5 and 30 °C) from Langmuir theory, and appears independent of surface area. The Freundlich model was found to provide the best fit and the constant n was determined to be 2.69, indicating that adsorption of Pb(II) ions onto MMCC is favorable. Kinetic modelling showed good agreement for the pseudo-second order kinetic model, supporting the theory that chemisorption is involved in the adsorption process, which is promoted by a high density of active sites. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the adsorption of Pb(II) ions onto MMCC was endothermic and nonspontaneous; hence, MMCC offers an effective method of Pb(II) ion removal from aqueous solutions, with potential for water remediation processes.

Hadron production models' prediction for pT distribution of charged hadrons in pp interactions at 7 TeV

The yield of transverse momentum (p_T) spectra of integrated hadrons and their ratios produced in pp collisions at 7 TeV are reported using DPMJET-III, EPOS1.99, EPOS-LHC, HIJING1.383, QGSJETII-04, and Sibyll2.3c models. The models’ predictions are compared with the ALICE measurements obtained at mid rapidity and in the p_T range from 0.3–6 GeV/c, 0.2–6 GeV/c, and 0.1–3 GeV/c for protons, kaons and pions respectively. Compared to the experimental data, the EPOS1.99 and EPOS-LHC models predict the yield of pion very well while reproducing yields of kaon and proton at low p_T only. The DPMJET-III model predicts the yield of pions, kaons and protons only at intermediate value of p_T. The HIJING and Sibyll models describe the integrated yield of pion well at high p_T only. The QGSJETII model predicts the yield of kaon for almost the whole p_T range. EPOS1.99 and Sibyll models reproduce excellent prediction of the K/π ratio over the entire range of p_T whereas the EPOS-LHC, HIJING and DPMJET models underpredict with increasing order of discrepancy respectively. The EPOS1.99, EPOS-LHC, and Sibyll models predict the p/π ratio for low values of p_T, but overpredict at high values, while the DPMJET-III and HIJING models underpredict over the entire range of p_T. Although the models’ predictions are mostly consistent with the ALICE measurements but none of the models completely describe the entire distribution for the integrated yield of hadron and their ratios.

ASSESSMENT OF RADIATION DOSE AND EXCESSIVE LIFE-TIME CANCER RISK FROM THE BUNAIR GRANITE, NORTHERN PAKISTAN

Natural radioactivity was measured in Bunair Granite using high purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometer and compared to world's granites and building materials to access its suitability for the construction purpose. Average gamma-activities of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were found to be 52.41, 58.41 and 1130.12 Bq kg-1, respectively. The Indoor and outdoor radiation indices including excessive life-time cancer risk (ELCR) were calculated. The average indoor ELCR was estimated as 3.49 × 10-3. The average outdoor ELCR was assessed as 0.46 × 10-3. As a basic building material Bunair Granite should be on low propriety. For flooring, facing the buildings and as Table tops, in kitchens and other utilities it is safe.

Vitamin E supplementation reduces dexamethasone-induced oxidative stress in chicken semen

1. We examined the effects of supplemental dietary vitamin E (Vit E) on semen quality and antioxidative status in male domestic fowls exposed to oxidative stress induced by synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (DEX) injection. 2. Thirty-six Egyptian local cross males, 42 weeks old, were housed individually in cages in an open-sided building under 16 h light:8 h dark and were provided with commercial feed and water ad libitum. Birds were divided into 4 groups: DEX (4 mg/bird/d), Vit E (200 mg/kg diet), DEX + Vit E (4 mg/bird/d + 200 mg/kg diet, respectively) and control, n = 9. All treatments lasted for 7 continuous days. 3. Oxidative stress induced by injection of DEX (4 mg/bird/d) resulted in decreased sperm count and motility correlated with an increased percentage of dead sperms. Vit E (200 mg/kg diet) enhanced sperm count and viability when supplemented to stress-induced birds, compared to DEX treatment alone. 4. In seminal plasma, low calcium concentration, high lipid peroxidation and reduced activity of glutathione peroxidase were associated with the oxidative stress. Vit E reduced lipid peroxidation in the seminal plasma. 5. In conclusion, excessive supplemental dietary Vit E improved semen quality when cockerels were subjected to stress conditions. It increased both sperm count and motility, reduced the percentage of dead sperm and enhanced the antioxidative status of seminal plasma.

The impact of calcification on the biomechanical stability of atherosclerotic plaques

BACKGROUND

Increased biomechanical stresses in the fibrous cap of atherosclerotic plaques contribute to plaque rupture and, consequently, to thrombosis and myocardial infarction. Thin fibrous caps and large lipid pools are important determinants of increased plaque stresses. Although coronary calcification is associated with worse cardiovascular prognosis, the relationship between atheroma calcification and stresses is incompletely described.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To test the hypothesis that calcification impacts biomechanical stresses in human atherosclerotic lesions, we studied 20 human coronary lesions with techniques that have previously been shown to predict plaque rupture locations accurately. Ten ruptured and 10 stable lesions derived from post mortem coronary arteries were studied using large-strain finite element analysis. Maximum stress was not correlated with percentage of calcification, but it was positively correlated with the percentage of lipid (P:=0.024). When calcification was eliminated and replaced with fibrous plaque, stress changed insignificantly; the median increase in stress for all specimens was 0.1% (range, 0% to 8%; P:=0.85). In contrast, stress decreased by a median of 26% (range, 1% to 78%; P:=0.02) when lipid was replaced with fibrous plaque.

CONCLUSIONS

Calcification does not increase fibrous cap stress in typical ruptured or stable human coronary atherosclerotic lesions. In contrast to lipid pools, which dramatically increase stresses, calcification does not seem to decrease the mechanical stability of the coronary atheroma.

Enhancement of amniotic cyclooxygenase type 2 activity in women with preterm delivery associated with twins or polyhydramnios

OBJECTIVE

We tested the hypothesis that preterm delivery in women with twins or polyhydramnios is associated with enhanced expression and activity of cyclooxygenase type 2 in the amnion.

STUDY DESIGN

We obtained amniotic tissue samples from women undergoing preterm delivery complicated by either twins or polyhydramnios and also from women undergoing preterm cesarean delivery before or after labor. We measured amniotic prostaglandin E2 content and determined cyclooxygenase type 1 and type 2 expressions. We inhibited cyclooxygenase type 1 and type 2 activities with selective inhibitors.

RESULTS

Preterm delivery attributed to twins or polyhydramnios was associated with higher prostaglandin E2 production and enhanced amniotic expression of cyclooxygenase type 2. In contrast, cyclooxygenase type 1 expression was unchanged. Incubation of amniotic samples in vitro with either indomethacin or the selective cyclooxygenase type 2 inhibitor SC-236, but not with the cyclooxygenase type 1 inhibitor SC-560, effectively reduced prostaglandin E2 production.

CONCLUSION

Preterm delivery related to multiple gestation or polyhydramnios was associated with enhanced amniotic expression and activity of cyclooxygenase type 2.