Efficacy of an opposite position aspiration on resolution of pneumothorax following CT-guided lung biopsy

PubMed Central

Zeng, L-C; Du, Y; Yang, H-F; Xie, M-G; Liao, H-Q; Zhang, Y-D; Li, L; Wang, Q; Hu, L

2015-01-01

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of aspiration in an opposite position to deal with pneumothorax after CT-guided lung biopsy. Methods: A retrospective study was developed involving 210 patients with pneumothorax who had undergone CT-guided percutaneous core biopsies from January 2012 to March 2014 for various pulmonary lesions. Asymptomatic patients with minimal pneumothorax were treated conservatively. Simple manual aspiration was performed for symptomatic patients with minimal pneumothorax and for all patients with moderate to large pneumothorax. An opposite position aspiration was performed when simple manual aspiration failed. The efficacy of simple manual aspiration and the opposite position aspiration was observed. Results: Among 210 patients with pneumothorax, 128 (61.0%) asymptomatic patients with minimal pneumothorax were treated conservatively. The remaining 82 were treated with attempted simple manual aspiration. Out of these 82 patients, simple manual aspiration was successful in 58 (70.7%, 58/82) cases. The complete and partial regression rates were 17.2% (10/58) and 82.8% (48/58), respectively. In the other 24 patients (29.3%, 24/82), simple aspiration technique was ineffective. An opposite position (from prone to supine or vice versa) was applied, and a new biopsy puncture site was chosen for reaspiration. This procedure was successful in 22 patients but not in 2 patients who had to have a chest tube insertion. The complete and partial regression rates were 25.0% (6/24) and 66.7% (16/24), respectively. Applying the new method, the total effective rate of aspiration improved significantly from 70.7% (58/82) to 97.6% (80/82). Conclusion: The opposite position aspiration can be safe, effective and minimally invasive treatment for CT-guided lung biopsy-induced pneumothorax thus reducing the use of chest tube significantly. Advances in knowledge: (1) Opposite position aspiration can elevate the success rate of aspiration significantly (from 70.7% to 97.6% in our study); (2) this procedure is a safe, effective and minimally invasive treatment for pneumothorax caused by biopsy; and (3) opposite position aspiration is a useful technique to reduce the use of chest tube, which has clinical significance. PMID:25966292

Hemostasis in tubeless PNL: point of technique.

PubMed

Aron, Monish; Goel, Rajiv; Kesarwani, Pawan K; Gupta, Narmada P

2004-01-01

Tubeless PNL (percutaneous nephrolithotomy), in a highly selected group of patients, is a modification aimed at reducing the morbidity of PNL. We present a simple technique of achieving tract hemostasis as an adjunct to the safe performance of a tubeless PNL. Charts of 40 consecutive patients who underwent tubeless PNL at our center were reviewed. In the latter 20 consecutive patients, diathermy coagulation of the intrarenal bleeders and tract was done and these patients were compared with the earlier 20 patients in whom fulguration was not done. Drop in hemoglobin, postoperative analgesic requirement, operating time, length of hospitalization and postoperative complications were compared. No statistical difference was found between the operative times and drop in hemoglobin for both the groups. The length of hospitalization and postoperative analgesic requirement were significantly less in the fulguration group. No significant complications were noted in either of the two groups. Fulguration of visible intrarenal and tract bleeders is a simple, safe and effective hemostatic adjunct in patients undergoing tubeless PNL. copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel

Spring-action Apparatus for Fixation of Eyeball (SAFE): a novel, cost-effective yet simple device for ophthalmic wet-lab training.

PubMed

Ramakrishnan, Seema; Baskaran, Prabu; Fazal, Romana; Sulaiman, Syed Mohammad; Krishnan, Tiruvengada; Venkatesh, Rengaraj

2016-10-01

Achieving a formed and firm eyeball which is stably fixed in a holding device is a major challenge of surgical wet-lab training. Our innovation, the 'Spring-action Apparatus for Fixation of Eyeball (SAFE)' is a robust, simple and economical device to solve this problem. It consists of a hollow iron cylinder to which a spring-action syringe is attached. The spring-action syringe generates vacuum and enables reliable fixation of a human or animal cadaveric eye on the iron cylinder. The rise in intraocular pressure due to vacuum fixation can be varied as per need or nature of surgery being practised. A mask-fixed version of this device is also designed to train surgeons for appropriate hand positioning. An experienced surgeon performed various surgeries including manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS), phacoemulsification, laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), femtosecond LASIK docking, Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty, deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, penetrating keratoplasty and trabeculectomy on this device, while a trainee surgeon practised MSICS and wound suturing. Skill-appropriate comfort level was much higher with SAFE than with conventional globe holders for both surgeons. Due to its stability, pressure adjustability, portability, cost-efficiency and simplicity, we recommend SAFE as the basic equipment for every wet lab. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Self-Assembled Peptide-Lanthanide Nanoclusters for Safe Tumor Therapy: Overcoming and Utilizing Biological Barriers to Peptide Drug Delivery.

PubMed

Yan, Jin; He, Wangxiao; Yan, Siqi; Niu, Fan; Liu, Tianya; Ma, Bohan; Shao, Yongping; Yan, Yuwei; Yang, Guang; Lu, Wuyuan; Du, Yaping; Lei, Bo; Ma, Peter X

2018-02-27

Developing a sophisticated nanomedicine platform to deliver therapeutics effectively and safely into tumor/cancer cells remains challenging in the field of nanomedicine. In particular, reliable peptide drug delivery systems capable of overcoming biological barriers are still lacking. Here, we developed a simple, rapid, and robust strategy to manufacture nanoclusters of ∼90 nm in diameter that are self-assembled from lanthanide-doped nanoparticles (5 nm), two anticancer peptides with different targets (BIM and PMI), and one cyclic peptide iNGR targeted to cancer cells. The peptide-lanthanide nanoclusters (LDC-PMI-BIM-iNGR) enhanced the resistance of peptide drugs to proteolysis, disassembled in response to reductive conditions that are present in the tumor microenvironment and inhibited cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Notably, LDC-PMI-BIM-iNGR exhibited extremely low systemic toxicity and side effects in vivo. Thus, the peptide-lanthanide nanocluster may serve as an ideal multifunctional platform for safe, targeted, and efficient peptide drug delivery in cancer therapy.

Efficacy and security of ivermectin given orally to rats naturally infected with Syphacia spp., Giardia spp. and Hymenolepis nana.

PubMed

Foletto, V R S; Vanz, F; Gazarini, L; Stern, C A J; Tonussi, C R

2015-07-01

The results of this study show that the oral administration of ivermectin (48 mg/L) repeatedly for 72 h used in accordance with the present protocol is a safe and highly effective treatment for Giardia spp. and Hymenolepis nana in laboratory rat colonies. The drug can be easily and safely administered using drinking water. This simple regimen should control pinworm infection (Syphacia muris), a problem that can be endemic in laboratory colonies. Experiments using healthy animals are likely to generate more consistent results, thereby requiring a reduced number of animals per group. © The Author(s) 2014.

Botulinum toxin type A in simple motor tics: short-term and long-term treatment-effects.

PubMed

Rath, Judith J G; Tavy, Dénes L J; Wertenbroek, Agnes A A C M; van Woerkom, Theodoor C A M; de Bruijn, Sebastiaan F T M

2010-08-01

To determine the short-term and long-term treatment-effects of botulinum toxin type A in simple motor tics, we analyzed 15 consecutive patients (18 tics) with simple motor tics that were treated every 3 months with injections of BTX-A. Efficacy (rated on a 4-level scale) and duration of effect of the first 2 and last 2 (if treated 5 times or more) treatments were recorded, as well as latency of response, changes of premonitory urges (PMUs) and possible side effects. Total number of treatments for each tic varied from 2 to 50 (mean 11, median 6). In 16 of 18 tics (89%) short-term efficacy was reported successful (good or moderate). Long-term efficacy was reported in 12 tics of which 11 showed similar or even increased beneficial effects. Premonitory urge (PMU) was reported in 8 patients (53%). PMU, if present, lessened or disappeared after treatment with BTX-A. A permanent remission of the treated tic was seen in 3 patients with a maximum follow-up of 10 years. BTX-A appears a safe and effective treatment for simple motor tics and retains its efficacy after long-term treatment. BTX may also induce permanent remission of the treated tics and effects of BTX are not restricted to merely motor behaviour.

Pilot study: safety and effectiveness of simple ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound ablating uterine leiomyoma with a diameter greater than 10 cm.

PubMed

Hou, Ruijie; Wang, Liwei; Li, Shaoping; Rong, Fengmin; Wang, Yuanyuan; Qin, Xuena; Wang, Shijin

2018-02-01

The study aimed to prospectively investigate whether uterine leiomyoma greater than 10 cm in diameter could be treated with simple ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) in one-time treatment. A total of 36 patients with 36 symptomatic uterine leiomyoma greater than 10 cm in diameter who underwent simple USgHIFU treatment alone were analysed. Enhanced MRI was performed before and after HIFU treatment, and all patients had follow-up for 6 months after treatment. Symptom severity scores, treatment time, treatment speed, ablation rate, energy effect ratio, uterine leiomyoma regression rate, adverse events, liver and kidney functions, coagulation function and routine blood count were included in the study endpoints. The mean diameter of uterine leiomyoma was 11.2 ± 1.3 cm (10.0-14.3 cm). The median treatment time and treatment speed were 104.0 min (90.0-140.0 min) and 118.8 cm 3  h -1  (86.2-247.1 cm 3  h -1 ), respectively. The ablation rate of uterine leiomyoma was 71.9 ± 20.4% (32.1-100.0%), and the regression rate of uterine leiomyoma was 40.8 ± 7.5% (25.6-59.9%) at 6 months after treatment. The mean symptom severity scores decreased by an average of approximately 8.6 ± 2.3 (5-14) points. There were no significant changes in haemogram and blood chemical indexes of patients, except for the transient elevation of aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin and white blood cells after treatment. No serious adverse reactions occurred. According to our preliminary results, simple USgHIFU is a safe and effective single-treatment method of treating uterine leiomyoma greater than 10 cm in diameter and is an almost innocuous alternative therapeutic strategy. Advances in knowledge: The conclusions indicate simple USgHIFU is safe and effective as one-time treatment of uterine leiomyoma greater than 10 cm in diameter, it could be a promising therapeutic strategy.

Solar Photovoltaic DC Systems: Basics and Safety: Preprint

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McNutt, Peter F; Sekulic, William R; Dreifuerst, Gary

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems are common and growing with 42.4 GW installed capacity in U.S. (almost 15 GW added in 2016). This paper will help electrical workers, and emergency responders understand the basic operating principles and hazards of PV DC arrays. We briefly discuss the following aspects of solar photovoltaic (PV) DC systems: the effects of solar radiation and temperature on output power; PV module testing standards; common system configurations; a simple PV array sizing example; NEC guidelines and other safety features; DC array commissioning, periodic maintenance and testing; arc-flash hazard potential; how electrical workers and emergency responders can andmore » do work safely around PV arrays; do moonlight and artificial lighting pose a real danger; typical safe operating procedures; and other potential DC-system hazards to be aware of. We also present some statistics on PV DC array electrical incidents and injuries. Safe PV array operation is possible with a good understanding of PV DC arrays basics and having good safe operating procedures in place.« less

Hyaluronic acid-green tea catechin micellar nanocomplexes: Fail-safe cisplatin nanomedicine for the treatment of ovarian cancer without off-target toxicity.

PubMed

Bae, Ki Hyun; Tan, Susi; Yamashita, Atsushi; Ang, Wei Xia; Gao, Shu Jun; Wang, Shu; Chung, Joo Eun; Kurisawa, Motoichi

2017-12-01

The green tea catechin, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), has gained significant attention as a potent adjuvant to enhance the antitumor efficacy of cisplatin while mitigating its harmful side effects. Herein we report the development of a fail-safe cisplatin nanomedicine constructed with hyaluronic acid-EGCG conjugate for ovarian cancer therapy. A simple mixing of this conjugate and cisplatin induces spontaneous self-assembly of micellar nanocomplexes having a spherical core-shell structure. The surface-exposed hyaluronic acid enables efficient delivery of cisplatin into CD44-overexpressing cancer cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis whereas the internally packed EGCG moieties offer an environment favorable for the encapsulation of cisplatin. In addition, the antioxidant effect of EGCG moieties ensures fail-safe protection against off-target organ toxicity originating from cisplatin-evoked oxidative stress. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies reveal the prolonged blood circulation and preferential tumor accumulation of intravenously administered nanocomplexes. Moreover, the nanocomplexes exhibit superior antitumor efficacy over free cisplatin while displaying no toxicity in both a subcutaneous xenograft model and peritoneal metastatic model of human ovarian cancer. Our findings demonstrate proof of concept for the feasibility of green tea catechin-based micellar nanocomplexes as a safe and effective cisplatin nanomedicine for ovarian cancer treatment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Simple geometric algorithms to aid in clearance management for robotic mechanisms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Copeland, E. L.; Ray, L. D.; Peticolas, J. D.

1981-01-01

Global geometric shapes such as lines, planes, circles, spheres, cylinders, and the associated computational algorithms which provide relatively inexpensive estimates of minimum spatial clearance for safe operations were selected. The Space Shuttle, remote manipulator system, and the Power Extension Package are used as an example. Robotic mechanisms operate in quarters limited by external structures and the problem of clearance is often of considerable interest. Safe clearance management is simple and suited to real time calculation, whereas contact prediction requires more precision, sophistication, and computational overhead.

[Ropivacaine use in transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block for post dural puncture headache in obstetric patients - case series].

PubMed

Furtado, Inês; Lima, Isabel Flor de; Pedro, Sérgio

2018-02-02

Sphenopalatine ganglion block is widely accepted in chronic pain; however it has been underestimated in post dural puncture headache treatment. The ganglion block does not restore normal cerebrospinal fluid dynamics but effectively reduces symptoms associated with resultant hypotension. When correctly applied it may avoid performance of epidural blood patch. The transnasal approach is a simple and minimally invasive technique. In the cases presented, we attempted to perform and report the ganglion block effectiveness and duration, using ropivacaine. We present four obstetrics patients with post dural puncture headache, after epidural or combined techniques, with Tuohy needle 18G that underwent a safe and successful Sphenopalatine ganglion block. We performed the block 24-48h after dural puncture, with 4mL of ropivacaine 0.75% in each nostril. In three cases pain recurred within 12-48h, although less intense. In one patient a second block was performed with complete relief and without further recurrence. In the other two patients a blood patch was performed without success. All patients were asymptomatic within 7 days. The average duration of analgesic effect of the block remains poorly defined. In the cases reported, blocking with ropivacaine was a simple, safe and effective technique, with immediate and sustained pain relief for at least 12-24h. Copyright © 2017 Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia. Publicado por Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

A Simple Experimental Demonstration of Microbial Growth and Interaction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wainwright, Milton

1988-01-01

Described is a simple, safe, and inexpensive experiment which allows secondary school pupils to observe how fungi and bacteria grow and interact with each other. Included are discussions of materials, methods, observations, and a historical comment. (Author/CW)

Near-Infrared Laser Adjuvant for Influenza Vaccine

PubMed Central

Kashiwagi, Satoshi; Yuan, Jianping; Forbes, Benjamin; Hibert, Mathew L.; Lee, Eugene L. Q.; Whicher, Laura; Goudie, Calum; Yang, Yuan; Chen, Tao; Edelblute, Beth; Collette, Brian; Edington, Laurel; Trussler, James; Nezivar, Jean; Leblanc, Pierre; Bronson, Roderick; Tsukada, Kosuke; Suematsu, Makoto; Dover, Jeffrey; Brauns, Timothy; Gelfand, Jeffrey; Poznansky, Mark C.

2013-01-01

Safe and effective immunologic adjuvants are often essential for vaccines. However, the choice of adjuvant for licensed vaccines is limited, especially for those that are administered intradermally. We show that non-tissue damaging, near-infrared (NIR) laser light given in short exposures to small areas of skin, without the use of additional chemical or biological agents, significantly increases immune responses to intradermal influenza vaccination without augmenting IgE. The NIR laser-adjuvanted vaccine confers increased protection in a murine influenza lethal challenge model as compared to unadjuvanted vaccine. We show that NIR laser treatment induces the expression of specific chemokines in the skin resulting in recruitment and activation of dendritic cells and is safe to use in both mice and humans. The NIR laser adjuvant technology provides a novel, safe, low-cost, simple-to-use, potentially broadly applicable and clinically feasible approach to enhancing vaccine efficacy as an alternative to chemical and biological adjuvants. PMID:24349390

The challenge of crafting policy for do-it-yourself brain stimulation

PubMed Central

Fitz, Nicholas S; Reiner, Peter B

2015-01-01

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a simple means of brain stimulation, possesses a trifecta of appealing features: it is relatively safe, relatively inexpensive and relatively effective. It is also relatively easy to obtain a device and the do-it-yourself (DIY) community has become galvanised by reports that tDCS can be used as an all-purpose cognitive enhancer. We provide practical recommendations designed to guide balanced discourse, propagate norms of safe use and stimulate dialogue between the DIY community and regulatory authorities. We call on all stakeholders—regulators, scientists and the DIY community—to share in crafting policy proposals that ensure public safety while supporting DIY innovation. PMID:23733050

Vial OrganicTM-Organic Chemistry Labs for High School and Junior College

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russo, Thomas J.; Meszaros, Mark

1999-01-01

Vial Organic is the most economical, safe, and time-effective method of performing organic chemistry experiments. Activities are carried out in low-cost, sealed vials. Vial Organic is extremely safe because only micro quantities of reactants are used, reactants are contained in tightly sealed vials, and only water baths are used for temperature control. Vial Organic laboratory activities are easily performed within one 50-minute class period. When heat is required, a simple hot-water bath is prepared from a beaker of water and an inexpensive immersion heater. The low cost, ease of use, and relatively short time requirement will allow organic chemistry to be experienced by more students with less confusion and intimidation.

Synthetic Nanovaccines Against Respiratory Pathogens (SYNARP)

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-07-01

nanoscale delivery systems can provide versatile platforms for development of effective, safe, and cost-efficient vaccines. The materials used in these...polymers was estimated by calculating the degree of polymerization (DP) using the peak area normalized with the protons representing hydrolyzed and...structures can be prototyped very easily and rapidly using a simple mask. In this work, the desired 5x5 array of discrete wells was created using

Development and Evaluation of a Leaflet for Concerned Family Members and Friends: "It's Safe to Talk about Suicide"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Owens, Christabel; Charles, Nigel

2017-01-01

Objectives: Significant others can play a key role in suicide prevention, but little attention has been given to the resources they may need in order to do so effectively. Based on previous qualitative research and working in partnership with suicide prevention charities, we developed a simple educational leaflet to help family members and friends…

Effects of Irritant Chemicals on Aedes aegypti Resting Behavior: Is There a Simple Shift to Untreated Safe Sites?

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-07-26

residual spray of insecticides . Since the early 1900s [3,4], it has been known that the most cost - effective means of preventing mosquito-borne disease is...buildings usually accomplished with indoor residual or space spray are often hampered by limited access into homes and resource limitations [5]. On the...and indoor residual spray has focused mainly on the lethal actions of chemicals [6,7]. However, research shows that there are other chemical actions

Laser speckle imaging to improve clinical outcomes for patients with trigeminal neuralgia undergoing radiofrequency thermocoagulation.

PubMed

Ringkamp, Matthias; Wooten, Matthew; Carson, Benjamin S; Lim, Michael; Hartke, Timothy; Guarnieri, Michael

2016-02-01

Percutaneous treatments for trigeminal neuralgia are safe, simple, and effective for achieving good pain control. Procedural risks could be minimized by using noninvasive imaging techniques to improve the placement of the radiofrequency thermocoagulation probe into the trigeminal ganglion. Positioning of a probe is crucial to maximize pain relief and to minimize unwanted side effects, such as denervation in unaffected areas. This investigation examined the use of laser speckle imaging during probe placement in an animal model. This preclinical safety study used nonhuman primates, Macaca nemestrina (pigtail monkeys), to examine whether real-time imaging of blood flow in the face during the positioning of a coagulation probe could monitor the location and guide the positioning of the probe within the trigeminal ganglion. Data from 6 experiments in 3 pigtail monkeys support the hypothesis that laser imaging is safe and improves the accuracy of probe placement. Noninvasive laser speckle imaging can be performed safely in nonhuman primates. Because improved probe placement may reduce morbidity associated with percutaneous rhizotomies, efficacy trials of laser speckle imaging should be conducted in humans.

Stockpiling and Comprehensive Utilization of Red Mud Research Progress

PubMed Central

Liu, Dong-Yan; Wu, Chuan-Sheng

2012-01-01

With increasing production of red mud, the environmental problems caused by it are increasingly serious, and thus the integrated treatment of red mud is imminent. This article provides an overview of the composition and the basic characteristics of red mud. The research progress of safe stockpiling and comprehensive utilization of red mud is summarized. The safe stockpiling of red mud can be divided into two aspects: the design and safe operation of the stocking yard. The comprehensive utilization of red mud can be further divided into three aspects: the effective recycling of components, resource utilization and application in the field of environmental protection. This paper points out that the main focus of previous studies on red mud stockpiling is cost reproduction and land tenure. The recovery of resources from red mud has a high value-added, but low level industrialization. The use of red mud as a building material and filler material is the most effective way to reduce the stockpiling of red mud. Red mud used for environmental remediation materials is a new hotspot and worth promoting for its simple processing and low cost.

The Food-Safe Schools Action Guide

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007

2007-01-01

"The Food-Safe School Needs Assessment and Planning Guide" is a tool that can help schools assess their food safety policies, procedures, and programs and develop plans for improvement. This tool includes a simple, straightforward questionnaire, score card, and planning guide that give administrators, school staff, families, and students a chance…

77 FR 60617 - Child Health Day, 2012

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-04

... parents, schools, and community leaders to address childhood obesity. A safe environment in which our... the quality health care and clean environment that will nurture their future success. My... children can attend schools that are safe, where we address bullying and end the myth that it is a simple...

75 FR 56477 - Technical Amendments for Marine Spark-Ignition Engines and Vessels

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-16

... spillage, incorporating safe recommended practices will result in a net benefit to the environment and lead... portable fuel tanks to these new requirements, manufacturers working together on systems integration.... We have engaged the industry to identify a simple, safe, and emissions neutral solution to this...

[The clinical study on labor pain relief using two kinds of segmental block anesthesia].

PubMed

Zhang, Z; Zhang, Y; Bi, L

1998-07-01

To study the pain relief effectiveness of combined subarachnoid peridural segmental block and simple peridural anesthesia, and their influences on the mothers and the infants. 100 pregnants women were administered combined subarachnoid and peridural segmental block during labor and delivery (study group). 40 pregnant women received simple peridural anesthesia (control group). The degree of labour pain, side effects, labor course, the mode of delivery and the incidences of postpartum hemorrhage, fetal distress and neonatal asphyxia were observed in two groups respectively. The pain relief effect in the study group was much better than that of the control group (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences of the mean time of labor course and the mode of delivery between the two groups (P > 0.05). The incidences of postpartum hemorrhage, fetal distress and neonatal asphyxia were similar (P > 0.05). The analgesic delivery of combined subarachnoid and peridural segmental block is safe and effective, which has no influences on the labour course and the mothers and infants. Its pain relief effectiveness is more positive and satisfactory than that of simple peridural anesthesia. We suggest that it should be performed in the medical units under optimal conditions.

Solidify, An LLVM pass to compile LLVM IR into Solidity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kothapalli, Abhiram

The software currently compiles LLVM IR into Solidity (Ethereum’s dominant programming language) using LLVM’s pass library. Specifically, his compiler allows us to convert an arbitrary DSL into Solidity. We focus specifically on converting Domain Specific Languages into Solidity due to their ease of use, and provable properties. By creating a toolchain to compile lightweight domain-specific languages into Ethereum's dominant language, Solidity, we allow non-specialists to effectively develop safe and useful smart contracts. For example lawyers from a certain firm can have a proprietary DSL that codifies basic laws safely converted to Solidity to be securely executed on the blockchain. Inmore » another example, a simple provenance tracking language can be compiled and securely executed on the blockchain.« less

Inexpensive and Safe DNA Gel Electrophoresis Using Household Materials

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ens, S.; Olson, A. B.; Dudley, C.; Ross, N. D., III; Siddiqi, A. A.; Umoh, K. M.; Schneegurt, M. A.

2012-01-01

Gel electrophoresis is the single most important molecular biology technique and it is central to life sciences research, but it is often too expensive for the secondary science classroom or homeschoolers. A simple safe low-cost procedure is described here that uses household materials to construct and run DNA gel electrophoresis. Plastic…

New frontiers for health information systems using Epi Info in developing countries: structured application framework for Epi Info (SAFE).

PubMed

Ma, J; Otten, M; Kamadjeu, R; Mir, R; Rosencrans, L; McLaughlin, S; Yoon, S

2008-04-01

For more than two decades, Epi Info software has been used to meet the data management, analysis, and mapping needs of public health professionals in more than 181 countries and 13 languages. Until now, most Epi Info systems have been relatively simple, mainly because of a lack of detailed and structured guidance for developing complex systems. We created the structured application framework for Epi Info (SAFE), which is a set of guidelines that allows developers to create both simple and complex information systems using accepted good programming practices. This has resulted in application code blocks that are re-useable and easy to maintain, modify, and enhance. The flexibility of SAFE allows various aggregate and case-based application modules to be rapidly created, combined, and updated to create health information systems or sub-systems enabling continuous, incremental enhancement as national and local capacity increases. SAFE and Epi Info are both cost-free and have low system requirements--characteristics that render this framework and software beneficial for developing countries.

Human factors in anaesthesia: lessons from aviation.

PubMed

Toff, N J

2010-07-01

Aviation safety has evolved over more than a century and has achieved remarkable results. Applying some of the lessons learned may help make healthcare safer. From the perspective of an anaesthetic background and some thousands of hours of airline flying, I offer a personal perspective, try to give a sense of the place of human factors in airline operations and some of the current problems, and make some suggestions as to what the NHS and anaesthesia might learn from this. Although many of the ingredients for safe operation are frequently already present in our hospitals, and some individual clinical areas and departments achieve high levels of reliability and safety, I will emphasize my firm belief that we cannot expect improvements in human factors training and awareness to be fully effective in the healthcare setting without the parallel development of a simple and strong safety system across organizations. In the process, we may find that the safe hospital turns out somewhat differently to the safe airline.

Centrifuge advances using HTS magnetic bearings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Werfel, F. N.; Flögel-Delor, U.; Rothfeld, R.; Wippich, D.; Riedel, T.

2001-05-01

Passive magnetic bearings are of increasing technical interest. We performed experiments with centrifugal rotors to analyze gyroscopic forces in terms imbalance, rotor elasticity and damping. Centrifuge rotors need to be operated soft and stable without whirling the sediments. In order to evaluate optimal parameters critical and resonance behaviors are investigated. Eccentricities up 2 mm are safely passed by accelerating test wheels. In a simple model we describe the effect of passing critical rotational speeds. Measurements of bearing properties and wheel performance are presented. We have constructed a first prototype centrifuge designed with a HTS double bearing which operates a titanium rotor safely up to 30 000 rpm. A 15 W Stirling cooler serves cryogenics of the YBCO stators. From the experiments design guidelines for centrifugal applications with HTS bearings are given.

Cooling improves the writing performance of patients with writer's cramp.

PubMed

Pohl, Christoph; Happe, Jörg; Klockgether, Thomas

2002-11-01

Cooling of hand and forearm muscles by immersion in 15 degrees C cold water for 5 minutes improved the writing performance of patients with writer's cramp. Since abnormal processing of muscle spindle afferent discharges contributes to the pathology of writer's cramp, this effect might result from a reduction in muscle spindle activity by lowering muscle temperature. Cooling is a simple, cheap, and safe procedure, providing temporary relief for patients with writer's cramp. Copyright 2002 Movement Disorder Society

Birth kits for safe motherhood in Bangladesh.

PubMed

Nessa, S; Arco, E S; Kabir, I A

1992-01-01

Tetanus infection remains the leading cause of high neonatal mortality in Bangladesh. Birth kits which instruct and assist in a clean, safe birth are seen as a key measure in reducing the high incidence of neonatal deaths. A multisectoral programme has developed a simple kit and tested its potential for distribution to pregnant women. Initial results are positive and development is continuing.

Science Fun: Hands-On Science with Dr. Zed.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Penrose, Gordon

This book presents 65 simple, safe, and intriguing hands-on science activities. In doing these simple experiments, children can make a variety of discoveries that will surprise them. It includes many activities from discovering how people see color and what makes people's hair stand on end, to creating a tornado in a jar or a propeller-driven boat…

Simple Protocol for Secondary School Hands-On Activity: Electrophoresis of Pre-Stained Nucleic Acids on Agar-Agar Borate Gels

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Britos, Leticia; Goyenola, Guillermo; Orono, Silvia Umpierrez

2004-01-01

An extremely simple, inexpensive, and safe method is presented, which emulates nucleic acids isolation and electrophoretic analysis as performed in a research environment, in the context of a secondary school hands-on activity. The protocol is amenable to an interdisciplinary approach, taking into consideration the electrical and chemical…

Turtles and culverts, and alternative energy development: an unreported but potentially significant mortality threat to the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lovich, J.E.; Ennen, J.R.; Madrak, S.; Grover, B.

2011-01-01

Culverts are often used to increase the permeability of roaded landscapes for wildlife, including turtles. Although the benefits of culverts as safe passages for turtles are well documented, under some conditions culverts can entrap them and cause mortality. Here we report a culvert-related mortality in the federally threatened desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) at a wind energy facility in California and offer simple recommendations to mitigate the negative effects of culverts for wildlife in general.

[The effect of laryngoscopic surgery combined with nasal endoscopic system for the treatment of vocal cords benign lesions].

PubMed

Wang, Weian; Lu, Rong

2013-06-01

To investigate the effect of laryngoscopic surgery combined with nasal endoscopic system for the treatment of vocal cords benign lesions. Fifty-two patients admitted to our department with vocal cords benign lesions (including vocal polyps, vocal nodules, vocal cord cyst) underwent laryngoscopic surgery combined with nasal endoscopic system. All patients were treated successfully once and for all without any significant postoperative complication. The laryngoscopic surgery combined with nasal endoscopic system is a safe, minimally invasive and simple method for the treatment of benign lesions of vocal cords.

Sandwich Structure Risk Reduction in Support of the Payload Adapter Fitting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nettles, A. T.; Jackson, J. R.; Guin, W. E.

2018-01-01

Reducing risk for utilizing honeycomb sandwich structure for the Space Launch System payload adapter fitting includes determining what parameters need to be tested for damage tolerance to ensure a safe structure. Specimen size and boundary conditions are the most practical parameters to use in damage tolerance inspection. The effect of impact over core splices and foreign object debris between the facesheet and core is assessed. Effects of enhanced damage tolerance by applying an outer layer of carbon fiber woven cloth is examined. A simple repair technique for barely visible impact damage that restores all compression strength is presented.

Effect of low-power He-Ne ILIB on rheology in patients with cerebral infarction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Zheng-Guo

1998-11-01

We determined rheology in patients with cerebral infarction, before and after low-power He-Ne ILIB. The test covered whole blood viscosity red blood cell distortion index, platelet aggregation and D-dimer. The results shoed that low-power He-Ne ILIB results in non-significant decrease in whole blood viscosity, significant decrease in plasma viscosity, platelet aggregation and D-dimer and significant increase in RBC rheology index. This study suggests that He- He ILIB which may improve rheology and clinical symptoms of cerebral infarction patients is a simple, safe and effective therapy.

Microneedling: Advances and widening horizons

PubMed Central

Singh, Aashim; Yadav, Savita

2016-01-01

Microneedling is a very simple, safe, effective, and minimally invasive therapeutic technique. It was initially introduced for skin rejuvenation, however, now it is being used for a very wide range of indications including acne scar, acne, post-traumatic/burn scar, alopecia, skin rejuvenation, drug delivery, hyperhidrosis, stretch marks, and many more. Moreover, during the last 10 years, many new innovations have been made to the initial instrument, which was used for microneedling. This technique can be combined with other surgical techniques to provide better results. In particular, it is a very safe technique for dark skin types, where risk of postinflammatory pigmentation is very high with other techniques that damage the epidermis. In this review article, we are updating on the different instruments now available for this procedure, and its efficacy when performed alone or in combination with other techniques for various indications. PMID:27559496

The challenge of crafting policy for do-it-yourself brain stimulation.

PubMed

Fitz, Nicholas S; Reiner, Peter B

2015-05-01

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a simple means of brain stimulation, possesses a trifecta of appealing features: it is relatively safe, relatively inexpensive and relatively effective. It is also relatively easy to obtain a device and the do-it-yourself (DIY) community has become galvanised by reports that tDCS can be used as an all-purpose cognitive enhancer. We provide practical recommendations designed to guide balanced discourse, propagate norms of safe use and stimulate dialogue between the DIY community and regulatory authorities. We call on all stakeholders-regulators, scientists and the DIY community-to share in crafting policy proposals that ensure public safety while supporting DIY innovation. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Suprapubic cystostomy using optical urethrotome in female patients.

PubMed

Sawant, Ajit Somaji; Patwardhan, Sujata K; Attar, Mohammad Ismail; Varma, Radheshyam; Bansal, Ujjwal

2009-08-01

In many female patients for lower urinary tract reconstructive procedures, a suprapubic cystostomy along with perurethral catheter is required for urinary diversion. We describe a new and simple method of intraoperative suprapubic catheter placement using optical urethrotome wherein distension of bladder is not required. A total of 26 patients underwent suprapubic catheter placement intraoperatively with the aid of Sachse' optical urethrotome and its outer sheath from January 2005 to May 2008. A 16F Foley catheter could be successfully placed suprapubically in all patients with this method. There were no complications like injury to intraabdominal viscera, retropubic hematoma, hematuria, or catheter dislodgement. We describe a new method of intraoperative suprapubic catheter placement in female patients that is minimally invasive, technically safe, simple, and effective, and does not require bladder distension.

Airway management through submental derivation: a safe and easily reproduced alternative for patients with complex facial trauma

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

Objectives Airway management in patients with panfacial trauma is complicated. In addition to involving facial lesions, such trauma compromises the airway, and the use of intermaxillary fixation makes it difficult to secure ventilation by usual approaches (nasotracheal or endotracheal intubation). Submental airway derivation is an alternative to tracheostomy and nasotracheal intubation, allowing a permeable airway with minimal complications in complex patients. Materials and Methods This is a descriptive, retrospective study based on a review of medical records of all patients with facial trauma from January 2003 to May 2015. In total, 31 patients with complex factures requiring submental airway derivation were included. No complications such as bleeding, infection, vascular, glandular, or nervous lesions were presented in any of the patients. Results The use of submental airway derivation is a simple, safe, and easy method to ensure airway management. Moreover, it allows an easier reconstruction. Conclusion Based on these results, we concluded that, if the relevant steps are followed, the use of submental intubation in the treatment of patients with complex facial trauma is a safe and effective option. PMID:29535964

Validation of QuEChERS based method for determination of fenitrothion residues in tomatoes by gas chromatography-flame photometric detector: Decline pattern and risk assessment.

PubMed

Malhat, Farag; Boulangé, Julien; Abdelraheem, Ehab; Abd Allah, Osama; Abd El-Hamid, Rania; Abd El-Salam, Shokr

2017-08-15

A simple and rapid gas chromatography with flame photometric detector (GC-FPD) determination method was developed to detect residue levels and investigate the dissipation pattern and safe use of fenitrothion in tomatoes. A modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) using an ethyl acetate-based extraction, followed by a dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) with primary-secondary amine (PSA) and graphite carbon black (GCB) for clean up, was applied prior to GC-FPD analysis. The method showed satisfactory linearity, recovery and precision. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.005 and 0.01mg/kg, respectively. The residue levels of fenitrothion were best described by first order kinetics with a half-life of 2.2days in tomatoes. The potential health risks posed by fenitrothion were not significant, based on supervised residue trial data. The current findings could provide guidance for safe and reasonable use of fenitrothion in tomatoes and prevent health problems to consumers. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

75 FR 33515 - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Electric-Powered Vehicles; Electrolyte Spillage and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-14

..., and made a simple comparison. Based on the IEC report, the human body can withstand up to four times....\\3\\ The flow of this amount of AC through the human body may result in perception of the current and... considered to be safe) corresponds to 8 mA of DC (that is also considered to be safe for the human body).\\4...

Doing the math: A simple approach to topical timolol dosing for infantile hemangiomas.

PubMed

Dalla Costa, Renata; Prindaville, Brea; Wiss, Karen

2018-03-01

Topical timolol maleate has recently gained popularity as a treatment for superficial infantile hemangiomas, but calculating a safe dose of timolol can be time consuming, which may limit the medication's use in fast-paced clinical environments. This report offers a simplified calculation of the maximum daily safe dosage as 1 drop of medication per kilogram of body weight. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cost-effectiveness of oral phenytoin, intravenous phenytoin, and intravenous fosphenytoin in the emergency department.

PubMed

Rudis, Maria I; Touchette, Daniel R; Swadron, Stuart P; Chiu, Amy P; Orlinsky, Michael

2004-03-01

Oral phenytoin, intravenous phenytoin, and intravenous fosphenytoin are all commonly used for loading phenytoin in the emergency department (ED). The cost-effectiveness of each was compared for patients presenting with seizures and subtherapeutic phenytoin concentrations. A simple decision tree was developed to determine the treatment costs associated with each of 3 loading techniques. We determined effectiveness by comparing adverse event rates and by calculating the time to safe ED discharge. Time to safe ED discharge was defined as the time at which therapeutic concentrations of phenytoin (>or=10 mg/L) were achieved with an absence of any adverse events that precluded discharge. The comparative cost-effectiveness of alternatives to oral phenytoin was determined by combining net costs and number of adverse events, expressed as cost per adverse events avoided. Cost-effectiveness was also determined by comparing the net costs of each loading technique required to achieve the time to safe ED discharge, expressed as cost per hour of ED time saved. The outcomes and costs were primarily derived from a prospective, randomized controlled trial, augmented by time-motion studies and alternate-cost sources. Costs included the cost of drugs, supplies, and personnel. Analyses were also performed in scenarios incorporating labor costs and savings from using a lower-urgency area of the ED. The mean number of adverse events per patient for oral phenytoin, intravenous phenytoin, and intravenous fosphenytoin was 1.06, 1.93, and 2.13, respectively. Mean time to safe ED discharge in the 3 groups was 6.4 hours, 1.7 hours, and 1.3 hours. Cost per patient was 2.83 dollars, 21.16 dollars, and 175.19 dollars, respectively, and did not differ substantially in the Labor and Triage (lower-urgency area of ED) scenarios. When the measure of effectiveness was adverse events, oral phenytoin dominated intravenous phenytoin and intravenous fosphenytoin, with a lower cost and number of adverse events. With time to safe ED discharge as the outcome measure, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were 3.90 dollars and 387.27 dollars per hour of ED time saved for oral phenytoin versus intravenous phenytoin and for intravenous fosphenytoin versus intravenous phenytoin, respectively. Oral phenytoin is the most cost-effective loading method in most settings. Intravenous phenytoin is preferred if one is willing to pay an additional 20.65 dollars to 44.25 dollars per patient and willing to have more adverse events for a quicker average time to safe ED discharge. It is unlikely that intravenous fosphenytoin is justifiable in any setting.

Laparoscopic repair of perforated peptic ulcer: patch versus simple closure.

PubMed

Abd Ellatif, M E; Salama, A F; Elezaby, A F; El-Kaffas, H F; Hassan, A; Magdy, A; Abdallah, E; El-Morsy, G

2013-01-01

Laparoscopic correction of perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) has become an accepted way of management. Patch omentoplasty stayed for decades the main method of repair. The goal of the present study was to evaluate whether laparoscopic simple repair of PPU is as safe as patch omentoplasty. Since June 2005, 179 consecutive patients of PPU were treated by laparoscopic repair at our centers. We conducted a retrospective chart review in December 2012. Group I (patch group) included patients who were treated with standard patch omentoplasty. Group II (non-patch group) included patients who received simple repair without patch. From June 2007 to Dec. 2012, 179 consecutive patients of PPU who were treated by laparoscopic repair at our centers were enrolled in this multi-center retrospective study. 108 patients belong to patch group. While 71 patients were treated with laparoscopic simple repair. Operative time was significantly shorter in group II (non patch) (p = 0.01). No patient was converted to laparotomy. There was no difference in age, gender, ASA score, surgical risk (Boey's) score, and incidence of co-morbidities. Both groups were comparable in terms of hospital stay, time to resume oral intake, postoperative complications and surgical outcomes. Laparoscopic simple repair of PPU is a safe procedure compared with the traditional patch omentoplasty in presence of certain selection criteria. Copyright © 2013 Surgical Associates Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Simple & Safe Genomic DNA Isolation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moss, Robert; Solomon, Sondra

1991-01-01

A procedure for purifying DNA using either bacteria or rat liver is presented. Directions for doing a qualitative DNA assay using diphenylamine and a quantitative DNA assay using spectroscopy are included. (KR)

Radon Adsorbed in Activated Charcoal--A Simple and Safe Radiation Source for Teaching Practical Radioactivity in Schools and Colleges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Azmi, Darwish; Mustapha, Amidu O.; Karunakara, N.

2012-01-01

Simple procedures for teaching practical radioactivity are presented in a way that attracts students' attention and does not make them apprehensive about their safety. The radiation source is derived from the natural environment. It is based on the radioactivity of radon, a ubiquitous inert gas, and the adsorptive property of activated charcoal.…

The effect of platelet-rich plasma on the outcome of short-term narrowband-ultraviolet B phototherapy in the treatment of vitiligo: a pilot study.

PubMed

Ibrahim, Zeinab A; El-Ashmawy, Amal A; El-Tatawy, Rania A; Sallam, Fersan A

2016-06-01

Narrowband - ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) is an emerging, effective, and safe therapy for vitiligo, but the treatment course often requires a long duration of time which may carry a potential risk for various side effects and patients' noncompliance. To explore the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection on the outcome of short-term NB-UVB therapy for the patients with stable vitiligo. The study included 60 stable vitiligo patients with overall symmetrical lesions. For each patient, the left side of the body was treated with NB-UVB alone (control side) while the right side was treated with NB-UVB therapy in addition to intradermal injection of PRP, every 2 weeks for 4 months. There was statistically highly significant improvement in the repigmentation in the combination group(PRP plus NB-UVB) compared with NB-UVB group. Intradermal PRP injection in combination with NB-UVB could be considered as a simple, safe, tolerable, and cheap technique for treatment of vitiligo. It shortens the duration of NB-UVB therapy and is expected to increase patient compliance. Longer follow-up is needed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A novel pretreatment method combining sealing technique with direct injection technique applied for improving biosafety.

PubMed

Wang, Xinyu; Gao, Jing-Lin; Du, Chaohui; An, Jing; Li, MengJiao; Ma, Haiyan; Zhang, Lina; Jiang, Ye

2017-01-01

People today have a stronger interest in the risk of biosafety in clinical bioanalysis. A safe, simple, effective method of preparation is needed urgently. To improve biosafety of clinical analysis, we used antiviral drugs of adefovir and tenofovir as model drugs and developed a safe pretreatment method combining sealing technique with direct injection technique. The inter- and intraday precision (RSD %) of the method were <4%, and the extraction recoveries ranged from 99.4 to 100.7%. Meanwhile, the results showed that standard solution could be used to prepare calibration curve instead of spiking plasma, acquiring more accuracy result. Compared with traditional methods, the novel method not only improved biosecurity of the pretreatment method significantly, but also achieved several advantages including higher precision, favorable sensitivity and satisfactory recovery. With these highly practical and desirable characteristics, the novel method may become a feasible platform in bioanalysis.

The vacuum splint: an aid in emergency splinting of fractures

PubMed Central

Letts, R. M.; Hobson, D. A.

1973-01-01

The vacuum splint has been shown to be a simple, safe and effective method of emergency splinting of fractured extremities. The splint is simply constructed from clear vinyl sheeting and contains 2-mm. expanded polystyrene balls. Evacuation of air causes the splint to become rigid, thereby providing stability and immobilization of the limb. The splint is radiolucent, containing no obstructive metal components that would interfere with the radiographic appearance of the injured limb. The ease of application of this splint makes it especially effective for the emergency splinting of fractures in children. ImagesFIG. 1FIG. 2AFIG. 2BFIG. 3FIG. 4 PMID:4742489

Standardization of intralesional meglumine antimoniate treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis.

PubMed

Duque, Maria Cristina de Oliveira; Vasconcellos, Érica de Camargo Ferreira E; Pimentel, Maria Inês Fernandes; Lyra, Marcelo Rosandiski; Pacheco, Sandro Javier Bedoya; Marzochi, Mauro Celio de Almeida; Rosalino, Cláudia Maria Valete; Schubach, Armando de Oliveira

2016-01-01

Intralesional treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis has been applied for over 30 years at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, with good therapeutic results and without relevant systemic toxicity. Meglumine antimoniate was injected subcutaneously, using a long medium-caliber needle (for example, 30mm × 0.8mm); patients received 1-3 injections, with 15-day intervals. The technique is described in detail sufficient to enable replication. The treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with intralesional meglumine antimoniate is a simple, effective, and safe technique, which may be used in basic healthcare settings.

Pool Safety: A Few Simple Rules.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

PTA Today, 1993

1993-01-01

Presents suggestions by the National Swimming Pool Safety Committee on how to keep children safe while swimming. Ideas include maintaining strict adult supervision, pool and spa barriers, and knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. (SM)

Neonatal Infections

MedlinePlus

... infections such as listeriosis and toxoplasmosis practicing safe sex to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) Some steps are routine parts of pregnancy and delivery. Many doctors recommend that an expectant mother have a simple swab test late in pregnancy ...

Bilateral sacroiliac luxation fixation using a single transiliosacral pin: surgical technique and clinical outcomes in eight cats.

PubMed

Parslow, A; Simpson, D J

2017-06-01

A very limited safe anatomical window for transiliosacral implant placement exists in cats (<0·5 cm 2 ). Lag screw fixation requires multiple bilateral implants thus increasing the risk of iatrogenic trauma and implant interference. We describe a safe and effective method for bilateral sacroiliac fixation in cats using a single implant to minimise inadvertent iatrogenic damage to local structures and restore pelvic canal diameter. Eight cats underwent surgical fixation for traumatic bilateral sacroiliac luxation using a single smooth intramedullary pin. The pin spanned both ilial wings and sacrum. Implants were applied using a Universal C-guide. Pre- and postsurgery pelvic canal diameter ratios were calculated. Short-term follow-up was performed at 10 to 14 days postoperatively. Long-term follow-up was performed using the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index Questionnaire. Long-term radiographic assessment was available in two cases. The technique achieved safe and accurate implant position with precise sacroiliac joint reduction. Pelvic canal diameter ratios were restored to normal in all cases. Rapid return to normal hind leg function and excellent long-term clinical outcomes were achieved. This technique offers a simple, safe, repeatable and affordable technique for treating bilateral sacroiliac luxations in the cat without the aid of fluoroscopy. The procedure can be performed using surgical tools and inventory readily available in general small animal practices. © 2017 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

Fuel gas from biodigestion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcdonald, R. C.; Wolverton, B. C.

1979-01-01

Biodigestion apparatus produces fuel gas (primarily methane) for domestic consumption, by anaerobic bacterial digestion of organic matter such as aquatic vegetation. System includes 3,786-1 cylindrical container, mechanical agitator, and simple safe gas collector for short term storage.

The Mechanisms of Coagulation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kurtz, Richard; Jesty, Jolyon

1994-01-01

Several topics such as heart disease, strokes, biochemical reactions, blood components, and genetics can be related to blood clotting. Introduces a simple, safe and inexpensive hands-on demonstration using bovine (cattle) blood plasma of normal and abnormal coagulation. (ZWH)

Thunder and Lightning: A Lecture-Demonstration for All Ages.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baker, Colin

1999-01-01

Describes a series of simple but spectacular chemistry demonstrations designed to capture children's imaginations. The demonstrations take the minimum amount of time to prepare, are relatively safe to dispose of, and reliable. (Author/WRM)

Evaluation of a new modified QuEChERS method for the monitoring of carbamate residues in high-fat cheeses by using UHPLC-MS/MS.

PubMed

Hamed, Ahmed M; Moreno-González, David; Gámiz-Gracia, Laura; García-Campaña, Ana M

2017-01-01

A simple and efficient method for the determination of 28 carbamates in high-fat cheeses is proposed. The methodology is based on a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe procedure as sample treatment using a new sorbent (Z-Sep + ) followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry determination. The method has been validated in different kinds of cheese (Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Camembert), achieving recoveries of 70-115%, relative standard deviations lower than 13% and limits of quantification lower than 5.4 μg/kg, below the maximum residue levels tolerated for these compounds by the European legislation. The matrix effect was lower than ±30% for all the studied pesticides. The combination of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry with this modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe procedure using Z-Sep + allowed a high sample throughput and an efficient cleaning of extracts for the control of these residues in cheeses with a high fat content. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Music through the skin—simple demonstration of human electrical conductivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vollmer, M.; Möllmann, K. P.

