Dataset of PY53 Nickel-Titanate Yellow Pigments for Plastic, Enamel and Ceramic Glaze Applications

This dataset shows the change in color tone in plastic (masterbatch), enamel, and ceramic (glaze) colored with PY53 Nickel-Titanate-Pigment calcined with different NiO ratios by solid-state reaction. The pigments were mixed with milled frits and applied to the metal and ceramic substance for enamel and ceramic glaze applications, respectively. For the plastic application, the pigments were mixed with melted polypropylene (PP) and formed into plastic plates. The CIELAB color space approach was used to assess L*, a*, b* values over applications created for plastic, ceramic, and enamel trials. These data can be used to evaluate the color of PY53 Nickel-Titanate pigments with different NiO ratios in the applications.

Using the LigaSure vessel sealing device in the large uterus at laparoscopic hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE

To compare intraoperative hemorrhage and other operative parameters between patients with large and small weighted uterus who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-six patients intending to have LH were divided into two groups according to uterine weight (group 1 > 300 grams vs. group 2 < 299 grams). Intraoperative blood loss, operating time, periopera- tive complications, and duration of hospitalization were compared.

RESULTS

Intraoperative blood loss was significantly higher in the large uterus group (group 1); 350 (227-454) ml vs. 250 (182-320) ml (p < 0.001). However, it was not significantly different between the groups in the laparoscopy step. Mean operating time was 90 (77-103) minutes and 80 (62-98) minutes in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.001) revealing ten-minute delay in group 1. Similarly, this was also not significantly different in the laparoscopy step. No significant differences were found between two groups; in terms of hemoglobin concentration decrease, major and minor complications, and hospitalization duration.

CONCLUSION

The authors conclude that LigaSure can be safely used for LH in patients with a large uterus.

The effect of low-dose combined oral contraceptive containing 100 ug levonorgestrel on plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 concentrations

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of a combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing 20 ug ethinyl estradiol (EE) and 100 ug levonorgestrel (LNG) which is currently used on plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) concentrations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-five women who had not used any COC for at least three months before the initiation of the study were enrolled in the control group. Twenty women who had been using COC containing 20 ug EE and 100 ug levonorgestrel LNG for at least three months prior to the study were enrolled in the LNG/EE group. Serum samples for PAI-1 and other biochemical parameters were obtained at the early follicular phase (cycle day 2-5).

RESULTS

No significant difference was observed in PAl- 1 concentrations between the LNG/EE and control group (group LNG/EE: 62.4 +/- 30.2 ng/ml; control group: 58.7 +/- 26.0 ng/ml).

CONCLUSION

Although we observed similar PAI-1 concentrations in both groups, there is need for further interventions to evaluate the clinical relevance of our findings.

Surgery and radioablation therapy combined: introducing a 1-week-condensed procedure bonding total thyroidectomy and radioablation therapy with recombinant human TSH

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine whether the use of recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) to stimulate radioiodine uptake after thyroidectomy is as efficacious as a period of withholding thyroid hormones, while at the same time avoiding hypothyroidism, reducing sick leave time and shortening the hospital stay.

DESIGN

Our aim was to compare the standard procedure of differentiated thyroid cancer treatment, which consists of thyroidectomy followed by 4 weeks of hypothyroidism and a conclusive ablative activity of (131)iodine, with a new shortened treatment in which l-thyroxine (T(4)) medication is initiated a day after thyroidectomy, followed by application of rhTSH stimulation and subsequent ablation a few days after surgery. We presumed our treatment to represent the most sophisticated strategy for the reduction in sick leave days overall without any reduction in safety or the efficacy of ablative therapy.

METHODS

Patients (n=25) were randomized either for surgery and rhTSH stimulation or surgery and l-T(4) abstinence before the first application of radioiodine. Ablation success was determined by neck ultrasound and serum thyroglobulin during follow-up. RhTSH receivers were monitored for an average of 635 days (s.d.+/-289) and patients in l-T(4) abstinence for an average of 624 days (s.d.+/-205). Both groups were statistically compared for significant differences in treatment efficacy, safety and overall time of sick leave.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Our shortened treatment proved to be equally efficacious and safe in comparison with the conventional therapy regimen. At the same time, it showed economic advantages through the reduction in average sick leave time from approximately 29 days (l-T(4) abstinence) down to approximately 6 days (rhTSH stimulation) as well as sustaining the patient's quality of life by the complete avoidance of hypothyroidism.

Cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy for pseudomyxoma peritonei

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Surgical improvement can be achieved in selected patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) by major cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPEC). The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze morbidity, mortality, and survival following therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between July 1995 and September 2003, 28 patients (mean age 56 years, range 28-79) with PMP were operated on with the aim of complete macroscopical cytoreduction. Surgery was followed by IPEC.

RESULTS

A macroscopically complete cytoreduction was achieved in 11 patients (40%). The mean operating time was 6 h with a mean of three peritonectomy procedures per patient. Cisplatin (15 out of 28), mitomycin C (6 out of 28) and 5-FU (7 out of 28) were used for the intraoperative chemotherapy. Overall morbidity was 36%. Most frequent surgical complications were digestive fistulae (3 out of 28), abscesses (5 out of 28) and bleeding (2 out of 28). Two patients died postoperatively. Patients with low tumor volume (mean survival time 78+/-11 vs. 37+/-9 months, p=0.05) and complete cytoreduction (73+/-10 vs. 24+/-8 months, p<0.05) had an improved prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytoreductive surgery combined with IPEC is associated with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Complete cytoreduction may improve survival, particularly in selected patients with PMP who have a low tumor volume, complete cytoreduction, and no organ metastases.