2016-05-01

The conduction of electricity is an important topic for any basic physics course. Issues of safety often results in teacher demonstration experiments in front of the class or in extremely simple though—for students—not really fascinating (not to say boring) hands on activities for everybody using 1.5 V batteries, cables and light bulbs etc. Here we briefly review some basic facts about conduction of electricity through the human body and report a simple, safe, and awe inspiring electrical conduction experiment which can be performed with little preparation by a teacher involving the whole class of say 20 students.

Simple, benign, aqueous-based amination of polycarbonate surfaces

DOE PAGES

VanDelinder, Virginia; Wheeler, David R.; Small, Leo J.; ...

2015-03-18

Here we report a simple, safe, environmentally-friendly aqueous method that uses diamines to functionalize a polycarbonate surface with amino groups. We demonstrate the ability of this facile method to serve as a foundation upon which other functionalities may be attached, including anti-fouling coatings and oriented membrane proteins. The use of water as the solvent for the functionalization ensures that solvent induced swelling does not affect the optical or mechanical properties of the polycarbonate.

Closure of colostomy.

PubMed Central

Beck, P H; Conklin, H B

1975-01-01

We analyzed the records of 77 cases of loop colostomy closure in Vietnam War Casualties. All records were complete from the date of injury to discharge following colostomy closure. Simple of the loop colostomy was performed in 44 patients and resection of the stoma and reanastomosis of bowel segments was performed in 33 patients. Average operating time for simple closure of the loop was 70 minutes compared to 115 minutes for resection and anastomosis. Nasogastric suction was used less frequently and for a shorter time with simple loop closure. The total postoperative complication rate was 9% with simple loop closure as compared to 24% for resection and anastomosis. Simple closure of the loop described in this report is technically easier and as safe as resection of the stoma and reanastomosis. Images Fig. 1. PMID:1094967

Parylene-coated ionic liquid-carbon nanotube actuators for user-safe haptic devices.

PubMed

Bubak, Grzegorz; Gendron, David; Ceseracciu, Luca; Ansaldo, Alberto; Ricci, Davide

2015-07-22

Simple fabrication, high power-to-weight and power-to-volume ratios, and the ability to operate in open air at low voltage make the ionic electroactive polymer actuators highly attractive for haptic applications. Whenever a direct tactile stimulation of the skin is involved, electrical and chemical insulation as well as a long-term stability of the actuator are required. Because of its inherent physicochemical properties such as high dielectric strength, resistance to solvents, and biological inactivity, Parylene C meets the requirements for making biocompatible actuators. We have studied the displacement and the generated force of Parylene-coated carbon nanotube actuators as well as the encapsulation quality. A 2 μm coating creates an effective electrical insulation of the actuators without altering the blocking force at frequencies from 50 mHz to 1 Hz. Moreover, the generated strain is preserved at higher frequencies (from 0.5 to 5 Hz). We employed a simple mechanical model to explain the relation between the key parameters-flexural stiffness, displacement, and force-for uncoated and coated actuators. In addition, we demonstrated that our Parylene-coated actuators are not damaged by rinsing in liquid media such as 2-propanol or water. In conclusion, our results indicate that Parylene C encapsulated actuators are safe to touch and can be used in contact with human skin and in biomedical applications in direct contact with tissues and physiological fluids.

Exercise in pregnancy.

PubMed

Lewis, Emma

2014-08-01

Exercise is an inconsistently managed area in the health of expectant mothers. It is an area where family doctors have an opportunity to be well informed and willing to give advice. To provide simple advice on safe exercise practice in pregnancy. Exercise in pregnancy has multiple benefits for the mother, including reduced risk of mental health problems, diabetes and hypertension, and faster recovery after delivery. There are no proven risks to the fetus if practiced safely. Understanding the physiological changes of pregnancy and the possible complications of high-intensity or contact sport is important but in general, moderate levels of exercise 3-4 times per week is safe for both mother and baby in low-risk pregnancies.

Separation of Chloroplast Pigments Using Reverse Phase Chromatography.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reese, R. Neil

1997-01-01

Presents a protocol that uses reverse phase chromatography for the separation of chloroplast pigments. Provides a simple and relatively safe procedure for use in teaching laboratories. Discusses pigment extraction, chromatography, results, and advantages of the process. (JRH)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dasari, Venkateswara Rao

The need for sustainable and secure nuclear energy is summarized. Driven by economics and public-private partnerships, the technology is evolving. Cost control and regulatory simplification are needed for a nuclear renaissance. Small modular reactors--simple, scalable, and inherently safe--may be the future.

Green light may improve diagnostic accuracy of nailfold capillaroscopy with a simple digital videomicroscope.

PubMed

Weekenstroo, Harm H A; Cornelissen, Bart M W; Bernelot Moens, Hein J

2015-06-01

Nailfold capillaroscopy is a non-invasive and safe technique for the analysis of microangiopathologies. Imaging quality of widely used simple videomicroscopes is poor. The use of green illumination instead of the commonly used white light may improve contrast. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of green illumination with white illumination, regarding capillary density, the number of microangiopathologies, and sensitivity and specificity for systemic sclerosis. Five rheumatologists have evaluated 80 images; 40 images acquired with green light, and 40 images acquired with white light. A larger number of microangiopathologies were found in images acquired with green light than in images acquired with white light. This results in slightly higher sensitivity with green light in comparison with white light, without reducing the specificity. These findings suggest that green instead of white illumination may facilitate evaluation of capillaroscopic images obtained with a low-cost digital videomicroscope.

[Studies of termination of early pregnancy with Bromo-Geraminum].

PubMed

Hou, Z K; Liu, D G; Kao, F S; Chen, S L

1984-08-01

The authors introduced 3 ml of 2-3% Bromo-Geraminum (BG) solution into the uterine cavities to induce abortion in 356 early pregnant women from March 1979 through June 1980. The success rate in the termination of early pregnancy was 80.1% and even 96.5% in those who had been pregnant for less than 5 weeks. The mean abortion time was 40.9 porn 19.7 hours. It was noticed that the blood HCG level dropped dramatically after introducing into the uterine cavity. It has been demonstrated experimentally and clinically that this method is effective, safe, simple, and inexpensive and that the normal menstrual cycle recovers very soon without side effects.

A Behavior-Based Strategy for Single and Multi-Robot Autonomous Exploration

PubMed Central

Cepeda, Jesus S.; Chaimowicz, Luiz; Soto, Rogelio; Gordillo, José L.; Alanís-Reyes, Edén A.; Carrillo-Arce, Luis C.

2012-01-01

In this paper, we consider the problem of autonomous exploration of unknown environments with single and multiple robots. This is a challenging task, with several potential applications. We propose a simple yet effective approach that combines a behavior-based navigation with an efficient data structure to store previously visited regions. This allows robots to safely navigate, disperse and efficiently explore the environment. A series of experiments performed using a realistic robotic simulator and a real testbed scenario demonstrate that our technique effectively distributes the robots over the environment and allows them to quickly accomplish their mission in large open spaces, narrow cluttered environments, dead-end corridors, as well as rooms with minimum exits.

External cephalic version of the term breech baboon (Papio sp.) fetus.

PubMed

Barrier, Breton F; Joiner, Laura Lee Rihl; Jimenez, Joe B; Leland, M Michelle

2007-06-01

Breech presentation in baboons may be associated with head entrapment and stillbirth during vaginal delivery. For this reason, pregnant dams at our institution typically undergo cesarean delivery for known breech presentation, leading to problems with maternal-infant bonding and increased nursery utilization. This paper describes a simple, non-invasive technique called external cephalic version (ECV) that effectively converts the baboon breech fetus into a cephalic presentation. ECV was successful in each of seven attempted cases, with the consistent development of contractions and vaginal bleeding leading to the delivery of a healthy liveborn infant within 72 hours. ECV may offer a safe and effective alternative to cesarean section for delivery of the breech baboon fetus.

Dendritic cell-targeting DNA-based mucosal adjuvants for the development of mucosal vaccines

PubMed Central

Kataoka, Kosuke; Fujihashi, Kohtaro

2009-01-01

In order to establish effective mucosal immunity against various mucosal pathogens, vaccines must be delivered via the mucosal route and contain effective adjuvant(s). Since mucosal adjuvants can simply mix with the antigen, it is relatively easy to adapt them for different types of vaccine development. Even in simple admixture vaccines, the adjuvant itself must be prepared without any complications. Thus, CpG oligodeoxynucleotides or plasmids encoding certain cDNA(s) would be potent mucosal adjuvant candidates when compared with other substances that can be used as mucosal adjuvants. The strategy of a DNA-based mucosal adjuvant facilitates the targeting of mucosal dendritic cells, and thus is an effective and safe approach. It would also provide great flexibility for the development of effective vaccines for various mucosal pathogens. PMID:19722892

May the force be with you: why resistance training is essential for subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications.

PubMed

Codella, Roberto; Ialacqua, Marta; Terruzzi, Ileana; Luzi, Livio

2018-05-05

Physical activity, together with diet and pharmacological therapy, represents one of the three cornerstones in type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment and care. The therapeutic appeal of regular physical activity stems from: (i) its non-pharmacological nature; (ii) its beneficial effects on the metabolic risk factors associated with diabetes complications; (iii) its low costs. Evidence accumulated in the last years suggests that aerobic training-endurance training-constitutes a safe modality of intervention, achievable, and effective in diabetes treatment, whenever it is not limited by comorbidities. Aerobic training exerts insulin-mimetic effects and has been shown to lower mortality risk too. Anaerobic, intense physical activity, such as that of strength or power sports disciplines, is not univocally recognized as safe and simple to realize, however, it is important in stimulating energy and glucose metabolism. According to recent evidence, high-intensity training may be prescribed even in the face of cardiovascular diseases, peripheral vascular disease, or osteoarthritis. Some studies have shown resistance training to be more efficient than aerobic exercise in improving glycemic control. This review explores the most up-to-date indications emerging from literature in support of the beneficial effects of strength stimulation and resistance training in patients with type 2 diabetes without complications.

Contraceptive needs of the adolescent.

PubMed

Steyn, Petrus S; Goldstuck, Norman D

2014-08-01

The provision of contraception to adolescents requires specific attention. Adolescents require contraceptive methods which are safe, effective and simple to use. While long-acting reversible contraceptive methods are preferable, they should have a choice and not be forced or mandated especially in situations where this may compromise safety. After counselling they should have the ability to choose any method of contraception. Under the appropriate circumstances, each method of contraception may have a place. This chapter will be devoted to evaluating the most current scientific rationale for the indication for use of each method of contraception in adolescents. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Water filtration using plant xylem.

PubMed

Boutilier, Michael S H; Lee, Jongho; Chambers, Valerie; Venkatesh, Varsha; Karnik, Rohit

2014-01-01

Effective point-of-use devices for providing safe drinking water are urgently needed to reduce the global burden of waterborne disease. Here we show that plant xylem from the sapwood of coniferous trees--a readily available, inexpensive, biodegradable, and disposable material--can remove bacteria from water by simple pressure-driven filtration. Approximately 3 cm(3) of sapwood can filter water at the rate of several liters per day, sufficient to meet the clean drinking water needs of one person. The results demonstrate the potential of plant xylem to address the need for pathogen-free drinking water in developing countries and resource-limited settings.

Risks and benefits of citrate anticoagulation for continuous renal replacement therapy.

PubMed

Shum, H P; Yan, W W; Chan, T M

2015-04-01

Heparin, despite its significant side-effects, is the most commonly used anticoagulant for continuous renal replacement therapy in critical care setting. In recent years, citrate has gained much popularity by improving continuous renal replacement therapy circuit survival and decreasing blood transfusion requirements. However, its complex metabolic consequences warrant modification in the design of the citrate-based continuous renal replacement therapy protocol. With thorough understanding of the therapeutic mechanism of citrate, a simple and practicable protocol can be devised. Citrate-based continuous renal replacement therapy can be safely and widely used in the clinical setting with appropriate clinical staff training.

Thoracic aortic operations: management of maldistribution of arterial flow during cardiopulmonary bypass.

PubMed

Najafi, H; Veeragandham, R

1997-08-01

On three occasions during operations for aortic aneurysm involving the ascending aorta it was noted that upon the release of the aortic clamp the grafted segment remained collapsed, indicating very little or no flow reaching the lumen of the reconstructed aorta. This was promptly and successfully remedied in 2 patients by perfusing the graft directly with a pediatric arterial catheter attached to a pump head while the femoral arterial line maintained systemic arterial inflow. This simple, safe, and highly effective technique adds to the surgeon's repertoire to manage yet another intriguing intraoperative development during thoracic aortic operations.

[Osteosynthesis by tension band wiring of displaced fractures of the olecranon].

PubMed

Doursounian, L; Prevot, O; Touzard, R C

1994-01-01

Fifty-two displaced olecranon fractures in adults were treated over a 5-year period. Minimum follow-up was 6 months. Forty-eight fractures were operated and 38 were treated by tension band wiring technique. This technique, applied for all types of fractures, gave good functional results in 33 cases (87%) and fair functional results in 5 cases. Complications include 1 pseudarthrosis, 2 loss of reduction, 2 transient tourniquet palsy and 13 skin problems due to wire protrusion. Tension band wiring is a simple safe and effective technique for displaced olecranon fractures but often requires K-wire removal.

Choledochoscopic Holmium Laser Lithotripsy for Difficult Bile Duct Stones.

PubMed

Lv, Shangdong; Fang, Zheping; Wang, Aidong; Yang, Jian; Zhang, Wenlong

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of choledochoscopic holmium laser lithotripsy as a means of removing resistant extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile duct stones. Clinical data on 28 patients who had undergone choledochoscopic holmium laser lithotripsy were analyzed. Complete stone clearance was obtained in 24 patients; small numbers of residual stones in the left or right hepatic duct were found in 4 patients. No severe complications such as hemobilia and bile duct injuries occurred. Choledochoscopic holmium laser lithotripsy is a simple, safe, and effective treatment method for patients with resistant bile duct stones.

Surgical Treatment of Fibroids in Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Uterine fibroids can cause abnormal uterine bleeding and their removal is beneficial in the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding associated with fibroids for women who would like to preserve their uterus and fertility. Endoscopic (hysteroscopic and laparoscopic) approaches are the preferred methods of fibroid removal when appropriate. In the presence of submucosal fibroids, hysteroscopic resection is a simple, safe and effective treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding and reduces the need for more major surgery, such as hysterectomy. When abdominal myomectomy is required, laparoscopic myomectomy is the preferred choice in selected cases due to its advantages over open myomectomy. PMID:26693796

Simple resection of the lesion bile duct branch for treatment of regional hepatic bile duct stones

PubMed Central

Enliang, Li; Rongshou, Wu; Shidai, Shi; Jingling, Zhang; Qian, Feng; Wenjun, Liao; Linquan, Wu

2017-01-01

Abstract To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of simple resections of bile duct branch lesions for the treatment of regional hepatic bile duct stones. A retrospective analysis of the clinical data from patients in our hospital from November 2008 to November 2015, who only underwent a simple resection of the lesion bile duct branch. The patients’ clinical characteristics, surgical features, postoperative complications, stone clear rate, residual stone rate, and recurrence stone rate were analyzed. This study of 32 patients included 13 males and 19 females with intrahepatic bile duct stones confined to the right hepatic bile duct branch. The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, and postoperative hospital stay were 478.0 ± 86.5, 210.7 ± 6.6, and 10.8 ± 3.5, respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 patients (18.8%), all of whom recovered with conservative management. There were no deaths during hospitalization. The intraoperative stone clearance rate was 95.8%. Three patients had a recurrence of stones at a mean of 22 months of follow-up (range, 4–36 months). Simple resection of bile duct branch lesions is safe and feasible for patients who have regional hepatic bile duct stones limited to the right hepatic bile duct branches. PMID:28682899

Inexperience and risky decisions of young adolescents, as pedestrians and cyclists, in interactions with lorries, and the effects of competency versus awareness education.

PubMed

Twisk, Divera; Vlakveld, Willem; Mesken, Jolieke; Shope, Jean T; Kok, Gerjo

2013-06-01

Road injuries are a prime cause of death in early adolescence. Often road safety education (RSE) is used to target risky road behaviour in this age group. These RSE programmes are frequently based on the assumption that deliberate risk taking rather than lack of competency underlies risk behaviour. This study tested the competency of 10-13 year olds, by examining their decisions - as pedestrians and cyclists - in dealing with blind spot areas around lorries. Also, the effects of an awareness programme and a competency programme on these decisions were evaluated. Table-top models were used, representing seven scenarios that differed in complexity: one basic scenario to test the identification of blind spot areas, and 6 traffic scenarios to test behaviour in traffic situations of low or high task complexity. Using a quasi-experimental design (pre-test and post-test reference group design without randomization), the programme effects were assessed by requiring participants (n=62) to show, for each table-top traffic scenario, how they would act if they were in that traffic situation. On the basic scenario, at pre-test 42% of the youngsters identified all blind spots correctly, but only 27% showed safe behaviour in simple scenarios and 5% in complex scenarios. The competency programme yielded improved performance on the basic scenario but not on the traffic scenarios, whereas the awareness programme did not result in any improvements. The correlation between improvements on the basic scenarios and the traffic scenarios was not significant. Young adolescents have not yet mastered the necessary skills for safe performance in simple and complex traffic situations, thus underlining the need for effective prevention programmes. RSE may improve the understanding of blind spot areas but this does not 'automatically' transfer to performance in traffic situations. Implications for the design of RSE are discussed. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A simple technique for laparoscopic gastrostomy.

PubMed

Murphy, C; Rosemurgy, A S; Albrink, M H; Carey, L C

1992-05-01

While endoscopically placed gastrostomy tubes are routinely simple, they are not always feasible. Endoscopic technique also does not uniformly secure the tube to the abdominal wall, which presents possible complications, including leakage, accidental early tube removal, intraperitoneal catheter migration and necrosis of the stomach or abdominal wall because of excessive traction. Presented herein is a technique that is rapid, simple and eliminates some of these potential complications. The technique is easily combined with other operative procedures, such as tracheostomy, is done under direct vision, can be performed quickly with intravenous sedation and local anesthetic and is a safe method of tube placement for enteral feeding or gastric decompression.

Assessing fear and anxiety in humans using the threat of predictable and unpredictable aversive events (the NPU-threat test)

PubMed Central

Schmitz, Anja; Grillon, Christian

2012-01-01

The threat of predictable and unpredictable aversive events was developed to assess short-duration (fear) and long-duration (anxiety) aversive states in humans. A typical experiment consists of three conditions: a safe condition (neutral (N)), during which participants are safe from aversive stimuli, and two threat conditions—one in which aversive events are administered predictably (P) (i.e., signaled by a threat cue), and one in which aversive stimuli are administered unpredictably (U). During the so-called NPU -threat test, ongoing change in aversive states is measured with the startle reflex. The NPU -threat test has been validated in pharmacological and clinical studies and can be implemented in children and adults. Similar procedures have been applied in animal models, making the NPU -threat test an ideal tool for translational research. The procedure is relatively short (35 min), simple to implement and generates consistent results with large effect sizes. PMID:22362158

Naloxone for Opioid Overdose and the Role of the Pharmacist.

PubMed

Toderika, Yuliana; Williams, Shalonda

2018-02-01

With the rise of the opioid epidemic in the United States and increased mortality as a result of opioid overdoses, there have been many national and statewide initiatives to combat this health crisis. Many states have expanded accessibility to naloxone, an opioid-reversal agent. Naloxone is safe, cost-effective, and nonaddictive. In addition, simple administration allows naloxone to be used by patients, family members, caregivers, and bystanders in the event of an opioid overdose. While a great emphasis has been placed on the prescribing practices of health care providers as it pertains to opioid therapy for chronic pain, a new focus has been placed on coprescribing naloxone with opioids for high-risk patients. Naloxone standing orders have allowed health care providers, including pharmacists, to prescribe, dispense, and/ or administer the medication in an attempt to save lives. In addition, pharmacists play a role in counseling and educating patients, family members, caregivers, and bystanders on the safe administration of naloxone in the event of an emergency.

The Oxygen Flask Method

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boulton, L. H.

1973-01-01

Discusses application of Schoniger's method of quantitative organic elemental analysis in teaching of qualitative analysis of the halogens, nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus. Indicates that the oxygen flask method is safe and suitable for both high school and college courses because of simple apparatus requirements. (CC)

Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of yeast extracts containing rotavirus-like particles: a potential veterinary vaccine.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Limas, William A; Pastor, Ana Ruth; Esquivel-Soto, Ernesto; Esquivel-Guadarrama, Fernando; Ramírez, Octavio T; Palomares, Laura A

2014-05-19

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in many animal species of economic interest. A simple, safe and cost-effective vaccine is required for the control and prevention of rotavirus in animals. In this study, we evaluated the use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae extracts containing rotavirus-like particles (RLP) as a vaccine candidate in an adult mice model. Two doses of 1mg of yeast extract containing rotavirus proteins (between 0.3 and 3 μg) resulted in an immunological response capable of reducing the replication of rotavirus after infection. Viral shedding in all mice groups diminished in comparison with the control group when challenged with 100 50% diarrhea doses (DD50) of murine rotavirus strain EDIM. Interestingly, when immunizing intranasally protection against rotavirus infection was observed even when no increase in rotavirus-specific antibody titers was evident, suggesting that cellular responses were responsible of protection. Our results indicate that raw yeast extracts containing rotavirus proteins and RLP are a simple, cost-effective alternative for veterinary vaccines against rotavirus. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Behavioral Responses to Epidemics in an Online Experiment: Using Virtual Diseases to Study Human Behavior

PubMed Central

Chen, Frederick; Griffith, Amanda; Cottrell, Allin; Wong, Yue-Ling

2013-01-01

We report the results of a study we conducted using a simple multiplayer online game that simulates the spread of an infectious disease through a population composed of the players. We use our virtual epidemics game to examine how people respond to epidemics. The analysis shows that people's behavior is responsive to the cost of self-protection, the reported prevalence of disease, and their experiences earlier in the epidemic. Specifically, decreasing the cost of self-protection increases the rate of safe behavior. Higher reported prevalence also raises the likelihood that individuals would engage in self-protection, where the magnitude of this effect depends on how much time has elapsed in the epidemic. Individuals' experiences in terms of how often an infection was acquired when they did not engage in self-protection are another factor that determines whether they will invest in preventive measures later on. All else being equal, individuals who were infected at a higher rate are more likely to engage in self-protective behavior compared to those with a lower rate of infection. Lastly, fixing everything else, people's willingness to engage in safe behavior waxes or wanes over time, depending on the severity of an epidemic: when prevalence is high, people are more likely to adopt self-protective measures as time goes by; when prevalence is low, a ‘self-protection fatigue’ effect sets in whereby individuals are less willing to engage in safe behavior over time. PMID:23326360

Laser vaccine adjuvants. History, progress, and potential.

PubMed

Kashiwagi, Satoshi; Brauns, Timothy; Gelfand, Jeffrey; Poznansky, Mark C

2014-01-01

Immunologic adjuvants are essential for current vaccines to maximize their efficacy. Unfortunately, few have been found to be sufficiently effective and safe for regulatory authorities to permit their use in vaccines for humans and none have been approved for use with intradermal vaccines. The development of new adjuvants with the potential to be both efficacious and safe constitutes a significant need in modern vaccine practice. The use of non-damaging laser light represents a markedly different approach to enhancing immune responses to a vaccine antigen, particularly with intradermal vaccination. This approach, which was initially explored in Russia and further developed in the US, appears to significantly improve responses to both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines administered to the laser-exposed tissue, particularly the skin. Although different types of lasers have been used for this purpose and the precise molecular mechanism(s) of action remain unknown, several approaches appear to modulate dendritic cell trafficking and/or activation at the irradiation site via the release of specific signaling molecules from epithelial cells. The most recent study, performed by the authors of this review, utilized a continuous wave near-infrared laser that may open the path for the development of a safe, effective, low-cost, simple-to-use laser vaccine adjuvant that could be used in lieu of conventional adjuvants, particularly with intradermal vaccines. In this review, we summarize the initial Russian studies that have given rise to this approach and comment upon recent advances in the use of non-tissue damaging lasers as novel physical adjuvants for vaccines.

Laser vaccine adjuvants

PubMed Central

Kashiwagi, Satoshi; Brauns, Timothy; Gelfand, Jeffrey; Poznansky, Mark C

2014-01-01

Immunologic adjuvants are essential for current vaccines to maximize their efficacy. Unfortunately, few have been found to be sufficiently effective and safe for regulatory authorities to permit their use in vaccines for humans and none have been approved for use with intradermal vaccines. The development of new adjuvants with the potential to be both efficacious and safe constitutes a significant need in modern vaccine practice. The use of non-damaging laser light represents a markedly different approach to enhancing immune responses to a vaccine antigen, particularly with intradermal vaccination. This approach, which was initially explored in Russia and further developed in the US, appears to significantly improve responses to both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines administered to the laser-exposed tissue, particularly the skin. Although different types of lasers have been used for this purpose and the precise molecular mechanism(s) of action remain unknown, several approaches appear to modulate dendritic cell trafficking and/or activation at the irradiation site via the release of specific signaling molecules from epithelial cells. The most recent study, performed by the authors of this review, utilized a continuous wave near-infrared laser that may open the path for the development of a safe, effective, low-cost, simple-to-use laser vaccine adjuvant that could be used in lieu of conventional adjuvants, particularly with intradermal vaccines. In this review, we summarize the initial Russian studies that have given rise to this approach and comment upon recent advances in the use of non-tissue damaging lasers as novel physical adjuvants for vaccines. PMID:25424797

Comparison of micellar extraction combined with ionic liquid based vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction and modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method for the determination of difenoconazole in cowpea.

PubMed

Chen, Xiaochu; Bian, Yanli; Liu, Fengmao; Teng, Peipei; Sun, Pan

2017-10-06

Two simple sample pretreatment for the determination of difenoconazole in cowpea was developed including micellar extraction combined with ionic liquid based vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction (ME-IL-VALLME) prior to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method (QuEChERS) coupled with HPLC-MS/MS. In ME-IL-VALLME method, the target analyte was extracted by surfactant Tween 20 micellar solution, then the supernatant was diluted with 3mL water to decrease the solubility of micellar solution. Subsequently, the vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction (VALLME) procedure was performed in the diluted extraction solution by using the ionic liquid of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([HMIM]PF 6 ) as the extraction solvent and Tween 20 as an emulsifier to enhance the dispersion of the water-immiscible ionic liquid into the aqueous phase. Parameters that affect the extraction have been investigated in both methods Under the optimum conditions, the limits of quantitation were 0.10 and 0.05mgkg -1 , respectively. And good linearity was achieved with the correlation coefficient higher than 0.9941. The relative recoveries ranged from 78.6 to 94.8% and 92.0 to 118.0% with the relative standard deviations (RSD) of 7.9-9.6% and 1.2-3.2%, respectively. Both methods were quick, simple and inexpensive. However, the ME-IL-VALLME method provides higher enrichment factor compared with conventional QuEChERS method. The ME-IL-VALLME method has a strong potential for the determination of difenoconazole in complex vegetable matrices with HPLC. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Preliminary data on Pemphigus vulgaris treatment by a proteomics-defined peptide: a case report

PubMed Central

Angelini, Giovanni; Bonamonte, Domenico; Lucchese, Alberta; Favia, Gianfranco; Serpico, Rosario; Mittelman, Abraham; Simone, Simone; Sinha, Animesh A; Kanduc, Darja

2006-01-01

Background Although described by Hippocrates in 400 B.C., pemphigus disease still needs a safe therapeutical approach, given that the currently used therapies (i.e. corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs) often provoke collateral effects. Here we present preliminary data on the possible use of a proteomics derived desmoglein peptide which appears promising in halting disease progression without adverse effects. Methods The low-similarity Dsg349–60REWVKFAKPCRE peptide was topically applied for 1 wk onto a lesion in a patient with a late-stage Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) complicated by diabetes and cataract disease. The peptide was applied as an adjuvant in combination with the standard corticosteroid-based immunosuppressive treatment. Results After 1 wk, the treated PV eroded lesion appeared dimensionally reduced and with an increased rate of re-epithelization when compared to adjacent non-treated lesions. Short-term benefits were: decrease of anti-Dsg antibody titer and reduction of the corticosteroid dosage. Long-term benefits: after two years following the unique 1-wk topical treatment, the decrease of anti-Dsg antibody titer persists. The patient is still at the low cortisone dosage. Adverse effects: no adverse effect could be monitored. Conclusion With the limits inherent to any preliminary study, this case report indicates that topical treatment with Dsg349–60REWVKFAKPCRE peptide may represent a feasible first step in the search for a simple, effective and safe treatment of PV. PMID:17062151

Spectrophotometric Properties of Hemoglobin: Classroom Applications.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Frary, Roger

1997-01-01

Discusses simple and safe techniques that can be used in the educational laboratory to study hemoglobin. Discusses the spectral properties of hemoglobin, spectral-absorbence curves of oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin, tracking the conversion of oxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin, and changing from the oxyhemoglobin to deoxyhemoglobin conformation.…

Using task analysis in healthcare design to improve clinical efficiency.

PubMed

Lu, Jun; Hignett, Sue

2009-01-01

To review the functionality of the proposed soiled workroom design for efficient and safe clinical activities. As part of a hospital refurbishment program, the planning team of a United Kingdom National Health Service hospital requested a review of a proposed standardized room design. A 7-day observational study was conducted in five clinical departments at three hospitals. Link analysis was used to record and analyze the movements among components, i.e., nursing staff, equipment/devices, and furniture. Fifty-four observations were recorded for 18 clinical tasks. The most frequent tasks were the disposal of urine and used urine bottles, and returning used commode chairs. Minor recommendations were made to improve the proposed design, and major revisions were suggested to address functionality problems. It was found that the proposed design did not offer the optimal layout for efficient and safe clinical activities. Link analysis was found to be effective for plotting the movements of the staff and accounting for the complexity of tasks. This ergonomic method, in combination with observational field studies, provided a simple and effective way to determine functional space requirements for clinical activities and should be used in all healthcare building design projects.

Single-use autoinjector for once-weekly intramuscular injection of IFNβ-1a.

PubMed

Limmroth, Volker; Gerbershagen, Kathrin

2014-12-01

IFNβ products and glatiramer acetate are established treatment first-line options in long-term disease-modifying therapy of multiple sclerosis (MS). These self-injectable medications are used once weekly to once daily. Injection-related issues are common patient-cited reasons for nonadherence. Autoinjectors have been shown to support long-term adherence to injectable medications. The ability to self-inject in MS patients has been associated with a reduced risk of missed injections and drug discontinuation, and a beneficial effect on patient independence. The recently introduced easy-to-use prefilled once-weekly pen is a safe and effective device for intramuscular (IM) IFNβ-1a application and provides a convenient method for self-injection. We reviewed the available published evidence on the characteristics of this device. The once-weekly pen facilitates self-injection and was preferred over prefilled syringes by patients in a prospective open-label, multicenter Phase IIIb trial in MS patients who had been using IM IFNβ-1a in prefilled syringes. The simple and safe handling, shielded short needle, single-use disposable design and virtually painless injection by the device may contribute to adherence, quality of life and independence in patients using IM IFNβ-1a.

Quantification, dissipation behavior and risk assessment of ethion in green pea by gas chromatography-electron capture detector.

PubMed

Jan, Ishrat; Dar, Alamgir A; Mubashir, Sofi; Alam Wani, Ashraf; Mukhtar, Malik; Sofi, Khurshid A; Dar, Irshad H; Sofi, Javid A

2018-05-01

Residue investigation was carried out to scrutinize the persistence, dissipation behavior, half-life, and risk assessment of ethion on green pea fruit by spraying ethion at the fruiting stage followed by another application at 10 day intervals. The samples were extracted by using a quick, easy, low-cost, effective, rugged, and safe method, and the residues of ethion were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Here we report a novel, accurate, and cost-effective gas chromatography method for the determination of average deposits of ethion on green pea. The initial deposits were found to be 4.65 mg/kg following the application of insecticide. Residues of ethion reached below the detection limit of 0.10 mg/kg after 25 days at recommended dosage. The half-life of ethion was found to be 4.62 days. For risk assessment studies, the 25th day will be safe for consumers for the consumption of green peas. The developed method is simple, sensitive, selective, and repeatable and can be extended for ethion-based standardization of herbal formulations containing green pea and its use in pesticide industries. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Risk assessment, dissipation behavior and persistence of quinalphos in/on green pea by gas chromatography with electron capture detector.

PubMed

Dar, Alamgir A; Jan, Ishrat; Wani, Ashraf A; Mubashir, Sofi; Sofi, Khurshid A; Sofi, Javid A; Dar, Irshad H

2018-06-01

Chemical investigation was carried out to examine the risk assessment, dissipation behavior, persistence, and half-life period of quinalphos in/on green pea fruit by spraying quinalphos at fruiting stage followed by another application after 10-day interval. The samples were extracted by using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method, and the residues of quinalphos were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector. Herein, we report a novel, accurate, and cost-effective gas chromatography method for the determination of average deposits of quinalphos in/on green pea. The initial deposits and half-life of quinalphos were found to be 1.20 mg/kg and 2.77 days, respectively, following the application of insecticide. Residues of quinalphos reached below detection limit of 0.05 mg/kg after 10 days at recommended dosage. For risk assessment studies, the tenth day will be safe for consumers for consumption of green pea. The developed method is simple, selective, and repeatable, and it can be extended for quinalphos-based standardization of herbal formulations containing green pea and its use in pesticide industries. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Improved wound management by regulated negative pressure-assisted wound therapy and regulated, oxygen- enriched negative pressure-assisted wound therapy through basic science research and clinical assessment.

PubMed

Topaz, Moris

2012-05-01

Regulated negative pressure-assisted wound therapy (RNPT) should be regarded as a state-of-the-art technology in wound treatment and the most important physical, nonpharmaceutical, platform technology developed and applied for wound healing in the last two decades. RNPT systems maintain the treated wound's environment as a semi-closed, semi-isolated system applying external physical stimulations to the wound, leading to biological and biochemical effects, with the potential to substantially influence wound-host interactions, and when properly applied may enhance wound healing. RNPT is a simple, safe, and affordable tool that can be utilized in a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, with reduced need for complicated surgical procedures, and antibiotic treatment. This technology has been shown to be effective and safe, saving limbs and lives on a global scale. Regulated, oxygen-enriched negative pressure-assisted wound therapy (RO-NPT) is an innovative technology, whereby supplemental oxygen is concurrently administered with RNPT for their synergistic effect on treatment and prophylaxis of anaerobic wound infection and promotion of wound healing. Understanding the basic science, modes of operation and the associated risks of these technologies through their fundamental clinical mechanisms is the main objective of this review.

Transvesical robotic simple prostatectomy: initial clinical experience.

PubMed

Leslie, Scott; Abreu, Andre Luis de Castro; Chopra, Sameer; Ramos, Patrick; Park, Daniel; Berger, Andre K; Desai, Mihir M; Gill, Inderbir S; Aron, Monish

2014-08-01

Despite significant developments in transurethral surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), simple prostatectomy remains an excellent option for patients with large glands. To describe our technique of transvesical robotic simple prostatectomy (RSP). From May 2011 to April 2013, 25 patients underwent RSP. We performed RSP using our technique. Baseline demographics, pathology data, perioperative complications, 90-d complications, and functional outcomes were assessed. Mean patient age was 72.9 yr (range: 54-88), baseline International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was 23.9 (range: 9-35), prostate volume was 149.6 ml (range: 91-260), postvoid residual (PVR) was 208.1 ml (range: 72-800), maximum flow rate (Qmax) was 11.3 ml/s, and preoperative prostate-specific antigen was 9.4 ng/ml (range: 1.9-56.3). Eight patients were catheter dependent before surgery. Mean operative time was 214 min (range: 165-345), estimated blood loss was 143 ml (range: 50-350), and the hospital stay was 4 d (range: 2-8). There were no intraoperative complications and no conversions to open surgery. Five patients had a concomitant robotic procedure performed. Early functional outcomes demonstrated significant improvement from baseline with an 85% reduction in mean IPSS (p<0.0001), an 82.2% reduction in mean PVR (p=0.014), and a 77% increase in mean Qmax (p=0.20). This study is limited by small sample size and short follow-up period. One patient had a urinary tract infection; two had recurrent hematuria, one requiring transfusion; one patient had clot retention and extravasation, requiring reoperation. Our technique of RSP is safe and effective. Good functional outcomes suggest it is a viable option for BPH and larger glands and can be used for patients requiring concomitant procedures. We describe the technique and report the initial results of a series of cases of transvesical robotic simple prostatectomy. The procedure is both feasible and safe and a good option for benign prostatic hyperplasia with larger glands. Copyright © 2013 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Minimum Control Requirements for Advanced Life Support Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boulange, Richard; Jones, Harry; Jones, Harry

2002-01-01

Advanced control technologies are not necessary for the safe, reliable and continuous operation of Advanced Life Support (ALS) systems. ALS systems can and are adequately controlled by simple, reliable, low-level methodologies and algorithms. The automation provided by advanced control technologies is claimed to decrease system mass and necessary crew time by reducing buffer size and minimizing crew involvement. In truth, these approaches increase control system complexity without clearly demonstrating an increase in reliability across the ALS system. Unless these systems are as reliable as the hardware they control, there is no savings to be had. A baseline ALS system is presented with the minimal control system required for its continuous safe reliable operation. This baseline control system uses simple algorithms and scheduling methodologies and relies on human intervention only in the event of failure of the redundant backup equipment. This ALS system architecture is designed for reliable operation, with minimal components and minimal control system complexity. The fundamental design precept followed is "If it isn't there, it can't fail".

Treatment of vitreous floaters with neodymium YAG laser.

PubMed Central

Tsai, W F; Chen, Y C; Su, C Y

1993-01-01

Fifteen cases of vitreous floaters with serious psychological reactions have been collected. By using a direct ophthalmoscope, causal vitreous opacities were detected. The opacities were photodisrupted with neodymium YAG laser, using energy levels of 5 to 7.1 mJ and total energy 71 to 742.0 mJ. Symptoms completely disappeared immediately after treatment in all 15 cases. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications noted during a follow up period of at least 1 year. To our knowledge, the use of neodymium YAG laser to treat vitreous floaters has not been previously described. Our initial experience indicates that the treatment is simple, safe, and effective. Images PMID:8025044

Water Filtration Using Plant Xylem

PubMed Central

Chambers, Valerie; Venkatesh, Varsha; Karnik, Rohit

2014-01-01

Effective point-of-use devices for providing safe drinking water are urgently needed to reduce the global burden of waterborne disease. Here we show that plant xylem from the sapwood of coniferous trees – a readily available, inexpensive, biodegradable, and disposable material – can remove bacteria from water by simple pressure-driven filtration. Approximately 3 cm3 of sapwood can filter water at the rate of several liters per day, sufficient to meet the clean drinking water needs of one person. The results demonstrate the potential of plant xylem to address the need for pathogen-free drinking water in developing countries and resource-limited settings. PMID:24587134

Fabrication of biodegradable PEG-PLA nanospheres for solubility, stabilization, and delivery of curcumin.

PubMed

Liang, Hongying; Friedman, Joel M; Nacharaju, Parimala

2017-03-01

Curcumin is an effective and safe anticancer agent, and also known to induce vasodilation, but its hydrophobicity limits its clinical application. In this study, a simple emulsion method was developed to prepare biodegradable poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (lactic acid) (PEG-PLA) nanospheres to encapsulate curcumin to improve its solubility and stability. The nanoparticle size was around 150 nm with a narrow size distribution. Fluorescence microscopy showed that curcumin encapsulated PEG-PLA nanospheres were taken up rapidly by Hela and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. This novel nanoparticulate carrier may improve the bioavailability of curcumin without affecting its anticancer properties.

Team training for safer birth.

PubMed

Cornthwaite, Katie; Alvarez, Mary; Siassakos, Dimitrios

2015-11-01

Effective and coordinated teamworking is key to achieving safe birth for mothers and babies. Confidential enquiries have repeatedly identified deficiencies in teamwork as factors contributing to poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. The ingredients of a successful multi-professional team are varied, but research has identified some fundamental teamwork behaviours, with good communication, proficient leadership and situational awareness at the heart. Simple, evidence-based methods in teamwork training can be seamlessly integrated into a core, mandatory obstetric emergency training. Training should be an enjoyable, inclusive and beneficial experience for members of staff. Training in teamwork can lead to improved clinical outcomes and better birth experience for women. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Household food insecurity access scale (HFIAS).

PubMed

Salvador Castell, Gemma; Pérez Rodrigo, Carmen; Ngo de la Cruz, Joy; Aranceta Bartrina, Javier

2015-02-26

In 1996, the World Food Summit reaffirmed the inalienable right that each person across the globe has to access safe, adequate and nutritious food. At that time a goal was established to reduce by half the number of undernourished persons worldwide by 2015, in other words the year that we are now commencing. Different countries and organisations considered the necessity of reaching consensus and developing indicators for measuring household food insecurity. The availability of a simple but evidence-based measurement method to identify nutritionally at-risk population groups constitutes an essential instrument for implementing strategies that effectively address relevant key issues. Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2015. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.

Charging up the public for automated external defibrillators

PubMed Central

Willoughby DeJesus, Paula

2005-01-01

Public training in the use of automated external defibrillators to treat out-of-hospital cardiac arrests has been receiving increased attention. The implementation of public access defibrillation programs has been the most significant intervention to improve survival in decades. Dramatic success came when we placed automated external defibrillators in the hands of the public to be utilized without an Emergency Medical Services response having to occur. The device is simple to operate – sixth-grade children have demonstrated safe and effective operation. Training should be taken to its elemental level. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training should not be forgotten; it too should be taken to its simplest form. PMID:15774067

Chemistry Notes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

School Science Review, 1984

1984-01-01

Describes: (1) a microcomputer demonstration of autocatalysis; (2) a safe alternative to ethanol and methanol; (3) a simple condenser for test-tube reactions; (4) a new procedure for studying the magnetic properties of transition metal compounds; (5) plasticization of the polymer PVC; and (6) some thoughts on polybasic acids and their salts. (JN)

A Simple Vertical Slab Gel Electrophoresis Apparatus.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carter, J. B.; And Others

1983-01-01

Describes an inexpensive, easily constructed, and safe vertical slab gel kit used routinely for sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis research and student experiments. Five kits are run from a single transformer. Because toxic solutions are used, students are given plastic gloves and closely supervised during laboratory…

The Future of Aircraft Paint Removal Methods

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-09-01

barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury , selenium, and silver. We must develop small efficient blast furnaces to burn the media thus reducing the...permit the safe collection, consolidation, and detoxication of stripping waste. This may be as simple as a series of filters to clean the air from

Bilateral blindness following anterior nasal packing in a case of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.

PubMed

Sahoo, A K; Preetam, C; Kumar, R; Samal, D K

2016-11-01

Epistaxis is the most common ENT emergency encountered in the Emergency Department. Most cases can be managed by simple anterior nasal packing. This is usually a safe and very effective option in an emergency situation, requiring minimal expertise and infrastructure. This paper describes a rare instance of a serious complication following anterior nasal packing in a case of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. A 27-year-old man diagnosed with nasopharyngeal angiofibroma presented to the Emergency Department with bilateral epistaxis. The patient was stabilised and anterior nasal packing was performed, which controlled the bleeding. Three hours later, the patient developed complete blindness in both eyes. Aggressive medical management was initiated immediately, but failed to restore the patient's vision. Anterior nasal packing is a simple and minimally invasive procedure practised regularly in an Emergency Department setting. However, it can occasionally lead to serious complications such as blindness. Thus, obtaining informed consent is essential to avoid medico-legal consequences in high-risk cases.

Comparison of the analgesic effects of cryoanalgesia vs. parecoxib for lung cancer patients after lobectomy.

PubMed

Ba, Yu-Feng; Li, Xiao-Dong; Zhang, Xiaofei; Ning, Zhong-Hua; Zhang, Hanze; Liu, Yi-Ning; He, Shan-Hong; Zhu, Yu; Li, Chang-Sheng; Wang, Quan-Hui; Li, Yin

2015-10-01

This study was designed to compare the analgesic effects of cryoanalgesia and parecoxib in lung cancer patients after lobectomy. A total of 178 lung cancer patients awaiting large-sized lobectomy were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly divided into Group A (intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia) and Group B (parecoxib). The analgesic and adverse effects were compared between the two groups. The pain score of Group A was significantly lower than that of Group B (P < 0.05). The patients in Group A used significantly less morphine than those in Group B (P < 0.05). There were also significantly fewer complications in Group A than in Group B (P < 0.05). Cryoanalgesia of the intercostal nerves can be considered an economical, safe and simple technique for the long-term management of post-lobectomy pain.

Cost-effectiveness of preoperative nasal mupirocin treatment in preventing surgical site infection in patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

PubMed

Courville, Xan F; Tomek, Ivan M; Kirkland, Kathryn B; Birhle, Marian; Kantor, Stephen R; Finlayson, Samuel R G

2012-02-01

To perform a cost-effectiveness analysis to evaluate preoperative use of mupirocin in patients with total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Simple decision tree model. Outpatient TJA clinical setting. Hypothetical cohort of patients with TJA. A simple decision tree model compared 3 strategies in a hypothetical cohort of patients with TJA: (1) obtaining preoperative screening cultures for all patients, followed by administration of mupirocin to patients with cultures positive for Staphylococcus aureus; (2) providing empirical preoperative treatment with mupirocin for all patients without screening; and (3) providing no preoperative treatment or screening. We assessed the costs and benefits over a 1-year period. Data inputs were obtained from a literature review and from our institution's internal data. Utilities were measured in quality-adjusted life-years, and costs were measured in 2005 US dollars. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. The treat-all and screen-and-treat strategies both had lower costs and greater benefits, compared with the no-treatment strategy. Sensitivity analysis revealed that this result is stable even if the cost of mupirocin was over $100 and the cost of SSI ranged between $26,000 and $250,000. Treating all patients remains the best strategy when the prevalence of S. aureus carriers and surgical site infection is varied across plausible values as well as when the prevalence of mupirocin-resistant strains is high. Empirical treatment with mupirocin ointment or use of a screen-and-treat strategy before TJA is performed is a simple, safe, and cost-effective intervention that can reduce the risk of SSI. S. aureus decolonization with nasal mupirocin for patients undergoing TJA should be considered. Level II, economic and decision analysis.

"Tie over ring" sutureless compression based gastrointestinal anastomotic method: experimental rat model.

PubMed

Hiradfar, Mehran; Shojaeian, Reza; Zabolinejad, Nona; Gharavifard, Mohammad; Sabzevari, Alireza; Joodi, Marjan; Yal, Nazila; Saeedi Sharifabad, Parisa; Hajian, Sara; Nazarzadeh, Reza; Lotfinejad, Nasim

2014-03-01

Giving the ever-rising trend of pediatric minimally invasive surgery besides early neonatal surgical interventions, intestinal anastomosis turns out to be a time consuming stage due to several anatomical as well as technical difficulties. A perfect bowel anastomosis method should be easy, rapid, safe and reliable in creation of bowel continuity with minimal tissue damage. In this light, sutureless anastomotic methods have been introduced, using compression based anastomosis with biofragmentable rings or powerful magnets. Accordingly, this experimental animal model study has evaluated the result of an easy, rapid intestinal sutureless anastomotic technique via simple tying over an intraluminal ring, in comparison with conventional handsewn bowel anastomosis. Thirty Wistar-Albino male rats were enrolled and small bowel was transected via a midline laparotomy. A grooved plastic ring was inserted into the ileal lumen and both intestinal cutting ends were fixed over the ring with a simple tie in the first group. On the other hand, enteroenterostomy was performed by the conventional method of handsewn anastomosis in the second group. After 14 days, rats were sacrificed to evaluate for intraperitoneal adhesion and abscess formation in addition to other evidences of anastomotic leakage. Furthermore, the anastomotic site integrity, tensile strength and healing stage were assessed microscopically. The mean operative time and intraoperative bleeding in the tie over ring group were significantly less than those in the handsewn anastomosis group. Anastomotic stricture was more common in the conventional anastomosis group while the anastomotic tensile strength was significantly higher in the tie over ring group. Histopathological healing parameters and final healing score were almost similar in both groups but mean inflammatory cell infiltration in handsewn anastomosis was significantly higher. "Tie over ring" is a simple method of anastomosis that is feasible, fast, safe and functionally effective for bowel reconstruction in animal models that could be reconsidered in human bowel anastomosis. © 2014.

Costs of postabortion care in public sector health facilities in Malawi: a cross-sectional survey.

PubMed

Benson, Janie; Gebreselassie, Hailemichael; Mañibo, Maribel Amor; Raisanen, Keris; Johnston, Heidi Bart; Mhango, Chisale; Levandowski, Brooke A

2015-12-17

Health systems could obtain substantial cost savings by providing safe abortion care rather than providing expensive treatment for complications of unsafely performed abortions. This study estimates current health system costs of treating unsafe abortion complications and compares these findings with newly-projected costs for providing safe abortion in Malawi. We conducted in-depth surveys of medications, supplies, and time spent by clinical personnel dedicated to postabortion care (PAC) for three treatment categories (simple, severe non-surgical, and severe surgical complications) and three uterine evacuation (UE) procedure types (manual vacuum aspiration (MVA), dilation and curettage (D&C) and misoprostol-alone) at 15 purposively-selected public health facilities. Per-case treatment costs were calculated and applied to national, annual PAC caseload data. The median cost per D&C case ($63) was 29% higher than MVA treatment ($49). Costs to treat severe non-surgical complications ($63) were almost five times higher than those of a simple PAC case ($13). Severe surgical complications were especially costly to treat at $128. PAC treatment in public facilities cost an estimated $314,000 annually. Transition to safe, legal abortion would yield an estimated cost reduction of 20%-30%. The method of UE and severity of complications have a large impact on overall costs. With a liberalized abortion law and implementation of induced abortion services with WHO-recommended UE methods, current PAC costs to the health system could markedly decrease.

A Salicylate Sympathetic Ink from Consumer Chemicals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Journal of Chemical Education, 2005

2005-01-01

A new sympathetic ink that produces a violet color upon development was developed to develop chemical demonstrations using consumer chemicals. The demonstration was to have a simple, relatively safe reagent system that could be used to make a brightly colored, highly visible "magic sign" for use in science outreach programs.

Waterless Condensers for the Teaching Laboratory: An Adaptation of Traditional Glassware

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baum, Erich W.; Esteb, John J.; Wilson, Anne M.

2014-01-01

A simple adaptation of traditional "chemistry kit" condensers for the organic chemistry teaching laboratory is described. These waterless condensers have been employed safely with most solvents. They can be easily fabricated, stored, and used in the same manner as water-cooled condensers. These condensers were utilized in several…

25 Low-Cost Biology Investigations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beller, Joel

This book is a compilation of biology labs that are safe, simple, dependable, economical, and diverse. Some of the 25 investigations contained within this book involve organisms that are free for the taking and returned to the environment unharmed following the investigations. Students gain experience in making observations, forming hypotheses,…

Chemistry for DUMMIES: how to popularize and introduce chemistry to the general public.

PubMed

Montangero, Marc

2012-01-01

To mark the occasion of the International Year of Chemistry, each week in 2011 I posted a two-minute film demonstrating and explaining a simple and safe experiment to be carried out at home using everyday household products on the site www.chimie.ch/nuls.

User authentication based on the NFC host-card-emulation technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kološ, Jan; Kotyrba, Martin

2017-11-01

This paper deals with implementation of algorithms for data exchange between mobile devices supporting NFC HCE (Host-Card-Emulation) and a contactless NFC reader communicating in a read/write mode. This solution provides multiplatform architecture for data exchange between devices with a focus on safe and simple user authentication.

Washing Off Polyurethane Foam Insulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burley, Richard K.; Fogel, Irving

1990-01-01

Jet of hot water removes material quickly and safely. Simple, environmentally sound technique found to remove polyurethane foam insulation from metal parts. Developed for (but not limited to) use during rebuilding of fuel system of Space Shuttle main engine, during which insulation must be removed for penetrant inspection of metal parts.

Prepare Healthy Foods with Toddlers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Izumi-Taylor, Satomi; Rike, Cheryl

2011-01-01

Toddlers--from about 16 to 36 months--can learn a variety of skills as they prepare food and follow recipes in developmentally appropriate ways. Early childhood teachers are encouraged to support young children's healthy eating habits by offering simple food preparation experiences. When toddlers--and preschoolers--safely prepare healthy snacks,…

Microwave applicators for BPH thermotherapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vrba, Jan; Hlavac, R.; Herza, Jan; Chovanec, Roman; Cvek, Jakub; Oppl, L.

2004-04-01

Paper deals with new results in the field of intracavitary microwave applicators used for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) treatment. We demonstrate here that it is necessary to use more sophisticated applicators than a simple monopole radiating structure. One of the good possibilities for safe and efficient treatments we propose here is a helix structure.

Extraperitoneoscopic transcapsular adenomectomy: complications and functional results after at least 1 year of followup.

PubMed

Porpiglia, Francesco; Fiori, Cristian; Cavallone, Barbara; Morra, Ivano; Bertolo, Riccardo; Scarpa, Roberto Mario

2011-05-01

Laparoscopic simple prostatectomy has been proposed to treat large glands. To date groups have investigated the feasibility and perioperative results of laparoscopic simple prostatectomy but to our knowledge no study has focused on its complications and functional results at longer followup. We investigated complications and functional results in patients with a large prostate who were treated with laparoscopic simple prostatectomy and had at least 1 year of followup. From our prospectively maintained database we extracted data on 78 patients treated with laparoscopic simple prostatectomy at our institution who had at least 1 year of reported followup. Demographics, perioperative results, early and late complications, and functional results were evaluated. Followup was planned at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, and every 6 months thereafter. Mean followup was 30 months. Grade III complications were recorded in 2 cases and late complications were reported in 4 (5%). Statistically significant differences were observed in the International Prostate Symptom Score, the International Prostate Symptom Score quality of life index and maximum urine flow when comparing preoperative and postoperative results. No significant differences were recorded in maximum urine flow or the International Prostate Symptom Score quality of life index during followup. Results suggest that laparoscopic simple prostatectomy is safe and effective even after a significant period, as indicated by the low complication rate and positive, stable functional results found during followup. In our opinion laparoscopic simple prostatectomy can be offered to patients as a valid treatment option for a large prostate at advanced laparoscopic centers. Copyright © 2011 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

METHOD OF CONDUCTING A PERSON BETWEEN A SAFE REGION AND A DANGEROUS REGION

DOEpatents

Moulthrop, H.A.

1957-11-12

This invention relates to a method for conducting a person between a safe region and a dangerous or con taminated region so that he may work in the dangerous region without risk to himself or the hinderance of an attached tube, and without danger of contaminating the safe region. A safely suit in which a person is to work is connected by a thermoplastic tube, turned partially inside out, to a hole in the wall separating the dangerous region. The tube is sealed by pressure and separated into two parts at the seal, whereupon the person in the suit may move around freely in the dangerous area. When the person desires to exit the dangerous region, the parts of the tube are resealed, removing a portion of the tube at the seal, and the person leaves the hole whcre he entered, seals the tube to close the hole, and cuts his suit free from the tube. Bands of masking tape inside and outside of the tube at predetermined points simplify the pressure sealing of the tube at the desired points. This patent provides a simple, safe and economical method of freely working in a dangerous region.

Highly Stable Lithium Metal Batteries Enabled by Regulating the Solvation of Lithium Ions in Nonaqueous Electrolytes.

PubMed

Zhang, Xue-Qiang; Chen, Xiang; Cheng, Xin-Bing; Li, Bo-Quan; Shen, Xin; Yan, Chong; Huang, Jia-Qi; Zhang, Qiang

2018-05-04

Safe and rechargeable lithium metal batteries have been difficult to achieve because of the formation of lithium dendrites. Herein an emerging electrolyte based on a simple solvation strategy is proposed for highly stable lithium metal anodes in both coin and pouch cells. Fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) were concurrently introduced into an electrolyte, thus altering the solvation sheath of lithium ions, and forming a uniform solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), with an abundance of LiF and LiN x O y on a working lithium metal anode with dendrite-free lithium deposition. Ultrahigh Coulombic efficiency (99.96 %) and long lifespans (1000 cycles) were achieved when the FEC/LiNO 3 electrolyte was applied in working batteries. The solvation chemistry of electrolyte was further explored by molecular dynamics simulations and first-principles calculations. This work provides insight into understanding the critical role of the solvation of lithium ions in forming the SEI and delivering an effective route to optimize electrolytes for safe lithium metal batteries. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Acceptability of the rainwater harvesting system to the slum dwellers of Dhaka City.

PubMed

Islam, M M; Chou, F N-F; Kabir, M R

2010-01-01

Urban area like Dhaka City, in Bangladesh, has scarcity of safe drinking water which is one of the prominent basic needs for human kind. This study explored the acceptability of harvested rainwater in a densely populated city like Dhaka, using a simple and low cost technology. A total of 200 random people from four slums of water-scarce Dhaka City were surveyed to determine the dwellers' perception on rainwater and its acceptability as a source of drinking water. The questionnaire was aimed at finding the socio-economic condition and the information on family housing, sanitation, health, existing water supply condition, knowledge about rainwater, willingness to accept rainwater as a drinking source etc. A Yield before Spillage (YBS) model was developed to know the actual rainwater availability and storage conditions which were used to justify the effective tank size. Cost-benefit analysis and feasibility analysis were performed using the survey results and the research findings. The survey result and overall study found that the low cost rainwater harvesting technique was acceptable to the slum dwellers as only the potential alternative source of safe drinking water.

Evaluation of a Fast and Simple Sample Preparation Method for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) Flame Retardants and Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) Pesticides in Fish for Analysis by ELISA Compared with GC-MS/MS.

PubMed

Sapozhnikova, Yelena; Simons, Tawana; Lehotay, Steven J

2015-05-13

A simple, fast, and cost-effective sample preparation method, previously developed and validated for the analysis of organic contaminants in fish using low-pressure gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LPGC-MS/MS), was evaluated for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) pesticides using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The sample preparation technique was based on the quick, easy, cheap, rugged, effective, and safe (QuEChERS) approach with filter-vial dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE). Incurred PBDEs and DDTs were analyzed in three types of fish with 3-10% lipid content: Pacific croaker, salmon, and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Material 1947 (Lake Michigan fish tissue). LPGC-MS/MS and ELISA results were in agreement: 108-111 and 65-82% accuracy ELISA versus LPGC-MS/MS results for PBDEs and DDTs, respectively. Similar detection limits were achieved for ELISA and LPGC-MS/MS. Matrix effects (MEs) were significant (e.g., -60%) for PBDE measurement in ELISA, but not a factor in the case of DDT pesticides. This study demonstrated that the sample preparation method can be adopted for semiquantitative screening analysis of fish samples by commercial kits for PBDEs and DDTs.

A buoyant tornado-probe concept incorporating an inverted lifting device. [and balloon combination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grant, F. C.

1973-01-01

Addition of an inverted lifting device to a simple balloon probe is shown to make possible low-altitude entry to tornado cores with easier launch conditions than for the simple balloon probe. Balloon-lifter combinations are particularly suitable for penetration of tornadoes with average to strong circulation, but tornadoes of less than average circulation which are inaccessible to simple balloon probes become accessible. The increased launch radius which is needed for access to tornadoes over a wide range of circulation results in entry times of about 3 minutes. For a simple balloon probe the uninflated balloon must be first dropped on, or near, the track of the tornado from a safe distance. The increase in typical launch radius from about 0.75 kilometer to slightly over 1.0 kilometer with a balloon-lifter combination suggests that a direct air launch may be feasible.

[Assessment of therapeutic results for simple bone cyst with percutaneous injection of autogenous bone marrow].

PubMed

Wang, Enbo; Zhao, Qun; Zhang, Lijun

2006-09-01

To evaluate the therapeutic results of percutaneous injection of autogenous bone marrow for simple bone cyst and to analyze the prognostic factors of the treatment. From March 2000 to June 2005, 31 patients with simple bone cysts were treated by percutaneous injection of autogenous bone marrow. Of 31 patients, there were 18 males and 13 females, aged 5 years and 7 months to 15 years. The locations were proximal humerus in 18 cases, proximal femur in 7 cases and other sites in 6 cases. Two cases were treated with repeated injections. The operative process included percutaneous aspiration of fluid in the bone cysts and injection of autogenous bone marrow aspirated from posterior superior iliac spine. The mean volume of marrow injected was 40 ml (30-70 ml). No complications were noted during treatment. Thirty patients were followed for an average of 2.2 years (1-5 years) with 2 cases out of follow-up. After one injection of bone marrow, 9 cysts (29.0%) were healed up completely, 7 cysts (22.6%) basically healed up, 13 cysts (41.9%) healed up partially and 2 (6.5%) had no response. The satisfactory and effective rates were 67.7% and 93.5% respectively. There was significant difference between active stage group and resting stage group(P<0.05). There were no statistically significant difference in therapeutic results between groups of different ages, lesion sites or bone marrow hyperplasia(P>0.05). Percutaneous injection of autogenous bone marrow is a safe and effective method to treat simple bone cyst, but repeated injections is necessary for some patients. The therapeutic results are better in cysts at resting stage than those at active stage.

Simple amides of oleanolic acid as effective penetration enhancers.

PubMed

Bednarczyk-Cwynar, Barbara; Partyka, Danuta; Zaprutko, Lucjusz

2015-01-01

Transdermal transport is now becoming one of the most convenient and safe pathways for drug delivery. In some cases it is necessary to use skin penetration enhancers in order to allow for the transdermal transport of drugs that are otherwise insufficiently skin-permeable. A series of oleanolic acid amides as potential transdermal penetration enhancers was formed by multistep synthesis and the synthesis of all newly prepared compounds is presented. The synthetized amides of oleanolic acid were tested for their in vitro penetration promoter activity. The above activity was evaluated by means of using the Fürst method. The relationships between the chemical structure of the studied compounds and penetration activity are presented.

Simple Amides of Oleanolic Acid as Effective Penetration Enhancers

PubMed Central

Bednarczyk-Cwynar, Barbara; Partyka, Danuta; Zaprutko, Lucjusz

2015-01-01

Transdermal transport is now becoming one of the most convenient and safe pathways for drug delivery. In some cases it is necessary to use skin penetration enhancers in order to allow for the transdermal transport of drugs that are otherwise insufficiently skin-permeable. A series of oleanolic acid amides as potential transdermal penetration enhancers was formed by multistep synthesis and the synthesis of all newly prepared compounds is presented. The synthetized amides of oleanolic acid were tested for their in vitro penetration promoter activity. The above activity was evaluated by means of using the Fürst method. The relationships between the chemical structure of the studied compounds and penetration activity are presented. PMID:26010090

Organic-Solvent-Free Phase-Transfer Oxidation of Alcohols Using Hydrogen Peroxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hulce, Martin; Marks, David W.

2001-01-01

Organic-solvent-free oxidations of alcohols using aqueous hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sodium tungstate and phase-transfer catalysts provide a general, safe, simple, and cost-effective means to prepare ketones. Six representative alcohols, 1-phenylethanol, 1-phenylpropanol, benzhydrol, 4-methylbenzhydrol, cis,trans-4-tert-butylcyclohexanol, and benzyl alcohol are oxidized to the corresponding aldehyde or ketone over 1-3 hours in 81-99% yields. Purities are very high, with only small to trace amounts of starting alcohol remaining. Experiments can be readily designed for one or two 3-hour laboratory periods, integrating the various techniques of extraction, drying, filtration, column chromatography, gas chromatography, NMR and IR spectroscopy, and reaction kinetics.

Adolescent drivers: a developmental perspective on risk, proficiency, and safety.

PubMed

Keating, Daniel P; Halpern-Felsher, Bonnie L

2008-09-01

Despite considerable improvement in the rates of crashes, injuries, and fatalities among adolescent drivers, attributable in part to effective interventions such as graduated driver licensing, these rates and their associated health risks remain unacceptably high. To understand the sources of risky driving among teens, as well as to identify potential avenues for further advances in prevention, this article presents a review of the relevant features of contemporary research on adolescent development. Current research offers significant advances in the understanding of the sources of safe driving, proficient driving, and risky driving among adolescents. This multifaceted perspective--as opposed to simple categorization of good versus bad driving--provides new opportunities for using insights on adolescent development to enhance prevention. Drawing on recent work on adolescent physical, neural, and cognitive development, we argue for approaches to prevention that recognize both the strengths and the limitations of adolescent drivers, with particular attention to the acquisition of expertise, regulatory competence, and self-regulation in the context of perceived risk. This understanding of adolescent development spotlights the provision of appropriate and effective scaffolding, utilizing the contexts of importance to adolescents--parents, peers, and the broader culture of driving--to support safe driving and to manage the inherent risks in learning to do so.

Endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation for acute idiopathic epistaxis. Do anatomical variation and a limited evidence base raise questions regarding its place in management?

PubMed

Ellinas, A; Jervis, P; Kenyon, G; Flood, L M

2017-04-01

Endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation is widely accepted as effective and safe for acute spontaneous epistaxis that is unresponsive to conservative management. As with many new procedures, it has been progressively adopted as common practice, despite a limited evidence base for its efficacy. Early reviews called for comparative trials to support its adoption, but subsequent literature largely consists of case series and narrative reviews. These have attempted to derive an algorithm to establish its place in management, but consensus is still lacking. Intuitively, although there are theoretical objections, an operation regarded as relatively simple, fast and safe hardly seems to demand high-level evidence of efficacy. Rhinologists may be influenced by years of personal experience and success with the technique. However, estimates of the effect size and the added contribution to traditional surgical management are lacking. If the procedure could be shown to dramatically influence outcome, it should be standard practice and indispensable for all patients requiring operative intervention. This paper systematically examined the literature, appraising the anatomical basis for such an approach and evidence for its efficacy. It questions whether any units unable to consistently offer endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation should be undertaking surgical management of acute epistaxis.

Local anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair step-by-step procedure.

PubMed Central

Amid, P K; Shulman, A G; Lichtenstein, I L

1994-01-01

OBJECTIVE. The authors introduce a simple six-step infiltration technique that results in satisfactory local anesthesia and prolonged postoperative analgesia, requiring a maximum of 30 to 40 mL of local anesthetic solution. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA. For the last 20 years, more than 12,000 groin hernia repairs have been performed under local anesthesia at the Lichtenstein Hernia Institute. Initially, field block was the mean of achieving local anesthesia. During the last 5 years, a simple infiltration technique has been used because the field block was more time consuming and required larger volume of the local anesthetic solution. Furthermore, because of the blind nature of the procedure, it did not always result in satisfactory anesthesia and, at times, accidental needle puncture of the ilioinguinal nerve resulted in prolonged postoperative pain, burning, or electric shock sensation within the field of the ilioinguinal nerve innervation. METHODS. More than 12,000 patients underwent operations in a private practice setting in general hospitals. RESULTS. For 2 decades, more than 12,000 adult patients with reducible groin hernias satisfactorily underwent operations under local anesthesia without complications. CONCLUSIONS. The preferred choice of anesthesia for all reducible adult inguinal hernia repair is local. It is safe, simple, effective, and economical, without postanesthesia side effects. Furthermore, local anesthesia administered before the incision produces longer postoperative analgesia because local infiltration, theoretically, inhibits build-up of local nociceptive molecules and, therefore, there is better pain control in the postoperative period. Images Figure 1. Figure 2. PMID:7986138

Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles for an Undergraduate Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Orbaek, Alvin W.; McHale, Mary M.; Barron, Andrew R.

2015-01-01

The aim of this simple, quick, and safe laboratory exercise is to provide undergraduate students an introduction to nanotechnology using nanoparticle (NP) synthesis. Students are provided two procedures that allow for the synthesis of different yet controlled sizes of silver NPs. After preparing the NPs, the students perform UV-visible…

Measuring Boltzmann's Constant with Carbon Dioxide

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ivanov, Dragia; Nikolov, Stefan

2013-01-01

In this paper we present two experiments to measure Boltzmann's constant--one of the fundamental constants of modern-day physics, which lies at the base of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. The experiments use very basic theory, simple equipment and cheap and safe materials yet provide very precise results. They are very easy and…

Pesticide Safety for Farmworkers = Uso Seguro de Pesticidas para los Trabajadores del Campo.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Poli, Bonnie; Fluker, Sam S.

A booklet for farmworkers and employers uses illustrations and simple text in English and Spanish to inform about the dangers, precautions, and use of pesticides. Topics covered include methods of pesticide absorption; signs/symptoms of pesticide poisoning; first aid; residues; appropriate work clothes; safe and unsafe pesticide practices; how to…

An Educational Model for Disruption of Bacteria for Protein Studies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bhaduri, Saumya; Demchick, Paul H.

1984-01-01

A simple, rapid, and safe method has been developed for disrupting bacterial cells for protein studies. The method involved stepwise treatment of cells with acetone and with sodium dodecyl sulfate solution to allow extraction of cellular proteins for analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Applications for instructional purposes are noted.…

Method and apparatus for recovering unstable cores

DOEpatents

McGuire, Patrick L.; Barraclough, Bruce L.

1983-01-01

A method and apparatus suitable for stabilizing hydrocarbon cores are given. Such stabilized cores have not previously been obtainable for laboratory study, and such study is believed to be required before the hydrate reserves can become a utilizable resource. The apparatus can be built using commercially available parts and is very simple and safe to operate.

Hard Water and Soft Soap: Dependence of Soap Performance on Water Hardness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Osorio, Viktoria K. L.; de Oliveira, Wanda; El Seoud, Omar A.; Cotton, Wyatt; Easdon, Jerry

2005-01-01

The demonstration of the performance of soap in different aqueous solutions, which is due to water hardness and soap formulation, is described. The demonstrations use safe, inexpensive reagents and simple glassware and equipment, introduce important everyday topics, stimulates the students to consider the wider consequences of water hardness and…

Intravesical markers for delineation of target volume during external focal irradiation of bladder carcinomas.

PubMed

Hulshof, Maarten C C M; van Andel, George; Bel, Arjen; Gangel, Pieter; van de Kamer, Jeroen B

2007-07-01

A clip forceps was developed which can insert markers at the border of a bladder tumour through a rigid cystoscope. This technique proved to be simple and safe and is of help for delineation of the target volume during CT simulation for focal boost irradiation of bladder cancer.

Design Lab. USMES "How To" Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Donahoe, Charles; And Others

The major emphasis in all Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) units is on open-ended, long-range investigations of real problems. Since children often design and build things in USMES, 26 "Design Lab" cards provide information on the safe use and simple maintenance of tools. Each card has a large photograph of…

Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs As Host-Directed Therapy for Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review

PubMed Central

Kroesen, Vera M.; Gröschel, Matthias I.; Martinson, Neil; Zumla, Alimuddin; Maeurer, Markus; van der Werf, Tjip S.; Vilaplana, Cristina

2017-01-01

Lengthy, antimicrobial therapy targeting the pathogen is the mainstay of conventional tuberculosis treatment, complicated by emerging drug resistances. Host-directed therapies, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), in contrast, target host factors to mitigate disease severity. In the present Systematic Review, we investigate whether NSAIDs display any effects as therapy of TB and discuss possible mechanisms of action of NSAIDs as adjunctive therapy of TB. Ten studies, seven preclinical studies in mice and three clinical trials, were included and systematically reviewed. Our results point toward a beneficial effect of NSAIDs as adjunct to current TB therapy regimens, mediated by decreased lung pathology balancing host-immune reaction. The determination of the best timing for their administration in order to obtain the potential beneficial effects needs further investigation. Even if the preclinical evidence requires clinical evaluation, NSAIDs might represent a potential safe, simple, and cheap improvement in therapy of TB. PMID:28713389

Ultrasound-guided drainages and sclerotherapy.

PubMed

Lohela, P

2002-02-01

Ultrasonically guided fluid collection and abscess drainage have become routine procedures in various parts of the body. In most cases ultrasound is the only imaging and guidance modality needed; however, it is of the utmost importance to remember that CT and fluoroscopy with contrast often give invaluable information when the true extent of the process has to be determined and when assessing the safest route for the catheter in anatomically complicated areas. The importance of irrigation of the abscess cavity with fluids and the ready use of urokinase should be emphasized. Ethanol sclerotherapy is a simple and safe procedure to treat symptomatic hepatic or renal cysts. Parathyroid adenomas and cysts, as well as thyroid cysts, can also be treated with ethanol sclerotherapy in selected cases. Purified mineral talc has been used in pleurodesis and hydrocele sclerotherapy, whereas doxycycline or ethanol is used for postoperative lymphoceles. Both abscess drainages and sclerotherapy procedures are minimally invasive, simple, safe, inexpensive and reasonably efficacious treatment in many clinical instances and may be at least an alternative to surgical treatment, often offering significant advantages over surgery.

A simple technique of laparoscopic port closure allowing wound extension.

PubMed

Christey, G R; Poole, G

2002-04-01

Reliable and safe access to the abdominal cavity and efficient removal of the resected gallbladder are essential to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The unpredictable size of the cholecystectomy specimen can sometimes lead to frustration at the time of removal. A simple technique has been developed that allows for tissue extraction and easy fascial closure regardless of the size of the specimen. This is achieved by using a four bite "U-shaped" purse string at the time of Hasson insertion, with cephalad advancement of the proximal two bites. This allows for variable wound extension and secure closure, without the need for additional sutures.

Hemostatic powder spray: a new method for managing gastrointestinal bleeding

PubMed Central

Papafragkakis, Haris; Ofori, Emmanuel; Ona, Mel A.; Krishnaiah, Mahesh; Duddempudi, Sushil; Anand, Sury

2015-01-01

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The management of gastrointestinal bleeding is often challenging, depending on its location and severity. To date, widely accepted hemostatic treatment options include injection of epinephrine and tissue adhesives such as cyanoacrylate, ablative therapy with contact modalities such as thermal coagulation with heater probe and bipolar hemostatic forceps, noncontact modalities such as photodynamic therapy and argon plasma coagulation, and mechanical hemostasis with band ligation, endoscopic hemoclips, and over-the-scope clips. These approaches, albeit effective in achieving hemostasis, are associated with a 5–10% rebleeding risk. New simple, effective, universal, and safe methods are needed to address some of the challenges posed by the current endoscopic hemostatic techniques. The use of a novel hemostatic powder spray appears to be effective and safe in controlling upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Although initial reports of hemostatic powder spray as an innovative approach to manage gastrointestinal bleeding are promising, further studies are needed to support and confirm its efficacy and safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility, clinical efficacy, and safety of hemostatic powder spray (Hemospray, Cook Medical, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA) as a new method for managing gastrointestinal bleeding. In this review article, we performed an extensive literature search summarizing case reports and case series of Hemospray for the management of gastrointestinal bleeding. Indications, features, technique, deployment, success rate, complications, and limitations are discussed. The combined technical and clinical success rate of Hemospray was 88.5% (207/234) among the human subjects and 81.8% (9/11) among the porcine models studied. Rebleeding occurred within 72 hours post-treatment in 38 patients (38/234; 16.2%) and in three porcine models (3/11; 27.3%). No procedure-related adverse events were associated with the use of Hemospray. Hemospray appears to be a safe and effective approach in the management of gastrointestinal bleeding. PMID:26082803

Hemostatic powder spray: a new method for managing gastrointestinal bleeding.

PubMed

Changela, Kinesh; Papafragkakis, Haris; Ofori, Emmanuel; Ona, Mel A; Krishnaiah, Mahesh; Duddempudi, Sushil; Anand, Sury

2015-05-01

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The management of gastrointestinal bleeding is often challenging, depending on its location and severity. To date, widely accepted hemostatic treatment options include injection of epinephrine and tissue adhesives such as cyanoacrylate, ablative therapy with contact modalities such as thermal coagulation with heater probe and bipolar hemostatic forceps, noncontact modalities such as photodynamic therapy and argon plasma coagulation, and mechanical hemostasis with band ligation, endoscopic hemoclips, and over-the-scope clips. These approaches, albeit effective in achieving hemostasis, are associated with a 5-10% rebleeding risk. New simple, effective, universal, and safe methods are needed to address some of the challenges posed by the current endoscopic hemostatic techniques. The use of a novel hemostatic powder spray appears to be effective and safe in controlling upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Although initial reports of hemostatic powder spray as an innovative approach to manage gastrointestinal bleeding are promising, further studies are needed to support and confirm its efficacy and safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility, clinical efficacy, and safety of hemostatic powder spray (Hemospray, Cook Medical, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA) as a new method for managing gastrointestinal bleeding. In this review article, we performed an extensive literature search summarizing case reports and case series of Hemospray for the management of gastrointestinal bleeding. Indications, features, technique, deployment, success rate, complications, and limitations are discussed. The combined technical and clinical success rate of Hemospray was 88.5% (207/234) among the human subjects and 81.8% (9/11) among the porcine models studied. Rebleeding occurred within 72 hours post-treatment in 38 patients (38/234; 16.2%) and in three porcine models (3/11; 27.3%). No procedure-related adverse events were associated with the use of Hemospray. Hemospray appears to be a safe and effective approach in the management of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Solar Disinfection of MODS Mycobacterial Cultures in Resource-Poor Settings

PubMed Central

Nathavitharana, Ruvandhi; Coronel, Jorge; Moore, David A. J.

2007-01-01

Introduction Safe disposal of TB culture material in which the infectious burden of clinical samples has been greatly amplified is an important challenge in resource-limited settings. The bactericidal capacity of solar cookers has been demonstrated previously for conventional bacteria and contaminated clinical waste. We investigated the use of a simple solar cooker for the sterilization of mycobacterial broth cultures from the microscopic observation drug susceptibility assay (MODS). Methods Simulated TB culture materials were prepared by inoculating 24-well MODS plates with 500 µL of a known concentration of Mycobacterium bovis BCG. In a series of experiments, samples were simultaneously placed inside a box-type solar cooker and control box and removed at timepoints between 15 minutes and 6 hours. Quantitative cultures were performed using retrieved samples to determine sterilization effect. Results All cultures from the control box were positive at or within 1–4 logs of inoculation concentration. Simulated culture plates at concentrations from 103colony-forming-units (CFU)/ml to 107 CFU/ml were completely sterilized after only one hour of cooker exposure, at temperatures between 50–102°C. At 109 CFU/ml (far in excess of diagnostic cultures), it was only possible to recover mycobacterial growth in plates removed after 15 minutes. By 30 minutes all plates were effectively sterilized. Discussion Solar disinfection provides a very effective, safe and low-cost alternative to conventional equipment used for disposal of mycobacterial culture material. Effect of climatic conditions and optimal operating procedure remain to be defined. PMID:17971863

Simple Improvisation to Enhance Utility of Fluorescein Sodium in Resection of Intracranial Lesions at Routine Neurosurgical Centers.

PubMed

Gollapudi, Prakash Rao; Mohammed, Imran; Pittala, Sandeep R; Kotha, Arjun Reddy; Reddycherla, Naga Raju; Ginjupally, Dhanunjaya Rao

2018-04-01

Fluorescein sodium is one of the fluorophores that is used in the resection of intracranial lesions. It is commonly used along with a customized microscope, which is expensive and not available universally. In this study, we describe a simple, inexpensive method for better visualization of intracranial and spinal cord lesions with fluorescein. After a test dose, 20 mg/kg of fluorescein sodium was administered intravenously at the time of intubation. A blue light source was used before resection for precise localization of the intracranial lesions after durotomy. Most of the resection was done under the white light, while the blue light was used intermittently to delineate the pathologic tissue from the normal tissue and to ensure safe maximal resection. The intensity of fluorescein staining under white light and blue light was noted. The study comprised 40 cases of gliomas, meningiomas, abscesses, spinal cord tumors, and cerebellopontine angle lesions. Thirty-five lesions showed good fluorescence under the blue light, which helped us achieve better resection of the pathologic lesions. Fluorescein sodium is a safe dye; it can be used to aid in precise localization and safe maximal resection of the pathologic tissue with the help of a blue light source at any center with challenged resources. The blue light enhances the fluorescence and visualization of the pathologic tissue, and this technique can be adopted by any surgeon without much difficulty even with a basic neurosurgical setup. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Occlusion therapy of unilateral amblyopia with botulinum toxin induced ptosis.

PubMed

Halkiadakis, Ioannis; Iliaki, Olga; Kalyvianaki, Maria I; Tsilimbaris, Miltiadis K

2007-01-01

In order to evaluate the role of botulinum toxin induced ptosis as an occlusion method to treat unilateral deep strabismic amblyopia in two uncooperative children, we injected 0.2 ml of diluted botulinum toxin in the levator palpaebrae; low sedation was necessary in one of the two children. In both cases a marked ptosis was achieved, which lasted about four weeks and then gradually resolved completely. The visual acuity of the ablyopic eye increased in both children, making patching easy thereafter. One child developed amblyopia in the injected eye, which was handled successfully using part-time occlusion. No other side effects were noted. Whether this new method could be a simple, safe and effective alternative method of occlusion for the treatment of deep amblyopia in uncooperative children needs to be proven with a larger series of children.

[Antiandrogen gynecomastia: an inescapable harm? Radiotherapy: a simple and efficient solution!].

PubMed

Couke, Philippe A; Jichliski, Patrice; Matzinger, Oscar; Ozsahin, Mahmut; Bulling, Shelley M; Zouhair, Abderrahim

2004-01-01

Anti-androgen induced gynecomastia, resulting from a treatment induced imbalance between oestrogens and androgens, is a frequently encountered side effect in the hormonal treatment of patients with prostatic cancer. One might expect to face an increase in the overall incidence of this side effect in the next-coming years as randomized trials clearly point to the evidence of the therapeutic benefit of anti-androgenic treatment for this prostatic cancer. Gynecomastia is often accompanied by mastodynia and does hamper quality of life. Surgery should be considered for established irreversible gynecomastia characterized by hyalinization and extensive fibrosis. However, radiotherapy is the treatment of choice for gynecomastia at it's early stage, or could eventually be considered as a prophylactic treatment in high risk patients. It is a safe and extremely well tolerated treatment resulting in a high degree of therapeutic success with a demonstrated effect on quality of life as reported in randomized trials. To date no medical treatment is proven effective nor devoid from deleterious effects and licenced for this indication.

Flight Dynamics Modeling and Simulation of a Damaged Transport Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shah, Gautam H.; Hill, Melissa A.

2012-01-01

A study was undertaken at NASA Langley Research Center to establish, demonstrate, and apply methodology for modeling and implementing the aerodynamic effects of MANPADS damage to a transport aircraft into real-time flight simulation, and to demonstrate a preliminary capability of using such a simulation to conduct an assessment of aircraft survivability. Key findings from this study include: superpositioning of incremental aerodynamic characteristics to the baseline simulation aerodynamic model proved to be a simple and effective way of modeling damage effects; the primary effect of wing damage rolling moment asymmetry may limit minimum airspeed for adequate controllability, but this can be mitigated by the use of sideslip; combined effects of aerodynamics, control degradation, and thrust loss can result in significantly degraded controllability for a safe landing; and high landing speeds may be required to maintain adequate control if large excursions from the nominal approach path are allowed, but high-gain pilot control during landing can mitigate this risk.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding- evaluation by Endometrial Aspiration.

PubMed

Singh, Pratibha

2018-01-01

Endometrial evaluation is generally indicated in cases presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), especially in women more than 35 years of age. AUB encompasses a variety of presentation, for example, heavy menstrual bleeding, frequent bleeding, irregular vaginal bleeding, postcoital and postmenopausal bleeding to name a few. Many methods are used for the evaluation of such cases, with most common being sonography and endometrial biopsy with very few cases requiring more invasive approach like hysteroscopy. Endometrial aspiration is a simple and safe office procedure used for this purpose. We retrospectively analyzed cases of AUB where endometrial aspiration with Pipette (Medgyn) was done in outpatient department between January 2015 and April 2016. Case records (both paper and electronic) were used to retrieve data. One hundred and fifteen cases were included in the study after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most cases were between 46 and 50 years of age followed by 41-45 years. No cases were below 25 or more than 65 years of age. Heavy menstrual bleeding was the most common presentation of AUB. Adequate samples were obtained in 86% of cases while 13.9% of cases' sample was inadequate for opinion, many of which were later underwent hysteroscopy and/or dilatation and curettage (D and C) in operation theater; atrophic endometrium was the most common cause for inadequate sample. Uterine malignancy was diagnosed in three cases. Endometrial aspiration has been compared with traditional D and C as well as postoperative histopathology in various studies with good results. Many such studies are done in India as well as in western countries confirming good correlation with histopathology and adequate tissue sample for the pathologist to give a confident diagnosis. No complication or side effect was noted with the use of this device. Endometrial aspiration is a simple, safe, and effective method to sample endometrium in cases of AUB avoiding risk of anesthesia and is less time-consuming. Many similar devices are also available in the market and need to be popularized in all parts of the country.

Frugal Biotech Applications of Low-Temperature Plasma.

PubMed

Machala, Zdenko; Graves, David B

2018-06-01

Gas discharge low-temperature air plasma can be utilized for a variety of applications, including biomedical, at low cost. We term these applications 'frugal plasma' - an example of frugal innovation. We demonstrate how simple, robust, low-cost frugal plasma devices can be used to safely disinfect instruments, surfaces, and water. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Simple, Safe Method for Preparation of Biodiesel

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Behnia, Mahin S.; Emerson, David W.; Steinberg, Spencer M.; Alwis, Rasika M.; Duenas, Josue A.; Serafino, Jessica O.

2011-01-01

An experiment suitable for organic chemistry students is described. Biodiesel, a "green" fuel, consists of methyl or ethyl esters of long-chain fatty acids called FAMES (fatty acid methyl esters) or FAEES (fatty acid ethyl esters). A quick way to make FAMES is a base-catalyzed transesterification of oils or fats derived from plants or from animal…

Demonstrating Earth Connections and Fuses Working Together

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harrison, Mark

2017-01-01

Earth wires and fuses work together in UK mains circuits to keep users safe from electric shocks and are taught in many school contexts. The subject can be quite abstract and difficult for pupils to grasp, and a simple but visually clear and direct demonstration is described which would be easy for most physics departments to build and which can…

Biology Labs That Work: The Best of How-To-Do-Its.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moore, Randy, Ed.

This book is a compilation of articles from the The American Biology Teacher journal that present biology labs that are safe, simple, dependable, economic, and diverse. Each activity can be used alone or as a starting point for helping students design follow-up experiments for in-depth study on a particular topic. Students must make keen…

Fire Safe Together. Kindergarten. Fire Safety for Texans: Fire and Burn Prevention Curriculum Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Texas State Commission on Fire Protection, Austin.

This booklet comprises the kindergarten component of a series of curriculum guides on fire and burn prevention. Designed to meet the age-specific needs of kindergarten students, its objectives include developing basic awareness of fire and burn dangers, developing simple actions to reduce injury, and encouraging parent involvement. Texas essential…

A modified surgical technique for reconstruction of an acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation

PubMed Central

Marchie, Anthony; Kumar, Arun; Catre, Melanio

2009-01-01

We report a modified surgical technique for reconstruction of coracoclavicular and acromioclavicular ligaments after acute dislocation of acromioclavicular joint using suture anchors. We have repaired 3 consecutive type III acromioclavicular dislocations with good results. This technique is simple and safe and allows anatomical reconstruction of the ligaments in acute dislocations. PMID:20671868

Projectile Activity for the Laboratory: A Safe and Inexpensive Approach to Several Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farkas, N.; Ramsier, R. D.

2006-01-01

We present a simple laboratory activity for introductory-level physics students which involves rolling balls down pipes and analysing their subsequent flight trajectories. Using balls of equal size but different mass allows students to confront their misconceptions of a mass dependence of the exit speed of the balls from the pipes. The concepts of…

Diamox((R)) challenge test to decide indications for cerebrospinal fluid shunting in normal pressure hydrocephalus.

PubMed

Miyake, H; Ohta, T; Kajimoto, Y; Deguchi, J

1999-01-01

The indications for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) have not been established. Establishment of clear-cut indications for this procedure is essential to ensure cost-effective, and safe treatment. We report the usefulness of the Diamox((R)) challenge test in evaluating indications for CSF shunting in patients with NPH. Pre- and post-operative responses in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and intracranial pressure (ICP) to intravenous administration of Diamox((R)) 1000mg (Diamox((R)) administration) were analysed in 41 patients with NPH who were treated by ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt with a programmable valve and an on-off valve. The preoperative response of ICP to Diamox((R)) administration was more than 10 mmHg in most patients in whom the shunt was effective (shunt effective group), however, it was less than 10 mmHg in most patients in whom the shunt was ineffective (shunt non-effective group). Furthermore, the postoperative response of ICP to Diamox((R)) administration decreased to less than 10 mmHg in most patients in the shunt effective group. The increases in CBF in response to Diamox((R)) administration were similar in the two groups both before and after placement of the VP shunt. Patients in whom ICP increased by more than 10 mmHg in response to Diamox((R)) administration were regarded to have poor CSF circulation and to thus be candidates for CSF shunting. The Diamox((R)) challenge test is a simple, safe procedure, useful in evaluating the response to treatment.

Chemiluminescent Determination of Oxamyl in Drinking Water and Tomato Using Online Postcolumn UV Irradiation in a Chromatographic System.

PubMed

Murillo Pulgarín, José A; García Bermejo, Luisa F; Durán, Armando Carrasquero

2018-03-07

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to separate oxamyl from other pesticides in drinking water and tomato paste. The eluate emerging from the column tail was mixed with an alkaline solution of Co 2+ in EDTA and irradiated with UV light to induce photolysis of the carbamate in order to obtain free radicals and other reactive species that oxidize luminol and produce chemiluminescence (CL) as a result. The intensity of the CL signal was monitored in the form of chromatographic peaks. Under the optimum operating conditions for the HPLC-UV-CL system, the analyte concentration was linearly related to peak area. The limit of detection as determined in accordance with the IUPAC criterion was 0.17 mg L -1 . Oxamyl was successfully extracted with recoveries of 88.7-103.1% from spiked tomato paste by using a simple QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) sample preparation approach. Similar recoveries were obtained from drinking water samples spiked with oxamyl concentrations above the LOD. The proposed method is a simple, fast, accurate choice for quantifying this pesticide.

One-Year Outcome Comparison of Laparoscopic, Robotic, and Robotic Intrafascial Simple Prostatectomy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

PubMed

Martín Garzón, Oscar Dario; Azhar, Raed A; Brunacci, Leonardo; Ramirez-Troche, Nelson Emilio; Medina Navarro, Luis; Hernández, Luis Cesar; Nuñez Bragayrac, Luciano; Sotelo Noguera, René Javier

2016-03-01

To compare preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables at 1, 6, and 12 months after laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (LSP), robotic simple prostatectomy (RSP), and intrafascial robotic simple prostatectomy (IF-RSP). From January 2003 to November 2014, 315 simple prostatectomies were performed using three techniques, LSP, RSP, and IF-RSP; of the patients who underwent these procedures, 236 met the inclusion criteria for this study. No statistically significant difference (SSD) was found in preoperative or perioperative variables. Of the postoperative variables that were analyzed, an SSD (p > 0.01) in prostate-specific antigen levels was found, with levels of 0.07 ± 1.1 ng/mL following IF-RSP, and the detection rate of prostate adenocarcinoma (26%) and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HG-PIN; 12%) was higher for IF-RSP. We also found that lower International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS) were associated with LSP, at 4.8 ± 3.2. Erectile function was reduced in IF-RSP patients in the first 6 months after surgery but was similar in all patient groups at 12 months after surgery; continence and other measured parameters were also similar at 12 months for all three techniques. The IF-RSP technique is safe and effective, with results at 1-year follow-up for continence, IPSS, and Sexual Health Inventory for Men scores similar to those for the LSP and RSP techniques. IF-RSP also offers the advantages that it does not require postoperative irrigation, has an increased ability to detect prostate cancer (CA) and HG-PIN, and avoids the risk of future cancer and subsequent reintervention for possible new prostate growth.

Setting the Clock for Fail-Safe Early Embryogenesis.

PubMed

Fickentscher, Rolf; Struntz, Philipp; Weiss, Matthias

2016-10-28

The embryogenesis of the small nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a remarkably robust self-organization phenomenon. Cell migration trajectories in the early embryo, for example, are well explained by mechanical cues that push cells into positions where they experience the least repulsive forces. Yet, how this mechanically guided progress in development is properly timed has remained elusive so far. Here, we show that cell volumes and division times are strongly anticorrelated during the early embryogenesis of C. elegans with significant differences between somatic cells and precursors of the germline. Our experimental findings are explained by a simple model that in conjunction with mechanical guidance can account for the fail-safe early embryogenesis of C. elegans.

Dissipation and residues of emamectin benzoate study in paddy under field conditions.

PubMed

Li, Minghui; Chen, Weitao; Li, Mengyi; Han, Lijun

2011-12-01

The objective of this experiment was not only to provide a simple residue analytical method to evaluate the safe application rate of Emamectin Benzoate for paddy crops but also to give a suitable recommended dosage in paddy crops. Paddy samples were detected using HPLC-MS/MS. The half-lives of emamectin benzoate in paddy plants, water and soil were 2.04-8.66 days, 2.89-4.95 days and 3.65-5.78 days with a dissipation rate of 90% over 7 days after application, respectively. Low residues and short half-life suggested that Emamectin Benzoate could be safely used in paddy crops with the suitable dosage and application.

Can Youthful Students be Encouraged to Self-repair Damaged Vision Using Elementary Mathematics and Physics Principles?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferreira, Nadja; McLeod, Roger

2006-03-01

Safe and easy self-repair of damaged vision in youth, detected from squinted eyes, motivated by simple applied math and physics, and over-stretched elastics. Parental permission and participation, with math skills of numerical cancellation, bring physics understanding to students. They recognize pupil diameter changes with light intensity. Ideas of focal surfaces and wavelength dependence can be achieved by burning paper with a magnifying glass, and dispersing light with a prism. Safeness of eye and head movements required are like those of the mother in applying makeup, or of a father in shaving. Easily defined, performed and monitored visual tasks can complete the repair(s).

Range imaging pulsed laser sensor with two-dimensional scanning of transmitted beam and scanless receiver using high-aspect avalanche photodiode array for eye-safe wavelength

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuji, Hidenobu; Imaki, Masaharu; Kotake, Nobuki; Hirai, Akihito; Nakaji, Masaharu; Kameyama, Shumpei

2017-03-01

We demonstrate a range imaging pulsed laser sensor with two-dimensional scanning of a transmitted beam and a scanless receiver using a high-aspect avalanche photodiode (APD) array for the eye-safe wavelength. The system achieves a high frame rate and long-range imaging with a relatively simple sensor configuration. We developed a high-aspect APD array for the wavelength of 1.5 μm, a receiver integrated circuit, and a range and intensity detector. By combining these devices, we realized 160×120 pixels range imaging with a frame rate of 8 Hz at a distance of about 50 m.

Safety and feasibility of an endoluminal-suturing device for endoscopic gastric reduction (with video).

PubMed

Huberty, Vincent; Ibrahim, Mostafa; Hiernaux, Martin; Chau, Alexandre; Dugardeyn, Sonia; Devière, Jacques

2017-04-01

Obesity is a major pandemic disease. Surgical therapy is highly effective, but its availability will likely be overwhelmed by the burden of the disease. Endoscopic technologies that could reproduce some of the clinical effects of surgery may become part of the treatment armamentarium. A simple transoral restrictive procedure could play a role in first-line surgical management. We evaluated the safety and feasibility of transmural suturing using a simple triangulation platform for gastric volume reduction through the creation of multiple double plicatures. Between May and July 2015, 11 obese (body mass index 34.6 ± 2.1 kg/m 2 ) patients (mean age, 36 ± 10 years) underwent gastroplasty through transmural endoscopic sutures (performed using a triangulation platform and an endoscopic stitcher). The median duration of the procedure was 2.00 hours (range, 1.15-3.15 hours) and dramatically decreased after the first 5 cases. No severe adverse events were observed. Mean (standard deviation) weight loss and percentage of excess weight loss were 5.8 kg (2.7%) and 21% (9%) at 1 month (n = 11), 8.8 kg (4.9%) and 33% (22%) at 3 months (n = 10), and 10.9 kg (7.3%) and 41% (33%) at 6 months (n = 10). Transoral endoscopic gastroplasty performed using a simple triangulation platform and a dedicated suturing device appears to be safe and effective at mid-term follow-up in creating gastric restriction and inducing weight loss in this first-in-humans experience. (Clinical trials registration number: NCT02534662.). Copyright © 2017 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chlorination and safe storage of household drinking water in developing countries to reduce waterborne disease.

PubMed

Sobsey, M D; Handzel, T; Venczel, L

2003-01-01

Simple, effective and affordable methods are needed to treat and safely store non-piped, gathered household water. This study evaluated point-of-use chlorination and storage in special plastic containers of gathered household water for improving microbial quality and reducing diarrhoeal illness of consumers living under conditions of poor sanitation and hygiene. Community families were recruited and randomly divided into intervention (household water chlorination and storage in a special container) and control (no intervention) households. Microbes in stored household water were extensively inactivated by 1-5-mg/L doses of hypochlorite. Escherichia coli levels in stored household waters were < 1/100 mL in most intervention households but readily detectable at high levels in control households. Stored water of intervention households was also lower in Clostridium perfringens and heterotrophic plate count bacteria than in control households. The intervention reduced household diarrhoeal illness. In Bolivia, monthly episodes of household diarrhoeal illness were 1.25 and 2.2 in intervention and control families, respectively (P = < 0.002) indicating that 43% of community diarrhoea was preventable by using the intervention. In Bangladesh, mean episodes of child diarrhoea/1,000 d were 19.6 and 24.8 in intervention and control groups respectively (P = < 0.03) indicating that about 24% of observed diarrhoea was preventable by using the intervention. Chlorine disinfection and storage in an appropriate container significantly improved the microbiological quality of non-piped household drinking water and reduced community diarrhoeal disease. Widespread use of this simple treatment and storage system for non-piped domestic water has the potential to dramatically reduce the global burden of waterborne diarrhoeal disease.

Effects of supervised slackline training on postural instability, freezing of gait, and falls efficacy in people with Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Santos, Luis; Fernandez-Rio, Javier; Winge, Kristian; Barragán-Pérez, Beatriz; Rodríguez-Pérez, Vicente; González-Díez, Vicente; Blanco-Traba, Miguel; Suman, Oscar E; Philip Gabel, Charles; Rodríguez-Gómez, Javier

2017-08-01

The aim of this study was to assess whether supervised slackline training reduces the risk of falls in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Twenty-two patients with idiopathic PD were randomized into experimental (EG, N = 11) and control (CG, N = 11) groups. Center of Pressure (CoP), Freezing of Gait (FOG), and Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) were assessed at pre-test, post-test and re-test. Rate perceived exertion (RPE, Borg's 6-20 scale) and local muscle perceived exertion (LRPE) were also assessed at the end of the training sessions. The EG group showed significant improvements in FOG and FES scores from pre-test to post-test. Both decreased at re-test, though they did not return to pre-test levels. No significant differences were detected in CoP parameters. Analysis of RPE and LRPE scores revealed that slackline was associated with minimal fatigue and involved the major lower limb and lumbar muscles. These findings suggest that slacklining is a simple, safe, and challenging training and rehabilitation tool for PD patients. It could be introduced into their physical activity routine to reduce the risk of falls and improve confidence related to fear of falling. Implications for Rehabilitation Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) are twice as likely to have falls compared to patients with other neurological conditions. This study support slackline as a simple, safe, and challenging training and rehabilitation tool for people with PD, which reduce their risk of falls and improve confidence related to fear of falling. Slackline in people with PD yields a low tiredness or fatigue impact and involves the major lower limb and lumbar muscles.

The Resilience Program: preliminary evaluation of a mentalization-based education program

PubMed Central

Bak, Poul L.; Midgley, Nick; Zhu, Jin L.; Wistoft, Karen; Obel, Carsten

2015-01-01

In order to manage with the burden of mental health problems in the world we need to develop cost-effective and safe preventive interventions. Education about resilience to support the ability to cope with life challenges in general, may be a useful strategy. We consider the concepts of Theory of Mind and Mentalization to be relevant in this context. In this paper we describe a simple modular intervention program based on these concepts which can be tailored to specific needs and situations in individual therapy as well as group levels. The program has shown promising results in pilot studies and is now tested in controlled trials in settings such as schools and educational institutions, adults diagnosed with ADHD, and children in care. PMID:26136695

Lymph nodes fine needle cytology in the diagnosis of infectious diseases: clinical settings.

PubMed

Natella, Valentina; Cozzolino, Immacolata; Sosa Fernandez, Laura Virginia; Vigliar, Elena

2012-01-01

Lymph node reactive hyperplasia, caused by specific infectious etiologic factors, represents the most frequent cause of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes. The main infectious agents are viruses, pyogenic bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi and protozoa that may determine unspecific or specific pathological entities, such as cat-scratch disease, toxoplasmosis or infectious mononucleosis. Lymph node fine needle cytology (FNC) is a safe, simple, cost-effective and efficient technique that quickly provides information about the cell population and the nature of the process. FNC can also provide suitable material for ancillary techniques, such as flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, molecular biology and microbiological examinations. This study focuses on the cytological features of benign lymphadenopathy of infectious origin and their possible contribution to the clinical setting definition of corresponding patients.

Use of solar radiation for continuous water disinfection in isolated areas.

PubMed

Fabbricino, M; d'Antonio, L

2012-01-01

This study involved investigation of solar water disinfection in continuously working treatment plants with the aim of producing safe drinking water in isolated areas. Results were obtained from experimental work carried out on a pilot plant operating in different configurations. The use of a simple device to increase solar radiation intensity (solar concentrator) was tested, with results showing that it facilitated better performance. A comparison between transparent and black-painted glass reactors was also made, showing no difference between the two casings. Further, the effect of an increase in water temperature was analysed in detail. Temperature was found to play an important role in the disinfection process, even in cases of limited solar radiation intensities, although a synergistic effect of water heating and solar radiation for effective microbial inactivation was confirmed. Reactor design is also discussed, highlighting the importance of having a plug flow to avoid zones that do not contribute to the overall effectiveness of the process.

Measuring the depth of the caudal epidural space to prevent dural sac puncture during caudal block in children.

PubMed

Lee, Hyun Jeong; Min, Ji Young; Kim, Hyun Il; Byon, Hyo-Jin

2017-05-01

Caudal blocks are performed through the sacral hiatus in order to provide pain control in children undergoing lower abdominal surgery. During the block, it is important to avoid advancing the needle beyond the sacrococcygeal ligament too much to prevent unintended dural puncture. This study used demographic data to establish simple guidelines for predicting a safe needle depth in the caudal epidural space in children. A total of 141 children under 12 years old who had undergone lumbar-sacral magnetic resonance imaging were included. The T2 sagittal image that provided the best view of the sacrococcygeal membrane and the dural sac was chosen. We used Picture Achieving and Communication System (Centricity ® PACS, GE Healthcare Co.) to measure the distance between the sacrococcygeal ligament and the dural sac, the length of the sacrococcygeal ligament, and the maximum depth of the caudal space. There were strong correlations between age, weight, height, and BSA, and the distance between the sacrococcygeal ligament and dural sac, as well as the length of the sacrococcygeal ligament. Based on these findings, a simple formula to calculate the distance between the sacrococcygeal ligament and dural sac was developed: 25 × BSA (mm). This simple formula can accurately calculate the safe depth of the caudal epidural space to prevent unintended dural puncture during caudal block in children. However, further clinical studies based on this formula are needed to substantiate its utility. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A simple design for microwave assisted digestion vessel with low reagent consumption suitable for food and environmental samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gholami, Mehrdad; Behkami, Shima; Zain, Sharifuddin Md.; Bakirdere, Sezgin

2016-11-01

The objective of this work is to prepare a cost-effective, low reagent consumption and high performance polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vessel that is capable to work in domestic microwave for digesting food and environmental samples. The designed vessel has a relatively thicker wall compared to that of commercial vessels. In this design, eight vessels are placed in an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) holder to keep them safe and stable. This vessel needs only 2.0 mL of HNO3 and 1.0 mL H2O2 to digest 100 mg of biological sample. The performance of this design is then evaluated with an ICP-MS instrument in the analysis of the several NIST standard reference material of milk 1849a, rice flour 1568b, spinach leave 1570a and Peach Leaves 1547 in a domestic microwave oven with inverter technology. Outstanding agreement to (SRM) values are observed by using the suggested power to time microwave program, which simulates the reflux action occurring in this closed vessel. Taking into account the high cost of commercial microwave vessels and the volume of chemicals needed for various experiments (8-10 mL), this simple vessel is cost effective and suitable for digesting food and environmental samples.

The role of artificial and natural sweeteners in reducing the consumption of table sugar: A narrative review.

PubMed

Mooradian, Arshag D; Smith, Meridith; Tokuda, Masaaki

2017-04-01

The rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity worldwide has been partially attributed to the overconsumption of added sugars. Recent guidelines call for limiting the consumption of simple sugars to less than 10% of daily caloric consumption. High intensity sweeteners are regulated as food additives and include aspartame, acesulfame-k, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, cyclamate and alitame. Steviol glycosides and Luo Han Guo fruit extracts are high intensity sweeteners that are designated as generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Commonly used non-caloric artificial sweeteners may have unfavorable effect on health including glucose intolerance and failure to cause weight reduction. The nutritive sweeteners include sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol, mannitol, erythritol, trehalose and maltitol. Naturally occurring rare sugars have recently emerged as an alternative category of sweeteners. These monosaccharides and their derivatives are found in nature in small quantities and lack significant calories. This category includes d-allulose (d-psicose), d-tagatose, d-sorbose and d-allose. Limiting consumption of any sweetener may well be the best health advice. Identifying natural sweeteners that have favorable effects on body weight and metabolism may help achieving the current recommendations of restricting simple sugar consumption. Copyright © 2017 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Temporary clamping of external carotid artery in convexity, parasagittal and temporal base meningioma.

PubMed

Yadav, Yad Ram; Parihar, Vijay; Agarwal, Moneet; Bhatele, Pushp Raj

2012-01-01

The management of intraoperative bleeding during removal of a large hyper vascular meningioma is crucial for safe and efficient surgery. Preoperative embolization of meningioma is the best way to reduce vascularity of meningiomas but this technique is not readily available, costly and has its own limitations. The study is aimed to evaluate the use of temporary clamping of external carotid artery to reduce blood loss and operating time during excision of large convexity, parasagittal or temporal base meningiomas. A prospective study of 115 consecutively operated meningiomas of size 5 cms or more were operated from January 2002 to December2010. Temporary clamping of external carotid artery was done in 61 while 51 cases were managed without clamping. There was significant reduction of blood loss, operative time and blood transfusion given in the temporary clipping group compared to non clipping group. There was stitch abscess in two patients each in clamping, and non clamping group. There was no scalp necrosis or mortality in any of the group. Temporary clamping of external carotid artery is a safe, simple and cost-effective alternative to embolization for the surgery of large meningiomas. This can be practiced at all the centers.

Paper-basd surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy of pnenobarbital sodium for point-of-care therapeutic drug monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yokoyama, Moe; Yamada, Kenji; Nishimura, Takahiro; Kido, Michiko; Jeong, Hieyong; Ohno, Yuko

2015-03-01

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) contributes to safe and effective pharmacotherapy in clinical fields. A simple, rapid, low-cost, and minimally-invasive drug measurement method attracts much interest for point-of-care TDM. Tear fluids can be collected minimally-invasively compared to blood sampling and there is a correlation between a drug concentration in tears and that in bloods. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with paper-based substrate is useful for point-of-care TDM owing to inexpensiveness and high-sensitivity. Paper is also a safe tear collection tool. Then we are studying on a paper-based SERS of tear specimen for point-of-care TDM. In this paper, to improve sensitivity in measuring drug concentration in tear fluids, we fabricated a SERS substrate by coating gold nano-rods on a paper substrate and evaluated whether the fabricated substrate can enhance Raman scattering. Sodium phenobarbital (PB), an anti-convulsant agent, was used as a target. In experiment, the fabricated substrate indicated the lower detection limit of PB in a solution than a plain paper substrate. This result showed the potential of the paper based SERS substrate to measure drug concentration in tears simply and inexpensively.

Use of edible films and coatings to extend the shelf life of food products.

PubMed

Maftoonazad, Neda; Badii, Fojan

2009-06-01

The increased consumer demand for high quality, extended shelf life, ready to eat foods has initiated the development of several innovative techniques to keep their natural and fresh appearance as long as possible and at the same time render them safe. Packaging has been an important element in these preservation concepts for providing the appropriate (mechanical and functional) protection to the commodity. Since synthetic packaging materials contribute to the environmental pollution, edible coatings and packages have been proposed to replace or complement conventional packaging. Biodegradable and edible films and coatings are made from naturally occurring polymers and functional ingredients, and formed on the surface of food products. Edible films and coating have long been known to protect perishable food products from deterioration and reduce quality loss. These films should have acceptable sensory characteristics, appropriate barrier properties (CO(2), O(2), water, oil), microbial, biochemical and physicochemical stability, they should be safe, and be produced by simple technology in low cost. Also they can act as effective carrier for antioxidant, flavor, color, nutritional or anti-microbial additives. Patents on edible films and food products are also discussed in this article.

Ayurveda for chemo-radiotherapy induced side effects in cancer patients.

PubMed

Metri, Kashinath; Bhargav, Hemant; Chowdhury, Praerna; Koka, Prasad S

2013-01-01

Chemotherapy drugs and radiotherapy are highly toxic and both damage adjacent healthy cells. Side effects may be acute (occurring within few weeks after therapy), intermediate or late (occurring months or years after the therapy). Some important side effects of chemotherapy are: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mucositis, alopecia, constipation etc; whereas radiation therapy though administered locally, can produce systemic side effects such as fatigue, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, alteration in the taste, sleep disturbance, headache, anemia, dry skin, constipation etc. Late complications of these therapies also include pharyngitis, esophagitis, laryngitis, persistent dysphagia, fatigue, hepatotoxicity, infertility and cognitive deficits. These arrays of side effects have a devastating effect on the quality of life of cancer survivors. Due to the inadequacy of most of the radio-protectors and chemo-protectors in controlling the side effects of conventional cancer therapy the complementary and alternative medicines have attracted the view of researchers and medical practitioners more recently. This review aims at providing a comprehensive management protocol of above mentioned chemo-radiotherapy induced side effects based on Ayurveda, which is an ancient system of traditional medicine practiced in Indian peninsula since 5000 BC. When the major side effects of chemo-radiotherapy are looked through an ayurvedic perspective, it appears that they are the manifestations of aggravated pitta dosha, especially under the group of disorders called Raktapitta (haemorrhage) or Raktadushti (vascular inflammation). Based on comprehensive review of ancient vedic literature and modern scientific evidences, ayurveda based interventions are put forth. This manuscript should help clinicians and people suffering from cancer to combat serious chemo-radiotherapy related side effects through simple but effective home-based ayurveda remedies. The remedies described are commonly available and safe. These simple ayurveda based solutions may act as an important adjuvant to chemo-radiotherapy and enhance the quality of life of cancer patients.

Evaluation of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system for treating endometrial hyperplasia in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Lin, Min; Xu, XiaoWen; Wang, Yi; Hu, Yue; Zhao, Yu

2014-01-01

To evaluate the use of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for treating endometrial hyperplasia in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). LNG-IUSs were inserted in 60 PCOS patients with simple (40 cases), irregular (12 cases), or complex (8 cases) endometrial hyperplasia. Follow-ups were performed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after insertion. At each time point, changes in menstruation, hemoglobin level, and endometrial thickness and pathology were recorded. Menstrual changes were assessed with the Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart. Hemoglobin levels were measured by the Blood Routine Test. Endometrial thickness was determined by transvaginal ultrasound. Endometrial pathology was defined as simple, irregular, or complex endometrial hyperplasia by a pathologist after curettage. Outcomes at each time point were compared to baseline (pre-insertion) measurements by Student's t test or ANOVA (for multiple comparisons) with the post hoc Dunnett's test. Differences with a p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. At all time points after LNG-IUS insertion and in all patients, menstrual blood loss was decreased and hemoglobin level was increased significantly compared to pre-insertion levels. The endometrial thickness was significantly reduced in all groups after 12 months. Most patients showed transformation of the endometrial pathology, with complete disappearance of simple and irregular cases of endometrial hyperplasia and a decreased number of complex endometrial hyperplasia cases. LNG-IUS is an effective, safe, nonsurgical, and atraumatic approach with few side effects for the treatment of endometrial hyperplasia in patients with PCOS. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Simple Correction of Alar Retraction by Conchal Cartilage Extension Grafts.

PubMed

Jang, Yong Jun; Kim, Sung Min; Lew, Dae Hyun; Song, Seung Yong

2016-11-01

Alar retraction is a challenging condition in rhinoplasty marked by exaggerated nostril exposure and awkwardness. Although various methods for correcting alar retraction have been introduced, none is without drawbacks. Herein, we report a simple procedure that is both effective and safe for correcting alar retraction using only conchal cartilage grafting. Between August 2007 and August 2009, 18 patients underwent conchal cartilage extension grafting to correct alar retraction. Conchal cartilage extension grafts were fixed to the caudal margins of the lateral crura and covered with vestibular skin advancement flaps. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were reviewed and analyzed. Patient satisfaction was surveyed and categorized into 4 groups (very satisfied, satisfied, moderate, or unsatisfied). According to the survey, 8 patients were very satisfied, 9 were satisfied, and 1 considered the outcome moderate, resulting in satisfaction for most patients. The average distance from the alar rim to the long axis of the nostril was reduced by 1.4 mm (3.6 to 2.2 mm). There were no complications, except in 2 cases with palpable cartilage step-off that resolved without any aesthetic problems. Conchal cartilage alar extension graft is a simple, effective method of correcting alar retraction that can be combined with aesthetic rhinoplasty conveniently, utilizing conchal cartilage, which is the most similar cartilage to alar cartilage, and requiring a lesser volume of cartilage harvest compared to previously devised methods. However, the current procedure lacks efficacy for severe alar retraction and a longer follow-up period may be required to substantiate the enduring efficacy of the current procedure.

Direct Simple Shear Test Data Analysis using Jupyter Notebooks on DesignSafe-CI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eslami, M.; Esteva, M.; Brandenberg, S. J.

2017-12-01

Due to the large number of files and their complex structure, managing data generated during natural hazards experiments requires scalable and specialized tools. DesignSafe-CI (https://www.designsafe-ci.org/) is a web-based research platform that provides computational tools to analyze, curate, and publish critical data for natural hazards research making it understandable and reusable. We present a use case from a series of Direct Simple Shear (DSS) experiments in which we used DS-CI to post-process, visualize, publish, and enable further analysis of the data. Current practice in geotechnical design against earthquakes relies on the soil's plasticity index (PI) to assess liquefaction susceptibility, and cyclic softening triggering procedures, although, quite divergent recommendations on recommended levels of plasticity can be found in the literature for these purposes. A series of cyclic and monotonic direct simple shear experiments was conducted on three low-plasticity fine-grained mixtures at the same plasticity index to examine the effectiveness of the PI in characterization of these types of materials. Results revealed that plasticity index is an insufficient indicator of the cyclic behavior of low-plasticity fine-grained soils, and corrections for pore fluid chemistry and clay minerology may be necessary for future liquefaction susceptibility and cyclic softening assessment procedures. Each monotonic, or cyclic experiment contains two stages; consolidation and shear, which include time series of load, displacement, and corresponding stresses and strains, as well as equivalent excess pore-water pressure. Using the DS-CI curation pipeline we categorized the data to display and describe the experiment's structure and files corresponding to each stage of the experiments. Two separate notebooks in Python 3 were created using the Jupyter application available in DS-CI. A data plotter aids visualizing the experimental data in relation to the sensor from which it was generated. The analysis notebook allows combining outcomes of multiple tests, conducting diverse analyses to find critical parameters, and developing plots at arbitrary strain levels. Using the platform aids both researchers work with the data and those reusing it.

Safety and risks of nitrous oxide labor analgesia: a review.

PubMed

Rooks, Judith P

2011-01-01

This review of the safety and risks of nitrous oxide (N(2) O) labor analgesia presents results of a search for evidence of its effects on labor, the mother, the fetus, the neonate, breastfeeding, and maternal-infant bonding. Concerns about apoptotic damage to the brains of immature mammals exposed to high doses of N(2) O during late gestation, possible cardiovascular risks from hyperhomocysteinemia caused by N(2) O, a hypothesis that children exposed to N(2) O during birth are more likely to become addicted to amphetamine drugs as adults, and possible occupational risks for those who provide care to women using N(2) O/O(2) labor analgesia are discussed in detail. Research relevant to the 4 special concerns and to the effects of N(2) O analgesia on labor and the mother-child dyad were examined in depth. Three recent reviews of the biologic, toxicologic, anesthetic, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects of N(2) O; 3 reviews of the safety of 50% N(2) O/oxygen (O(2) ) in providing analgesia in a variety of health care settings; and a 2002 systematic review of N(2) O/O(2) labor analgesia were used. Nitrous oxide analgesia is safe for mothers, neonates, and those who care for women during childbirth if the N(2) O is delivered as a 50% blend with O(2) , is self-administered, and good occupational hygiene is practiced. Because of the strong correlation between dose and harm from exposure to N(2) O, concerns based on effects of long exposure to high anesthetic-level doses of N(2) O have only tenuous, hypothetical pertinence to the safety of N(2) O/O(2) labor analgesia. Nitrous oxide labor analgesia is safe for the mother, fetus, and neonate and can be made safe for caregivers. It is simple to administer, does not interfere with the release and function of endogenous oxytocin, and has no adverse effects on the normal physiology and progress of labor. © 2011 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

Suppressing the cytotoxicity of CuO nanoparticles by uptake of curcumin/BSA particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Wenjing; Jiang, Pengfei; Chen, Ying; Luo, Peihua; Li, Guanqun; Zheng, Botuo; Chen, Wei; Mao, Zhengwei; Gao, Changyou

2016-05-01

The adverse effects of metal-based nanoparticles on human beings and the environment have received extensive attention recently. It is urgently required to develop a simple and effective method to suppress the toxicity of metal-based nanomaterials. In this study, a hydrophobic antioxidant and a chelation agent curcumin (CUR) were encapsulated into bovine serum albumin (BSA) particles by a simple co-precipitation method, and followed by glutaraldehyde cross-linking. The CUR/BSA particles had an average size of 300 nm in diameter with a negatively charged surface and sustained curcumin release properties. The cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of CUR/BSA particles were followed on A549 cells, HepG2 cells and RAW264.7 cells. The CUR/BSA particles had higher intracellular accumulation and lower cytotoxicity compared with the free curcumin at the same drug concentration. The CUR/BSA particles could suppress the cytotoxicity generated by CuO nanoparticles as a result of decrease of both the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and Cu2+ concentration, while the free curcumin did not show any obvious detoxicating effect. The detoxicating effects of CUR/BSA particles were further studied in an intratracheal instillation model in vivo, demonstrating significant reduction of toxicity and inflammatory response in rat lungs induced by CuO nanoparticles. The concept-proving study demonstrates the potential of the CUR/BSA particles in suppressing cytotoxicity of metal-based nanomaterials, which is a paramount requirement for the safe application of nanotechnology.

Combining phosphate and bacteria removal on chemically active filter membranes allows prolonged storage of drinking water.

PubMed

Rotzetter, A C C; Kellenberger, C R; Schumacher, C M; Mora, C; Grass, R N; Loepfe, M; Luechinger, N A; Stark, W J

2013-11-13

A chemically active filtration membrane with incorporated lanthanum oxide nanoparticles enables the removal of bacteria and phosphate at the same time and thus provides a simple device for preparation of drinking water and subsequent safe storage without using any kind of disinfectants. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Adult Patent Ductus Arteriosus: Treatment with a Stent-Graft

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Munoz, J.J., E-mail: jjmrc@telefonica.net; Urbaneja, A.; Gonzalez, N.

We present the case of a 63-year-old woman with a short patent ductus arteriosus and aneurysmal pulmonary arteries who was treated by placement of a stent-graft. The technique proved simple and safe. Further research is required to improve the design of stent-grafts and their release system for use of this technique in adult patients with this disorder.

Shifting from Ziegler-Natta to Philips-type catalyst? A simple and safe access to reduced titanium systems for ethylene polymerization.

PubMed

Popoff, Nicolas; Espinas, Jeff; Gouré, Eric; Boyron, Olivier; Le Roux, Erwan; Basset, Jean-Marie; Gauvin, Régis M; De Mallmann, Aimery; Taoufik, Mostafa

2011-12-01

Silica-supported titanium(IV) chloride is readily reduced by Mashima and co-workers' reagent (1-methyl-3,6-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,4-cyclohexadiene) to afford materials active in ethylene polymerisation without need of aluminum alkyl cocatalyst. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Image color reduction method for color-defective observers using a color palette composed of 20 particular colors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakamoto, Takashi

2015-01-01

This study describes a color enhancement method that uses a color palette especially designed for protan and deutan defects, commonly known as red-green color blindness. The proposed color reduction method is based on a simple color mapping. Complicated computation and image processing are not required by using the proposed method, and the method can replace protan and deutan confusion (p/d-confusion) colors with protan and deutan safe (p/d-safe) colors. Color palettes for protan and deutan defects proposed by previous studies are composed of few p/d-safe colors. Thus, the colors contained in these palettes are insufficient for replacing colors in photographs. Recently, Ito et al. proposed a p/dsafe color palette composed of 20 particular colors. The author demonstrated that their p/d-safe color palette could be applied to image color reduction in photographs as a means to replace p/d-confusion colors. This study describes the results of the proposed color reduction in photographs that include typical p/d-confusion colors, which can be replaced. After the reduction process is completed, color-defective observers can distinguish these confusion colors.

Transient Approximation of SAFE-100 Heat Pipe Operation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bragg-Sitton, Shannon M.; Reid, Robert S.

2005-01-01

Engineers at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) have designed several heat pipe cooled reactor concepts, ranging in power from 15 kWt to 800 kWt, for both surface power systems and nuclear electric propulsion systems. The Safe, Affordable Fission Engine (SAFE) is now being developed in a collaborative effort between LANL and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (NASA/MSFC). NASA is responsible for fabrication and testing of non-nuclear, electrically heated modules in the Early Flight Fission Test Facility (EFF-TF) at MSFC. In-core heat pipes must be properly thawed as the reactor power starts. Computational models have been developed to assess the expected operation of a specific heat pipe design during start-up, steady state operation, and shutdown. While computationally intensive codes provide complete, detailed analyses of heat pipe thaw, a relatively simple. concise routine can also be applied to approximate the response of a heat pipe to changes in the evaporator heat transfer rate during start-up and power transients (e.g., modification of reactor power level) with reasonably accurate results. This paper describes a simplified model of heat pipe start-up that extends previous work and compares the results to experimental measurements for a SAFE-100 type heat pipe design.

Labor pain management other than neuraxial: what do we know and where do we go next?

PubMed

Rooks, Judith P

2012-12-01

Analgesia and coping with labor pain can prevent suffering during childbirth. Nonpharmacologic methods help women manage labor pain. Strong evidence is available for the efficacy of continuous one-to-one support from a woman trained to provide nonmedical care during labor, immersion in warm water during first-stage labor, and sterile water injected intracutaneously or subcutaneously at locations near a woman's lumbosacral spine to reduce back-labor pain. Sterile water injections also reduce the incidence of cesarean deliveries. Nitrous oxide labor analgesia is not potent, but helps women relax, gives them a sense of control, and reduces and distracts their perception of pain. It is inexpensive; can be administered and discontinued safely, simply, and quickly; has no adverse effects on the normal physiology and progress of labor; and does not require intensive monitoring or co-interventions. Parenteral opioids provide mild-to-moderate labor pain relief, but cause side effects. Although observational studies have found associations between maternal use of opioids and neonatal complications, little higher level evidence is available except that meperidine is associated with low Apgar scores. Patient-controlled intravenous administration of remifentanil provides better analgesia and satisfaction than other opioids, but can cause severe side effects; continuous monitoring of arterial oxygen saturation, anesthesia supervision, one-to-one nursing, and availability of oxygen are recommended. The demand for inexpensive, simple, safe but effective labor pain management for women will undoubtedly increase in places that lack wide access to it now. © 2012, Copyright the Author Journal compilation © 2012, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Percutaneous sclerotherapy of massive venous malformations of the face and neck using fibrin glue combined with OK-432 and pingyangmycin.

PubMed

Chen, Wei-liang; Huang, Zhi-quan; Zhang, Da-ming; Chai, Qiang

2010-04-01

Surgical excision is useful only for localized and limited lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical curative effect of percutaneous sclerotherapy of massive venous malformations of the face and neck using fibrin glue combined with OK-432 and pingyangmycin. Eighteen patients with massive venous malformations were treated with an injection of fibrin glue combined with OK-432 and pingyangmycin. All the patients had extreme swelling postoperatively with no major complications. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 12 months. Twelve lesions were completely involuted, 4 lesions were mostly involuted, and 2 lesions were partially involuted. All of the patients had normal liver and kidney functions. None of the patients presented with hematologic toxic effects or signs of pulmonary involvement. Percutaneous sclerotherapy using fibrin glue combined with OK-432 and pingyangmycin provided a simple, safe, and reliable alternative treatment for massive venous malformations.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to treat respiratory distress in newborns in low- and middle-income countries.

PubMed

Dewez, Juan Emmanuel; van den Broek, Nynke

2017-01-01

Severe respiratory distress is a serious complication common to the three major causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity (prematurity, intra-partum-related hypoxia and infections). In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), 20% of babies presenting with severe respiratory distress die.Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), is an effective intervention for respiratory distress in newborns and widely used in high-income countries. Following the development of simple, safe and relatively inexpensive CPAP devices, there is potential for large-scale implementation in the developing world.In this article, we describe existing CPAP systems and present a review of the current literature examining the effectiveness of CPAP compared to standard care (oxygen) in newborns with respiratory distress. We also discuss the evidence gap which needs to be addressed prior to its integration into health systems in LMICs. © The Author(s) 2016.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to treat respiratory distress in newborns in low- and middle-income countries

PubMed Central

van den Broek, Nynke

2016-01-01

Severe respiratory distress is a serious complication common to the three major causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity (prematurity, intra-partum-related hypoxia and infections). In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), 20% of babies presenting with severe respiratory distress die. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), is an effective intervention for respiratory distress in newborns and widely used in high-income countries. Following the development of simple, safe and relatively inexpensive CPAP devices, there is potential for large-scale implementation in the developing world. In this article, we describe existing CPAP systems and present a review of the current literature examining the effectiveness of CPAP compared to standard care (oxygen) in newborns with respiratory distress. We also discuss the evidence gap which needs to be addressed prior to its integration into health systems in LMICs. PMID:26864235

[Urethroplasty with transection of urethral orifice and preservation and lengthening of urethral plate: highly applicable to the treatment of hypospadias].

PubMed

Wang, Wen-Min; Qiu, Wei-Feng; Qian, Chong

2010-07-01

To explore the feasibility of urethroplasty with transection of the urethral orifice and preservation and lengthening of the urethral plate in the treatment of hypospadias. Forty-eight patients with hypospadias (18 of the coronal type, 21 the penile type, 8 the penoscrotal type and 1 the perineal type) underwent urethroplasty with transection of the urethral orifice and preservation and lengthening of the urethral plate. The surgical effects were observed by following up the patients for 3-27 months. One-stage surgical success was achieved in 44 of the cases, with satisfactory functional and cosmetic results but no complications. Two cases developed urinary fistula and another 2 urethral stricture, but all cured by the second surgery. Urethroplasty with transection of the urethral orifice and preservation and lengthening of the urethral plate is a simple, safe and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of hypospadias.

[Treatment of patients with osteoarthritis].

PubMed

Vargas Negrín, Francisco; Medina Abellán, María D; Hermosa Hernán, Juan Carlos; de Felipe Medina, Ricardo

2014-01-01

The therapeutic management of patients with osteoarthritis aims to decrease pain and inflammation, improve physical function, and to apply safe and effective treatments. A patient-centered approach implies the active participation of the patient in the design of the treatment plan and in timely and informed decision-making at all stages of the disease. The nucleus of treatment is patient education, physical activity and therapeutic exercise, together with weight control in overweight or obese patients. Self-care by the individual and by the family is fundamental in day-to-day patient management. The use of physical therapies, technical aids (walking sticks, etc.) and simple analgesics, opium alkaloids, and antiinflammatory drugs have demonstrated effectiveness in controlling pain, improving physical function and quality of life and their use is clearly indicated in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Conservative surgery and joint replacement is indicated when treatment goals are not achieved in specific patients. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.

The effect of no naked pancreatic surface in the cavity of jejunum on pancreaticojejunostomy in 132 consecutive cases.

PubMed

Zhang, Fumin; Jin, Jichun; Jiang, Hao; Wang, Shiyang; Gu, Hanbao; Jin, Xinglin

2015-01-01

To prevent the pancreatic fistulas, we designed a technique termed "no naked pancreatic surface in the cavity of jejunum" on pancreaticojejunostomy. We adopted pancreatic exocrine secretions following the pancreatic duct by drainage; there was no naked pancreatic surface in the cavity of jejunum, and entail 2-3 cm sheath of the jejunum to the pancreatic stump. Only 3 (2.27%) cases developed pancreatic fistulas, 1 patient had a grade A leak, and 2 patients had grade B leakage. The overall morbidity was 25.76%. There was no dilatation of pancreatic duct or pancreatic enzyme deficiency shown during followed-up. The duration for accomplishing the anastomosis was 20 minutes averagely. The technique of no naked pancreatic surface in the cavity of jejunum can be routinely used in any case with pancreaticojejunostomy. It is a safe, simple, and effective technique that avoids the primary complication of anastomotic leakage.

New spectrophotometric estimation of indomethacin capsules with niacinamide as hydrotropic solubilizing agent.

PubMed

Maheshwari, R K; Rathore, Amit; Agrawal, Archana; Gupta, Megha A

2011-07-01

Hydrotropic solubilization process involves cooperative intermolecular interaction with several balancing molecular forces, rather than either a specific complexation event or a process dominated by a medium effect, such as co-solvency or salting-in. In the present investigation, hydrotropic solution of 2 M niacinamide was employed as the solubilizing agent to solubilize the poorly water-soluble drug, indomethacin, from the capsule dosage form for spectrophotometric determination in ultraviolet region. Hydrotropic agent used did not interfere in the spectrophotometric analysis. In preliminary solubility studies, it was found that there was more than fivefold enhancement in the aqueous solubility of indomethacin (poorly water-soluble drug) in 2 M niacinamide solution as compared to its aqueous solubility at 28 ± 1°C. The proposed method is new, simple, safe, environmentally friendly, economic, accurate and cost-effective and can be successfully employed in routine analysis.

Pragmatic prevention of preterm birth and evidence based medicine.

PubMed

Hoyme, Udo B

2016-07-01

Effective prevention of preterm birth is one of the unsolved problems in modern medicine. In the Thuringia campaign 2000 based on a simple screening with intravaginal pH self-measurements, adequate medical diagnosis and immediate antimicrobial therapy of genital infection, the rate of newborns <1000 g was reduced to 0.38 %, the lowest incidence ever seen in any of the German states. Therefore, the regime should be implicated as a necessary step of optimizing and rationalizing the health care system. However, in the discussion we had to learn that the best way to inhibit progress is to cope with problems by preferring the most complicated policies under persistent renunciation of simple solutions. As long as we do not have other alternative safe, simple and cheap methods, do we really have to wait even more decades to come for a prospectively randomized double-blinded almost impracticable study to convince the latest skeptical scientist that we have plenty of evidence-based means to reduce the incidence of premature birth, now, by decreasing infectious morbidity in pregnancy and by the same action childbed fever as well? Insisting scholastically on nothing but the 100 % pure evidence sometimes can hamper innovations and potential benefit. Would a similar caution ever had allowed us for instance to introduce handwashing according to Semmelweis? Good news, the Government of the State of Thuringia has decided this year to reestablish a pH selfcare screening programme.

Nipple Reduction With the Chullo-Hat Technique.

PubMed

Sim, Hyung-Bo; Sun, Sang-Hoon

2015-08-01

Although various techniques of nipple reduction have been described in the literature, many are difficult to design or have unreliable outcomes. For men, as well as women who do not plan to breastfeed, it is not necessary to apply a complicated technique that protects the lactiferous ducts. The authors introduce a simple technique for nipple reduction that has achieved consistent, reproducible results. The desired nipple length is marked, and a chullo-hat excision pattern is drawn. After infiltration of a local anesthetic solution around the nipple, excision of the excess nipple tissue is performed, comprising 2 triangular flaps. The remaining 2 pillars are approximated with 5-0 Nylon simple interrupted sutures. However, the wound is not completely closed in the central area of the nipple, which promotes the drainage of discharge. Fifty-three women (106 nipples) underwent this surgery between December 2009 and December 2013. The follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 2 years (mean, 10 months). No major complications occurred, and the scars were very inconspicuous. The postoperative appearance of nipples was consistently similar in size and shape. This simple technique was safe and effective in nipples of different sizes. The results were reliable and consistent with expectations. Although this study included only women, the authors believe that outcomes would be successful in men as well. 4 Therapeutic. © 2015 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc. Reprints and permission: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Outcome analysis of salvage radiotherapy for occult cervical cancer found after simple hysterectomy.

PubMed

Koh, Hyeon Kang; Jeon, Wan; Kim, Hak Jae; Wu, Hong-Gyun; Kim, Kyubo; Chie, Eui Kyu; Ha, Sung W

2013-12-01

The objective was to analyze the outcomes of the patients, who received salvage radiotherapy for incidentally discovered cervical cancer following simple hysterectomy, and to identify the influence of intracavitary radiotherapy on treatment outcomes. Data from 117 patients with occult cervical cancer who underwent simple hysterectomy followed by salvage radiotherapy from September 1979 to November 2010 were collected. All the patients received external beam radiotherapy with (n = 45) or without (n = 72) intracavitary radiotherapy. Local control, disease-free survival, overall survival and treatment-related toxicity were investigated. The median follow-up time was 75 months. The 5- and 10-year local control/disease-free survival/overall survival rates were 93/87/87% and 90/84/83%, respectively. Among 98 patients who had no residual disease and negative resection margin on surgical specimens, 32 (33%) received intracavitary radiotherapy and 66 (67%) did not. There were no differences in patient and tumor characteristics between patients treated with and without intracavitary radiotherapy. The 5-year local control rate for the non-intracavitary radiotherapy group was 93 versus 94% for the intracavitary radiotherapy group (P = 0.564); the disease-free survival rate was 88 versus 94% (P = 0.894); the overall survival rate was 95 versus 85% (P = 0.106), respectively. Among all patients, there were 5% of Grade 3 or higher late toxicities. Patients with occult invasive cervical cancer discovered following simple hysterectomy could be treated safely and effectively with salvage radiotherapy. For patients with no residual disease and negative resection margin, intracavitary radiotherapy could be omitted.

Anatase TiO2 ultrathin nanobelts derived from room-temperature-synthesized titanates for fast and safe lithium storage

PubMed Central

Wen, Wei; Wu, Jin-ming; Jiang, Yin-zhu; Yu, Sheng-lan; Bai, Jun-qiang; Cao, Min-hua; Cui, Jie

2015-01-01

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are promising energy storage devices for portable electronics, electric vehicles, and power-grid applications. It is highly desirable yet challenging to develop a simple and scalable method for constructions of sustainable materials for fast and safe LIBs. Herein, we exploit a novel and scalable route to synthesize ultrathin nanobelts of anatase TiO2, which is resource abundant and is eligible for safe anodes in LIBs. The achieved ultrathin nanobelts demonstrate outstanding performances for lithium storage because of the unique nanoarchitecture and appropriate composition. Unlike conventional alkali-hydrothermal approaches to hydrogen titanates, the present room temperature alkaline-free wet chemistry strategy guarantees the ultrathin thickness for the resultant titanate nanobelts. The anatase TiO2 ultrathin nanobelts were achieved simply by a subsequent calcination in air. The synthesis route is convenient for metal decoration and also for fabricating thin films of one/three dimensional arrays on various substrates at low temperatures, in absence of any seed layers. PMID:26133276

Septic safe interactions with smart glasses in health care.

PubMed

Czuszynski, K; Ruminski, J; Kocejko, T; Wtorek, J

2015-08-01

In this paper, septic safe methods of interaction with smart glasses, due to the health care environment applications consideration, are presented. The main focus is on capabilities of an optical, proximity-based gesture sensor and eye-tracker input systems. The design of both interfaces is being adapted to the open smart glasses platform that is being developed under the eGlasses project. Preliminary results obtained from the proximity sensor show that the recognition of different static and dynamic hand gestures is promising. The experiments performed for the eye-tracker module shown the possibility of interaction with simple Graphical User Interface provided by the near-to-eye display. Research leads to the conclusion of attractiveness of collaborative interfaces for interaction with smart glasses.

THE USE OF THE LIGASURE™ DEVICE FOR SCROTAL ABLATION IN MARSUPIALS.

PubMed

Cusack, Lara; Cutler, Daniel; Mayer, Joerg

2017-03-01

Five sugar gliders ( Petaurus breviceps ), ranging in age from 3 mo to 3.5 yr of age, and one opossum ( Didelphis virginianus ), age 4.5 mo, presented for elective orchiectomy and scrotal ablation. The LigaSure™ device was safely used for orchiectomy and scrotal ablation in both species. Surgical time with the LigaSure was approximately 4 sec. No grooming of the incision site or self-mutilation was seen in the first 72 hr postoperatively. One sugar glider required postoperative wound care approximately 10 days postoperatively following incision-site grooming by a conspecific. The LigaSure provides a rapid, technologically simple and safe surgical technique for scrotal ablation and orchiectomy in the marsupial patient that minimizes surgical, anesthetic, and recovery times.

Single Visit Feeding Appliance for 1-day-old Neonate with Cleft Palate Using Safe Dental Putty-Gauze Hybrid Impression Technique for Maxillary Impression.

PubMed

Rathee, Manu

2015-01-01

Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common craniofacial anomalies of humans. Intraoral impression making is the first clinical step in the fabrication of feeding appliance for infants with oro-nasal communication. It is difficult to control the flow of the impression material in the cleft area and undercuts in a child patient. This clinical report presents a simple and safe impression technique for maxillary impression making in neonates and infants with cleft palate. A gauze piece was used to confine the impression material during functional movements of sucking while impression making in an awake child to avoid the risk of aspiration or swallowing.

The effectiveness and adverse effects profile of "burst" ketamine in refractory cancer pain: The VCOG PM 1-00 study.

PubMed

Jackson, Kate; Ashby, Michael; Howell, Deb; Petersen, Jennifer; Brumley, David; Good, Phillip; Pisasale, Maria; Wein, Simon; Woodruff, Roger

2010-01-01

This multi-centre study of adjuvant "burst" ketamine in palliative care in-patients documents its effectiveness, duration of pain relief, and adverse effects (AE) profile. Patients received a three-to-five day continuous subcutaneous infusion (CSCI) of ketamine escalated from 100 to 300 to 500 mg/24 hours if required. When the effective or maximum tolerated dose was attained, the infusion was continued for three days and each patient assessed as a responder or non-responder using strict criteria. The response rate was 22/44 (50 percent), with 4 (9 percent) becoming pain-free. Pain relief lasting two or more weeks was documented in 50 percent of responders. AEs were documented daily using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Toxicity Criteria 0-4 scales. There were 11 grade 3 and 4 neurological AEs. However, no responders elected to cease treatment early due to neurological AEs. We concluded that this protocol in the controlled environment of an in-patient PC unit is relatively safe and simple with reasonable effectiveness.

Essentials of skin laceration repair.

PubMed

Forsch, Randall T

2008-10-15

Skin laceration repair is an important skill in family medicine. Sutures, tissue adhesives, staples, and skin-closure tapes are options in the outpatient setting. Physicians should be familiar with various suturing techniques, including simple, running, and half-buried mattress (corner) sutures. Although suturing is the preferred method for laceration repair, tissue adhesives are similar in patient satisfaction, infection rates, and scarring risk in low skin-tension areas and may be more cost-effective. The tissue adhesive hair apposition technique also is effective in repairing scalp lacerations. The sting of local anesthesia injections can be lessened by using smaller gauge needles, administering the injection slowly, and warming or buffering the solution. Studies have shown that tap water is safe to use for irrigation, that white petrolatum ointment is as effective as antibiotic ointment in postprocedure care, and that wetting the wound as early as 12 hours after repair does not increase the risk of infection. Patient education and appropriate procedural coding are important after the repair.

Cluster dynamics modeling and experimental investigation of the effect of injected interstitials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michaut, B.; Jourdan, T.; Malaplate, J.; Renault-Laborne, A.; Sefta, F.; Décamps, B.

2017-12-01

The effect of injected interstitials on loop and cavity microstructures is investigated experimentally and numerically for 304L austenitic stainless steel irradiated at 450 °C with 10 MeV Fe5+ ions up to about 100 dpa. A cluster dynamics model is parametrized on experimental results obtained by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in a region where injected interstitials can be safely neglected. It is then used to model the damage profile and study the impact of self-ion injection. Results are compared to TEM observations on cross-sections of specimens. It is shown that injected interstitials have a significant effect on cavity density and mean size, even in the sink-dominated regime. To quantitatively match the experimental data in the self-ions injected area, a variation of some parameters is necessary. We propose that the fraction of freely migrating species may vary as a function of depth. Finally, we show that simple rate theory considerations do not seem to be valid for these experimental conditions.

Development and Characterization of High Performance Shape Memory Alloy Coatings for Structural Aerospace Applications.

PubMed

Exarchos, Dimitrios A; Dalla, Panagiota T; Tragazikis, Ilias K; Dassios, Konstantinos G; Zafeiropoulos, Nikolaos E; Karabela, Maria M; De Crescenzo, Carmen; Karatza, Despina; Musmarra, Dino; Chianese, Simeone; Matikas, Theodore E

2018-05-18

This paper presents an innovative approach, which enables control of the mechanical properties of metallic components by external stimuli to improve the mechanical behavior of aluminum structures in aeronautical applications. The approach is based on the exploitation of the shape memory effect of novel Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) coatings deposited on metallic structural components, for the purpose of relaxing the stress of underlying structures by simple heating at field-feasible temperatures, therefore enhancing their structural integrity and increasing their stiffness and rigidity while allowing them to withstand expected loading conditions safely. Numerical analysis provided an insight in the expected response of the SMA coating and of the SMA-coated element, while the dependence of alloy composition and heat treatment on the experienced shape memory effect were investigated experimentally. A two-phase process is proposed for deposition of the SMA coating in an order that induces beneficial stress relaxation to the underlying structure through the shape memory effect.

Development and Characterization of High Performance Shape Memory Alloy Coatings for Structural Aerospace Applications

PubMed Central

Exarchos, Dimitrios A.; Dalla, Panagiota T.; Tragazikis, Ilias K.; Zafeiropoulos, Nikolaos E.; Karabela, Maria M.; De Crescenzo, Carmen; Karatza, Despina; Matikas, Theodore E.

2018-01-01

This paper presents an innovative approach, which enables control of the mechanical properties of metallic components by external stimuli to improve the mechanical behavior of aluminum structures in aeronautical applications. The approach is based on the exploitation of the shape memory effect of novel Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) coatings deposited on metallic structural components, for the purpose of relaxing the stress of underlying structures by simple heating at field-feasible temperatures, therefore enhancing their structural integrity and increasing their stiffness and rigidity while allowing them to withstand expected loading conditions safely. Numerical analysis provided an insight in the expected response of the SMA coating and of the SMA-coated element, while the dependence of alloy composition and heat treatment on the experienced shape memory effect were investigated experimentally. A two-phase process is proposed for deposition of the SMA coating in an order that induces beneficial stress relaxation to the underlying structure through the shape memory effect. PMID:29783626

Voice and Swallowing Outcomes after Hyoid Suspension Surgery in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

PubMed

Askar, Sherif M; Quriba, Amal S; Hassan, Elham M; Awad, Ali M; Bessar, Ahmad A

2018-05-15

The role of hyoidthyroidpexia (HTP) surgery in the management of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is well described with good reported outcomes. The effect of HTP on other laryngeal functions is not well discussed. This study was designed to evaluate voice and swallowing outcomes after HTP. This study was applied on a selected group of OSA patients. HTP (as a sole procedure) was performed in 17 patients and 14 patients had simultaneous palatal procedures (e.g., anterior palatoplasty). Pre- and postoperative assessment of voice and swallowing were done. Comparison between pre- and postoperative results of voice and swallowing measures revealed a nonsignificant difference. HTP (as a sole technique or as part of a multilevel intervention) could help with airway collapse and might be considered a safe, simple, and effective technique in the management of selected patients experiencing OSA. In addition, it seems to have no hazardous effect on either the voice or swallowing function of patients. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Anti-early pregnancy by PDT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Ai-Hua; Chen, Hui-Ling

1993-03-01

The effect of laser on anti-early pregnancy in rabbits showed that laser in combination with HPD could induce necrosis of blastocysts and complete absorption. The anti-fertility efficiency of the combined treatment was more effective than that of the He-Ne laser or the HPD treatment alone. The fluorescence spectrum of HPD determined by PNQ3 showed that its affinity to embryonic tissue was about 4 times greater than that to uterine tissue. This may underlie the mechanisms of anti-early pregnancy of the laser. The operation of artificial abortion is a routine method to terminate early pregnancy. Though it is simple and easy, its syndrome and complications can not be absolutely avoided. Many antifertility drugs have been reported, however, they often bring in general reaction. Our present work is to explore a new way of anti-early pregnancy in rabbits by means of the light inhibitory and light sensitive effects of laser. It is a quite safe and painless treatment without expanding and scraping of the uterus.

Transrectal ultrasound-guided extraction of impacted prostatic urethral calculi: a simple alternative to endoscopy

PubMed Central

Amend, Gregory; Gandhi, Jason; Smith, Noel L.; Weissbart, Steven J.; Schulsinger, David A.; Joshi, Gargi

2017-01-01

Urethral stones can become impacted in the posterior urethra, typically presenting with varying degrees of acute urinary retention and lower urinary tract symptoms. These are traditionally treated in the inpatient setting, with external urethrotomy or endoscopic push-back of the calculus into the urinary bladder followed by cystolitholapaxy or cystolithotripsy. However, these methods are invasive, involve general anesthesia, and require radiation. In this report, we describe a simple, minimally invasive, and safe alternative technique to visualize and remove impacted prostatic urethral stones under the real-time guidance of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). The urologist can accomplish this procedure in the office, avoiding radiation exposure to the patient and hospital admission. PMID:28725602

A Hair & a Fungus: Showing Kids the Size of a Microbe

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richter, Dana L.

2013-01-01

A simple method is presented to show kids the size of a microbe--a fungus hypha--compared to a human hair. Common household items are used to make sterile medium on a stove or hotplate, which is dispensed in the cells of a weekly plastic pill box. Mold fungi can be easily and safely grown on the medium from the classroom environment. A microscope…

Command and Control of Teams of Autonomous Units

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-01

done by a hybrid genetic algorithm (GA) particle swarm optimization ( PSO ) algorithm called PIDGION-alternate. This training algorithm is an ANN ...human controller will recognize the behaviors as being safe and correct. As the HyperNEAT approach produces Artificial Neural Nets ( ANN ), we can...optimization technique that generates efficient ANN controls from simple environmental feedback. FALCONET has been tested showing that it can produce

[Errors and dangers in use of the surgical stapler in lung surgery].

PubMed

Junginger, T; Walgenbach, S

1989-01-01

The staple closure of the bronchus, like the manual technique, depends on some essential prerequisites: vascular supply, the length and thickness of the bronchial stump, the resection line, the type of stapler and the size of staples used. GIA 55 or 90 instruments allow safe and simple closure of lung parenchyma. Familiarity with the stapling technique is essential for success.

Jenny's ABC's: AIDS, Blood, and Children. A Guide for Adults To Read with Elementary Age Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simpson, Christine

This guide, written in simple language appropriate for young children, uses a direct, conversational style to explain Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), how safely and comfortably to be with individuals who have AIDS, and how to avoid contracting the disease. The text is in the voice of an 11-year-old girl whose uncle died of AIDS. It…

The convection stack - a device for ridding pit toilets of bad odor

Treesearch

J. Alan Wagar

1962-01-01

One of the common problems on outdoor recreation areas is that pit toilets smell bad. Flush plumbing is one answer to the problem. But pit toilets are needed in many places where modern sewage systems are economically or physically impractical. To reduce the smell of the pit toilet, one simple, safe, and inexpensive device that can be used is the convection stack....

Quick release latch for reactor scram

DOEpatents

Johnson, Melvin L.; Shawver, Bruce M.

1976-01-01

A simple, reliable, and fast-acting means for releasing a control element and allowing it to be inserted rapidly into the core region of a nuclear reactor for scram purposes. A latch mechanism grips a coupling head on a nuclear control element to connect the control element to the control drive assembly. The latch mechanism is closed by tensioning a cable or rod with an actuator. The control element is released by de-energizing the actuator, providing fail-safe, rapid release of the control element to effect reactor shutdown. A sensing rod provides indication that the control element is properly positioned in the latch. Two embodiments are illustrated, one involving a collet-type latch mechanism, the other a pliers-type latch mechanism with the actuator located inside the reactor vessel.

Heparin allergy: delayed-type non-IgE-mediated allergic hypersensitivity to subcutaneous heparin injection.

PubMed

Trautmann, Axel; Seitz, Cornelia S

2009-08-01

Itching erythematous or eczematous plaques around injection sites are quite frequent side effects of heparin treatment and clinical symptoms of delayed-type non-IgE-mediated allergic hypersensitivity (DTH) to heparin. For diagnosis, intradermal, patch, and subcutaneous challenge tests with heparins are suitable. In most cases, changing the subcutaneous therapy from unfractionated to low molecular weight heparin or treatment with heparinoids does not provide improvement because of extensive cross-reactivity. Hirudin polypeptides, which exhibit a different chemical structure, are a safe therapeutic alternative for subcutaneous application, however. Importantly, despite DTH to subcutaneously injected heparins, most patients tolerate heparin intravenously. Moreover, in case of therapeutic necessity and DTH to heparins, the simple shift from subcutaneous to intravenous heparin administration without prior testing may be justified.

Development of limb volume measuring system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhagat, P. K.; Kadaba, P. K.

1983-01-01

The mechanisms underlying the reductions in orthostatic tolerance associated with weightlessness are not well established. Contradictory results from measurements of leg volume changes suggest that altered venomotor tone and reduced blood flow may not be the only contributors to orthostatic intolerance. It is felt that a more accurate limb volume system which is insensitive to environmental factors will aid in better quantification of the hemodynamics of the leg. Of the varous limb volume techniques presently available, the ultrasonic limb volume system has proven to be the best choice. The system as described herein is free from environmental effects, safe, simple to operate and causes negligible radio frequency interference problems. The segmental ultrasonic ultrasonic plethysmograph is expected to provide a better measurement of limb volume change since it is based on cross-sectional area measurements.

An Overview of the Percutaneous Antibiotic Delivery Technique for Osteomyelitis Treatment and a Case Study of Calcaneal Osteomyelitis.

PubMed

Karr, Jeffrey C

2017-11-01

A percutaneous antibiotic delivery technique (PAD-T) used for the adjunctive management of osteomyelitis is presented. This surgical technique incorporates a calcium sulfate and hydroxyapatite (calcium phosphate) bone void filler acting as a carrier vehicle with either an antibiotic or an antifungal medicine, delivering this combination directly into the area of osteomyelitis. The benefit of the PAD-T is reviewed with a case presentation of a successfully treated calcaneal osteomyelitis. No previously reported PAD-T using a simple bone cortex incision in the adjunctive treatment of osteomyelitis has been reported. The PAD-T safely and effectively uses a calcium sulfate and hydroxyapatite bone void filler carrier vehicle to deliver either an antibiotic or an antifungal medicine directly into the area of osteomyelitis.

Safety in the operating theatre--a transition to systems-based care.

PubMed

Weiser, Thomas G; Porter, Michael P; Maier, Ronald V

2013-03-01

All surgeons want the best, safest care for their patients, but providing this requires the complex coordination of multiple disciplines to ensure that all elements of care are timely, appropriate, and well organized. Quality-improvement initiatives are beginning to lead to improvements in the quality of care and coordination amongst teams in the operating room. As the population ages and patients present with more complex disease pathology, the demands for efficient systematization will increase. Although evidence suggests that postoperative mortality rates are declining, there is substantial room for improvement. Multiple quality metrics are used as surrogates for safe care, but surgical teams--including surgeons, anaesthetists, and nurses--must think beyond these simple interventions if they are to effectively communicate and coordinate in the face of increasing demands.

Water Quality Monitoring in Developing Countries; Can Microbial Fuel Cells be the Answer?

PubMed Central

Chouler, Jon; Di Lorenzo, Mirella

2015-01-01

The provision of safe water and adequate sanitation in developing countries is a must. A range of chemical and biological methods are currently used to ensure the safety of water for consumption. These methods however suffer from high costs, complexity of use and inability to function onsite and in real time. The microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has great potential for the rapid and simple testing of the quality of water sources. MFCs have the advantages of high simplicity and possibility for onsite and real time monitoring. Depending on the choice of manufacturing materials, this technology can also be highly cost effective. This review covers the state-of-the-art research on MFC sensors for water quality monitoring, and explores enabling factors for their use in developing countries. PMID:26193327

Brief debrisoquin administration to assess central dopaminergic function in children.

PubMed

Riddle, M A; Shaywitz, B A; Leckman, J F; Anderson, G M; Shaywitz, S E; Hardin, M T; Ort, S I; Cohen, D J

1986-03-17

Central dopaminergic (DA) function in children was assessed by monitoring plasma-free homovanillic acid (pHVA) levels after brief (18 hour) administration with debrisoquin sulfate, a peripherally active antihypertensive agent that blocks peripheral, but not central, HVA production. Brief debrisoquin administration resulted in marked reductions in pHVA in each of six patients studied. In five of the six patients, post-debrisoquin pHVA levels remained relatively stable over the six-hour period of observation. No significant cardiovascular or behavioral side effects of debrisoquin were observed. The brief debrisoquin administration method appears to be a safe, simple, and potentially valid peripheral technique for evaluating aspects of central dopaminergic function in children with neuropsychiatric disorders. Additional work is needed to further establish this method's validity and reliability.

Quick release latch for reactor scram

DOEpatents

Johnson, M.L.; Shawver, B.M.

1975-09-16

A simple, reliable, and fast-acting means for releasing a control element and allowing it to be inserted rapidly into the core region of a nuclear reactor for scram purposes is described. A latch mechanism grips a coupling head on a nuclear control element to connect the control element to the control drive assembly. The latch mechanism is closed by tensioning a cable or rod with an actuator. The control element is released by de-energizing the actuator, providing fail-safe, rapid release of the control element to effect reactor shutdown. A sensing rod provides indication that the control element is properly positioned in the latch. Two embodiments are illustrated, one involving a collet- type latch mechanism, the other a pliers-type latch mechanism with the actuator located inside the reactor vessel. (auth)

Water Quality Monitoring in Developing Countries; Can Microbial Fuel Cells be the Answer?

PubMed

Chouler, Jon; Di Lorenzo, Mirella

2015-07-16

The provision of safe water and adequate sanitation in developing countries is a must. A range of chemical and biological methods are currently used to ensure the safety of water for consumption. These methods however suffer from high costs, complexity of use and inability to function onsite and in real time. The microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has great potential for the rapid and simple testing of the quality of water sources. MFCs have the advantages of high simplicity and possibility for onsite and real time monitoring. Depending on the choice of manufacturing materials, this technology can also be highly cost effective. This review covers the state-of-the-art research on MFC sensors for water quality monitoring, and explores enabling factors for their use in developing countries.

Demonstrating the efficacy of the FoneAstra pasteurization monitor for human milk pasteurization in resource-limited settings.

PubMed

Naicker, Mageshree; Coutsoudis, Anna; Israel-Ballard, Kiersten; Chaudhri, Rohit; Perin, Noah; Mlisana, Koleka

2015-03-01

Human milk provides crucial nutrition and immunologic protection for infants. When a mother's own milk is unavailable, donated human milk, pasteurized to destroy bacteria and viruses, is a lifesaving replacement. Flash-heat pasteurization is a simple, low-cost, and commonly used method to make milk safe, but currently there is no system to monitor milk temperature, which challenges quality control. FoneAstra, a smartphone-based mobile pasteurization monitor, removes this barrier by guiding users through pasteurization and documenting consistent and safe practice. This study evaluated FoneAstra's efficacy as a quality control system, particularly in resource-limited settings, by comparing bacterial growth in donor milk flash-heated with and without the device at a neonatal intensive care unit in Durban, South Africa. For 100 samples of donor milk, one aliquot each of prepasteurized milk, milk flash-heated without FoneAstra, and milk pasteurized with FoneAstra was cultured on routine agar for bacterial growth. Isolated bacteria were identified and enumerated. In total, 300 samples (three from each donor sample) were analyzed. Bacterial growth was found in 86 of the 100 samples before any pasteurization and one of the 100 postpasteurized samples without FoneAstra. None of the samples pasteurized using FoneAstra showed bacterial growth. Both pasteurization methods were safe and effective. FoneAstra, however, provides the additional benefits of user-guided temperature monitoring and data tracking. By improving quality assurance and standardizing the pasteurization process, FoneAstra can support wide-scale implementation of human milk banks in resource-limited settings, increasing access and saving lives.

Evaluation of primary caregivers' perceptions on home trampoline use.

PubMed

Singh, Supriya; Coriolano, Kamary; Davidson, Jacob; Cashin, Megan; Carey, Timothy; Bartley, Debra

2018-06-01

Trampolines are widely used by children, but trampoline injuries can be severe and may require hospital care or even surgery. This pilot study examined the effectiveness of an educational intervention on caregivers' perceptions of trampoline use and safety for their children. Primary caregivers were recruited from the orthopedic clinic at the Children's Hospital at our institution in 2015. Caregivers were asked to complete a survey at two time points, initially in clinic and one week post educational intervention. The educational intervention was a pamphlet outlining trampoline safety data. Data analysis occurred in 2016. From the 100 primary caregivers recruited, 39 caregivers owned a trampoline, and 10 had presented to the emergency department with their child for an injury related to trampoline use. After educational intervention, caregivers had higher rating of perceived danger associated with trampolines (6/10 vs. 8/10, p < 0.001). Additionally, a greater number of caregivers were more knowledgeable on the safe age of trampoline use (56% vs. 91%, p < 0.001) and safe number of jumpers (45% vs. 86%, p < 0.001). Finally, there was a 29% increase in the proportion of caregivers who at least agreed that trampolines are dangerous (pre: 44% vs. post: 73%, p < 0.001), however 50% of caregivers would still allow their child to use a trampoline. Overall, the results of this study show that a simple educational intervention can help to increase knowledge around safe trampoline practices and increase awareness of injury. Further, this study can act as initial evidence for future studies to implement this type of intervention long-term.

Effects of irritant chemicals on Aedes aegypti resting behavior: is there a simple shift to untreated "safe sites"?

PubMed

Manda, Hortance; Arce, Luana M; Foggie, Tarra; Shah, Pankhil; Grieco, John P; Achee, Nicole L

2011-07-01

Previous studies have identified the behavioral responses of Aedes aegypti to irritant and repellent chemicals that can be exploited to reduce man-vector contact. Maximum efficacy of interventions based on irritant chemical actions will, however, require full knowledge of variables that influence vector resting behavior and how untreated "safe sites" contribute to overall impact. Using a laboratory box assay, resting patterns of two population strains of female Ae. aegypti (THAI and PERU) were evaluated against two material types (cotton and polyester) at various dark:light surface area coverage (SAC) ratio and contrast configuration (horizontal and vertical) under chemical-free and treated conditions. Chemicals evaluated were alphacypermethrin and DDT at varying concentrations. Under chemical-free conditions, dark material had significantly higher resting counts compared to light material at all SAC, and significantly increased when material was in horizontal configuration. Cotton elicited stronger response than polyester. Within the treatment assays, significantly higher resting counts were observed on chemical-treated dark material compared to untreated light fabric. However, compared to matched controls, significantly less resting observations were made on chemical-treated dark material overall. Most importantly, resting observations on untreated light material (or "safe sites") in the treatment assay did not significantly increase for many of the tests, even at 25% SAC. Knockdown rates were ≤5% for all assays. Significantly more observations of flying mosquitoes were made in test assays under chemical-treatment conditions as compared to controls. When preferred Ae. aegypti resting sites are treated with chemicals, even at reduced treatment coverage area, mosquitoes do not simply move to safe sites (untreated areas) following contact with the treated material. Instead, they become agitated, using increased flight as a proxy indicator. It is this contact irritant response that may elicit escape behavior from a treated space and is a focus of exploitation for reducing man-vector contact inside homes.

Piezoelectric control of needle-free transdermal drug delivery.

PubMed

Stachowiak, Jeanne C; von Muhlen, Marcio G; Li, Thomas H; Jalilian, Laleh; Parekh, Sapun H; Fletcher, Daniel A

2007-12-04

Transdermal drug delivery occurs primarily through hypodermic needle injections, which cause pain, require a trained administrator, and may contribute to the spread of disease. With the growing number of pharmaceutical therapies requiring transdermal delivery, an effective, safe, and simple needle-free alternative is needed. We present and characterize a needle-free jet injector that employs a piezoelectric actuator to accelerate a micron-scale stream of fluid (40-130 microm diameter) to velocities sufficient for skin penetration and drug delivery (50-160 m/s). Existing jet injectors, powered by compressed springs and gases, are not widely used due to painful injections and poor reliability in skin penetration depth and dose. In contrast, our device offers electronic control of the actuator expansion rate, resulting in direct control of jet velocity and thus the potential for more precise injections. We apply a simple fluid-dynamic model to predict the device response to actuator expansion. Further, we demonstrate that injection parameters including expelled volume, jet pressure, and penetration depth in soft materials vary with actuator expansion rate, but are highly coupled. Finally, we discuss how electronically-controlled jet injectors may enable the decoupling of injection parameters such as penetration depth and dose, improving the reliability of needle-free transdermal drug delivery.

Lowering postprandial glycemia in children with type 1 diabetes after Italian pizza "margherita" (TyBoDi2 Study).

PubMed

De Palma, Alessandra; Giani, Elisa; Iafusco, Dario; Bosetti, Alessandra; Macedoni, Maddalena; Gazzarri, Alessandra; Spiri, Daniele; Scaramuzza, Andrea E; Zuccotti, Gian Vincenzo

2011-04-01

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion is considered a safe and effective way to administer insulin in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes, but achieving satisfactory and stable glycemic control is difficult. Several factors contribute to control, including fine-tuning the basal infusion rate and bolus type and timing. We evaluated the most effective type and timing of a pump-delivered, preprandial bolus in children with type 1 diabetes for a pizza "margherita" meal. We assessed the response of 38 children with type 1 diabetes to a meal based on pizza "margherita" (with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce) after different types and timings of a bolus dose. The glucose levels for 6 h after the meal were lower (i.e., closer to the therapeutic target of <140 mg/dL) when the bolus doses were administered as a simple bolus 15 min before the meal (area under the curve [AUC] 0-6 h, 6.9 ± 14.9 mg/dL/min) versus a simple bolus administered immediately before the meal (AUC 0-6 h, 4.2 ± 25.9 mg/dL/min) (P = not significant) versus a double-wave bolus 30/70 extended over a 6-h period administered 15 min before the meal (AUC 0-6 h, 1.9 ± 21.3 mg/dL/min) (P = not significant) versus a double-wave bolus 30/70 extended over a 6-h period administered immediately before the meal (AUC 0-6 h, 13.3 ± 15.6 mg/dL/min) (P = 0.01). In the case of a pizza "margherita," our data support the injection of the simple bolus 15 min before a meal, rather than immediately before or delivered as a double-wave bolus, to control the glycemic rise usually observed.

Impact of Type of Surgery on Survival Outcome in Patients With Early Gallbladder Cancer in the Era of Minimally Invasive Surgery

PubMed Central

Jang, Jin-Young; Heo, Jin Seok; Han, Youngmin; Chang, Jihoon; Kim, Jae Ri; Kim, Hongbeom; Kwon, Wooil; Kim, Sun-Whe; Choi, Seong Ho; Choi, Dong Wook; Lee, Kyoungbun; Jang, Kee-Taek; Han, Sung-Sik; Park, Sang-Jae

2016-01-01

Abstract Laparoscopic surgery has been widely accepted as a feasible and safe treatment modality in many cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. However, most guidelines on gallbladder cancer (GBC) regard laparoscopic surgery as a contraindication, even for early GBC. This study aims to evaluate and compare recent surgical outcomes of laparoscopic and open surgery for T1(a,b) GBC and to determine the optimal surgical strategy for T1 GBC. The study enrolled 197 patients with histopathologically proven T1 GBC and no history of other cancers who underwent surgery from 2000 to 2014 at 3 major tertiary referral hospitals with specialized biliary-pancreas pathologists and optimal pathologic handling protocols. Median follow-up was 56 months. The effects of depth of invasion and type of surgery on disease-specific survival and recurrence patterns were investigated. Of the 197 patients, 116 (58.9%) underwent simple cholecystectomy, including 31 (15.7%) who underwent open cholecystectomy and 85 (43.1%) laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The remaining 81 (41.1%) patients underwent extended cholecystectomy. Five-year disease-specific survival rates were similar in patients who underwent simple and extended cholecystectomy (96.7% vs 100%, P = 0.483), as well as being similar in patients in the simple cholecystectomy group who underwent open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (100% vs 97.6%, P = 0.543). Type of surgery had no effect on recurrence patterns. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for T1 gallbladder cancer can provide similar survival outcomes compared to open surgery. Considering less blood loss and shorter hospital stay with better cosmetic outcome, laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be justified as a standard treatment for T1b as well as T1a gallbladder cancer when done by well-experienced surgeons based on exact pathologic diagnosis. PMID:27258495

[Active and safe with wheeled walkers : Pilot study on feasibility of mobility exercises for wheeled walker users].

PubMed

Pflaum, Marina; Lang, Frieder R; Freiberger, Ellen

2016-07-01

The number of older people with mobility impairments using wheeled walkers is increasing; however, the handling of these walking aids is often ineffective. Moreover, age-associated functional loss, environmental demands and fear of falling may additionally challenge mobility. The new training program "Active and safe with wheeled walkers" aims to enhance skills and to improve mobility. The present pilot study was carried out to assess the feasibility of the training as well as to identify training effects and methodological insights for further research. The study was carried out with 28 wheeled walker users (age 68-91 years) in assisted living facilities using a pre-post design. Of the participants 13 persons were trained for 10 weeks (90 min, twice a week) and 15 persons served as a control group. Data were collected on functional mobility, hand strength, leg strength, balance, walker handling and fear of falling. The drop-out rate for the training was 38 % due to health concerns (n = 2), lack of time (n = 1) and changes in health status independent of training (n = 3). Medium to large effects were detected. Data regarding the recruitment strategy and the acceptance of individual exercises are available. The results indicate a good feasibility and effectiveness of the training. The simple accessibility of the training was conducive for the regular participation. The everyday relevance of the results and the lack of comparable interventions suggest that further research efforts be carried out. Recruitment strategies, training requirements and data collection methods need to be optimized.

Improvement of stability of polidocanol foam for nonsurgical permanent contraception.

PubMed

Guo, Jian Xin; Lucchesi, Lisa; Gregory, Kenton W

2015-08-01

Polidocanol foam (PF), used clinically as a venous sclerosant, has recently been studied as a safe and inexpensive means for permanent contraception. Delivering the sclerosant to the fallopian tubes as a foam rather than a liquid increases the surface areas and thus enhances the desired epithelial disrupting activity of the agent. However, the foam is inherently unstable and degrades with time. Therefore, increasing foam stability and thus duration of the agent exposure time could increase epithelial effect while allowing reduction in agent concentration and potential toxicity. We studied methods to improve foam properties that might improve safety and efficacy of PF for intrauterine application. Several types of microporous filters adapted to a syringe-based foaming device were used to study the effect of pore structures on the formation of PF. The foam drainage time and bubble size were characterized. The addition of benzalkonium chloride (BZK) to polidocanol was also investigated for its effects on foam characteristics. A syringe-based foaming device adapted with an inline filter produced smaller bubble PF with a longer foam drainage time. PF generated with a circular pore filter lasts longer than with a noncircular pore filter. The addition of 0.01% of BZK also improved the stability of PF. The stability of PF is affected by the pore characteristics of the filter used for foam generation and enhanced by the presence of a small amount of BZK. The improved foam, if shown to be efficacious in animal models of contraception, could lead to a safe, simple and inexpensive method alternative to surgical contraception. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interventions to Slow Aging in Humans: Are We Ready?

PubMed Central

Longo, Valter D; Antebi, Adam; Bartke, Andrzej; Barzilai, Nir; Brown-Borg, Holly M; Caruso, Calogero; Curiel, Tyler J; de Cabo, Rafael; Franceschi, Claudio; Gems, David; Ingram, Donald K; Johnson, Thomas E; Kennedy, Brian K; Kenyon, Cynthia; Klein, Samuel; Kopchick, John J; Lepperdinger, Guenter; Madeo, Frank; Mirisola, Mario G; Mitchell, James R; Passarino, Giuseppe; Rudolph, Karl L; Sedivy, John M; Shadel, Gerald S; Sinclair, David A; Spindler, Stephen R; Suh, Yousin; Vijg, Jan; Vinciguerra, Manlio; Fontana, Luigi

2015-01-01

The workshop entitled ‘Interventions to Slow Aging in Humans: Are We Ready?’ was held in Erice, Italy, on October 8–13, 2013, to bring together leading experts in the biology and genetics of aging and obtain a consensus related to the discovery and development of safe interventions to slow aging and increase healthy lifespan in humans. There was consensus that there is sufficient evidence that aging interventions will delay and prevent disease onset for many chronic conditions of adult and old age. Essential pathways have been identified, and behavioral, dietary, and pharmacologic approaches have emerged. Although many gene targets and drugs were discussed and there was not complete consensus about all interventions, the participants selected a subset of the most promising strategies that could be tested in humans for their effects on healthspan. These were: (i) dietary interventions mimicking chronic dietary restriction (periodic fasting mimicking diets, protein restriction, etc.); (ii) drugs that inhibit the growth hormone/IGF-I axis; (iii) drugs that inhibit the mTOR–S6K pathway; or (iv) drugs that activate AMPK or specific sirtuins. These choices were based in part on consistent evidence for the pro-longevity effects and ability of these interventions to prevent or delay multiple age-related diseases and improve healthspan in simple model organisms and rodents and their potential to be safe and effective in extending human healthspan. The authors of this manuscript were speakers and discussants invited to the workshop. The following summary highlights the major points addressed and the conclusions of the meeting. PMID:25902704

An hypnotic suggestion: review of hypnosis for clinical emergency care.

PubMed

Iserson, Kenneth V

2014-04-01

Hypnosis has been used in medicine for nearly 250 years. Yet, emergency clinicians rarely use it in emergency departments or prehospital settings. This review describes hypnosis, its historical use in medicine, several neurophysiologic studies of the procedure, its uses and potential uses in emergency care, and a simple technique for inducing hypnosis. It also discusses reasons why the technique has not been widely adopted, and suggests methods of increasing its use in emergency care, including some potential research areas. A limited number of clinical studies and case reports suggest that hypnosis may be effective in a wide variety of conditions applicable to emergency medical care. These include providing analgesia for existing pain (e.g., fractures, burns, and lacerations), providing analgesia and sedation for painful procedures (e.g., needle sticks, laceration repair, and fracture and joint reductions), reducing acute anxiety, increasing children's cooperation for procedures, facilitating the diagnosis and treatment of acute psychiatric conditions, and providing analgesia and anxiolysis for obstetric/gynecologic problems. Although it is safe, fast, and cost-effective, emergency clinicians rarely use hypnosis. This is due, in part, to the myths surrounding hypnosis and its association with alternative-complementary medicine. Genuine barriers to its increased clinical use include a lack of assured effectiveness and a lack of training and training requirements. Based on the results of further research, hypnosis could become a powerful and safe nonpharmacologic addition to the emergency clinician's armamentarium, with the potential to enhance patient care in emergency medicine, prehospital care, and remote medical settings. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Simulation Experiment on Landing Site Selection Using a Simple Geometric Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, W.; Tong, X.; Xie, H.; Jin, Y.; Liu, S.; Wu, D.; Liu, X.; Guo, L.; Zhou, Q.

2017-07-01

Safe landing is an important part of the planetary exploration mission. Even fine scale terrain hazards (such as rocks, small craters, steep slopes, which would not be accurately detected from orbital reconnaissance) could also pose a serious risk on planetary lander or rover and scientific instruments on-board it. In this paper, a simple geometric approach on planetary landing hazard detection and safe landing site selection is proposed. In order to achieve full implementation of this algorithm, two easy-to-compute metrics are presented for extracting the terrain slope and roughness information. Unlike conventional methods which must do the robust plane fitting and elevation interpolation for DEM generation, in this work, hazards is identified through the processing directly on LiDAR point cloud. For safe landing site selection, a Generalized Voronoi Diagram is constructed. Based on the idea of maximum empty circle, the safest landing site can be determined. In this algorithm, hazards are treated as general polygons, without special simplification (e.g. regarding hazards as discrete circles or ellipses). So using the aforementioned method to process hazards is more conforming to the real planetary exploration scenario. For validating the approach mentioned above, a simulated planetary terrain model was constructed using volcanic ash with rocks in indoor environment. A commercial laser scanner mounted on a rail was used to scan the terrain surface at different hanging positions. The results demonstrate that fairly hazard detection capability and reasonable site selection was obtained compared with conventional method, yet less computational time and less memory usage was consumed. Hence, it is a feasible candidate approach for future precision landing selection on planetary surface.

Evaluation of the sustainability of deep groundwater as an arsenic-safe resource in the Bengal Basin

USGS Publications Warehouse

Michael, H.A.; Voss, C.I.

2008-01-01

Tens of millions of people in the Bengal Basin region of Bangladesh and India drink groundwater containing unsafe concentrations of arsenic. This high-arsenic groundwater is produced from shallow (150 m where groundwater arsenic concentrations are nearly uniformly low, and many more wells are needed, however, the sustainability of deep, arsenic-safe ground-water has not been previously assessed. Deeper pumping could induce downward migration of dissolved arsenic, permanently destroying the deep resource. Here, it is shown, through quantitative, large-scale hydrogeologic analysis and simulation of the entire basin, that the deeper part of the aquifer system may provide a sustainable source of arsenic-safe water if its utilization is limited to domestic supply. Simulations provide two explanations for this result: deep domestic pumping only slightly perturbs the deep groundwater flow system, and substantial shallow pumping for irrigation forms a hydraulic barrier that protects deeper resources from shallow arsenic sources. Additional analysis indicates that this simple management approach could provide arsenic-safe drinking water to >90% of the arsenic-impacted region over a 1,000-year timescale. This insight may assist water-resources managers in alleviating one of the world's largest groundwater contamination problems. ?? 2008 by The National Academy of Sciences of the USA.

Prone positioning in the patient who has acute respiratory distress syndrome: the art and science.

PubMed

Vollman, Kathleen M

2004-09-01

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a significant contributor to the morbidity and mortality of patients in the ICU. A variety of treatments are used to support the lung of the patient who has ARDS and improve gas exchange during the acute injury phase. It seems, however, that the simple, safe, and noninvasive act of prone positioning of the critically ill patient who has ARDS may improve gas exchange while preventing potential complications of high positive end-expiratory pressure, volutrauma, and oxygen toxicity. This article provides the critical care nurse with the physiologic rationale for use of the prone position, indications and contraindications for use, safe strategies for prone positioning, and care techniques and monitoring methods of the patient who is in the prone position.

Hanging Maneuver for Stomach Traction in Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatic Resections: An Original Technique Applied in 218 Patients.

PubMed

Dokmak, Safi; Aussilhou, Béatrice; Ftériche, Fadhel Samir; Belghiti, Jacques; Sauvanet, Alain

2017-01-01

Stomach traction done to expose the pancreas is still a problem in laparoscopic left pancreatic resections. We developed a simple hanging maneuver to retract the stomach rapidly and effectively. After dividing the gastrocolic ligament, the stomach was encircled with a tape, turned along its horizontal axis and pulled with an epigastric trocar, which was later removed. This technique was used in all patients who underwent laparoscopic left pancreatic resections including 165 distal pancreatectomies (DP), 35 central pancreatectomies (CP) and 18 enucleations (En). Demographics, surgical and postoperative outcome data were recorded. There were no mortalities. The mean operative time for DP, CP and En were 174, 191 and 104 min, respectively. The transfusion (0-4%) and conversion (0-3%) rates were low for all procedures. Morbidity was mainly represented by pancreatic fistula and grades (B + C) for DP, CP and En were observed in 26, 22 and 17%, respectively. No complication related to hanging of the stomach, like gastric perforation, was observed. Re-intervention and the mean hospital stay for DP, CP and En were observed in 5, 11 and 0% and were 16, 22 and 12, respectively. The readmission rate was low (0-9%). Hanging maneuver of the stomach is a simple procedure to rapidly, safely and effectively retract the stomach during left laparoscopic pancreatic resections. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Optimizing nutrition in older people.

PubMed

Clegg, Miriam E; Williams, Elizabeth A

2018-06-01

Older adults are at increased risk of malnutrition, for a variety of physiological and psychological reasons. This has implications for health, quality of life, independence and economic circumstances. Improvements in nutrition are known to bring tangible benefits to older people and many age-related diseases and conditions can be prevented, modulated or ameliorated by good nutrition. However, practical and realistic approaches are required to optimize diet and food intake in older adults. One area where improvements can be made relates to appetite. Encouraging older adults to prepare meals can increase appetite and food intake, and providing opportunities for older adults to eat a wide variety of foods, in company, is a simple strategy to increase food intake. The protein requirement of older adults is subject to controversy and although considered the most satiating macronutrient, it appears that protein does not elicit as great a satiating effect in older adults as it does in younger individuals. This indicates that there is potential to increase protein intake without impacting on overall energy intake. Other areas where simple practical improvements can be made include both packaging of foods that are easy to prepare and the education of older adults on the safe storage and preparation of food. Research into improving the diets and nutritional status of older adults has indicated that many of the strategies can be easily and cost-effectively undertaken. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effects of prompting and reinforcement on safe behavior of bicycle and motorcycle riders.

PubMed

Okinaka, Takeru; Shimazaki, Tsuneo

2011-01-01

A reversal design was used to evaluate the effects of vocal and written prompts as well as reinforcement on safe behavior (dismounting and walking bicycles or motorcycles on a sidewalk) on a university campus. Results indicated that an intervention that consisted of vocal and written prompts and reinforcement delivered by security guards was effective at increasing safe behavior exhibited by bicycle and motorcycle riders. No differences were observed between vehicle type or gender with regard to engagement in safe behavior.

Abortion: Still Unfinished Agenda in Nepal.

PubMed

Shrestha, Dirgha Raj; Regmi, Shibesh Chandra; Dangal, Ganesh

2018-03-13

Unsafe abortion is affecting a lot, in health, socio-economic and health care cost of many countries. Despite invention of simple technology and scientifically approved safe abortion methods, women and girls are still using unsafe abortion practices. Since 2002, Nepal has achieved remarkable progress in developing policies, guidelines, task shifting, training human resources and increasing access to services. However, more than half of abortion in Nepal are performed clandestinely by untrained or unapproved providers or induced by pregnant woman herself. Knowledge on legalization and availability of safe abortion service among women is still very poor. Stigma on abortion still persists among community people, service providers, managers, and policy makers. Access to safe abortion, especially in remote and rural areas, is still far behind as compared to their peers from urban areas. The existing law is not revised in the spirit of current Constitution of Nepal and rights-based approach. The existence of abortion stigma and the shifting of the government structure from unitary system to federalism in absence of a complete clarity on how the safe abortion service gets integrated into the local government structure might create challenge to sustain existing developments. There is, therefore, a need for all stakeholders to make a lot of efforts and allocate adequate resources to sustain current achievements and ensure improvements in creating a supportive social environment for women and girls so that they will be able to make informed decisions and access to safe abortion service in any circumstances.

MRI tracing non-invasive TiO2-based nanoparticles activated by ultrasound for multi-mechanism therapy of prostatic cancer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Pu; Song, Dongkui

2018-03-01

To reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and achieve effective and safe therapy for prostate cancer, herein a simple but multi-functional TiO2:Gd@DOX/FA system activated by ultrasound was developed for the MRI-guided multi-mechanism therapy of prostate cancer. TiO2 nanoparticles served as a sonosensitizer as well as a nanocarrier with the pH-responsive release of DOX. The doping of Gd was not only able to endow the TiO2 with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ability, but also further improve the sonodynamic ability of the TiO2. The characterization of the as-prepared TiO2:Gd@DOX/FA showed sensitive pH-responsive drug release, high reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, T 1-MRI contrast performance and excellent biocompatibility. The cytotoxicity assay in vitro showed cell death up to 91.68% after 48 h incubation induced by the TiO2:Gd@DOX + ultrasound group. Meanwhile, in the in vivo synergistic therapy studies, the tumor sizes of all the nanomedicine groups were smaller than for the free DOX (V:V 0 = 4.2). More importantly, the body showed nearly no weight loss. This safety was also confirmed by the H&E staining, biodistribution experiment and serum biochemistry results. Altogether, TiO2:Gd@DOX/FA significantly reduced the side effects of DOX, augmented the levels of ROS and achieved effective and safe therapy, indicating its potential for the multi-mechanism therapy of prostate cancer. There is no conflict of interest in this study and no funding has been received for it. We received the approval of the Research Ethics Committee before conducting this study.

Reducing Structural Weight and Increasing Protection in Simple Structures Subjected to Blast Loads

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-12

centric vehicle structures that make the operation of the vehicle both comfortable and safe for the soldiers. Furthermore, a lighter weight vehicle...supporting forces. Therefore, a key design challenge is to develop lightweight occupant-centric vehicle structures that can provide high levels of...protection against explosive threats. In this paper, concepts for using materials, damping and other mechanisms to design structures with unique dynamic

Movies and the Military

DTIC Science & Technology

1972-01-01

by the hundreds. The most popular subjects were his tor ical dramas, comedies , simplistic versions of the classics, and sentimental domestic and...Germans and the making of a world "safe for democracy." All the war films, even the slapstick comedies , presented a simple view of the conflict-the...an exciting and romantic background for a love story or a musical. The value of military preparedness was implied strongly in these films which

Ball driven type MEMS SAD for artillery fuse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seok, Jin Oh; Jeong, Ji-hun; Eom, Junseong; Lee, Seung S.; Lee, Chun Jae; Ryu, Sung Moon; Oh, Jong Soo

2017-01-01

The SAD (safety and arming device) is an indispensable fuse component that ensures safe and reliable performance during the use of ammunition. Because the application of electronic devices for smart munitions is increasing, miniaturization of the SAD has become one of the key issues for next-generation artillery fuses. Based on MEMS technology, various types of miniaturized SADs have been proposed and fabricated. However, none of them have been reported to have been used in actual munitions due to their lack of high impact endurance and complicated explosive train arrangements. In this research, a new MEMS SAD using a ball driven mechanism, is successfully demonstrated based on a UV LIGA (lithography, electroplating and molding) process. Unlike other MEMS SADs, both high impact endurance and simple structure were achieved by using a ball driven mechanism. The simple structural design also simplified the fabrication process and increased the processing yield. The ball driven type MEMS SAD performed successfully under the desired safe and arming conditions of a spin test and showed fine agreement with the FEM simulation result, conducted prior to its fabrication. A field test was also performed with a grenade launcher to evaluate the SAD performance in the firing environment. All 30 of the grenade samples equipped with the proposed MEMS SAD operated successfully under the high-G setback condition.

Simple circumcision device: proof of concept for a single-visit, adjustable device to facilitate safe adult male circumcision.

PubMed

Hotaling, James M; Leddy, Laura S; Haider, Mahum A; Mossanen, Matthew; Bailey, Michael R; MacConaghy, Brian; Olson, Francis; Krieger, John N

2014-05-01

To conduct a proof-of-concept study to determine the potential utility of a novel, adjustable single-visit, disposable device to facilitate rapid adult circumcision. Prospective pilot trial of a novel surgical device. Tertiary care Veterans Administration medical center. Five adult males. Circumcisions performed by junior trainees using an adjustable, single-size surgical-assist device constructed by the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory. The attending surgeon and trainees completed standardized forms after each procedure to assess technical problems and ease of use. Follow-up visits were scheduled to evaluate adverse events, postoperative pain, cosmetic outcomes, and participant satisfaction at 3, 8, 30, and 90 days postoperatively. The average operative time was 16.4 minutes. All cases were performed with local anesthesia, and no case required electrocautery or conversion to standard surgery. At the postoperative day 3 visit, all subjects were happy with their results and would recommend the procedure to another patient. One participant had a minor wound separation noted at the 30-day visit that resolved during follow-up. There were no wound infections, hematomas, or other adverse events. This proof-of-study suggests that the Simple Circumcision Device may facilitate delivery of safe adult male circumcision services. Copyright © 2014 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. All rights reserved.

Aromatherapy Massage for Neuropathic Pain and Quality of Life in Diabetic Patients.

PubMed

Gok Metin, Zehra; Arikan Donmez, Ayse; Izgu, Nur; Ozdemir, Leyla; Arslan, Ismail Emre

2017-07-01

This study aimed to examine the effects of aromatherapy massage on neuropathic pain severity and quality of life (QoL) in patients suffering from painful diabetic neuropathy. This open-label randomized controlled clinical study was conducted in a university hospital endocrine outpatient clinic in Turkey. The study sample consisted of 46 patients, randomly allocated to an intervention group (n = 21) and a control group (n = 25). The intervention group received aromatherapy massage three times per week for a period of 4 weeks. The control group received only routine care. Data were collected from patients using the Douleur Neuropathique questionnaire, the visual analog scale, and the Neuropathic Pain Impact on Quality of Life questionnaire. Neuropathic pain scores significantly decreased in the intervention group compared with the control group in the fourth week of the study. Similarly, QoL scores significantly improved in the intervention group in the fourth week of the study. Aromatherapy massage is a simple and effective nonpharmacological nursing intervention that can be used to manage neuropathic pain and improve QoL in patients with painful neuropathy. Aromatherapy massage is a well-tolerated, feasible, and safe nonpharmacological method that can be readily integrated into clinical settings by nursing staff. The essential oils rosemary, geranium, lavender, eucalyptus, and chamomile can be safely used by nurses in the clinical setting, if applicable. However, training and experience of nurses in aromatherapy massage is critical to achieving positive results. © 2017 Sigma Theta Tau International.

Aluminum hydroxide colloid vaccine encapsulated in yeast shells with enhanced humoral and cellular immune responses.

PubMed

Liu, Hui; Jia, Zhenghu; Yang, Chengmao; Song, Mei; Jing, Zhe; Zhao, Yapu; Wu, Zhenzhou; Zhao, Liqing; Wei, Dongsheng; Yin, Zhinan; Hong, Zhangyong

2018-06-01

Aluminum salt (Alum) is one of the most important immune adjuvants approved for use in humans, however it is not suitable for vaccination against various chronic infectious diseases and cancers for not being able to induce cell-mediated (Th1) immunity. Here, we encapsulated an Alum colloid inside β-glucan particles (GPs), which are a type of natural particles derived from the yeast glucan shells, to prepare hybrid GP-Alum (GP-Al) adjuvant particles with a very uniform size of 2-4 μm. These hybrid particles can be used to load antigen proteins through a simple mixing procedure, and can be highly specifically targeted to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and strongly activate dendritic cells (DCs) maturation and cytokine secretion. In an animal model, they elicit a strong Th1-biased immune response and extremely high antibody titer, and cause marked prophylactic and therapeutic effects against tumors. As Alum has been proven to be a safe adjuvant to induce strong humoral responses and β-glucans are safe for human use, this very uniform hybrid Alum particulate system could have important application as a vaccine carrier to stimulate humoral and cellular immune responses at the same time. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[On-line data management system using a portable blood gas analyzer in the operating room].

PubMed

Shimosato, G; Ibuki, T; Hirata, M; Shigemi, K; Tanaka, Y

2000-03-01

It is very important to establish a clinical testing system which is not only prompt, simple and accurate but also safe for the patients and medical staff in the operating room, emergency room and intensive care unit. In our institution an i-STAT portable blood gas analyser has been widely used for point of care testing in all the operating rooms. This clinical testing system has been upgraded by adding an i-STAT communication protocol to our online data management system. The analysed data transmitted by the i-STAT as an infrared signal is transformed to an electronic signal through the IR link and sent to the central data station (CDS) via RS232C. The data received by the CDS is then sent to the upper grade computer system where the data is recorded on the hard disk. One advantage of this system is that it is connected to the hospital computer system. Not only does this new system meet the need for accurate, safe, effective and economical laboratory testing, but also retrospective and multifactorial analysis of intraoperative events can be easily carried out. In the future this system can be applied to telemedicine through the Internet and contribute to the treatment of critically ill patients.

Evaluation of new natural deep eutectic solvents for the extraction of isoflavones from soy products.

PubMed

Bajkacz, Sylwia; Adamek, Jakub

2017-06-01

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) are considered to be new, safe solvents in green chemistry that can be widely used in many chemical processes such as extraction or synthesis. In this study, a simple extraction method based on NADES was used for the isolation of isoflavones (daidzin, genistin, genistein, daidzein) from soy products. Seventeen different NADES systems each including two or three components were tested. Multivariate data analysis revealed that NADES based on a 30% solution of choline chloride: citric acid (molar ratio of 1:1) are the most effective systems for the extraction of isoflavones from soy products. After extraction, the analytes were detected and quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (UHPLC-UV). The proposed NADES extraction procedure achieved enrichment factors up to 598 for isoflavones and the recoveries of the analytes were in the range 64.7-99.2%. The developed NADES extraction procedure and UHPLC-UV determination method was successfully applied for the analysis of isoflavones in soy-containing food samples. The obtained results indicated that new natural deep eutectic solvents could be an alternative to traditional solvents for the extraction of isoflavones and can be used as sustainable and safe extraction media for another applications. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Social and epidemiological aspects of guinea worm control.

PubMed

Audibert, M; Coulibaly, D; Doumbo, O; Kodio, B; Soula, G; Traore, S

1993-02-01

Dracunculiasis prevention should be simple: in a population at risk, everyone may be protected by the filtration of drinking water. The research described in this paper allowed the authors to follow the acceptance of new information by villagers in nine localities in Mali. Two strategies were studied: safe water supply (bore-hole or cement lined wells) plus health education on the one hand, and health education alone (based on filtration) on the other. Safe water supply is undoubtedly an effective strategy whereas the success of the health education intervention is uncertain. This experience showed that health education as the only means of control failed due to a lack of social cohesion or of coordinated group-action. Also, when dracunculiasis control is not a population's priority goal, the constraints on systematic filtration are too great and a tendency to discontinue the filtration process occurs. On the other hand, when dracunculiasis is considered to be a serious problem by the population, new information about systematic filtration is better assimilated and leads to behavioural changes. In order that the goal of eradicating dracunculiasis by 1995 should not be an utopic dream, it is necessary to prioritize the allocation of clean rural water supply projects only to those endemic villages where the conditions that allow for health education to be successful are met.

Remote optical configuration of pigmented lesion detection and diagnosis of bone fractures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozana, Nisan; Bishitz, Yael; Beiderman, Yevgeny; Garcia, Javier; Zalevsky, Zeev; Schwarz, Ariel

2016-02-01

In this paper we present a novel approach of realizing a safe, simple, and inexpensive sensor applicable to bone fractures and pigmented lesions detection. The approach is based on temporal tracking of back-reflected secondary speckle pattern generated while illuminating the affected area with a laser and applying periodic pressure to the surface via a controlled vibration. The use of such a concept was already demonstrated for non-contact monitoring of various bio-medical parameters such as heart rate, blood pulse pressure, concentration of alcohol and glucose in the blood stream and intraocular pressure. The presented technique is a safe and effective method of detecting bone fractures in populations at risk. When applied to pigmented lesions, the technique is superior to visual examination in avoiding many false positives and resultant unnecessary biopsies. Applying a series of different vibration frequencies at the examined tissue and analyzing the 2-D speckle pattern trajectory in response to the applied periodic pressure creates a unique signature for each and different pigmented lesion. Analyzing these signatures is the first step toward detection of malignant melanoma. In this paper we present preliminary experiments that show the validity of the developed sensor for both applications: the detection of damaged bones as well as the classification of pigmented lesions.

Hypertension study in anaesthetized rabbits: protocol proposal for AT1 antagonists screening.

PubMed

Politi, Aggeliki P; Zervou, Maria V; Triantafyllidi, Helen; Zoumpoulakis, Panagiotis G; Mavromoustakos, Thomas M; Zoga, Anastasia A; Moutevelis-Minakakis, Panagiota; Kokotos, George; Iliodromitis, Efstathios K; Kremastinos, Dimitris Th

2010-06-01

The aim of this study was to establish an optimized fast and safe protocol for the pharmacological screening of AT(1) antagonists. The pharmaceutical prototype AT(1) antagonist losartan, its active metabolite EXP3174 and the synthetic compound MMK1 were analysed in order to validate the protocol. Ang II was continuously infused while the animals received the drugs in two procedures. In the post-treatment procedure drugs were administered either in a single bolus dose or in a sequential manner. When losartan was administered in a single bolus dose, efficacy was evident until the 7th min (p=0.012) whilst EXP3174 infusion extended the efficiency up to the end of the study (p=0.006). In addition, the sequential injections of losartan prolonged the inhibitory time interval until the end of the study (p=0.045). In the pre-treatment procedure, results suggested a dose-dependent inhibitory effect for both antagonists. The pressor response to Ang II was unchanged after MMK1 administration either in the post- or in the pre-treatment mode. The proposed protocol appears to be safe, simple and fast for the pharmacological screening of AT(1) antagonists and enables the evaluation of new antagonists using lower doses than any other reported in the literature.

Derivation and validation of a novel risk score for safe discharge after acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding: a modelling study.

PubMed

Oakland, Kathryn; Jairath, Vipul; Uberoi, Raman; Guy, Richard; Ayaru, Lakshmana; Mortensen, Neil; Murphy, Mike F; Collins, Gary S

2017-09-01

Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding is a common reason for emergency hospital admission, and identification of patients at low risk of harm, who are therefore suitable for outpatient investigation, is a clinical and research priority. We aimed to develop and externally validate a simple risk score to identify patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding who could safely avoid hospital admission. We undertook model development with data from the National Comparative Audit of Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding from 143 hospitals in the UK in 2015. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to identify predictors of safe discharge, defined as the absence of rebleeding, blood transfusion, therapeutic intervention, 28 day readmission, or death. The model was converted into a simplified risk scoring system and was externally validated in 288 patients admitted with lower gastrointestinal bleeding (184 safely discharged) from two UK hospitals (Charing Cross Hospital, London, and Hammersmith Hospital, London) that had not contributed data to the development cohort. We calculated C statistics for the new model and did a comparative assessment with six previously developed risk scores. Of 2336 prospectively identified admissions in the development cohort, 1599 (68%) were safely discharged. Age, sex, previous admission for lower gastrointestinal bleeding, rectal examination findings, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and haemoglobin concentration strongly discriminated safe discharge in the development cohort (C statistic 0·84, 95% CI 0·82-0·86) and in the validation cohort (0·79, 0·73-0·84). Calibration plots showed the new risk score to have good calibration in the validation cohort. The score was better than the Rockall, Blatchford, Strate, BLEED, AIMS65, and NOBLADS scores in predicting safe discharge. A score of 8 or less predicts a 95% probability of safe discharge. We developed and validated a novel clinical prediction model with good discriminative performance to identify patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding who are suitable for safe outpatient management, which has important economic and resource implications. Bowel Disease Research Foundation and National Health Service Blood and Transplant. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of lensing non-Gaussianity on the CMB power spectra

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lewis, Antony; Pratten, Geraint, E-mail: antony@cosmologist.info, E-mail: geraint.pratten@gmail.com

2016-12-01

Observed CMB anisotropies are lensed, and the lensed power spectra can be calculated accurately assuming the lensing deflections are Gaussian. However, the lensing deflections are actually slightly non-Gaussian due to both non-linear large-scale structure growth and post-Born corrections. We calculate the leading correction to the lensed CMB power spectra from the non-Gaussianity, which is determined by the lensing bispectrum. Assuming no primordial non-Gaussianity, the lowest-order result gives ∼ 0.3% corrections to the BB and EE polarization spectra on small-scales. However we show that the effect on EE is reduced by about a factor of two by higher-order Gaussian lensing smoothing,more » rendering the total effect safely negligible for the foreseeable future. We give a simple analytic model for the signal expected from skewness of the large-scale lensing field; the effect is similar to a net demagnification and hence a small change in acoustic scale (and therefore out of phase with the dominant lensing smoothing that predominantly affects the peaks and troughs of the power spectrum).« less

Percutaneous Treatment of Renal Cysts with OK-432 Sclerosis

PubMed Central

Cho, Soung Yong; Cho, Kang Su; Lee, Dong Hoon; Lee, Seung Hwan

2007-01-01

Purpose The aim of this study was to demonstrate OK-432 sclerotherapy efficacy for treatment of simple renal cysts. Materials and Methods Twenty patients with 25 symptomatic or large simple cysts were treated by ultrasonography (US)-guided percutaneous aspiration and injection of OK-432 (8 men and 12 women, mean age 63.6 years, SD 9.5). Six patients presented with flank pain, 14 presented with renal mass; renal cyst location was right, left, or bilateral sided in 9, 8, and 8 kidneys, respectively. Patients were evaluated by clinical assessment, US, or CT scan 3 months following the procedure. Complete and partial success was defined as symptom resolution with either total cyst ablation or greater than 70% reduction, respectively. Failure was defined as 30% of cyst size recurrence and/or persistent symptoms. Results Average reduction was 93.0%. Complete and partial resolution occurred in 11 (44.0%) and 13 (52.0%) cysts, respectively. One case was defined as failure, with a 64.2% size reduction from 10.9cm to 3.9cm (volume reduction rate 95.4%). Renal pain improved in all patients, regardless of complete or partial resolution. Minor complications occurred in 3 patients, 2 developed leukocytosis and 1 had mild fever (< 38.5℃) following aspiration and sclerotherapy. Successful treatment was achieved with conservative measures and NSAID therapy. Conclusion Percutaneous treatment of simple renal cysts with OK-432 sclerotherapy was found to be a safe, effective and minimally invasive procedure. PMID:17461526

Safe and consistent method of spot-welding platinum thermocouple wires and foils for high temperature measurements.

PubMed

Orr, G; Roth, M

2012-08-01

A low-voltage (mV) electronically triggered spot welding system for fabricating fine thermocouples and thin sheets used in high-temperature characterization of materials' properties is suggested. The system is based on the capacitance discharge method with a timed trigger for obtaining reliable and consistent welds. In contrast to existing techniques based on employing high voltage DC supplies for charging the capacitor or supplies with positive and negative rails, this method uses a simple, standard dual power supply available at most of the physical laboratories or can be acquired at a low cost. In addition, an efficient and simple method of fabricating non-sticking electrodes that do not contaminate the weld area is suggested and implemented.

Dual-sided electrosurgery handpiece for simultaneous tissue cutting and coagulation: first report on a conceptual design validated by an animal experiment.

PubMed

Tawfik, Hatem A; Fouad, Yousef A; Hafez, Rashad

2015-01-01

To introduce and evaluate the safety of a novel dual-sided electrosurgery handpiece design for simultaneous tissue cutting and coagulation. We designed a prototype double-sided handpiece allowing automatic switching between two electrodes with a simple handpiece flip. The concept of the system as a surgical instrument was assessed by an animal experiment. The skin of 15 Wistar albino white rats could be successfully incised and coagulated using both ends of the handpiece, thereby confirming the prospects and clinical applications of the system. The dual-sided electrosurgery handpiece is a simple and safe alternative to the traditional electrosurgery pencil, allowing the simultaneous use of two electrodes without the hassle of frequent electrode replacement.

Wide dynamic logarithmic InGaAs sensor suitable for eye-safe active imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, Yang; Bouvier, Christian; Arion, Bogdan; Noguier, Vincent

2016-05-01

In this paper, we present a simple method to analyze the injection efficiency of the photodiode interface circuit under fast shuttering conditions for active Imaging applications. This simple model has been inspired from the companion model for reactive elements largely used in CAD. In this paper, we demonstrate that traditional CTIA photodiode interface is not adequate for active imaging where fast and precise shuttering operation is necessary. Afterwards we present a direct amplification based photodiode interface which can provide an accurate and fast shuttering operation on photodiode. These considerations have been used in NIT's newly developed ROIC and corresponding SWIR sensors both in VGA 15um pitch (NSC1201) and also in QVGA 25um pitch (NSC1401).

75 FR 20854 - Medical Device Use in the Home Environment: Implications for the Safe and Effective Use of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-21

...] Medical Device Use in the Home Environment: Implications for the Safe and Effective Use of Medical Device... related to the safe and effective use of medical device technology in the home environment. The workshop... the home environment. FDA will solicit feedback on: 1. The agency's current working definition of...

Laparoscopic repair of perforated peptic ulcer: simple closure versus omentopexy.

PubMed

Lin, Being-Chuan; Liao, Chien-Hung; Wang, Shang-Yu; Hwang, Tsann-Long

2017-12-01

This report presents our experience with laparoscopic repair performed in 118 consecutive patients diagnosed with a perforated peptic ulcer (PPU). We compared the surgical outcome of simple closure with modified Cellan-Jones omentopexy and report the safety and benefit of simple closure. From January 2010 to December 2014, 118 patients with PPU underwent laparoscopic repair with simple closure (n = 27) or omentopexy (n = 91). Charts were retrospectively reviewed for demographic characteristics and outcome. The data were compared by Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson's chi-square test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results were considered statistically significant if P < 0.05. No patients died, whereas three incurred leakage. After matching, the simple closure and omentopexy groups had similarity in sex, systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, Boey score, Charlson comorbidity index, Mannheim peritonitis index, and leakage. There were statistically significant differences in age, length of hospital stay, perforated size, and operating time. Comparison of the operating time in the ≤4.0 mm and 5.0-12 mm groups revealed that the simple closure took less time than omentopexy in both groups (≤4.0 mm, 76 versus 133 minutes, P < 0.0001; 5.0-12 mm, 97 versus 139.5 minutes; P = 0.006). Compared to the omentopexy, laparoscopic simple closure is a safe procedure and shortens the operating time. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Safe Space Kit: Guide to Being an Ally to LGBT Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), 2009

2009-01-01

"The Safe Space Kit" is designed to help educators create a safe space for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) students. One of the most effective ways for an educator to create a safe space is to be a supportive ally to LGBT students. The hard copy of "The Safe Space Kit" includes the "Guide to Being an Ally," ten "Safe Space" stickers…

Novel approach to the preparation of organic energetic film for microelectromechanical systems and microactuator applications.

PubMed

Wang, Jun; Zhang, Wenchao; Wang, Lianwei; Shen, Ruiqi; Xu, Xing; Ye, Jiahai; Chao, Yimin

2014-07-23

An activated RDX-Fe2O3 xerogel in a Si-microchannel plate (MCP) has been successfully prepared by a novel propylene epoxide-mediated sol-gel method. A decrease of nearly 40 °C in decomposition temperature has been observed compared with the original cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX). The RDX-Fe2O3 xerogel can release gas and solid matter simultaneously, and the ratio of gas to solid can be tailored easily by changing the initial proportions of RDX and FeCl3·6H2O, which significantly enhances the explosive and propulsion effects and is of great benefit to the applications. The approach, which is simple, safe, and fully compatible with MEMS technology, opens a new route to the introduction of organic energetic materials to a silicon substrate.

Canine Lipomas Treated with Steroid Injections: Clinical Findings

PubMed Central

Lamagna, Barbara; Greco, Adelaide; Guardascione, Anna; Navas, Luigi; Ragozzino, Manuela; Paciello, Orlando; Brunetti, Arturo; Meomartino, Leonardo

2012-01-01

Lipomas are common benign tumours of fat cells. In most cases, surgical excision is curative and simple to perform; however, such a procedure requires general anaesthesia and may be associated with delayed wound healing, seroma formation and nerve injury in deep and intramuscular tumours. The objective of this study was to evaluate treatment of subcutaneous, subfascial or intermuscular lipomas using intralesional steroid injections in dogs. Fifteen dogs presenting with lipomas were selected for treatment with ultrasound-guided intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide at a dose of 40 mg/mL. Nine subcutaneous and subfascial tumours showed a complete regression. The other lipomas decreased in diameter, achieving, in some cases, remission of discomfort and regression of lameness. Steroid injection was a relatively safe and effective treatment for lipomas in dogs; only six dogs experienced polyuria/polydipsia for about 2 weeks post-treatment. PMID:23226250

Diagnosis of sputum-scarce HIV-associated pulmonary tuberculosis in Lima, Peru

PubMed Central

Vargas, Daniel; García, Luis; Gilman, Robert H; Evans, Carlton; Ticona, Eduardo; Ñavincopa, Marcos; Luo, Robert F; Caviedes, Luz; Hong, Clemens; Escombe, Rod; Moore, David A J

2010-01-01

Sputum induction, bronchoalveolar lavage, or gastric aspiration are often needed to produce adequate diagnostic respiratory samples from people with HIV in whom tuberculosis is suspected. Since these procedures are rarely appropriate in less-developed countries, we compared the performances of a simple string test and the gold-standard sputum induction. 160 HIV-positive adults under investigation for tuberculosis, and 52 asymptomatic HIV-positive control patients underwent the string test followed by sputum induction. The string test detected tuberculosis in 14 patients in whom this disease was suspected; sputum induction detected only eight of them (McNemar's test, p=0·03). These preliminary data suggest that the string test is safe and effective for retrieval of useful clinical specimens for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, and is at least as sensitive as sputum induction. PMID:15639297

A mini-type hydrogen generator from aluminum for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Er-Dong; Shi, Peng-Fei; Du, Chun-Yu; Wang, Xiao-Rui

A safe and simple hydrogen generator, which produced hydrogen by chemical reaction of aluminum and sodium hydroxide solution, was proposed for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The effects of concentration, dropping rate and initial temperature of sodium hydroxide solution on hydrogen generation rate were investigated. The results showed that about 38 ml min -1 of hydrogen generation rate was obtained with 25 wt.% concentration and 0.01 ml s -1 dropping rate of sodium hydroxide solution. The cell fueled by hydrogen from the generator exhibited performance improvement at low current densities, which was mainly due to the humidified hydrogen reduced the protonic resistivity of the proton exchange membrane. The hydrogen generator could stably operate a single cell under 500 mA for nearly 5 h with about 77% hydrogen utilization ratio.

Priming memories of past wins induces risk seeking.

PubMed

Ludvig, Elliot A; Madan, Christopher R; Spetch, Marcia L

2015-02-01

People are often risk averse when making decisions under uncertainty. When those decisions are based on past experience, people necessarily rely on their memories. Thus, what is remembered at the time of the choice should influence risky choice. We tested this hypothesis by priming memory for past outcomes in a simple risky-choice task. In the task, people repeatedly chose between a safe option and a risky option that paid off with a larger or smaller reward with a 50/50 chance. Some trials were preceded by a priming cue that was previously paired with one of the outcomes. We found that priming cues associated with wins caused people to become risk seeking, whereas priming cues associated with relative losses had little effect. These results suggest that people can be induced to be more risk seeking through subtle reminders of previous winning experiences.

Financing blood transfusion services in sub-Saharan Africa: a role for user fees?

PubMed

Hensher, M; Jefferys, E

2000-09-01

The provision of a secure and safe blood supply has taken on new importance in sub-Saharan Africa with the onset of the AIDS epidemic. Blood transfusion services capable of providing safe blood are not cheap, however, and there has been some debate on the desirability and sustainability of different financing mechanisms for blood transfusion services. This paper examines patterns of financing blood transfusion in three countries--Côte d'Ivoire, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It goes on to consider the conceptual options for financing safe blood, and to examine in detail the possible role of user fees for blood transfusion in Africa, developing a simple model of their likely burden to patients based on data from Côte d'Ivoire. The model indicates that, at best, there can only be a limited role for user fees in the financing of safe blood transfusion services, due mainly to the relatively high cost of producing a unit of safe blood. Charging individuals for the blood they receive is likely to be administratively complex and costly, could realistically recover only a fraction of the production costs involved, and is further complicated by the fact that the main recipients of blood transfusion in sub-Saharan Africa are children and pregnant women. If cost-recovery for safe blood is to be attempted, the most viable option appears to be that of charging a collective fee, levied upon all inpatients, not just on those who receive blood. Such a mechanism is not without problems, not least in its failure to offer incentives for more appropriate blood use, and it is still likely to recover only a portion of the costs of producing safe blood. Whether or not cost-recovery is instituted, there will remain an important role for public funding of blood transfusion services, and, by implication, an important role for foreign donor support.

Low computation vision-based navigation for a Martian rover

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gavin, Andrew S.; Brooks, Rodney A.

1994-01-01

Construction and design details of the Mobot Vision System, a small, self-contained, mobile vision system, are presented. This system uses the view from the top of a small, roving, robotic vehicle to supply data that is processed in real-time to safely navigate the surface of Mars. A simple, low-computation algorithm for constructing a 3-D navigational map of the Martian environment to be used by the rover is discussed.

Fast, safe, and reliable methods for extraction of major inorganic cations from small quantities of woody plant tissues

Treesearch

Rakesh Minocha; Walter C. Shortle

1993-01-01

Two simple and fast methods for the extraction of major inorganic cations (Ca, Mg, Mn, K) from small quantities of stemwood and needles of woody plants were developed. A 3.2- or 6.4-mm cobalt drill bit was used to shave samples from disks and increment cores of stemwood. For ion extraction, wood (ground or shavings) or needles were either homogenzied using a Tekmar...

Application of Micro-ramp Flow Control Devices to an Oblique Shock Interaction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hirt, Stefanie; Anderson, Bernhard

2007-01-01

Tests are planned in the 15cm x 15cm supersonic wind tunnel at NASA Glenn to demonstrate the applicability of micro-ramp flow control to the management of shock wave boundary layer interactions. These tests will be used as a database for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) validation and Design of Experiments (DoE) design information. Micro-ramps show potential for mechanically simple and fail-safe boundary layer control.

Photovoltaic pump systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klockgether, J.; Kiessling, K. P.

1983-09-01

Solar pump systems for the irrigation of fields and for water supply in regions with much sunshine are discussed. For surface water and sources with a hoisting depth of 12 m, a system with immersion pumps is used. For deep sources with larger hoisting depths, an underwater motor pump was developed. Both types of pump system meet the requirements of simple installation and manipulation, safe operation, maintenance free, and high efficiency reducing the number of solar cells needed.

Flow diversion in the treatment of carotid injury and carotid-cavernous fistula after transsphenoidal surgery

PubMed Central

Lum, Cheemum; Ahmed, Muhammad E; Glikstein, Rafael; dos Santos, Marlise P; Lesiuk, Howard; Labib, Mohamed; Kassam, Amin B

2015-01-01

We describe a case of iatrogenic carotid injury with secondary carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) treated with a silk flow diverter stent placed within the injured internal carotid artery and coils placed within the cavernous sinus. Flow diverters may offer a simple and potentially safe vessel-sparing option in this rare complication of transsphenoidal surgery. The management options are discussed and the relevant literature is reviewed. PMID:26015526

Microemulsion-based lycopene extraction: Effect of surfactants, co-surfactants and pretreatments.

PubMed

Amiri-Rigi, Atefeh; Abbasi, Soleiman

2016-04-15

Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that has received extensive attention recently. Due to the challenges encountered with current methods of lycopene extraction using hazardous solvents, industry calls for a greener, safer and more efficient process. The main purpose of present study was application of microemulsion technique to extract lycopene from tomato pomace. In this respect, the effect of eight different surfactants, four different co-surfactants, and ultrasound and enzyme pretreatments on lycopene extraction efficiency was examined. Experimental results revealed that application of combined ultrasound and enzyme pretreatments, saponin as a natural surfactant, and glycerol as a co-surfactant, in the bicontinuous region of microemulsion was the optimal experimental conditions resulting in a microemulsion containing 409.68±0.68 μg/glycopene. The high lycopene concentration achieved, indicates that microemulsion technique, using a low-cost natural surfactant could be promising for a simple and safe separation of lycopene from tomato pomace and possibly from tomato industrial wastes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Application of 1% lauromacrogol in the treatment of facial refractory hemangioma and vascular malformations].

PubMed

Wang, Yin; Zhu, Fei; Ning, Jin-long; Li, Xiao-jing; Liu, Ye

2012-11-01

To investigate the clinical effect of 1% lauromacrogol for the treatment of facial refractory hemangioma and vascular malformation. From Sept 2009 to Nov 2011, 55 patients (20 male, 35 female, 1 month to 30 years) with different types of facial hemangiorwa and vascular malformation about 1.0 cm x (0. 5-5.0) cm x 10.0 cm in size, underwent 1% lauromacrogol intratumor injection therapy. Generally, the injection dose, concentration, frequency were determined by the age of the patients, the volume and depth of the lesion. The dose was limited to 10 mg every time. The injection interval is 14 weeks. After followed up for 3-16 months, 41 cases were cured, 9 cases were greatly improved, and 5 were partially improved. Skin necrosis happened in only 2 cases. Lauromacrogol is safe, simple and effective as a sderosing agent for the treatment of facial refractory hemangioma and vascular malformation. It provides a new and alternative way for the treatment of facial refractory hemangioma and vascular malformation.

Covert effects of "one drink" of alcohol on brain processes related to car driving: an event-related potential study.

PubMed

Ebe, Kazutoshi; Itoh, Kosuke; Kwee, Ingrid L; Nakada, Tsutomu

2015-04-23

The effects of a low dose of alcohol on car driving remain controversial. To address this issue, event-related potentials were recorded while subjects performed a simple car-following task in a driving simulator before and after consuming either "one drink" of beer (representing one standard alcoholic beverage containing 14 g of alcohol) or mineral water (control condition). Subjects who had consumed the determined amount of alcohol demonstrated no detectable outward behavioral signs of intoxication while performing the driving task, an observation in agreement with previous findings. However, the parietal P3 elicited by the brake lights of the preceding car was significantly reduced in amplitude, approximately 50% that observed under the control condition, likely indicating alteration of the neural processing of visual information critical for safe driving. The finding suggests that alcohol begins to affect neural processes for driving even at quantities too low to modify behavior. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A prospective study of outcome from rubber band ligation in third degree haemorrhoids.

PubMed

Khan, Asma Niaz; Khan, Naveed Ali

2010-11-01

To evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of rubber band ligation on 3rd degree haemorrhoids. Study was done at Surgical Unit, Civil Hospital Karachi, during a period of 19 months from December 2006 to July 2008. Out of 344 patients 80 patients were included in the study with 3rd degree internal haemorrhoids and were treated with Rubber band ligation (RBL). Outcome data was recorded for success of treatment. Among 80 patients, 77 (96.25%) were symptom free. After completion of treatment, 1 (16.66%) out of 5 patients had the complaint of pain, 2 (2.85%) out of 70 had complaints of constipation. Before start of treatment 5 (6.25%) patients complained of bleeding per rectum and 73 (91.25%) complained of manually reducible/prolapsed haemorrhoids. Both complaints were cured 100% after treatment. RBL is an efficient, cost-effective and simple out patient procedure for symptomatic third degree haemorrhoids with minimum complications. RBL is a reliable, safe procedure requiring no hospitalization and no use of any anaesthetic drugs.

Radiofrequency ablation for hepatic hemangiomas: A consensus from a Chinese panel of experts

PubMed Central

Gao, Jun; Fan, Rui-Fang; Yang, Jia-Yin; Cui, Yan; Ji, Jian-Song; Ma, Kuan-Sheng; Li, Xiao-Long; Zhang, Long; Xu, Chong-Liang; Kong, Xin-Liang; Ke, Shan; Ding, Xue-Mei; Wang, Shao-Hong; Yang, Meng-Meng; Song, Jin-Jin; Zhai, Bo; Nin, Chun-Ming; Guo, Shi-Gang; Xin, Zong-Hai; Lu, Jun; Dong, Yong-Hong; Zhu, Hua-Qiang; Sun, Wen-Bing

2017-01-01

Recent studies have shown that radiofrequency (RF) ablation therapy is a safe, feasible, and effective procedure for hepatic hemangiomas, even huge hepatic hemangiomas. RF ablation has the following advantages in the treatment of hepatic hemangiomas: minimal invasiveness, definite efficacy, high safety, fast recovery, relatively simple operation, and wide applicability. It is necessary to formulate a widely accepted consensus among the experts in China who have extensive expertise and experience in the treatment of hepatic hemangiomas using RF ablation, which is important to standardize the application of RF ablation for the management of hepatic hemangiomas, regarding the selection of patients with suitable indications to receive RF ablation treatment, the technical details of the techniques, therapeutic effect evaluations, management of complications, etc. A final consensus by a Chinese panel of experts who have the expertise of using RF ablation to treat hepatic hemangiomas was reached by means of literature review, comprehensive discussion, and draft approval. PMID:29093616

Biological Reactive Intermediates (BRIs) Formed from Botanical Dietary Supplements

PubMed Central

Dietz, Birgit M.; Bolton, Judy L.

2013-01-01

The use of botanical dietary supplements is increasingly popular, due to their natural origin and the perceived assumption that they are safer than prescription drugs. While most botanical dietary supplements can be considered safe, a few contain compounds, which can be converted to reactive biological reactive intermediates (BRIs) causing toxicity. For example, sassafras oil contains safrole, which can be converted to a reactive carbocation forming genotoxic DNA adducts. Alternatively, some botanical dietary supplements contain stable BRIs such as simple Michael acceptors that react with chemosensor proteins such as Keap1 resulting in induction of protective detoxification enzymes. Examples include curcumin from turmeric, xanthohumol from hops, and Z-ligustilide from dang gui. Quinones (sassafras, kava, black cohosh), quinone methides (sassafras), and epoxides (pennyroyal oil) represent BRIs of intermediate reactivity, which could generate both genotoxic and/or chemopreventive effects. The biological targets of BRIs formed from botanical dietary supplements and their resulting toxic and/or chemopreventive effects are closely linked to the reactivity of BRIs as well as dose and time of exposure. PMID:20970412

Fluorine-free preparation of titanium carbide MXene quantum dots with high near-infrared photothermal performances for cancer therapy.

PubMed

Yu, Xinghua; Cai, Xingke; Cui, Haodong; Lee, Seung-Wuk; Yu, Xue-Feng; Liu, Bilu

2017-11-23

Titanium carbide MXene quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized using an effective fluorine-free method as a biocompatible and highly efficient nanoagent for photothermal therapy (PTT) applications. In contrast to the traditional, hazardous and time-consuming process of HF pretreatment, our fluorine-free method is safe and simple. More importantly, abundant Al oxoanions were found to be modified on the MXene QD surface by the fluorine-free method, which endowed the QDs with strong and broad absorption in the NIR region. As a result, the as-prepared MXene QDs exhibited an extinction coefficient as large as 52.8 Lg -1 cm -1 at 808 nm and a photothermal conversion efficiency as high as 52.2%. Both the values are among the best reported so far. The as-prepared MXene QDs achieved simultaneous photoacoustic (PA) imaging and the remarkable PTT effect of tumors. Moreover, MXene QDs showed great biocompatibility without causing noticeable toxicity in vitro and in vivo, indicating their high potential for clinical applications.

An innovative modular device and wireless control system enabling thermal and pressure sensors using FPGA on real-time fault diagnostics of steam turbine functional deterioration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Devi, S.; Saravanan, M.

2018-03-01

It is necessary that the condition of the steam turbines is continuously monitored on a scheduled basis for the safe operation of the steam turbines. The review showed that steam turbine fault detection and operation maintenance system (STFDOMS) is gaining importance recently. In this paper, novel hardware architecture is proposed for STFDOMS that can be communicated through the GSM network. Arduino is interfaced with the FPGA so as to transfer the message. The design has been simulated using the Verilog programming language and implemented in hardware using FPGA. The proposed system is shown to be a simple, cost effective and flexible and thereby making it suitable for the maintenance of steam turbines. This system forewarns the experts to access to data messages and take necessary action in a short period with great accuracy. The hardware developed is promised as a real-time test bench, specifically for investigations of long haul effects with different parameter settings.

A safe and efficient method to retrieve mesenchymal stem cells from three-dimensional fibrin gels.

PubMed

Carrion, Bita; Janson, Isaac A; Kong, Yen P; Putnam, Andrew J

2014-03-01

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) display multipotent characteristics that make them ideal for potential therapeutic applications. MSCs are typically cultured as monolayers on tissue culture plastic, but there is increasing evidence suggesting that they may lose their multipotency over time in vitro and eventually cease to retain any resemblance to in vivo resident MSCs. Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems that more closely recapitulate the physiological environment of MSCs and other cell types are increasingly explored for their capacity to support and maintain the cell phenotypes. In much of our own work, we have utilized fibrin, a natural protein-based material that serves as the provisional extracellular matrix during wound healing. Fibrin has proven to be useful in numerous tissue engineering applications and has been used clinically as a hemostatic material. Its rapid self-assembly driven by thrombin-mediated alteration of fibrinogen makes fibrin an attractive 3D substrate, in which cells can adhere, spread, proliferate, and undergo complex morphogenetic programs. However, there is a significant need for simple cost-effective methods to safely retrieve cells encapsulated within fibrin hydrogels to perform additional analyses or use the cells for therapy. Here, we present a safe and efficient protocol for the isolation of MSCs from 3D fibrin gels. The key ingredient of our successful extraction method is nattokinase, a serine protease of the subtilisin family that has a strong fibrinolytic activity. Our data show that MSCs recovered from 3D fibrin gels using nattokinase are not only viable but also retain their proliferative and multilineage potentials. Demonstrated for MSCs, this method can be readily adapted to retrieve any other cell type from 3D fibrin gel constructs for various applications, including expansion, bioassays, and in vivo implantation.

A Safe and Efficient Method to Retrieve Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Three-Dimensional Fibrin Gels

PubMed Central

Carrion, Bita; Janson, Isaac A.; Kong, Yen P.

2014-01-01

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) display multipotent characteristics that make them ideal for potential therapeutic applications. MSCs are typically cultured as monolayers on tissue culture plastic, but there is increasing evidence suggesting that they may lose their multipotency over time in vitro and eventually cease to retain any resemblance to in vivo resident MSCs. Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems that more closely recapitulate the physiological environment of MSCs and other cell types are increasingly explored for their capacity to support and maintain the cell phenotypes. In much of our own work, we have utilized fibrin, a natural protein-based material that serves as the provisional extracellular matrix during wound healing. Fibrin has proven to be useful in numerous tissue engineering applications and has been used clinically as a hemostatic material. Its rapid self-assembly driven by thrombin-mediated alteration of fibrinogen makes fibrin an attractive 3D substrate, in which cells can adhere, spread, proliferate, and undergo complex morphogenetic programs. However, there is a significant need for simple cost-effective methods to safely retrieve cells encapsulated within fibrin hydrogels to perform additional analyses or use the cells for therapy. Here, we present a safe and efficient protocol for the isolation of MSCs from 3D fibrin gels. The key ingredient of our successful extraction method is nattokinase, a serine protease of the subtilisin family that has a strong fibrinolytic activity. Our data show that MSCs recovered from 3D fibrin gels using nattokinase are not only viable but also retain their proliferative and multilineage potentials. Demonstrated for MSCs, this method can be readily adapted to retrieve any other cell type from 3D fibrin gel constructs for various applications, including expansion, bioassays, and in vivo implantation. PMID:23808842

Demonstrating the Efficacy of the FoneAstra Pasteurization Monitor for Human Milk Pasteurization in Resource-Limited Settings

PubMed Central

Coutsoudis, Anna; Israel-Ballard, Kiersten; Chaudhri, Rohit; Perin, Noah; Mlisana, Koleka

2015-01-01

Abstract Human milk provides crucial nutrition and immunologic protection for infants. When a mother's own milk is unavailable, donated human milk, pasteurized to destroy bacteria and viruses, is a lifesaving replacement. Flash-heat pasteurization is a simple, low-cost, and commonly used method to make milk safe, but currently there is no system to monitor milk temperature, which challenges quality control. FoneAstra, a smartphone-based mobile pasteurization monitor, removes this barrier by guiding users through pasteurization and documenting consistent and safe practice. This study evaluated FoneAstra's efficacy as a quality control system, particularly in resource-limited settings, by comparing bacterial growth in donor milk flash-heated with and without the device at a neonatal intensive care unit in Durban, South Africa. Materials and Methods: For 100 samples of donor milk, one aliquot each of prepasteurized milk, milk flash-heated without FoneAstra, and milk pasteurized with FoneAstra was cultured on routine agar for bacterial growth. Isolated bacteria were identified and enumerated. Results: In total, 300 samples (three from each donor sample) were analyzed. Bacterial growth was found in 86 of the 100 samples before any pasteurization and one of the 100 postpasteurized samples without FoneAstra. None of the samples pasteurized using FoneAstra showed bacterial growth. Conclusions: Both pasteurization methods were safe and effective. FoneAstra, however, provides the additional benefits of user-guided temperature monitoring and data tracking. By improving quality assurance and standardizing the pasteurization process, FoneAstra can support wide-scale implementation of human milk banks in resource-limited settings, increasing access and saving lives. PMID:25668396

[Locoregional anesthesia for pediatric surgery in remote rural settings: experience of an NGO in Bangladesh].

PubMed

Sleth, J C; Coulon, M; Fesseau, R; Rami, L

2010-12-01

Performing safe pediatric anesthesia in developing countries is a technical challenge for NGOs working in remote locations. The aim of this study is to describe our experience aboard a hospital ship working off the coast of northern Bangladesh. Anesthesia protocol records for a 3-year period were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 463 procedures were performed with no severe anesthetic complications. Regional anesthesia was performed in 83% of patients. It was carried out alone in 15% of patients and in association with IV or IM ketamine sedation in 68%. General anesthesia was performed using ketamine in 17% of patients. Tracheal intubation was carried out in only 3 cases. These findings indicate that regional anesthesia in association with ketamine as sedation agent is a simple and safe technique for pediatric anesthesia in remote rural settings.

Management of obstructed balloon catheters.

PubMed Central

Browning, G G; Barr, L; Horsburgh, A G

1984-01-01

Failure of a balloon catheter to deflate is not uncommon and prevents its removal. Methods of overcoming the problem include traction, bursting the balloon by overinflation, dissolving it with solvents, puncturing it percutaneously with a needle, or puncturing it with a wire stylet passed through the catheter. All except the last technique have major disadvantages and are of questionable safety. Transcatheter puncture of the balloon was used in 16 patients to remove obstructed balloon catheters without any technical difficulty, distress to the patient, or complication. The procedure is safe, simple, and does not require an anaesthetic. If necessary it could be performed safely by nursing or paramedical staff without the patient having to be admitted to hospital. It is the method of choice for the management of this problem. Images FIG 1 FIG 2 FIG 3 FIG 4 PMID:6428691

Lower bound buckling loads for design of laminate composite cylinders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Croll, James G. A.; Wang, Hongtao

2017-01-01

Over a period of more than 45 years, an extensive research program has allowed a series of very simple propositions, relating to the safe design of shells experiencing imperfection sensitive buckling, to be recast in the form of a series of lemmas. These are briefly summarized and their practical use is illustrated in relation to the prediction of safe lower bounds to the imperfection sensitive buckling of axially loaded, fiber reinforced polymeric, laminated cylinders. With a fundamental aspect of the approach, sometimes referred to as the reduced stiffness method, being the delineation of the various shell membrane and bending stiffness (or perhaps more appropriately energy) components contributing to the buckling resistance, the method will be shown to also provide a powerful way of making rational design decisions to optimize the use of fiber reinforcement.

Effectiveness of a Driving Intervention on Safe Community Mobility for Returning Combat Veterans

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-05-01

study is a follow-on to prior DOD funded work “Efficacy of a Driving Intervention Program on Safe Community Mobility for Combat Veterans”. Funding for...lack of control groups, suggest that a simu- lator-based OT-DI can provide a safe environment for testing and training of CV to reduce dangerous...AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-15-1-0032 TITLE: Effectiveness of a Driving Intervention on Safe Community Mobility for Returning Combat Veterans

Effectiveness of a Driving Intervention on Safe Community Mobility for Returning Combat Veterans

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-01

Simulator drive  development  underway.  Key personnel appointed  and  meet regularly to advance study aims.  Effectiveness of a Driving Intervention on  Safe ...AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-15-1-0032 TITLE: Effectiveness of a Driving Intervention on Safe Community Mobility for Returning Combat Veterans...is a follow-on to prior DOD funded work “Efficacy of a Driving Intervention Program on Safe Community Mobility for Combat Veterans”. Funding for the

The risk of translaminar screw fixation to the transverse foramen of the lower cervical spine: a computed tomography study.

PubMed

Kong, Ganggang; Ji, Wei; Huang, Zucheng; Liu, Junhao; Chen, Jianting; Zhu, Qingan

2017-04-21

Translaminar screw fixation (TSF) of the axis is considered as an efficient, safe and simple surgical procedure, however the study of the potential risk of TSF to the transverse foramen in lower cervical spine is lacked. Head-neck CT images of 60 patients were included in this study. Maximum screw length, laminar thickness, the screw angle and the laminar height were measured. The feasibility of 3.5-mm diameter screw fixation and the potential risk of transverse foramen injury was analyzed. The TSF was safe at C3 and C4, but risky to the transverse foraman at a rate of 8.7% at C5 (0% on the left side and 20% on the right side), 33.3% at C6 (24.4% on the left side and 42.9% on the right side). C7 had the highest 77.8% rate (65.5% on the left side and 89.8% on the right side). The safe screw length was 27.7 mm at C3, 27.4 mm at C4, 28.0 mm at C5, 25.6 mm at C6 and 25.5 mm at C7, respectively. The present study showed that translaminar screw could place the transverse foramen of C5-C7 at risk. Preoperative CT scanning was necessary for safe screw placement.

Evaluation of the sustainability of deep groundwater as an arsenic-safe resource in the Bengal Basin

USGS Publications Warehouse

Michaela, Holly A.; Voss, Clifford I.

2008-01-01

Tens of millions of people in the Bengal Basin region of Bangladesh and India drink groundwater containing unsafe concentrations of arsenic. This high-arsenic groundwater is produced from shallow (<100 m) depths by domestic and irrigation wells in the Bengal Basin aquifer system. The government of Bangladesh has begun to install wells to depths of >150 m where groundwater arsenic concentrations are nearly uniformly low, and many more wells are needed, however, the sustainability of deep, arsenic-safe groundwater has not been previously assessed. Deeper pumping could induce downward migration of dissolved arsenic, permanently destroying the deep resource. Here, it is shown, through quantitative, large-scale hydrogeologic analysis and simulation of the entire basin, that the deeper part of the aquifer system may provide a sustainable source of arsenic-safe water if its utilization is limited to domestic supply. Simulations provide two explanations for this result: deep domestic pumping only slightly perturbs the deep groundwater flow system, and substantial shallow pumping for irrigation forms a hydraulic barrier that protects deeper resources from shallow arsenic sources. Additional analysis indicates that this simple management approach could provide arsenic-safe drinking water to >90% of the arsenic-impacted region over a 1,000-year timescale. This insight may assist water-resources managers in alleviating one of the world's largest groundwater contamination problems.

[Observation on analgesia effect of electroacupuncture during gynecologic outpatient operation].

PubMed

Wang, Xiao-Hui; Wu, Xue-Lei; Jin, Ping-Lin; Wang, Lu-Dong; Zhao, Zhi-En; Qin, Xue-Yu; Zhang, Zhi-Yan; Hu, Xue-Zhu; Cai, Zhen-Lin

2012-10-01

To verify the feasibility of electroacupuncture analgesia applied to gynecologic outpatient operation. Two hundred patients were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture analgesia group and an intravenous anesthesia group, 100 cases in each group. Operation types included artificial abortion, diagnostic curettage and remove of intrauterine divice. The electroacupuncture analgesia group was treated with electroacupuncture at bilateral Hegu (LI 4) and Neiguan (PC 6), and the routine gynecologic outpatient operation was performed under patients' waking state. The intravenous anesthesia group was treated with routine gynecologic outpatient operation after intravenous injection of fentanyl and propofol. The excellent rate and the effective rate of analgesia were 88.0% (88/100) and 100.0% (100/100) in the electroacupuncture analgesia group, and 94.0% (94/100) and 100.0% (100/100) in the intravenous anesthesia group, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (all P > 0.05). There was no adverse reaction in the electroacupuncture anesthesia group, but 11 cases of adverse reactions in the intravenous anesthesia group. Electroacupuncture analgesia can effectively alleviate the pain during gynecologic outpatient operation and it is simple and safe without adverse reactions.

Clinical trial with Secnidazole in a single dose in Venezuelan children infected by Giardia intestinalis.

PubMed

Di Prisco, M C; Jiménez, J C; Rodríguez, N; Costa, V; Villamizar, J; Silvera, A; Carrillo, M; Lira, C; Zerpa, E; López, Y

2000-09-01

The aim of this work was to evaluate in an open, noncomparative study the use of secnidazole in oral suspension given to Venezuelan children infected with Giardia intestinalis, from a community in Carapita, a slum area in Caracas. Seventy children from 2 to 11 years old (38 males and 32 females) were treated with a single oral dose of secnidazole (30 mg/Kg of body weight), after clinical and parasitological evaluation to make the diagnosis of active giardiasis. The effectiveness of treatment was determined by clinical examination and parasitological evaluation of feces samples 15 days after treatment. The results showed 95% of clinical cure with a significant decrease of the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms. The parasitological cure was 98%, there were 4 failures at the end of treatment. Side effects observed after treatment were of mild intensity, lasting only few hours. These results show that a simple dose of secnidazole in an oral suspension is an effective, safe and well tolerated treatment for giardiasis in children and that this drug may be used as a mass treatment in risk populations.

Estimation of southern resident killer whale exposure to exhaust emissions from whale-watching vessels and potential adverse health effects and toxicity thresholds.

PubMed

Lachmuth, Cara L; Barrett-Lennard, Lance G; Steyn, D Q; Milsom, William K

2011-04-01

Southern resident killer whales in British Columbia and Washington are exposed to heavy vessel traffic. This study investigates their exposure to exhaust gases from whale-watching vessels by using a simple dispersion model incorporating data on whale and vessel behavior, atmospheric conditions, and output of airborne pollutants from the whale-watching fleet based on emissions data from regulatory agencies. Our findings suggest that current whale-watching guidelines are usually effective in limiting pollutant exposure to levels at or just below those at which measurable adverse health effects would be expected in killer whales. However, safe pollutant levels are exceeded under worst-case conditions and certain average-case conditions. To reduce killer whale exposure to exhaust we recommend: vessels position on the downwind side of whales, a maximum of 20 whale-watching vessels should be within 800 m at any given time, viewing periods should be limited, and current whale-watch guidelines and laws should be enforced. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Ultrasound-guided microwave ablation in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules in 435 patients

PubMed Central

Qian, Lin-Xue; Liu, Dong; Zhao, Jun-Feng

2017-01-01

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. A total of 474 benign thyroid nodules in 435 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided microwave ablation from September 2012 to August 2015 were included. Nodule volume and thyroid function were measured before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and subsequently after every 6 months. The nodule volume reduction rate and changes of thyroid function were evaluated. The volume of all thyroid nodules significantly decreased after ultrasound-guided microwave ablation. The average volume was 13.07 ± 0.95 ml before treatment, and 1.14 ± 0.26 ml at 12-months follow-up. The mean volume reduction rate was 90% and the final volume reduction rate was 94%. The volume reduction rate of mainly cystic nodules was significantly higher than that of simple solid and mainly solid nodules (all P < 0.05). The pretreatment volume of nodules was positively correlated with the final volume reduction rate at final follow-up (P = 0.004). No serious complications were observed after treatment. In conclusion, ultrasound-guided microwave ablation is an effective and safe technique for treatment of benign thyroid nodules, and has the potential for clinical applications. Impact statement Ultrasound-guided MWA is an effective and safe technique for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. It can significantly reduce the nodule volume, improve the patients’ clinical symptoms, has less complication, guarantees quick recovery, meets patients' aesthetic needs, and shows less interference on the physiological and psychological aspects of the body. MWA should be a good complement to traditional open surgery and has potentials in clinical applications. PMID:28847173

Local hemostatic matrix for endoscope-assisted removal of intracerebral hemorrhage is safe and effective.

PubMed

Luh, Hui-Tzung; Huang, Abel Po-Hao; Yang, Shih-Hung; Chen, Chien-Ming; Cho, Der-Yang; Chen, Chun-Chung; Kuo, Lu-Ting; Li, Chieh-Hsun; Wang, Kuo-Chuan; Tseng, Wei-Lung; Hsing, Ming-Tai; Yang, Bing-Shiang; Lai, Dar-Ming; Tsai, Jui-Chang

2018-01-01

Minimally invasive endoscope-assisted (MIE) evacuation of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is simple and effective, but the limited working space may hinder meticulous hemostasis and might lead to rebleeding. Management of intraoperative hemorrhage is therefore a critical issue of this study. This study presents experience in the treatment of patients with various types of ICH by MIE evacuation followed by direct local injection of FloSeal Hemostatic Matrix (Baxter Healthcare Corp, Fremont, CA, USA) for hemostasis. The retrospective nonrandomized clinical and radiology-based analysis enrolled 42 patients treated with MIE evacuation of ICH followed by direct local injection of FloSeal Hemostatic Matrix. Rebleeding, morbidity, and mortality were the primary endpoints. The percentage of hematoma evacuated was calculated from the pre- and postoperative brain computed tomography (CT) scans. Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) was evaluated at 6 months postoperatively. Forty-two ICH patients were included in this study, among these, 23 patients were putaminal hemorrhage, 16 were thalamic ICH, and the other three were subcortical type. Surgery-related mortality was 2.4%. The average percentage of hematoma evacuated was 80.8%, and the rebleeding rate was 4.8%. The mean operative time was 102.7 minutes and the average blood loss was 84.9 mL. The mean postoperative GOSE score was 4.55 at 6-months' follow-up. This study shows that local application of FloSeal Hemostatic Matrix is safe and effective for hemostasis during MIE evacuation of ICH. In our experience, this shortens the operation time, especially in cases with intraoperative bleeding. A large, prospective, randomized trial is needed to confirm the findings. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

[New SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin: modern and safe treatment of diabetes].

PubMed

Rušavý, Zdeněk

2014-11-01

Empagliflozin is agent of new antidiabetic drugs that cause glycosuria blocking the glucose reuptake in the proxi-mal tubule. The loss of 50-100 g of glucose / 24 hours in the urine results in a reduction of fasting glucose, especially post-prandial glucose, the energy expenditure of 200-400 kcal / day and blood pressure lowering. Treatment efficacy does not decrease over time, as it is not dependent on its own insulin production. The work evaluates the safety of modern treatment with empagliflozin which will soon appear in the portfolio of antidiabetic agents in the Czech Republic. The conducted studies with a special focus on empagliflozin treatment have shown high efficacy, safety and good tolerability of drug. It has been described a higher incidence of genital infections with non-severe course, especially in women. The drug does not cause hypoglycaemia. In combination with sulfonylurea hypoglycaemia may occur. Empagliflozin does not cause clinically significant dehydration or hypotension in patients about 60 years of age, but some caution in empagliflozin treatment should be in elderly and fragile patients. The big convenience of empagliflozin is its clinically non-significant interactions with other drugs and simple dosage of 1 tablet / day orally. In conclusion, empagliflozin is highly effective oral antidiabetic agent with a potential of wide application in all stages of type 2 diabetes in monotherapy or combined with other medication. The treatment is associated with weight loss and blood pressure lowering. The drug is effective and safe until eGFR 45 ml / s, in lower values the treatment should be discontinued. The occurrence of side effects is rare, except increased incidence of genital infections especially in women and increased risk of hypoglycaemia when empagliflozin is combined with sulfonylurea.

Ultrasound-guided microwave ablation in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules in 435 patients.

PubMed

Liu, Yu-Jiang; Qian, Lin-Xue; Liu, Dong; Zhao, Jun-Feng

2017-09-01

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. A total of 474 benign thyroid nodules in 435 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided microwave ablation from September 2012 to August 2015 were included. Nodule volume and thyroid function were measured before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and subsequently after every 6 months. The nodule volume reduction rate and changes of thyroid function were evaluated. The volume of all thyroid nodules significantly decreased after ultrasound-guided microwave ablation. The average volume was 13.07 ± 0.95 ml before treatment, and 1.14 ± 0.26 ml at 12-months follow-up. The mean volume reduction rate was 90% and the final volume reduction rate was 94%. The volume reduction rate of mainly cystic nodules was significantly higher than that of simple solid and mainly solid nodules (all P < 0.05). The pretreatment volume of nodules was positively correlated with the final volume reduction rate at final follow-up ( P = 0.004). No serious complications were observed after treatment. In conclusion, ultrasound-guided microwave ablation is an effective and safe technique for treatment of benign thyroid nodules, and has the potential for clinical applications. Impact statement Ultrasound-guided MWA is an effective and safe technique for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. It can significantly reduce the nodule volume, improve the patients' clinical symptoms, has less complication, guarantees quick recovery, meets patients' aesthetic needs, and shows less interference on the physiological and psychological aspects of the body. MWA should be a good complement to traditional open surgery and has potentials in clinical applications.

Rapid green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Chrysanthemum indicum L and its antibacterial and cytotoxic effects: an in vitro study

PubMed Central

Arokiyaraj, Selvaraj; Arasu, Mariadhas Valan; Vincent, Savariar; Prakash, Nyayirukannaian Udaya; Choi, Seong Ho; Oh, Young-Kyoon; Choi, Ki Choon; Kim, Kyoung Hoon

2014-01-01

The present work reports a simple, cost-effective, and ecofriendly method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Chrysanthemum indicum and its antibacterial and cytotoxic effects. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by color change, and it was further characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (435 nm). The phytochemical screening of C. indicum revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, and glycosides, suggesting that these compounds act as reducing and stabilizing agents. The crystalline nature of the synthesized particles was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, as they exhibited face-centered cubic symmetry. The size and morphology of the particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, which showed spherical shapes and sizes that ranged between 37.71–71.99 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy documented the presence of silver. The antimicrobial effect of the synthesized AgNPs revealed a significant effect against the bacteria Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Additionally, cytotoxic assays showed no toxicity of AgNPs toward 3T3 mouse embryo fibroblast cells (25 μg/mL); hence, these particles were safe to use. PMID:24426782

Underlying theory of a model for the Renner-Teller effect in tetra-atomic molecules: X(2)Πu electronic state of C2H2(+).

PubMed

Perić, M; Jerosimić, S; Mitić, M; Milovanović, M; Ranković, R

2015-05-07

In the present study, we prove the plausibility of a simple model for the Renner-Teller effect in tetra-atomic molecules with linear equilibrium geometry by ab initio calculations of the electronic energy surfaces and non-adiabatic matrix elements for the X(2)Πu state of C2H2 (+). This phenomenon is considered as a combination of the usual Renner-Teller effect, appearing in triatomic species, and a kind of the Jahn-Teller effect, similar to the original one arising in highly symmetric molecules. Only four parameters (plus the spin-orbit constant, if the spin effects are taken into account), which can be extracted from ab initio calculations carried out at five appropriate (planar) molecular geometries, are sufficient for building up the Hamiltonian matrix whose diagonalization results in the complete low-energy (bending) vibronic spectrum. The main result of the present study is the proof that the diabatization scheme, hidden beneath the apparent simplicity of the model, can safely be carried out, at small-amplitude bending vibrations, without cumbersome computation of non-adiabatic matrix elements at large number of molecular geometries.

An overview of acupuncture for psoriasis vulgaris, 2009-2014.

PubMed

Xiang, Yu; Wu, Xing; Lu, Chuanjian; Wang, Kaiyi

2017-05-01

Psoriasis is a chronic, proliferative, and inflammatory skin disease which affects around 2-3% of the global population. Current pharmacotherapy is effective, however medication with safe and long-lasting therapeutic effects is needed. Acupuncture for psoriasis is widely used in China as well as other Asian countries, and is gradually becoming accepted globally. To determine the characteristics and advantages of acupuncture treatment for psoriasis, and to improve the clinical outcomes of this disease in the future, this review summarizes literature on acupuncture treatment for psoriasis published between 2009 and 2014. Databases search was conducted with the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), MEDLINE, and PubMed databases over a time period ranging from January 2009 to December 2014. The condition term was "psoriasis" and the key intervention terms were "needling", "moxibustion", "auriculotherapy", "cupping and bloodletting therapy", "catgut embedding therapy", "point-injection therapy", "traditional Chinese medicine fumigation therapy", "fire needling therapy", and "vesiculation moxibustion". Languages were limited to English and Chinese. Therapeutic mechanisms, therapy, therapeutic characteristics, advantages and limits of acupuncture for psoriasis are discussed. The conclusion is that acupuncture therapies for psoriasis are simple, convenient, and effective, with long-lasting therapeutic effects as well as minimal side effects and toxicity.

"Lull pgm System" for Autologous Fat Grafting: A Simple Closed System with Minimal Equipment and No Extra Cost.

PubMed

Morselli, Paolo Giovanni; Micai, Alessandro; Giorgini, Federico Armando

2016-08-01

The "Lull pgm system" is a closed system for purifying harvested fat. It processes the collected tissue safely without any additional cost. The system was conceived by referring to the targets described in the literature with the aim of creating a simple system that guarantees a high standard of purification and requires minimal equipment that is available in every operating room. Cost must be always considered: even the most prosperous hospitals must keep within tight annual budgets. "Lull" can be used instead of expensive devices or disposable kits, without substantially increasing the operating time. The system has been used in clinical practice for many plastic reconstructive procedures and has obtained positive results and patient satisfaction, and no contraindications or disadvantages have been observed.

A new site for 85Kr measurements on groundwater samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lange, T.; Hebert, D.

2001-06-01

As a part of a new 85Kr laboratory, which is currently being established at the Institute of Applied Physics in Freiberg, Germany, a modified CO 2 extractor for krypton sampling is used. The operation principle is simple and contamination-safe with a reasonable effort. Continuously pumped under pressure, the water passes a Venturi-type nozzle and degasses due to relaxing. The extracted gas mixture then enters a recirculation system flowing through a CO 2 trap (NaOH), molecular sieves and a cooled charcoal trap, where krypton and other components are adsorbed. Remaining gases reenter the system at the Venturi-type nozzle. To keep the circulation alive an additional helium support is needed. In a simple field experiment, extraction efficiencies up to 0.8 for 222Rn have been measured.

School-Based Practices and Programs That Promote Safe and Drug-Free Schools. CASE/CCBD Mini-Library Series on Safe, Drug-Free, and Effective Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guthrie, Patricia M.

This monograph focuses on school-based practices and programs that promote safe and drug-free schools. It begins with a description of the key characteristics of schools with effective programs and provides a model for school-wide support. Necessary steps for developing an effective system of universal prevention are listed and include: (1)…

New quenching media

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Voroshilov, V.A.; Kamenev, V.D.; Kochurkina, Yu.I.

This study investigates a wide range of substances to discover a high quality quenching medium. The medium must have the possibility of variation of cooling ability, fire resistance, and nontoxicity, and be available, simple, and safe. Surfactants, liquids, organosilicon compounds, and water soluble polymerics were surveyed and rejected. In aqueous solutions the cooling properties worsened during heating. Modified celluloses (polyethylenepolymine) and sulfite liquor were also studied. These were determined to be the most promising quenching media, and were tested and detailed.

[Cybergreedy, no more, or cyberaddict ? When teens waste their time in using computer].

PubMed

Hayez, J-Y

2009-07-01

This paper is about the computer use by teenagers, often estimated abusive by their family circle. In most cases, it is a "simple abundant use" more than a true addiction or a passion. The author describes the psychosocial mechanisms of such behaviours and the characteristics of each one. Finally, he describes how the adults, teachers and nursing staff can face up their responsibilities to contribute towards a safe use of multimedia in young people.

Self-Protection of Electrochemical Storage Devices via a Thermal Reversible Sol-Gel Transition.

PubMed

Yang, Hui; Liu, Zhiyuan; Chandran, Bevita K; Deng, Jiyang; Yu, Jiancan; Qi, Dianpeng; Li, Wenlong; Tang, Yuxin; Zhang, Chenguang; Chen, Xiaodong

2015-10-07

Thermal self-protected intelligent electrochemical storage devices are fabricated using a reversible sol-gel transition of the electrolyte, which can decrease the specific capacitance and increase and enable temperature-dependent charging and discharging rates in the device. This work represents proof of a simple and useful concept, which shows tremendous promise for the safe and controlled power delivery in electrochemical devices. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Utilization of non-weapons-grade plutonium and highly enriched uranium with breeding of the 233U isotope in the VVER reactors using thorium and heavy water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marshalkin, V. E.; Povyshev, V. M.

2015-12-01

A method for joint utilization of non-weapons-grade plutonium and highly enriched uranium in the thorium-uranium—plutonium oxide fuel of a water-moderated reactor with a varying water composition (D2O, H2O) is proposed. The method is characterized by efficient breeding of the 233U isotope and safe reactor operation and is comparatively simple to implement.

Simple Circumcision Device: Proof-of-Concept for a Single-visit, Adjustable Device to Facilitate Safe Adult Male Circumcision

PubMed Central

Hotaling, James M; Leddy, Laura S; Haider, Mahum A; Mossanen, Matthew; Bailey, Michael R; MacConaghy, Brian; Olson, Francis; Krieger, John N

2014-01-01

Objective To conduct a proof-of-concept study to determine the potential utility of a novel, adjustable single-visit, disposable device to facilitate rapid adult circumcision. Design Prospective pilot trial of a novel surgical device Setting Tertiary care Veterans Administration medical center Patients 5 adult males Interventions Circumcisions performed by junior trainees using an adjustable, single-size surgical-assist device constructed by the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory. Main Outcome Measure(s) The attending surgeon and trainees completed standardized forms after each procedure to assess technical problems and ease of use. Follow-up visits were scheduled to evaluate adverse events, post-operative pain, cosmetic outcomes and participant satisfaction at 3, 8, 30 and 90 days post-operatively. Results The average operative time was 16.4 minutes. All cases were performed with local anesthesia and no case required electrocautery or conversion to standard surgery. At the post-operative day 3 visit all subjects were happy with their results and would recommend the procedure to another patient. One participant had a minor wound separation noted at the 30-day visit that resolved during follow-up. There were no wound infections, hematomas or other adverse events. Conclusions This proof-of-study suggests that the Simple Circumcision Device (SCD) may facilitate delivery of safe adult male circumcision services. PMID:24613534

Thermal protection during percutaneous thermal ablation procedures: interest of carbon dioxide dissection and temperature monitoring.

PubMed

Buy, Xavier; Tok, Chung-Hong; Szwarc, Daniel; Bierry, Guillaume; Gangi, Afshin

2009-05-01

Percutaneous image-guided thermal ablation of tumor is widely used, and thermal injury to collateral structures is a known complication of this technique. To avoid thermal damage to surrounding structures, several protection techniques have been reported. We report the use of a simple and effective protective technique combining carbon dioxide dissection and thermocouple: CO(2) displaces the nontarget structures, and its low thermal conductivity provides excellent insulation; insertion of a thermocouple in contact with vulnerable structures achieves continuous thermal monitoring. We performed percutaneous thermal ablation of 37 tumors in 35 patients (4 laser, 10 radiofrequency, and 23 cryoablations) with protection of adjacent vulnerable structures by using CO(2) dissection combined with continuous thermal monitoring with thermocouple. Tumor locations were various (19 intra-abdominal tumors including 4 livers and 9 kidneys, 18 musculoskeletal tumors including 11 spinal tumors). CO(2) volume ranged from 10 ml (epidural space) to 1500 ml (abdominal). Repeated insufflations were performed if necessary, depending on the information given by the thermocouple and imaging control. Dissection with optimal thermal protection was achieved in all cases except two patients where adherences (one postoperative, one arachnoiditis) blocked proper gaseous distribution. No complication referred to this technique was noted. This safe, cost-effective, and simple method increases the safety and the success rate of percutaneous thermal ablation procedures. It also offers the potential to increase the number of tumors that can be treated via a percutaneous approach.

Endoscopic Evaluation of Gastric Emptying and Effect of Mosapride Citrate on Gastric Emptying

PubMed Central

Jung, In Su; Kim, Jie-Hyun; Lee, Hwal Youn; Lee, Sang In

2010-01-01

Purpose Gastric emptying has been evaluated by scintigraphy in spite of its limitations of time consumption, cost, and danger of radioisotope. Endoscopy is a simple technique, however, its validation for gastric emptying and quantification of food has not yet been investigated. The aim of our study was to assess endoscopic gastric emptying compared with scintigraphy and radiopaque markers (ROMs) studies. We also investigated the effect of a single dose of mosapride on gastric emptying. Materials and Methods Fifteen healthy volunteers underwent scintigraphy. Next day, subjects received a standard solid meal with ROMs and underwent endoscopy and simple abdomen X-ray after 3 hrs. After one week, the same procedure was repeated after ingestion of mosapride (5 mg for group 1, n = 8; 10 mg for group 2, n = 7) 15 min before the meal. Quantification of gastric residue by endoscopy was scored from 0 to 3, and the scores were added up. Results All subjects completed the study without any complication. The gastric emptying rate [T1/2 (min)] was in normal range (65.6 ± 12.6 min). Endoscopic gastric emptying was correlated significantly with gastric clearance of ROMs (r = 0.627, p = 0.012). Endoscopic gastric emptying and gastric clearance of ROMs after administration of mosapride showed significant differences in the 10 mg group (p < 0.05). Conclusion Endoscopy can evaluate gastric emptying safely and simply on an outpatient basis. A 10 mg dose of mosapride enhanced gastric emptying, assessed by both endoscopy and ROMs. PMID:20046511

Highly efficient treatment of aerobic vaginitis with simple acidic buffered gels: The importance of pH and buffers on the microenvironment of vaginas.

PubMed

Sun, Xiaodong; Qiu, Haiying; Jin, Yiguang

2017-06-15

Aerobic vaginitis (AV) leads to uterus deep infection or preterm birth. Antibacterial agents are not optimal therapeutics of AV. Here, we report a series of temperature-sensitive in situ forming acidic buffered gels for topical treatment of AV, involving lactate, acetate, and citrate gels at pH 3.5, 5.0, and 6.5. AV rat models were prepared following vaginal infection with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In vitro/in vivo studies of the buffered gels were performed compared with ofloxacin gels and blank gels. All the buffered gels showed the lower in vitro antibacterial activities than ofloxacin gels but the better in vivo anti-S. aureus effects and similar anti-E. coli effects. The buffered gels improved Lactobacillus growth in the vaginas. Both the healthy rat vaginal pH and the pH of rat vaginas treated with the buffered gels were about 6.5 though the AV rat models or ones treated with ofloxacin gels still remained at the high pH more than 7.0. After treatments with the buffered gels, the vaginal smears changed to a clean state nearly without aerobic bacteria, the vaginal tissues were refreshed, and the immunoreactions were downregulated. The acidic buffered gels bring rapid decrease of local vaginal pH, high antibacterial activities, improvement of probiotics, and alleviation of inflammation. They are simple, highly efficient, and safe anti-AV formulations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A self-paced motor imagery based brain-computer interface for robotic wheelchair control.

PubMed

Tsui, Chun Sing Louis; Gan, John Q; Hu, Huosheng

2011-10-01

This paper presents a simple self-paced motor imagery based brain-computer interface (BCI) to control a robotic wheelchair. An innovative control protocol is proposed to enable a 2-class self-paced BCI for wheelchair control, in which the user makes path planning and fully controls the wheelchair except for the automatic obstacle avoidance based on a laser range finder when necessary. In order for the users to train their motor imagery control online safely and easily, simulated robot navigation in a specially designed environment was developed. This allowed the users to practice motor imagery control with the core self-paced BCI system in a simulated scenario before controlling the wheelchair. The self-paced BCI can then be applied to control a real robotic wheelchair using a protocol similar to that controlling the simulated robot. Our emphasis is on allowing more potential users to use the BCI controlled wheelchair with minimal training; a simple 2-class self paced system is adequate with the novel control protocol, resulting in a better transition from offline training to online control. Experimental results have demonstrated the usefulness of the online practice under the simulated scenario, and the effectiveness of the proposed self-paced BCI for robotic wheelchair control.

Rapid and Minimally Traumatic Replacement of Stimulator Extension Cables: Technical Note on a Novel Use for Sternal Wire.

PubMed

Henderson, Fraser; Takacs, Istvan

2017-01-01

Troubleshooting of deep brain stimulators (DBSs, Activa SC/PC/RC Medtronic PLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) sometimes results in a decision to replace a tunneled stretch-coil extension cable. We present a simple technique to accomplish this atraumatically without a tunneling tool. In the treatment of patients with a DBS, complication avoidance and efficiency of operative time are paramount. We sought to find the safest, most effective, and fastest method of performing the conceptually simple yet technically nuanced act of replacing lead extension cables. We connected #6 (8.0 metric) surgical steel 18″ (45-cm) monofilament (Ethicon US, LLC, Somerville, New Jersey, USA), also known as #6 sternal wire, in line with DBS extension cables (Medtronic DBS Extension 37086-60) in novel fashion to overcome intraprocedural hurdles encountered during the past decade in a busy functional neurosurgery service. Patients tolerate the procedure well and return home shortly after recovery with no complications. A less expensive and faster technique for passing pulse generator extension cables may be the use of a sternal wire. Using the described technique, pulse generators may be quickly and safely adjusted from side to side and site to site as the clinical situation dictates. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Safe and simple detection of sparse hydrogen by Pd-Au alloy/air based 1D photonic crystal sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitra, S.; Biswas, T.; Chattopadhyay, R.; Ghosh, J.; Bysakh, S.; Bhadra, S. K.

2016-11-01

A simple integrated hydrogen sensor using Pd-Au alloy/air based one dimensional photonic crystal with an air defect layer is theoretically modeled. Structural parameters of the photonic crystal are delicately scaled to generate photonic band gap frequencies in a visible spectral regime. An optimized defect thickness permits a localized defect mode operating at a frequency within the photonic band gap region. Hydrogen absorption causes modification in the band gap characteristics due to variation of refractive index and lattice parameters of the alloy. As a result, the transmission peak appeared due to the resonant defect state gets shifted. This peak shifting is utilized to detect sparse amount of hydrogen present in the surrounding environment. A theoretical framework is built to calculate the refractive index profile of hydrogen loaded alloy using density functional theory and Bruggeman's effective medium approximation. The calculated refractive index variation of Pd3Au alloy film due to hydrogen loading is verified experimentally by measuring the reflectance characteristics. Lattice expansion properties of the alloy are studied through X-ray diffraction analyses. The proposed structure shows about 3 nm red shift of the transmission peak for a rise of 1% atomic hydrogen concentration in the alloy.

Portal vascular anomalies in Down syndrome: spectrum of clinical presentation and management approach.

PubMed

Golewale, Nazar; Paltiel, Harriet J; Fishman, Steven J; Alomari, Ahmad I

2010-08-01

The occurrence of portal vascular anomalies in Down syndrome has been sporadically reported in the literature. These rare disorders have a wide spectrum of anatomical and clinical presentations. The aim of this communication was to describe the clinical course, imaging features, and management approaches in patients with this association. We conducted a comprehensive search of the databases of the Vascular Anomalies Center and the Department of Radiology at Children's Hospital Boston for patients with Down syndrome and portal vascular anomalies. Medical records and imaging studies of varying modalities were reviewed. Three children with Down syndrome and portal anomalies (portosystemic shunt, simple arterioportal shunt, complex arterioportal shunt) were managed at our institution. The portosystemic shunt was clinically insignificant and resolved without any intervention. The simple arterioportal shunt was successfully treated with embolization. The complex arterioportal shunt was associated with major congenital cardiac defects and the child ultimately expired despite a decrease in the arterioportal shunting after embolization. Three is a wide spectrum of clinical and anatomical features of portal vascular shunts in Down syndrome. The management approach should be tailored based on the severity of symptoms. Percutaneous embolization can offer a safe, effective, and minimally invasive alternative to the surgical approach in selective cases. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Clean Water for Developing Countries.

PubMed

Pandit, Aniruddha B; Kumar, Jyoti Kishen

2015-01-01

Availability of safe drinking water, a vital natural resource, is still a distant dream to many around the world, especially in developing countries. Increasing human activity and industrialization have led to a wide range of physical, chemical, and biological pollutants entering water bodies and affecting human lives. Efforts to develop efficient, economical, and technologically sound methods to produce clean water for developing countries have increased worldwide. We focus on solar disinfection, filtration, hybrid filtration methods, treatment of harvested rainwater, herbal water disinfection, and arsenic removal technologies. Simple, yet innovative water treatment devices ranging from use of plant xylem as filters, terafilters, and hand pumps to tippy taps designed indigenously are methods mentioned here. By describing the technical aspects of major water disinfection methods relevant for developing countries on medium to small scales and emphasizing their merits, demerits, economics, and scalability, we highlight the current scenario and pave the way for further research and development and scaling up of these processes. This review focuses on clean drinking water, especially for rural populations in developing countries. It describes various water disinfection techniques that are not only economically viable and energy efficient but also employ simple methodologies that are effective in reducing the physical, chemical, and biological pollutants found in drinking water to acceptable limits.

Sclerotherapy of renal cysts using acetic acid: a comparison with ethanol sclerotherapy.

PubMed

Cho, D S; Ahn, H S; Kim, S I; Kim, Y S; Kim, S J; Jeon, G S; Won, J H

2008-12-01

This study compared percutaneous sclerotherapy using 50% acetic acid with that using 99% ethanol for patients with simple renal cysts. The study included 72 simple renal cysts in 64 patients (male/female ratio = 31/33; age range, 31-75 years). Under fluoroscopic guidance, the cyst fluid was aspirated completely. Sclerotherapy was then performed using 50% acetic acid for 32 cysts and 99% ethanol for 40 cysts. The volumes of each renal cyst before and after sclerotherapy were compared using ultrasonography or CT. Medical records were reviewed to analyse any complications. The mean follow-up period was 21.5 months (range, 3-75 months). The mean remnant volume of the cyst after sclerotherapy was 2.6% of the initial volume in the acetic acid group and 14.0% in the ethanol group. The rates of complete remission, partial remission and treatment failure were 90.6%, 9.4% and 0%, respectively, in the acetic acid group, and 60.0%, 30.0% and 10.0%, respectively, in the ethanol group. There were no complications related to sclerotherapy in either group. In conclusion, acetic acid is a safe and effective sclerosing agent, with clinical results superior to those of ethanol, and is an alternative to ethanol for sclerotherapy of renal cysts.

Cumulative sum control charts for assessing performance in arterial surgery.

PubMed

Beiles, C Barry; Morton, Anthony P

2004-03-01

The Melbourne Vascular Surgical Association (Melbourne, Australia) undertakes surveillance of mortality following aortic aneurysm surgery, patency at discharge following infrainguinal bypass and stroke and death following carotid endarterectomy. Quality improvement protocol employing the Deming cycle requires that the system for performing surgery first be analysed and optimized. Then process and outcome data are collected and these data require careful analysis. There must be a mechanism so that the causes of unsatisfactory outcomes can be determined and a good feedback mechanism must exist so that good performance is acknowledged and unsatisfactory performance corrected. A simple method for analysing these data that detects changes in average outcome rates is available using cumulative sum statistical control charts. Data have been analysed both retrospectively from 1999 to 2001, and prospectively during 2002 using cumulative sum control methods. A pathway to deal with control chart signals has been developed. The standard of arterial surgery in Victoria, Australia, is high. In one case a safe and satisfactory outcome was achieved by following the pathway developed by the audit committee. Cumulative sum control charts are a simple and effective tool for the identification of variations in performance standards in arterial surgery. The establishment of a pathway to manage problem performance is a vital part of audit activity.

Setting priorities for safe motherhood interventions in resource-scarce settings.

PubMed

Prata, Ndola; Sreenivas, Amita; Greig, Fiona; Walsh, Julia; Potts, Malcolm

2010-01-01

Guide policy-makers in prioritizing safe motherhood interventions. Three models (LOW, MED, HIGH) were constructed based on 34 sub-Saharan African countries to assess the relative cost-effectiveness of available safe motherhood interventions. Cost and effectiveness data were compiled and inserted into the WHO Mother Baby Package Costing Spreadsheet. For each model we assessed the percentage in maternal mortality reduction after implementing all interventions, and optimal combinations of interventions given restricted budgets of US$ 0.50, US$ 1.00, US$ 1.50 per capital maternal health expenditures respectively for LOW, MED, and HIGH models. The most cost-effective interventions were family planning and safe abortion (fpsa), antenatal care including misoprostol distribution for postpartum hemorrhage prevention at home deliveries (anc-miso), followed by sepsis treatment (sepsis) and facility-based postpartum hemorrhage management (pph). The combination of interventions that avert the greatest number of maternal deaths should be prioritized and expanded to cover the greatest number of women at risk. Those which save the most number of lives in each model are 'fpsa, anc-miso' and 'fpsa, sepsis, safe delivery' for LOW; 'fpsa, anc-miso' and 'fpsa, sepsis, safe delivery' for MED; and 'fpsa, anc-miso, sepsis, eclampsia treatment, safe delivery' for HIGH settings. Safe motherhood interventions save a significant number of newborn lives.

Safe haven laws as crime control theater.

PubMed

Hammond, Michelle; Miller, Monica K; Griffin, Timothy

2010-07-01

This article examines safe haven laws, which allow parents to legally abandon their infants. The main objective is to determine whether safe haven laws fit the criteria of crime control theater, a term used to describe public policies that produce the appearance, but not the effect, of crime control, and as such are essentially socially constructed "solutions" to socially constructed crime "problems." The analysis will apply the principles of crime control theater to safe haven laws. Specifically, the term crime control theater applies to laws that are reactionary responses to perceived criminal threats and are often widely supported as a way to address the crime in question. Such laws are attractive because they appeal to mythic narratives (i.e., saving an innocent child from a predator); however they are likely ineffective due to the complexity of the crime. These laws can have deleterious effects when policymakers make false claims of success and stunt public discourse (e.g., drawing attention away from more frequent and preventable crimes). This analysis applies these criteria to safe haven laws to determine whether such laws can be classified as crime control theater. Many qualities inherent to crime control theater are present in safe haven laws. For example, the laws are highly publicized, their intentions lack moral ambiguity, rare cases of success legitimize law enforcement and other agencies, and they appeal to the public sense of responsibility in preventing crime. Yet the goal of saving infant lives may be unattainable. These qualities make the effectiveness of the laws questionable and suggest they may be counterproductive. This analysis determined that safe haven laws are socially constructed solutions to the socially constructed problem of child abandonment. Safe haven laws are appropriately classified as crime control theater. It is imperative that further research be conducted to examine the effectiveness and collateral effects of safe haven laws. Longitudinal studies and a nationwide database to better determine the effectiveness of safe haven laws are suggested. It is also crucial that agencies implementing SHLs closely monitor the reasons parents abandon their children, and adopt policies that re-focus the attention safe haven laws receive to address more frequent causes of harm to infants. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Robust, active tumor-targeting and fast bioresponsive anticancer nanotherapeutics based on natural endogenous materials.

PubMed

Sun, Bingfeng; Deng, Chao; Meng, Fenghua; Zhang, Jian; Zhong, Zhiyuan

2016-11-01

The clinical success of cancer nanomedicines critically depends on availability of simple, safe and highly efficient nanocarriers. Here, we report that robust and multifunctional nanoparticles self-assembled from hyaluronic acid-g-poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate)-lipoic acid conjugates achieve a remarkably high loading (up to 25.8wt.%) and active targeted delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) to human breast tumor xenograft in vivo. DOX-loaded nanoparticles following auto-crosslinking (DOX-CLNPs) are highly stable with little drug leakage under physiological conditions while quickly release ca. 92% DOX in 30h under a cytoplasmic-mimicking reductive environment. The in vitro assays reveal that DOX-CLNPs possess a superior selectivity and antitumor activity to clinically used pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX-LPs) in CD44 receptor overexpressing MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Strikingly, DOX-CLNPs exhibit a superb tolerated dose of over 100mg DOX equiv./kg, which is more than 5 times higher than DOX-LPs, and an extraordinary breast tumor accumulation of 8.6%ID/g in mice. The in vivo therapeutic studies in MCF-7 human breast tumor-bearing nude mice show that DOX-CLNPs effectively inhibit tumor growth, improve survival rate, and significantly decrease adverse effects as compared to DOX-LPs. DOX-CLNPs based on natural endogenous materials with high drug loading, great stability and CD44-targetability are highly promising for precision cancer chemotherapy. We demonstrate that with rational design, simple and multifunctional anticancer nanotherapeutics can be developed to achieve highly efficient and targeted cancer chemotherapy. Doxorubicin-loaded multifunctional nanoparticles based on hyaluronic acid-g-poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate)-lipoic acid conjugates exhibit a high drug loading, superior stability, fast bioresponsivity, high tolerability, and obvious selectivity toward CD44-overexpressing tumors in vivo. These nanotherapeutics achieve effective tumor suppression, drastically improved survival rate and reduced side effects as compared to clinically used pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in MCF-7 human breast tumor-bearing nude mice. Unlike previously reported multifunctional nanomedicines, the present nanotherapeutics primarily based on natural endogenous materials are simple and straightforward to fabricate, which makes them potentially interesting for clinical translation. Copyright © 2016 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of an Automated Observation and Feedback System on Safe Sitting Postures

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yu, Eunjeong; Moon, Kwangsu; Oah, Shezeen; Lee, Yohaeng

2013-01-01

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an automated observation and feedback system in improving safe sitting postures. Participants were four office workers. The dependent variables were the percentages of time participants spent in five safe body positions during experimental sessions. We used a multiple-baseline design counterbalanced across…

Pneumodissection for skin protection in image-guided cryoablation of superficial musculoskeletal tumours.

PubMed

Maybody, Majid; Tang, Peter Q; Moskowitz, Chaya S; Hsu, Meier; Yarmohammadi, Hooman; Boas, F Edward

2017-03-01

Pneumodissection is described as a simple method for preventing skin injury during cryoablation of superficial musculoskeletal tumours. Superficial tumour cryoablations performed from 2009 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Pneumodissection was performed in 13 patients when the shortest tumour-skin distance was less than 25 mm. Indications were pain palliation (n = 9) and local tumour control (n = 4). Patients, target tumours, technical characteristics and complications up to 60 days post ablation were reviewed. The ice ball-skin distances with and without pneumodissection were compared by a paired t-test and further assessed for association with covariates using ANCOVA. Technical success for ablation was 12 of 13. The mean shortest tumour-skin distance was 15.0 mm (3.2-24.5 mm). The mean thickness of pneumodissection was 9.6 mm (5.2-16.6 mm) resulting in mean elevation of skin of 3.4 mm (1.2-5.3 mm). Mean shortest ice ball-skin distance after pneumodissection was 10.5 mm (4.2-19.7 mm). No infection or systemic air embolism was noted. No intraprocedural frostbite was observed. Pneumodissection is feasible, effective and safe in protecting the skin during image-guided cryoablation of superficial tumours. • Frostbite during image-guided cryoablation of superficial tumours is commonly under-reported. • Frostbites are painful and may introduce infection into the superficial ablation zone. • Warm compress, saline and CO 2 have shortcomings in protecting the skin. • Pneumodissection is free, readily available, easy to use and safe and effective.

Rapid Bedside Inactivation of Ebola Virus for Safe Nucleic Acid Tests.

PubMed

Rosenstierne, Maiken Worsøe; Karlberg, Helen; Bragstad, Karoline; Lindegren, Gunnel; Stoltz, Malin Lundahl; Salata, Cristiano; Kran, Anne-Marte Bakken; Dudman, Susanne Gjeruldsen; Mirazimi, Ali; Fomsgaard, Anders

2016-10-01

Rapid bedside inactivation of Ebola virus would be a solution for the safety of medical and technical staff, risk containment, sample transport, and high-throughput or rapid diagnostic testing during an outbreak. We show that the commercially available Magna Pure lysis/binding buffer used for nucleic acid extraction inactivates Ebola virus. A rapid bedside inactivation method for nucleic acid tests is obtained by simply adding Magna Pure lysis/binding buffer directly into vacuum blood collection EDTA tubes using a thin needle and syringe prior to sampling. The ready-to-use inactivation vacuum tubes are stable for more than 4 months, and Ebola virus RNA is preserved in the Magna Pure lysis/binding buffer for at least 5 weeks independent of the storage temperature. We also show that Ebola virus RNA can be manually extracted from Magna Pure lysis/binding buffer-inactivated samples using the QIAamp viral RNA minikit. We present an easy and convenient method for bedside inactivation using available blood collection vacuum tubes and reagents. We propose to use this simple method for fast, safe, and easy bedside inactivation of Ebola virus for safe transport and routine nucleic acid detection. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging in hepatobiliary surgery.

PubMed

Majlesara, Ali; Golriz, Mohammad; Hafezi, Mohammadreza; Saffari, Arash; Stenau, Esther; Maier-Hein, Lena; Müller-Stich, Beat P; Mehrabi, Arianeb

2017-03-01

Indocyanine green (ICG) is a fluorescent dye that has been widely used for fluorescence imaging during hepatobiliary surgery. ICG is injected intravenously, selectively taken up by the liver, and then secreted into the bile. The catabolism and fluorescence properties of ICG permit a wide range of visualization methods in hepatobiliary surgery. We have characterized the applications of ICG during hepatobiliary surgery into: 1) liver mapping, 2) cholangiography, 3) tumor visualization, and 4) partial liver graft evaluation. In this literature review, we summarize the current understanding of ICG use during hepatobiliary surgery. Intra-operative ICG fluorescence imaging is a safe, simple, and feasible method that improves the visualization of hepatobiliary anatomy and liver tumors. Intravenous administration of ICG is not toxic and avoids the drawbacks of conventional imaging. In addition, it reduces post-operative complications without any known side effects. ICG fluorescence imaging provides a safe and reliable contrast for extra-hepatic cholangiography when detecting intra-hepatic bile leakage following liver resection. In addition, liver tumors can be visualized and well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma tumors can be accurately identified. Moreover, vascular reconstruction and outflow can be evaluated following partial liver transplantation. However, since tissue penetration is limited to 5-10mm, deeper tissue cannot be visualized using this method. Many instances of false positive or negative results have been reported, therefore further characterization is required. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Workers on transformation of the shelter object of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant into an ecologically-safe system show qEEG abnormalities and cognitive dysfunctions: A follow-up study.

PubMed

Loganovsky, Konstantyn; Perchuk, Iryna; Marazziti, Donatella

2016-12-01

The present study aimed at assessing bioelectric activity and cognitive functions in the workers on the conversion project of the "Shelter" object (SO) of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant into an environmentally safe system. A total of 196 men were included and examined before (t0) and after (t1) working on the SO in the period 2004-2008. They underwent a qEEG and a battery of neuropsychological and psychiatric assessments. At t1, the organized type of qEEG shifted towards the disorganized one. An increase of spectral δ-power in the left frontotemporal area, of θ- and α-power in the left temporal area, with redistribution of α-activity to the front and reduction of dominant frequency in the left temporal area, were registered. Further, neurocognitive tests revealed the presence of mild cognitive disorders at t1. Interestingly, those subjects previously exposed to radiation with no consequences, were more resistant to these detrimental effects. Taken together, the disturbances observed may be considered as cognitive symptoms of a chronic fatigue syndrome resulting from the exposure to ionizing radiation. Simple and non-invasive assessments, such as those performed by us, may be helpful to detect early brain changes caused by the presence of radiological risk factors.

Raptor electrocution on power lines: Current issues and outlook

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lehman, Robert N.

2001-01-01

Electrocution on power lines is one of many human-caused mortality factors that affect raptors. Cost-effective and relatively simple raptor-safe standards for power line modification and construction have been available for over 25 years. During the 1970s and early 1980s, electric industry efforts to reduce raptor electrocutions were very coordinated and proactive, but predictions about resolving the problem were overly optimistic. Today, raptors continue to be electrocuted, possibly in large numbers. The electrocution problem has not been resolved, partly because of the sheer number of potentially lethal power poles in use and partly because electrocution risks may be more pervasive and sometimes less conspicuous than once believed. Also, responses to the problem by individual utilities have not been uniform, and deregulation of the electric industry during the 1990s may have deflected attention from electrocution issues. To control raptor electrocutions in the future, the industry must increase information sharing and technology transfer, increase efforts to retrofit lethal power poles, and above all ensure that every new and replacement line constructed incorporates raptor-safe standards at all phases of development. Finally, responsibility for the electrocution problem must be shared. Federal, state, and local governments, academic institutions, the conservation community, and the consumer all can play critical roles in an effort that will, by necessity, extend well into the new century.

A safe-by-design approach to the development of gold nanoboxes as carriers for internalization into cancer cells.

PubMed

Movia, Dania; Gerard, Valerie; Maguire, Ciaran Manus; Jain, Namrata; Bell, Alan P; Nicolosi, Valeria; O'Neill, Tiina; Scholz, Dimitri; Gun'ko, Yurii; Volkov, Yuri; Prina-Mello, Adriele

2014-03-01

Gold nanomaterials are currently raising a significant interest for human welfare in the field of clinical diagnosis, therapeutics for chronic pathologies, as well as of many other biomedical applications. In particular, gold nanomaterials are becoming a promising technology for developing novel approaches and treatments against widespread societal diseases such as cancer. In this study, we investigated the potential of proprietary gold nanoboxes (AuNBs) as carriers for their perspective translation into multifunctional, pre-clinical nano-enabled systems for personalized medicine approaches against lung cancer. A safe-by-design, tiered approach, with systematic tests conducted in the early phases on uncoated AuNBs and more focused testing on the coated, drug-loaded nanomaterial toward the end, was adopted. Our results showed that uncoated AuNBs could effectively penetrate into human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells when in simple (mono-cultures) or complex (co- and three-dimensional-cultures) in vitro microenvironments mimicking the alveolar region of human lungs. Uncoated AuNBs were biologically inert in A549 cells and demonstrated signs of biodegradability. Concurrently, preliminary data revealed that coated, drug-loaded AuNBs could efficiently deliver a chemotherapeutic agent to A549 cells, corroborating the hypothesis that AuNBs could be used in the future for the development of personalized nano-enabled systems for lung cancer treatment. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enhanced immunogenicity of an oral inactivated cholera vaccine in infants in Bangladesh obtained by zinc supplementation and by temporary withholding breast-feeding.

PubMed

Ahmed, Tanvir; Svennerholm, Ann-Mari; Al Tarique, Abdullah; Sultana, Gazi N N; Qadri, Firdausi

2009-02-25

The killed oral cholera vaccine Dukoral is recommended for adults and only children over 2 years of age, although cholera is seen frequently in younger children and there is an urgent need for a vaccine for them. Since decreased immunogenicity of oral vaccines in children in developing countries is a critical problem, we tested interventions to enhance responses to Dukoral. We evaluated the effect on the immune responses by temporarily withholding breast-feeding or by giving zinc supplementation. Two doses of Dukoral consisting of killed cholera vibrios and cholera B subunit were given to 6-18 months old Bangladeshi children (n=340) and safety and immunogenicity studied. Our results showed that two doses of the vaccine were safe and induced antibacterial (vibriocidal) antibody responses in 57% and antitoxin responses in 85% of the children. Immune responses were comparable after intake of one and two doses. Temporary withholding breast-feeding for 3 h before immunization or supplementation with 20 mg of zinc per day for 42 days resulted in increased magnitude of vibriocidal antibodies (77% and 79% responders, respectively). Administration of vaccines without buffer or in water did not result in reduction of vibriocidal responses. This study demonstrates that the vaccine is safe and immunogenic in children under 2 years of age and that simple interventions can enhance immune responses in young children.

Optical thermal sensor based on cholesteric film refilled with mixture of toluene and ethanol.

PubMed

Li, Yong; Liu, Yanjun; Luo, Dan

2017-10-16

We demonstrate an optical thermal sensor based on cholesteric film refilled with mixture of toluene and ethanol. The thermal response mechanism is mainly based on the thermal expansion effect induce by toluene, where the ethanol is used for refractive index adjustment to determine the initial refection band position of cholesteric film. The ethanol-toluene mixture was used to adjust the color tunability with the temperature in relation with the habits of people (blue as cold, green as safe and red as hot). A broad temperature range of 86 °C and highly sensitivity of 1.79 nm/ °C are achieved in proposed thermal sensor, where the reflective color red-shifts from blue to red when environmental temperature increases from -6 °C to 80 °C. This battery-free thermal sensor possesses features including simple fabrication, low-cost, and broad temperature sensing range, showing potential application in scientific research and industry.

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Drainage of Neonatal Pyometrocolpos Under Local Anesthesia

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Algin, Oktay, E-mail: droktayalgin@gmail.com; Erdogan, Cuneyt; Kilic, Nizamettin

2011-02-15

Hydrometrocolpos is an uncommon congenital disorder with cystic dilatation of the vagina and uterus that occurs as a result of accumulated secretions from the reproductive tract due to distal genital tract obstruction. Secondary infection may also occur, resulting in pyometrocolpos, a potentially lethal disease. Immediate drainage of the cystic mass in patients determined to have pyometrocolpos is required to prevent or treat uropathy and septicemia until definitive corrective surgery can be performed. We report an unusual cause of obstructive uropathy in three infants: pyometrocolpos due to lower genital tract atresia. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage of the pyometrocolpos resulted in dramatically improvedmore » clinical and laboratory findings in these patients. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage under local anesthesia is a simple, minimally invasive, safe, and effective procedure that facilitates later successful corrective surgery and avoids the need for more complex drainage procedures.« less

Ultrahigh vacuum and low-temperature cleaning of oxide surfaces using a low-concentration ozone beam

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pratt, A.; Department of Physics, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD; Graziosi, P.

We present a novel method of delivering a low-concentration (<15%) ozone beam to an ultra-high vacuum environment for the purpose of cleaning and dosing experimental samples through oxidation processing. The system described is safe, low-cost, and practical and overcomes the limitations of ozone transport in the molecular flow environment of high or ultrahigh vacuum whilst circumventing the use of pure ozone gas which is potentially highly explosive. The effectiveness of this method in removing surface contamination is demonstrated through comparison of high-temperature annealing of a simple oxide (MgO) in ozone and oxygen environments as monitored using quadrupole mass spectroscopy andmore » Auger electron spectroscopy. Additionally, we demonstrate the potential of ozone for obtaining clean complex oxide surfaces without the need for high-temperature annealing which may significantly alter surface structure.« less

A large foodborne outbreak on a small Pacific island.

PubMed

Thein, C C; Trinidad, R M; Pavlin, B I

2010-04-01

On March 25, 2009, the Ebeye Leroj Kitlang Memorial Health Center on the island of Ebeye in the Republic of the Marshall Islands was overwhelmed with over 100 patients presenting for vomiting and diarrhea. Epidemiologic investigation revealed that there were 174 cases among 187 attendees at a local funeral earlier in the day. Most cases had eaten served sandwiches containing egg products that had undergone severe time-temperature abuse. While no causal agents were identified, the epidemiology and clinical presentation is compatible with foodborne toxins, most likely enterotoxins of either Staphylococcus aureus or Bacillus cereus. Mitigation measures undertaken by public health centered on education of food preparers and the general public regarding safe food preparation practices. This large outbreak serves to remind us that, while there are simple and highly effective measures to prevent such foodborne disease outbreaks, we in the public health sector have a duty to improve the community's knowledge and understanding of these measures.

Prophylactic transcervical amnioinfusion in laboring women with oligohydramnios.

PubMed

Amin, A F; Mohammed, M S; Sayed, G H; Abdel-Razik, S

2003-05-01

Evaluation of prophylactic intrapartum amnioinfusion in women with oligohydramnios. Assiut University Hospital during the period from February 2000 to September 2001, 160 laboring women with oligohydramnios [amniotic fluid index (AFI)

Tracked 3D ultrasound in radio-frequency liver ablation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boctor, Emad M.; Fichtinger, Gabor; Taylor, Russell H.; Choti, Michael A.

2003-05-01

Recent studies have shown that radio frequency (RF) ablation is a simple, safe and potentially effective treatment for selected patients with liver metastases. Despite all recent therapeutic advancements, however, intra-procedural target localization and precise and consistent placement of the tissue ablator device are still unsolved problems. Various imaging modalities, including ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) have been tried as guidance modalities. Transcutaneous US imaging, due to its real-time nature, may be beneficial in many cases, but unfortunately, fails to adequately visualize the tumor in many cases. Intraoperative or laparoscopic US, on the other hand, provides improved visualization and target imaging. This paper describes a system for computer-assisted RF ablation of liver tumors, combining navigational tracking of a conventional imaging ultrasound probe to produce 3D ultrasound imaging with a tracked RF ablation device supported by a passive mechanical arm and spatially registered to the ultrasound volume.

Software control and system configuration management - A process that works

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Petersen, K. L.; Flores, C., Jr.

1983-01-01

A comprehensive software control and system configuration management process for flight-crucial digital control systems of advanced aircraft has been developed and refined to insure efficient flight system development and safe flight operations. Because of the highly complex interactions among the hardware, software, and system elements of state-of-the-art digital flight control system designs, a systems-wide approach to configuration control and management has been used. Specific procedures are implemented to govern discrepancy reporting and reconciliation, software and hardware change control, systems verification and validation testing, and formal documentation requirements. An active and knowledgeable configuration control board reviews and approves all flight system configuration modifications and revalidation tests. This flexible process has proved effective during the development and flight testing of several research aircraft and remotely piloted research vehicles with digital flight control systems that ranged from relatively simple to highly complex, integrated mechanizations.

Ultrasound-guided piriformis muscle injection. A new approach.

PubMed

Bevilacqua Alén, E; Diz Villar, A; Curt Nuño, F; Illodo Miramontes, G; Refojos Arencibia, F J; López González, J M

2016-12-01

Piriformis syndrome is an uncommon cause of buttock and leg pain. Some treatment options include the injection of piriformis muscle with local anesthetic and steroids. Various techniques for piriformis muscle injection have been described. Ultrasound allows direct visualization and real time injection of the piriformis muscle. We describe 5 consecutive patients, diagnosed of piriformis syndrome with no improvement after pharmacological treatment. Piriformis muscle injection with local anesthetics and steroids was performed using an ultrasound technique based on a standard technique. All 5 patients have improved their pain measured by numeric verbal scale. One patient had a sciatic after injection that improved in 10 days spontaneously. We describe an ultrasound-guided piriformis muscle injection that has the advantages of being effective, simple, and safe. Copyright © 2016 Sociedad Española de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Smart glove: hand master using magnetorheological fluid actuators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nam, Y. J.; Park, M. K.; Yamane, R.

2007-12-01

In this study, a hand master using five miniature magneto-rheological (MR) actuators, which is called 'the smart glove', is introduced. This hand master is intended to display haptic feedback to the fingertip of the human user interacting with any virtual objects in virtual environment. For the smart glove, two effective approaches are proposed: (i) by using the MR actuator which can be considered as a passive actuator, the smart glove is made simple in structure, high in power, low in inertia, safe in interface and stable in haptic feedback, and (ii) with a novel flexible link mechanism designed for the position-force transmission between the fingertips and the actuators, the number of the actuator and the weight of the smart glove can be reduced. These features lead to the improvement in the manipulability and portability of the smart glove. The feasibility of the constructed smart glove is verified through basic performance evaluation.

Piezosurgery applied to implant dentistry: clinical and biological aspects.

PubMed

Pereira, Cassiano Costa Silva; Gealh, Walter Cristiano; Meorin-Nogueira, Lamis; Garcia-Júnior, Idelmo Rangel; Okamoto, Roberta

2014-07-01

Piezosurgery is a new and modern technique of bone surgery in implantology. Selective cutting is possible for different ultrasonic frequencies acting only in hard tissues (mineralized), saving vital anatomical structures. With the piezoelectric osteotomy technique, receptor site preparation for implants, autogenous bone graft acquistition (particles and blocks), osteotomy for alveolar bone crest expansion, maxillary sinus lifting, and dental implant removal can be performed accurately and safely, providing excellent clinical and biological results, especially for osteocyte viability. The aim of this review was, through literature review, to present clinical applications of piezosurgery in implant dentistry and outline their advantages and disadvantages over conventional surgical systems. Moreover, this study addressed the biological aspects related to piezosurgery that differentiate it from those of bone tissue approaches. Overall, piezosurgery enables critical operations in simple and fully executable procedures; and effectively, areas that are difficult to access have less risk of soft tissue and neurovascular tissue damage via piezosurgery.

Extravesical detrusorrhaphy for vesicoureteral reflux in children.

PubMed

Chung, H M; Yu, T J

1998-03-01

Extravesical detrusorrhaphy is a simple and safe approach to antireflux surgery; however, its use in Taiwan has seldom been reported. We report the outcomes of 15 patients (23 ureters) with primary vesicoureteral reflux who underwent extravesical detrusorrhaphy between January 1995 and April 1996, and describe the surgical technique. Overall, vesicoureteral reflux was cured in 22 of 23 ureters. Postoperative morbidity and complications were minimal. None of the patients had obstruction or significant hematuria. The discomfort related to bladder spasms during the postoperative period was subjectively decreased compared to the conventional transvesical technique. There was transient voiding inefficiency in three patients, as well as urinary retention in one, which resolved spontaneously after 4 weeks of Foley catheter drainage. Our experience showed that detrusorrhaphy is an effective way to correct vesicoureteral reflux with minimal morbidity and discomfort. Proper patient selection and strict adherence to the surgical principle are important for high success rates.

Software control and system configuration management: A systems-wide approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Petersen, K. L.; Flores, C., Jr.

1984-01-01

A comprehensive software control and system configuration management process for flight-crucial digital control systems of advanced aircraft has been developed and refined to insure efficient flight system development and safe flight operations. Because of the highly complex interactions among the hardware, software, and system elements of state-of-the-art digital flight control system designs, a systems-wide approach to configuration control and management has been used. Specific procedures are implemented to govern discrepancy reporting and reconciliation, software and hardware change control, systems verification and validation testing, and formal documentation requirements. An active and knowledgeable configuration control board reviews and approves all flight system configuration modifications and revalidation tests. This flexible process has proved effective during the development and flight testing of several research aircraft and remotely piloted research vehicles with digital flight control systems that ranged from relatively simple to highly complex, integrated mechanizations.

Inequality of the use of skilled birth assistance among rural women in Bangladesh: facts and factors.

PubMed

Kamal, S M Mostafa; Hassan, Che Hashim; Kabir, M A

2015-03-01

This study examines the inequality of the use of skilled delivery assistance by the rural women of Bangladesh using the 2007 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey data. Simple cross-tabulation and univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were employed in the study. Overall, 56.1% of the women received at least one antenatal care visit, whereas only 13.2% births were assisted by skilled personnel. Findings revealed apparent inequality in using skilled delivery assistance by socioeconomic strata. Birth order, women's education, religion, wealth index, region and antenatal care are important determinants of seeking skilled assistance. To ensure safe motherhood initiative, government should pay special attention to reduce inequality in seeking skilled delivery assistance. A strong focus on community-based and regional interventions is important in order to increase the utilization of safe maternal health care services in rural Bangladesh. © 2013 APJPH.

Signal propagation along the axon.

PubMed

Rama, Sylvain; Zbili, Mickaël; Debanne, Dominique

2018-03-08

Axons link distant brain regions and are usually considered as simple transmission cables in which reliable propagation occurs once an action potential has been generated. Safe propagation of action potentials relies on specific ion channel expression at strategic points of the axon such as nodes of Ranvier or axonal branch points. However, while action potentials are generally considered as the quantum of neuronal information, their signaling is not entirely digital. In fact, both their shape and their conduction speed have been shown to be modulated by activity, leading to regulations of synaptic latency and synaptic strength. We report here newly identified mechanisms of (1) safe spike propagation along the axon, (2) compartmentalization of action potential shape in the axon, (3) analog modulation of spike-evoked synaptic transmission and (4) alteration in conduction time after persistent regulation of axon morphology in central neurons. We discuss the contribution of these regulations in information processing. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aspirin Allergy Desensitization in Cerebrovascular Disease

PubMed Central

Zuckerman, Scott L; Seder, David B; Tsujiura, Crystiana; Cushing, Deborah; Gallup, Holly; Mocco, J; Hanel, Richard A; Ecker, Robert D

2014-01-01

Summary Aspirin (ASA) is the mainstay of treatment in cerebrovascular and systemic vascular disease. ASA hypersensitivity can pose a challenge to achieving optimum medical management prior to and after neurointerventional treatment. Desensitization to ASA is well described in the allergy and cardiovascular literature, but there are no similar discussions specific to neurointervention. The purpose of our study was to describe our experience with ASA hypersensitivity management and review the relevant literature. Two cases of patients with symptomatic cerebrovascular disease requiring neurointervention who were successfully desensitized to their ASA hypersensitivity prior to treatment are described. The subsequent literature is reviewed. Several ASA desensitization protocols exist and have been proven to successfully treat ASA hypersensitivity and allow for ASA therapy to be safely initiated. We describe several previously published protocols. ASA desensitization is a safe and simple way to manage ASA hypersensitivity. We provide comprehensive management guidelines for the neurointerventionalist engaging in ASA desensitization. PMID:24556294

Network Configuration Analysis for Formation Flying Satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knoblock, Eric J.; Wallett, Thomas M.; Konangi, Vijay K.; Bhasin, Kul B.

2001-01-01

The performance of two networks to support autonomous multi-spacecraft formation flying systems is presented. Both systems are comprised of a ten-satellite formation, with one of the satellites designated as the central or 'mother ship.' All data is routed through the mother ship to the terrestrial network. The first system uses a TCP/EP over ATM protocol architecture within the formation, and the second system uses the IEEE 802.11 protocol architecture within the formation. The simulations consist of file transfers using either the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or the Simple Automatic File Exchange (SAFE) Protocol. The results compare the IP queuing delay, IP queue size and IP processing delay at the mother ship as well as end-to-end delay for both systems. In all cases, using IEEE 802.11 within the formation yields less delay. Also, the throughput exhibited by SAFE is better than FTP.

First Attempts at using Active Halo Control at the LHC

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wagner, Joschka; Bruce, Roderik; Garcia Morales, Hector

2016-06-01

The beam halo population is a non-negligible factor for the performance of the LHC collimation system and the machine protection. In particular this could become crucial for aiming at stored beam energies of 700 MJ in the High Luminosity (HL-LHC) project, in order to avoid beam dumps caused by orbit jitter and to ensure safety during a crab cavity failure. Therefore several techniques to safely deplete the halo, i.e. active halo control, are under development. In a first attempt a novel way for safe halo depletion was tested with particle narrow-band excitation employing the LHC Transverse Damper (ADT). At anmore » energy of 450 GeV a bunch selective beam tail scraping without affecting the core distribution was attempted. This paper presents the first measurement results, as well as a simple simulation to model the underlying dynamics.« less

Autonomous atmospheric entry on mars: Performance improvement using a novel adaptive control algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ulrich, Steve; de Lafontaine, Jean

2007-12-01

Upcoming landing missions to Mars will require on-board guidance and control systems in order to meet the scientific requirement of landing safely within hundreds of meters to the target of interest. More specifically, in the longitudinal plane, the first objective of the entry guidance and control system is to bring the vehicle to its specified velocity at the specified altitude (as required for safe parachute deployment), while the second objective is to reach the target position in the longitudinal plane. This paper proposes an improvement to the robustness of the constant flight path angle guidance law for achieving the first objective. The improvement consists of combining this guidance law with a novel adaptive control scheme, derived from the so-called Simple Adaptive Control (SAC) technique. Monte-Carlo simulation results are shown to demonstrate the accuracy and the robustness of the proposed guidance and adaptive control system.

Safe paediatric intensive care. Part 1: Does more medical care lead to improved outcome?

PubMed

Frey, Bernhard; Argent, Andrew

2004-06-01

Neonatal and paediatric intensive care has improved the prognosis for seriously sick infants and children. This has happened because of a pragmatic approach focused on stabilisation of vital functions and immense technological advances in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. However, the belief that more medical care must inevitably lead to improved health is increasingly being questioned. This issue is especially relevant in developing countries where the introduction of highly specialised paediatric intensive care may not lead to an overall fall in child mortality. Even in developed countries, the complexity and availability of therapeutics and invasive procedures may put seriously ill children at additional risk. In both developing and industrialised countries the use of safe and simple procedures for appropriate periods, particular attention to drug prescription patterns and selection of appropriate aims and modes of therapy, including non-invasive methods, may minimise the risks of paediatric intensive care.

Novel method of vulnerability assessment of simple landfills area using the multimedia, multipathway and multireceptor risk assessment (3MRA) model, China.

PubMed

Yuan, Ying; He, Xiao-Song; Xi, Bei-Dou; Wei, Zi-Min; Tan, Wen-Bing; Gao, Ru-Tai

2016-11-01

Vulnerability assessment of simple landfills was conducted using the multimedia, multipathway and multireceptor risk assessment (3MRA) model for the first time in China. The minimum safe threshold of six contaminants (benzene, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], divalent mercury [Hg(II)] and divalent nickel [Ni(II)]) in landfill and waste pile models were calculated by the 3MRA model. Furthermore, the vulnerability indexes of the six contaminants were predicted based on the model calculation. The results showed that the order of health risk vulnerability index was As > Hg(II) > Cr(VI) > benzene > Cd > Ni(II) in the landfill model, whereas the ecology risk vulnerability index was in the order of As > Hg(II) > Cr(VI) > Cd > benzene > Ni(II). In the waste pile model, the order of health risk vulnerability index was benzene > Hg(II) > Cr(VI) > As > Cd and Ni(II), whereas the ecology risk vulnerability index was in the order of Hg(II) > Cd > Cr(VI) > As > benzene > Ni(II). These results indicated that As, Hg(II) and Cr(VI) were the high risk contaminants for the case of a simple landfill in China; the concentration of these in soil and groundwater around the simple landfill should be strictly monitored, and proper mediation is also recommended for simple landfills with a high concentration of contaminants. © The Author(s) 2016.

The effects of the evidence-based Safe Dates dating abuse prevention program on other youth violence outcomes.

PubMed

Foshee, Vangie A; Reyes, Luz McNaughton; Agnew-Brune, Christine B; Simon, Thomas R; Vagi, Kevin J; Lee, Rosalyn D; Suchindran, Chiravath

2014-12-01

In response to recent calls for programs that can prevent multiple types of youth violence, the current study examined whether Safe Dates, an evidence-based dating violence prevention program, was effective in preventing other forms of youth violence. Using data from the original Safe Dates randomized controlled trial, this study examined (1) the effectiveness of Safe Dates in preventing peer violence victimization and perpetration and school weapon carrying 1 year after the intervention phase was completed and (2) moderation of program effects by the sex or race/ethnicity of the adolescent. Ninety percent (n = 1,690) of the eighth and ninth graders who completed baseline questionnaires completed the 1-year follow-up assessment. The sample was 51 % female and 26 % minority (of whom 69 % was black and 31 % was of another minority race/ethnicity). There were no baseline treatment group differences in violence outcomes. Treatment condition was significantly associated with peer violence victimization and school weapon carrying at follow-up; there was 12 % less victimization and 31 % less weapon carrying among those exposed to Safe Dates than those among controls. Treatment condition was significantly associated with perpetration among the minority but not among white adolescents; there was 23 % less violence perpetration among minority adolescents exposed to Safe Dates than that among controls. The observed effect sizes were comparable with those of other universal school-based youth violence prevention programs. Implementing Safe Dates may be an efficient way of preventing multiple types of youth violence.

Buying & Using Medicine Safely

MedlinePlus

... Generic Drugs - Patient Education Resources Patient and Prescriber materials: Videos, PSAs, factsheets and more. Spotlight Drugs@FDA Index to Drug-Specific Information Protecting Yourself Safe Disposal of Medicines Generic Medicines – safe, effective and ...

Female sterilization: update on clinical efficacy, side effects and contraindications.

PubMed

Gizzo, Salvatore; Bertocco, Anna; Saccardi, Carlo; Di Gangi, Stefania; Litta, Pietro Salvatore; D'antona, Donato; Nardelli, Giovanni Battista

2014-10-01

The aim of this review is to compare studies concerning female sterilization in order to define the most suitable approach and device for each patient considering timing, safety, cost-effectiveness, failure rate, complication rate and patient satisfaction. A systematic literature search was conducted in electronic databases MEDLINE-EMBASE-Sciencedirect and Cochrane Library between 2000 and 2012. All original descriptions, case reports, retrospective and review articles on tubal sterilization methods have been considered. Outcome measures were effectiveness, tolerability, procedure complications and female satisfaction. The ideal female sterilization system should be a simple, safe, highly efficient, easily learned, inexpensive, one-time procedure without negative side-effects. Nowadays, the trans-cervical approach is associated with minimal postoperative pain, allowing short hospitalization and fast resumption of daily activities. Laparoscopic and laparotomic approaches are considered second choices, since, particularly in developing countries, the transcervical hysteroscopic methods will increasingly spread within gynaecological clinical practice. Safety issues, hospital stay, costs and surgeons' experience are important factors in decision-making of the method for female sterilization. Hysteroscopic devices should be preferred when possible. The counselling time remains a fundamental step in choice. The decision concerning method depends on the setting, the surgeon's experience, the country's economical development and the woman's preference.

Enhanced tolerance and antitumor efficacy by docetaxel-loaded albumin nanoparticles.

PubMed

Tang, Xiaolei; Wang, Guijun; Shi, Runjie; Jiang, Ke; Meng, Lingtong; Ren, Hao; Wu, Jinhui; Hu, Yiqiao

2016-10-01

Docetaxel is one of the most active chemotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment. The traditional docetaxel injection (TAXOTERE®) is currently formulated in the surfactant polysorbate 80, which has been associated with severe adverse reactions. To avoid the use of polysorbate 80 as well as to reduce the systemic toxicity of docetaxel, in this study, docetaxel-loaded albumin nanoparticles were fabricated by a novel simple self-assembly method. The resulting nanoparticles showed a mean diameter size of 150 nm. After being encapsulated into nanoparticles, docetaxel displayed similar cytotoxicity to traditional injection. Since polysorbate 80 was not involved in nanoparticles, the hemolysis was completely eliminated. The maximal tolerance dose of nanoparticles was also increased, which allowed a higher dose to be safely intravenously injected and produced ideal antitumor effects. The 150 nm diameter also allowed the nanoparticles to accumulate in tumor tissue via the enhanced permeability and retention effect. The passive targeting ability further caused the higher antitumor effects of nanoparticles than that of traditional injection at the same dose (7.5 mg/kg). Therefore, docetaxel-loaded albumin nanoparticles fabricated by our strategy showed higher promise in their safety and effectiveness than the traditional docetaxel injection.

Electronic cigarette, effective or harmful for quitting smoking and respiratory health: A quantitative review papers.

PubMed

Heydari, Gholamreza; Ahmady, Arezoo Ebn; Chamyani, Fahimeh; Masjedi, Mohammadreza; Fadaizadeh, Lida

2017-01-01

In recent years, electronic cigarettes (ECs) have been heavily advertised as an alternative smoking device as well as a possible cessation method. We aimed to review all published scientific literature pertaining to ECs and to present a simple conclusion about their effects for quitting smoking and respiratory health. This was a cross-sectional study with a search of PubMed, limited to English publications upto September 2014. The total number of papers which had ECs in its title and their conclusions positive or negative regarding ECs effects were computed. The number of negative papers was subtracted from the number of positive ones to make a score. Of the 149 articles, 137 (91.9%) were accessible, of which 68 did not have inclusion criteria. In the 69 remaining articles, 24 studies supported ECs and 45 considered these to be harmful. Finally, based on this evidence, the score of ECs (computed result with positive minus negative) was -21. Evidence to suggest that ECs may be effective and advisable for quitting smoking or a safe alternative for smoking is lacking and may instead harm the respiratory system. However, further studies are needed.

[The road to patient safety: facts and desire].

PubMed

Aibar-Remón, Carlos; Barrasa-Villar, Ignacio; Moliner-Lahoz, Javier; Gutiérrez-Cía, Isabel; Aibar-Villán, Laura; Obón-Azuara, Blanca; Mareca-Doñate, Rosa; Ríos-Faure, David

2018-01-27

To evaluate differences between the need and degree of implementation of safe practices recommended for patient safety and to check the usefulness of traffic sign iconicity to promote their implementation. The study was developed in two stages: 1) review of safe practices recommended by different organizations and 2) a survey to assess the perceptions for the need and implementation of them and the usefulness of signs to improve their implementation. The sample consisted of professionals from Spain and Latin America working in healthcare settings and in the academic field related to patient safety. 365 questionnaires were collected. All safe practices included were considered necessary (mean and lower limit of confidence interval over 3 out of 5 points). However, in six of the patient safety practices evaluated the implementation was considered insufficient: illegible handwriting, medication reconciliation, standardization of communication systems, early warning systems, procedures performed or equipment used only by trained people, and compliance with patient preferences at the end of life. Improve compliance of with hand hygiene and barrier precautions to prevent infections, ensure the correct identification of patients and the use of checklists are the four practices in which more than 75% of respondents found a high degree of consensus on the usefulness of traffic sings to broaden their use. The differences between perceived need and actual implementation in some safe practices indicate areas for improvement in patient safety. With this aim, the common language and the iconicity of traffic signs could constitute a simple instrument to improve compliance with safe practices for patient safety. Copyright © 2018 SESPAS. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

A fibre based triature interferometer for measuring rapidly evolving, ablatively driven plasma densities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macdonald, J.; Bland, S. N.; Threadgold, J.

2015-08-01

We report on the first use of a fibre interferometer incorporating triature analysis for measuring rapidly evolving plasma densities of ne ˜ 1013/cm3 and above, such as those produced by simple coaxial plasma guns. The resultant system is extremely portable, easy to field in experiments, relatively cheap to produce, and—with the exception of a small open area in which the plasma is sampled—safe in operation as all laser light is enclosed.

Laparoscopic insertion of the Moss feeding tube.

PubMed

Albrink, M H; Hagan, K; Rosemurgy, A S

1993-12-01

Placement of enteral feeding tubes is an important part of a surgeon's skill base. Surgical insertion of feeding tubes has been performed safely for many years with very few modifications. With the recent surge in interest and applicability of other laparoscopic procedures, it is well within the skills of the average laparoscopic surgeon to insert feeding tubes. We describe herein a simple technique for the insertion of the Moss feeding tube. The procedure described has a minimum of invasion, along with simplicity, safety, and accuracy.

The Skin Punch Biopsy

PubMed Central

Blakeman, J. M.

1983-01-01

The skin punch biopsy is a simple and safe office procedure which is a valuable aid in diagnosing many skin diseases. It can be performed in a few minutes and offers in most situations a very suitable histological specimen with a minimum amount of scarring and little or no pain or discomfort to the patient. The indications for skin biopsy, selection of a proper site and the technique are described. ImagesFig. 1Fig. 2Fig. 3Fig. 4Fig. 5Fig. 6Fig. 7 PMID:21283375

Vector systems for prenatal gene therapy: principles of retrovirus vector design and production.

PubMed

Howe, Steven J; Chandrashekran, Anil

2012-01-01

Vectors derived from the Retroviridae family have several attributes required for successful gene delivery. Retroviral vectors have an adequate payload size for the coding regions of most genes; they are safe to handle and simple to produce. These vectors can be manipulated to target different cell types with low immunogenicity and can permanently insert genetic information into the host cells' genome. Retroviral vectors have been used in gene therapy clinical trials and successfully applied experimentally in vitro, in vivo, and in utero.

Airborne Network Data Availability Using Peer to Peer Database Replication on a Distributed Hash Table

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-01

DSR Dynamic Source Routing DSSS Direct -sequence spread spectrum GUID Globally Unique ID MANET Mobile Ad-hoc Network NS3 Network Simulator 3 OLSR...networking schemes for safe maneuvering and data communication. Imagine needing to maintain an operational picture of an overall environment using a...as simple as O(n) where every node is sequentially queried to O log(n), or O(1). These schemes will be discussed with each individual DHT. Four of the

Utilization of non-weapons-grade plutonium and highly enriched uranium with breeding of the {sup 233}U isotope in the VVER reactors using thorium and heavy water

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marshalkin, V. E., E-mail: marshalkin@vniief.ru; Povyshev, V. M.

A method for joint utilization of non-weapons-grade plutonium and highly enriched uranium in the thorium–uranium—plutonium oxide fuel of a water-moderated reactor with a varying water composition (D{sub 2}O, H{sub 2}O) is proposed. The method is characterized by efficient breeding of the {sup 233}U isotope and safe reactor operation and is comparatively simple to implement.

Storm-Related Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: An Investigation of Target Audience Knowledge and Risk Behaviors.

PubMed

Damon, Scott A; Poehlman, Jon A; Rupert, Douglas J; Williams, Peyton N

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings in the United States consistently occur when residents improperly use portable gasoline-powered generators and other tools following severe storms and power outages. However, protective behaviors-such as installing CO alarms and placing generators more than 20 feet away from indoor structures-can prevent these poisonings. This study identified knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that lead consumers to adopt risk and protective behaviors for storm-related CO poisoning and post-storm generator use. Four focus groups (32 participants in total) were conducted with generator owners in winter and summer storm-prone areas to explore home safety, portable generator use, CO poisoning knowledge, and generator safety messages. Discussions were transcribed, and findings analyzed using an ordered meta-matrix approach. Although most generator owners were aware of CO poisoning, many were unsure what constitutes a safe location for generator operation and incorrectly stated that enclosed areas outside the home-such as attached garages, sheds, and covered porches-were safe. Convenience and access to appliances often dictated generator placement. Participants were receptive to installing CO alarms in their homes but were unsure where to place them. These findings suggest a deficit in understanding how to operate portable generators safely and a need to correct misconceptions around safe placement. In terms of behavioral price, the simple installation and maintenance of inexpensive CO alarms may be the most important strategy for ultimately protecting homes from both storm-related and other CO exposures.

Storm-Related Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: An Investigation of Target Audience Knowledge and Risk Behaviors

PubMed Central

Damon, Scott A.; Poehlman, Jon A.; Rupert, Douglas J.; Williams, Peyton N.

2015-01-01

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings in the United States consistently occur when residents improperly use portable gasoline-powered generators and other tools following severe storms and power outages. However, protective behaviors—such as installing CO alarms and placing generators more than 20 feet away from indoor structures—can prevent these poisonings. This study identified knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that lead consumers to adopt risk and protective behaviors for storm-related CO poisoning and post-storm generator use. Four focus groups (32 participants in total) were conducted with generator owners in winter and summer storm-prone areas to explore home safety, portable generator use, CO poisoning knowledge, and generator safety messages. Discussions were transcribed, and findings analyzed using an ordered meta-matrix approach. Although most generator owners were aware of CO poisoning, many were unsure what constitutes a safe location for generator operation and incorrectly stated that enclosed areas outside the home—such as attached garages, sheds, and covered porches—were safe. Convenience and access to appliances often dictated generator placement. Participants were receptive to installing CO alarms in their homes but were unsure where to place them. These findings suggest a deficit in understanding how to operate portable generators safely and a need to correct misconceptions around safe placement. In terms of behavioral price, the simple installation and maintenance of inexpensive CO alarms may be the most important strategy for ultimately protecting homes from both storm-related and other CO exposures. PMID:26345640

Prepare to protect: Operating and maintaining a tornado safe room.

PubMed

Herseth, Andrew; Goldsmith-Grinspoon, Jennifer; Scott, Pataya

2017-06-01

Operating and maintaining a tornado safe room can be critical to the effective continuity of business operations because a firm's most valuable asset is its people. This paper describes aspects of operations and maintenance (O&M) for existing tornado safe rooms as well as a few planning and design aspects that affect the ultimate operation of a safe room for situations where a safe room is planned, but not yet constructed. The information is based on several Federal Emergency Management Agency safe room publications that provide guidance on emergency management and operations, as well as the design and construction of tornado safe rooms.

The Effectiveness of Different Interventions to Promote Poison Prevention Behaviours in Households with Children: A Network Meta-Analysis

PubMed Central

Achana, Felix A.; Sutton, Alex J.; Kendrick, Denise; Wynn, Persephone; Young, Ben; Jones, David R.; Hubbard, Stephanie J.; Cooper, Nicola J.

2015-01-01

Background There is evidence from 2 previous meta-analyses that interventions to promote poison prevention behaviours are effective in increasing a range of poison prevention practices in households with children. The published meta-analyses compared any intervention against a “usual care or no intervention” which potentially limits the usefulness of the analysis to decision makers. We aim to use network meta-analysis to simultaneously evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions to increase prevalence of safe storage of i) Medicines only, ii) Other household products only, iii) Poisons (both medicines and non-medicines), iv) Poisonous plants; and v) Possession of poison control centre (PCC) telephone number in households with children. Methods Data on the effectiveness of poison prevention interventions was extracted from primary studies identified in 2 newly-undertaken systematic reviews. Effect estimates were pooled across studies using a random effects network meta-analysis model. Results 28 of the 47 primary studies identified were included in the analysis. Compared to usual care intervention, the intervention with education and low cost/free equipment elements was most effective in promoting safe storage of medicines (odds ratio 2.51, 95% credible interval 1.01 to 6.00) while interventions with education, low cost/free equipment, home safety inspection and fitting components were most effective in promoting safe storage of other household products (2.52, 1.12 to 7.13), safe storage of poisons (11.10, 1.60 to 141.50) and possession of PCC number (38.82, 2.19 to 687.10). No one intervention package was more effective than the others in promoting safe storage of poisonous plants. Conclusion The most effective interventions varied by poison prevention practice, but education alone was not the most effective intervention for any poison prevention practice. Commissioners and providers of poison prevention interventions should tailor the interventions they commission or provide to the poison prevention practices they wish to promote. Highlights Network meta-analysis is useful for comparing multiple injury-prevention interventions. More intensive poison prevention interventions were more effective than education alone. Education and low cost/free equipment was most effective in promoting safe storage of medicines. Education, low cost/free equipment, home safety inspection and fitting was most effective in promoting safe storage of household products and poisons. Education, low cost/free equipment and home inspection were most effective in promoting possession of a poison control centre number. None of the intervention packages was more effective than the others in promoting safe storage of poisonous plants. PMID:25894385

The effectiveness of different interventions to promote poison prevention behaviours in households with children: a network meta-analysis.

PubMed

Achana, Felix A; Sutton, Alex J; Kendrick, Denise; Wynn, Persephone; Young, Ben; Jones, David R; Hubbard, Stephanie J; Cooper, Nicola J

2015-01-01

There is evidence from 2 previous meta-analyses that interventions to promote poison prevention behaviours are effective in increasing a range of poison prevention practices in households with children. The published meta-analyses compared any intervention against a "usual care or no intervention" which potentially limits the usefulness of the analysis to decision makers. We aim to use network meta-analysis to simultaneously evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions to increase prevalence of safe storage of i) Medicines only, ii) Other household products only, iii) Poisons (both medicines and non-medicines), iv) Poisonous plants; and v) Possession of poison control centre (PCC) telephone number in households with children. Data on the effectiveness of poison prevention interventions was extracted from primary studies identified in 2 newly-undertaken systematic reviews. Effect estimates were pooled across studies using a random effects network meta-analysis model. 28 of the 47 primary studies identified were included in the analysis. Compared to usual care intervention, the intervention with education and low cost/free equipment elements was most effective in promoting safe storage of medicines (odds ratio 2.51, 95% credible interval 1.01 to 6.00) while interventions with education, low cost/free equipment, home safety inspection and fitting components were most effective in promoting safe storage of other household products (2.52, 1.12 to 7.13), safe storage of poisons (11.10, 1.60 to 141.50) and possession of PCC number (38.82, 2.19 to 687.10). No one intervention package was more effective than the others in promoting safe storage of poisonous plants. The most effective interventions varied by poison prevention practice, but education alone was not the most effective intervention for any poison prevention practice. Commissioners and providers of poison prevention interventions should tailor the interventions they commission or provide to the poison prevention practices they wish to promote. Network meta-analysis is useful for comparing multiple injury-prevention interventions. More intensive poison prevention interventions were more effective than education alone. Education and low cost/free equipment was most effective in promoting safe storage of medicines. Education, low cost/free equipment, home safety inspection and fitting was most effective in promoting safe storage of household products and poisons. Education, low cost/free equipment and home inspection were most effective in promoting possession of a poison control centre number. None of the intervention packages was more effective than the others in promoting safe storage of poisonous plants.

Improved monitoring framework for local planning in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector: From data to decision-making.

PubMed

Garriga, Ricard Giné; de Palencia, Alejandro Jiménez Fdez; Foguet, Agustí Pérez

2015-09-01

Today, a vast proportion of people still lack a simple pit latrine and a source of safe drinking water. To help end this appalling state of affairs, there is a pressing need to provide policymakers with evidences which may be the basis of effective planning, targeting and prioritization. Two major challenges often hinder this process: i) lack of reliable data to identify which areas are most in need; and ii) inadequate instruments for decision-making support. In tackling previous shortcomings, this paper proposes a monitoring framework to compile, analyze, interpret and disseminate water, sanitation and hygiene information. In an era of decentralization, where decision-making moves to local governments, we apply such framework at the local level. The ultimate goal is to develop appropriate tools for decentralized planning support. To this end, the study first implements a methodology for primary data collection, which combines the household and the waterpoint as information sources. In doing so, we provide a complete picture of the context in which domestic WASH services are delivered. Second, the collected data are analyzed to underline the emerging development challenges. The use of simple planning indicators serves as the basis to i) reveal which areas require policy attention, and to ii) identify the neediest. Third, a classification process is proposed to prioritize among various populations. Three different case studies from East and Southern African countries are presented. Results indicate that accurate and comprehensive data, if adequately exploited through simple instruments, may be the basis of effective targeting and prioritization, which are central to sector planning. The application of the proposed framework in the real world, however, is to a certain extent elusive; and we point out to conclude two specific challenges that remain unaddressed, namely the upgrade of existing decision-making processes to enhance transparency and inclusiveness, and the development of data updating mechanisms. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A novel, simple method for achieving hemostasis of fingertip dermal avulsion injuries.

PubMed

Lin, Brian Wai

2015-06-01

Distal fingertip pad dermal avulsion injuries can be challenging for emergency physicians. A common occurrence with these injuries is difficult-to-control bleeding. The nature of these wounds is such that conventional primary closure to achieve hemostasis is not feasible. Often, direct pressure, even for prolonged periods, will not adequately control the bleeding. Currently recommended techniques are inadequate to control bleeding, and commercially available hemostatic products may be more costly and not widely available. To present a simple method to achieve permanent hemostasis of these injuries using a tourniquet and tissue adhesive glue. A tourniquet is placed around the proximal digit, and the digit is exsanguinated and elevated to achieve short-term hemostasis. Several layers of commercially available tissue adhesive glue are applied sequentially over the avulsed region of the digit and allowed to dry. The tourniquet is then removed. A clean, bloodless dressing is created over the avulsed fingertip. This technique provides a rapid, simple, and likely safe means to control bleeding from a fingertip dermal avulsion injury. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery versus standard laparoscopic simple nephrectomy: a prospective randomized study.

PubMed

Tugcu, Volkan; Ilbey, Yusuf Ozlem; Mutlu, Bircan; Tasci, Ali Ihsan

2010-08-01

Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS), an attempt to further enhance the cosmetic benefits of minimally invasive surgery while minimizing the potential morbidity associated with multiple incisions, has been developed recently. Our aim was to compare LESS simple nephrectomy (LESS-SN) and conventional transperitoneal laparoscopic simple nephrectomy (CTL-SN). In this randomized study that was conducted between December 2008 and September 2009, 27 patients who needed simple nephrectomy were randomized to either LESS-SN or CTL-SN. All procedures in both groups were performed by the first author, who is experienced in laparoscopic surgery. Patient characteristics, perioperative details, and time to return to work were recorded. Postoperative evaluation of pain and use of analgesic medication were recorded. There was no difference in median operative time (117.5 vs 114 min, P = 0.52), blood loss (50.71 vs 47.15 mL, P = 0.60), transfusion rates (0% for both), and hospitalization time (2.07 vs 2.11 days, P = 0.74) between the LESS-SN and CTL-SN groups. Time to return to normal activities was shorter in the LESS-SN group compared with the CTL-SN group (10.7 vs 13.5 days, P = 0.001). Both the visual analogue scale and the postoperative use of analgesics were significantly lower during postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 in patients who underwent LESS-SN, compared with patients who underwent CTL-SN. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications in both groups. Compared with CTL-SN, LESS-SN was more expensive, but all patients undergoing LESS-SN were very pleased with the cosmetic outcome (no visible scars). The early experience described in this study suggests that LESS-SN is a safe and effective alternative to CTL-SN that provides surgeons with a minimally invasive surgical option and the ability to hide the surgical incision within the umbilicus; however, a larger series is necessary to confirm these findings and to determine if there are any benefits in pain, recovery, or cosmesis.

Cold-forceps avulsion with adjuvant snare-tip soft coagulation (CAST) is an effective and safe strategy for the management of non-lifting large laterally spreading colonic lesions.

PubMed

Tate, David J; Bahin, Farzan F; Desomer, Lobke; Sidhu, Mayenaaz; Gupta, Vikas; Bourke, Michael J

2018-01-01

 Non-lifting large laterally spreading colorectal lesions (LSLs) are challenging to resect endoscopically and often necessitate surgery. A safe, simple technique to treat non-lifting LSLs endoscopically with robust long-term outcomes has not been described.  In this single-center prospective observational study of consecutive patients referred for endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of LSLs ≥ 20 mm, LSLs not completely resectable by snare because of non-lifting underwent standardized completion of resection with cold-forceps avulsion and adjuvant snare-tip soft coagulation (CAST). Scheduled surveillance colonoscopies were performed at 4 - 6 months (SC1) and 18 months (SC2). Primary outcomes were endoscopic evidence of adenoma clearance and avoidance of surgery. The secondary outcome was safety.  From January 2012 to October 2016, 540 lifting LSLs (82.2 %) underwent complete snare excision at EMR. CAST was required for complete removal in 101 non-lifting LSLs (17.8 %): 63 naïve non-lifting lesions (NNLs; 62.7 %) and 38 previously attempted non-lifting lesions (PANLs; 37.3 %). PANLs were smaller ( P  < 0.001) and more likely to be non-granular ( P  = 0.001) than the lifting LSLs. NNLs were of similar size ( P  = 0.77) and morphology ( P  = 0.10) to the lifting LSLs. CAST was successful in all cases and adverse events were comparable to lifting LSLs resected by complete snare excision. Recurrence at SC1 was comparable for PANLs (15.2 %) and lifting LSLs (15.3 %; P  = 0.99), whereas NNLs recurred more frequently (27.5 %; P  = 0.049); however, surgery was no more common for either type of non-lifting LSL than for lifting LSLs.  CAST is a safe, effective, and surgery-sparing therapy for the majority of non-lifting LSLs. It is easy to use, inexpensive, and does not require additional equipment. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Safe syringe disposal is related to safe syringe access among HIV-positive injection drug users.

PubMed

Coffin, Phillip O; Latka, Mary H; Latkin, Carl; Wu, Yingfeng; Purcell, David W; Metsch, Lisa; Gomez, Cynthia; Gourevitch, Marc N

2007-09-01

We evaluated the effect of syringe acquisition on syringe disposal among HIV-positive injection drug users (IDUs) in Baltimore, New York City, and San Francisco (N = 680; mean age 42 years, 62% male, 59% African-American, 21% Hispanic, 12% White). Independent predictors of safe disposal were acquiring syringes through a safe source and ever visiting a syringe exchange program. Weaker predictors included living in San Francisco, living in the area longer, less frequent binge drinking, injecting with an HIV+ partner, peer norms supporting safe injection, and self-empowerment. Independent predictors of safe "handling"-both acquiring and disposing of syringes safely-also included being from New York and being older. HIV-positive IDUs who obtain syringes from a safe source are more likely to safely dispose; peer norms contribute to both acquisition and disposal. Interventions to improve disposal should include expanding sites of safe syringe acquisition while enhancing disposal messages, alternatives, and convenience.

Functional measures show improvements after a home exercise program following supervised balance training in older adults with elevated fall risk.

PubMed

Tisher, Kristen; Mann, Kimberly; VanDyke, Sarah; Johansson, Charity; Vallabhajosula, Srikant

2018-03-05

Supervised balance training shows immediate benefit for older adults at fall risk. The long-term effectiveness of such training can be enhanced by implementing a safe and simple home exercise program (HEP). We investigated the effects of a12-week unsupervised HEP following supervised clinic-based balance training on functional mobility, balance, fall risk, and gait. Six older adults with an elevated fall risk obtained an HEP and comprised the HEP group (HEPG) and five older adults who were not given an HEP comprised the no HEP group (NoHEPG). The HEP consisted of three static balance exercises: feet-together, single-leg stance, and tandem. Each exercise was to be performed twice for 30-60 s, once per day, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Participants were educated on proper form, safety, and progression of exercises. Pre- and post-HEP testing included Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) assessments, Activities-Balance Confidence, Late-Life Functional Disability Instrument and instrumented assessments of balance and gait (Limits of Stability, modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, Gait). A healthy control group (HCG; n = 11) was also tested. For most of the measures, the HEPG improved to the level of HCG. Though task-specific improvements like BBS and SPPB components were seen, the results did not carry over to more dynamic assessments. Results provide proof of concept that a simple HEP can be independently implemented and effective for sustaining and/or improving balance in older adults at elevated fall-risk after they have undergone a clinic-based balance intervention.

30 CFR 77.803 - Fail safe ground check circuits on high-voltage resistance grounded systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Fail safe ground check circuits on high-voltage... WORK AREAS OF UNDERGROUND COAL MINES Surface High-Voltage Distribution § 77.803 Fail safe ground check..., resistance grounded systems shall include a fail safe ground check circuit or other no less effective device...

30 CFR 77.803 - Fail safe ground check circuits on high-voltage resistance grounded systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Fail safe ground check circuits on high-voltage... WORK AREAS OF UNDERGROUND COAL MINES Surface High-Voltage Distribution § 77.803 Fail safe ground check..., resistance grounded systems shall include a fail safe ground check circuit or other no less effective device...

30 CFR 77.803 - Fail safe ground check circuits on high-voltage resistance grounded systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Fail safe ground check circuits on high-voltage... WORK AREAS OF UNDERGROUND COAL MINES Surface High-Voltage Distribution § 77.803 Fail safe ground check..., resistance grounded systems shall include a fail safe ground check circuit or other no less effective device...

30 CFR 77.803 - Fail safe ground check circuits on high-voltage resistance grounded systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Fail safe ground check circuits on high-voltage... WORK AREAS OF UNDERGROUND COAL MINES Surface High-Voltage Distribution § 77.803 Fail safe ground check..., resistance grounded systems shall include a fail safe ground check circuit or other no less effective device...

Carbon Dioxide - Our Common "Enemy"

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

James, John T.; Macatangay, Ariel

2009-01-01

Health effects of brief and prolonged exposure to carbon dioxide continue to be a concern for those of us who manage this pollutant in closed volumes, such as in spacecraft and submarines. In both examples, considerable resources are required to scrub the atmosphere to levels that are considered totally safe for maintenance of crew health and performance. Defining safe levels is not a simple task because of many confounding factors, including: lack of a robust database on human exposures, suspected significant variations in individual susceptibility, variations in the endpoints used to assess potentially adverse effects, the added effects of stress, and the fluid shifts associated with micro-gravity (astronauts only). In 2007 the National Research Council proposed revised Continuous Exposure Guidelines (CEGLs) and Emergency Exposure Guidelines (EEGLs) to the U.S. Navy. Similarly, in 2008 the NASA Toxicology Group, in cooperation with another subcommittee of the National Research Council, revised Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentrations (SMACs). In addition, a 1000-day exposure limit was set for long-duration spaceflights to celestial bodies. Herein we examine the rationale for the levels proposed to the U.S. Navy and compare this rationale with the one used by NASA to set its limits. We include a critical review of previous studies on the effects of exposure to carbon dioxide and attempt to dissect out the challenges associated with setting fully-defensible limits. We also describe recent experiences with management of carbon dioxide aboard the International Space Station with 13 persons aboard. This includes the tandem operations of the Russian Vozduk and the U.S. Carbon Dioxide Removal System. A third removal system is present while the station is docked to the Shuttle spacecraft, so our experience includes the lithium hydroxide system aboard Shuttle for the removal of carbon dioxide. We discuss strategies for highly-efficient, regenerable removal of carbon dioxide that could meet the 1000-day SMAC of 0.5%, which would apply to long-duration voyages to Mars.

Is a structured, manualized, evidence-based treatment protocol culturally competent and equivalently effective among American Indian parents in child welfare?

PubMed

Chaffin, Mark; Bard, David; Bigfoot, Dolores Subia; Maher, Erin J

2012-08-01

In a statewide implementation, the manualized SafeCare home-based model was effective in reducing child welfare recidivism and producing high client satisfaction. Concerns about the effectiveness and acceptability of structured, manualized models with American Indians have been raised in the literature, but have rarely been directly tested. This study tests recidivism reduction equivalency and acceptability among American Indian parents. A subpopulation of 354 American Indian parents was drawn from a larger trial that compared services with versus without modules of the SafeCare model. Outcomes were 6-year recidivism, pre/post/follow-up measures of depression and child abuse potential, and posttreatment consumer ratings of working alliance, service satisfaction, and cultural competency. Recidivism reduction among American Indian parents was found to be equivalent for cases falling within customary SafeCare inclusion criteria. When extended to cases outside customary inclusion boundaries, there was no apparent recidivism advantage or disadvantage. Contrary to concerns, SafeCare had higher consumer ratings of cultural competency, working alliance, service quality, and service benefit. Findings support using SafeCare with American Indians parents who meet customary SafeCare inclusion criteria. Findings do not support concerns in the literature that a manualized, structured, evidence-based model might be less effective or culturally unacceptable for American Indians.

Is a Structured, Manualized, Evidence-Based Treatment Protocol Culturally Competent and Equivalently Effective Among American Indian Parents in Child Welfare?

PubMed Central

Chaffin, Mark; Bard, David; Bigfoot, Dolores Subia; Maher, Erin J.

2015-01-01

In a statewide implementation, the manualized SafeCare home–based model was effective in reducing child welfare recidivism and producing high client satisfaction. Concerns about the effectiveness and acceptability of structured, manualized models with American Indians have been raised in the literature, but have rarely been directly tested. This study tests recidivism reduction equivalency and acceptability among American Indian parents. A subpopulation of 354 American Indian parents was drawn from a larger trial that compared services with versus without modules of the SafeCare model. Outcomes were 6-year recidivism, pre/post/follow-up measures of depression and child abuse potential, and posttreatment consumer ratings of working alliance, service satisfaction, and cultural competency. Recidivism reduction among American Indian parents was found to be equivalent for cases falling within customary SafeCare inclusion criteria. When extended to cases outside customary inclusion boundaries, there was no apparent recidivism advantage or disadvantage. Contrary to concerns, SafeCare had higher consumer ratings of cultural competency, working alliance, service quality, and service benefit. Findings support using SafeCare with American Indians parents who meet customary SafeCare inclusion criteria. Findings do not support concerns in the literature that a manualized, structured, evidence-based model might be less effective or culturally unacceptable for American Indians. PMID:22927674

A feasibility study to assess the effectiveness of safe dates for teen mothers.

PubMed

Herrman, Judith W; Waterhouse, Julie K

2014-01-01

To determine the effectiveness of the adapted Safe Dates curriculum as an intervention for pregnant and/or parenting teens to prevent teen dating violence (TDV). This pre-/posttest, single-sample study provided a means to assess the effectiveness of an adapted Safe Dates curriculum for teen mothers. The adapted Safe Dates curriculum was implemented in three schools designed for the unique needs of teens who are pregnant and/or parenting. The final sample of 41 teen participants, with a mean age of 16.27, completed 80% of the curriculum and two of the three assessments. Most of the teens were pregnant during participation in the curriculum, and six had infants between age 1 and 3 months. The teen mothers completed the pretest, participated in the 10-session adapted Safe Dates curriculum, and completed the posttest at the end of the program and 1 month after program completion. The pre/posttest was adapted from the Safe Dates curriculum-specific evaluation instrument. Senior, undergraduate nursing students were trained in and implemented the curriculum. Participation in the adapted Safe Dates program yielded significant differences in the areas of responses to anger, gender stereotyping, awareness of resources for perpetrators and victims, and psychological violence perpetration. This adapted program may be effective in changing selected outcomes. The implementation of a larger scale, experimental/control group study may demonstrate the program's efficacy at reducing the incidence of TDV among teen mothers. © 2014 AWHONN, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

Safe Schools, Safe Communities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lewis, Julie E.; Pickett, Dean; Pulliam, Janet L.; Schwartz, Richard A.; St. Germaine, Anne-Marie; Underwood, Julie; Worona, Jay

Schools must work together with agencies, groups, and individuals to eliminate the forces leading children to violence. Chapter 1, "School Safety: Working Together to Keep Schools Safe," stresses the importance of community collaboration in violence prevention. Effective prevention requires sharing information about students, consistent…

Improvement of blood compatibility on polysulfone-polyvinylpyrrolidone blend films as a model membrane of dialyzer by physical adsorption of recombinant soluble human thrombomodulin (ART-123).

PubMed

Omichi, Masaaki; Matsusaki, Michiya; Maruyama, Ikuro; Akashi, Mitsuru

2012-01-01

ART-123 is a recombinant soluble human thrombomodulin (hTM) with potent anticoagulant activity, and is available for developing antithrombogenic surfaces by immobilization. We focused on improving blood compatibility on the dialyzer surface by the physical adsorption of ART-123 as a safe yet simple method without using chemical reagents. The physical adsorption mechanism and anticoagulant activities of adsorbed hTM on the surface of a polysulfone (PSF) membrane containing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a model dialyzer were investigated in detail. The PVP content of the PSF-PVP films was saturated at 20 wt% after immersion in Tris-HCl buffer, even with the addition of over 20 wt% PVP. The surface morphology of the PSF-PVP films was strongly influenced by the PVP content, because PVP covered the outermost surface of the PSF-PVP films. The adsorption speed of hTM slowed dramatically with increasing PVP content up to 10 wt%, but the maximum adsorption amount of hTM onto the PSF-PVP film surface was almost the same, regardless of the PVP content. The PSF-PVP film with the physically adsorbed hTM showed higher protein C activity as compared to the PSF film, it showed excellent blood compatibility due to the protein C activity and the inhibition properties of platelet adhesion. The physical adsorption of hTM can be useful as a safe yet simple method to improve the blood compatibility of a dialyzer surface.

Preliminary Upper Estimate of Peak Currents in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation at Distant Locations from a TMS Coil

PubMed Central

Makarov, Sergey N.; Yanamadala, Janakinadh; Piazza, Matthew W.; Helderman, Alex M.; Thang, Niang S.; Burnham, Edward H.; Pascual-Leone, Alvaro

2016-01-01

Goals Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is increasingly used as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for numerous neuropsychiatric disorders. The use of TMS might cause whole-body exposure to undesired induced currents in patients and TMS operators. The aim of the present study is to test and justify a simple analytical model known previously, which may be helpful as an upper estimate of eddy current density at a particular distant observation point for any body composition and any coil setup. Methods We compare the analytical solution with comprehensive adaptive mesh refinement-based FEM simulations of a detailed full-body human model, two coil types, five coil positions, about 100,000 observation points, and two distinct pulse rise times, thus providing a representative number of different data sets for comparison, while also using other numerical data. Results Our simulations reveal that, after a certain modification, the analytical model provides an upper estimate for the eddy current density at any location within the body. In particular, it overestimates the peak eddy currents at distant locations from a TMS coil by a factor of 10 on average. Conclusion The simple analytical model tested in the present study may be valuable as a rapid method to safely estimate levels of TMS currents at different locations within a human body. Significance At present, safe limits of general exposure to TMS electric and magnetic fields are an open subject, including fetal exposure for pregnant women. PMID:26685221

Lipoabdominoplasty: An exponential advantage for a consistently safe and aesthetic outcome.

PubMed

Kanjoor, J R; Singh, A K

2012-01-01

Extensive liposuction along with limited dissection of abdominal flaps is slowly emerging as a well proven advantageous method over standard abdominoplasty. A retrospective study analyzed 146 patients managed for the abdominal contour deformities from March 2004 to February 2010. A simple method to project the post operative outcome by rotation of a supine lateral photograph to upright posture in 46 patients prospectively has succeeded in projecting a predictable result. All patients were encouraged to practice chest physiotherapy in 'tummy tuck' position during the preoperative counseling. Aggressive liposuction of entire upper abdomen, a limited dissection in the midline, plication of diastasis of rectus whenever indicated, panniculectomy and neoumblicoplasty were done in all patients. The patients had a mean age of 43, youngest being 29 and oldest 72 years. Majority were of normal weight (94%). Twelve were morbidly obese; 57 patients had undergone previous abdominal surgeries; 49 patients had associated hernias. Lipoabdominoplasty yielded a satisfactory result in 110 (94%) patients. The postoperative patient had a definitely less heavy harmonious abdomen with improved waistline. The complications were more with higher BMI, fat thickness of more than 7 cm and prolonged operating time when other procedures were combined. Extensive liposuction combined with limited dissection method applied to all abdominoplasty patients yielded consistently safe, reliable and predictable aesthetic results with less complications and faster recovery. The simple photographic manipulation has helped project the postoperative outcome reliably. The preoperative chest physiotherapy in tummytuck position helped prevent chest complications.

Safety of repair for severe duodenal injuries.

PubMed

Velmahos, George C; Constantinou, Constantinos; Kasotakis, George

2008-01-01

There is ongoing debate about the management of severe duodenal injuries (SDIs), and earlier studies have recommended pyloric exclusion. The objective of this study was to compare primary repair with pyloric exclusion to examine if primary repair can be safely used in SDIs. The medical records of 193 consecutive patients who were admitted between August 1992 and January 2004 with duodenal injuries were reviewed. After excluding early deaths (n = 50), low-grade duodenal injuries (n = 81), and pancreatoduodenectomies for catastrophic trauma (n = 12), a total of 50 patients with SDIs (grade III, IV, or V) were analyzed. Primary repair (PR--simple duodenorrhaphy or resection and primary anastomosis) was performed in 34 (68%) and pyloric exclusion (PE) in 16 (32%). Characteristics and outcomes of these two groups were compared. PE and PR patients were similar for age, injury severity score, abdominal abbreviated injury score, physiologic status on admission, time to operation, and most abdominal organs injured. PE patients had more pancreatic injuries (63% vs. 24%, p < 0.01), a higher frequency of injuries to the first and second part of the duodenum (79% vs. 42%, p = 0.02), and a nonsignificant trend toward more grade IV and V injuries (37% vs. 18%, p = 0.11). There was no difference in morbidity (including complications specific to the duodenal repair), mortality, and intensive care unit and hospital length of stay between the two groups. Pyloric exclusion is not necessary for all patients with SDIs, as previously suggested. Selected SDI patients can be safely managed by simple primary repair.

GIS learning tool for world's largest earthquakes and their causes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatterjee, Moumita

The objective of this thesis is to increase awareness about earthquakes among people, especially young students by showing the five largest and two most predictable earthquake locations in the world and their plate tectonic settings. This is a geographic based interactive tool which could be used for learning about the cause of great earthquakes in the past and the safest places on the earth in order to avoid direct effect of earthquakes. This approach provides an effective way of learning for the students as it is very user friendly and more aligned to the interests of the younger generation. In this tool the user can click on the various points located on the world map which will open a picture and link to the webpage for that point, showing detailed information of the earthquake history of that place including magnitude of quake, year of past quakes and the plate tectonic settings that made this place earthquake prone. Apart from knowing the earthquake related information students will also be able to customize the tool to suit their needs or interests. Students will be able to add/remove layers, measure distance between any two points on the map, select any place on the map and know more information for that place, create a layer from this set to do a detail analysis, run a query, change display settings, etc. At the end of this tool the user has to go through the earthquake safely guidelines in order to be safe during an earthquake. This tool uses Java as programming language and uses Map Objects Java Edition (MOJO) provided by ESRI. This tool is developed for educational purpose and hence its interface has been kept simple and easy to use so that students can gain maximum knowledge through it instead of having a hard time to install it. There are lots of details to explore which can help more about what a GIS based tool is capable of. Only thing needed to run this tool is latest JAVA edition installed in their machine. This approach makes study more fun and interactive while educating students about a very important natural disaster which has been threatening us in recent years. This tool has been developed to increase awareness of the cause and effect of earthquake and how to be safe if that kind of disaster happens.

Prospective study on laser-assisted laparascopic partial nephrectomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sroka, Ronald; Hennig, Georg; Zilinberg, Katja; Khoder, Wael Y.

2012-02-01

Introduction: Developments in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) opened a demand for surgical tools compatible with laparoscopic manipulations to make laser assisted technique safe, feasible and reproducible. Warm ischemia and bleeding during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy place technical constraints on surgeons. Therefore it was the aim to develop a safe and effective laser assisted partial nephrectomy technique without need for ischemia. Patients and methods: A diode laser emitting light at 1318nm in cw mode was coupled into a bare fibre (core diameter 600 μm) thus able to transfer up to 100W to the tissue. After dry lab experience, a total of 10 patients suffering from kidney malformations underwent laparoscopic/retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy. Clinically, postoperative renal function and serum c-reactive protein (CRP) were monitored. Laser induced coagulation depth and effects on resection margins were evaluated. Demographic, clinical and follow-up data are presented. Using a commercial available fibre guidance instrument for lanringeal intervention, the demands on an innovative laser fibre guidance instrument for the laser assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LLPN) are summarized. Results: Overall, all laparascopic intervention were succesfull and could be performed without conversion to open surgery. Mean operative time and mean blood loss were comparable to conventional open and laparascopic approaches. Laser assisted resection of the kidney tissue took max 15min. After extirpation of the tumours all patients showed clinical favourable outcome during follow up period. Tumour sizes were measured to be up 5cm in diameter. The depth of the coagulation on the removed tissue ranged between <1 to 2mm without effect on histopathological evaluation of tumours or resection margin. As the surface of the remaining kidney surface was laser assisted coagulated after removal. The sealing of the surface was induced by a slightly larger coagulation margin, but could not measured so far. Based on this experiences a simple and easy to use instrument described serving also for suction and rinsing. Conclusion: This prospective in-vivo feasibility study shows that laser assisted partial nephrectomy seems to be a safe and promising medical technique which could be provided either during open surgery as well as laparascopically. This application showed good haemostasis and minimal parenchymal damage. Further investigations and development are needed for on-line detection of the remain coagulation margin. An optimised treatment equipment will support the applicability of laser assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Introducing a New Junior Doctor Electronic Weekend Handover on an Orthopaedic Ward.

PubMed

Maroo, Siddharth; Raj, Dipak

2017-01-01

Junior Doctors working on the Orthopaedic wards at a district general hospital identified the lack of a formal weekend handover. The Royal Colleges,GMC and Foundation Programme curriculum all emphasise the importance of a safe and effective handover. Doctors found that the current system of using a written, paper-based handover was unreliable, un-legible, and inefficient. Baseline measurements were sought in the form of a questionnaire which allowed us to obtain the limitations to the current handover. After this and a focus group, a new electronic, 'Microsoft Word' based handover was created and a repeat surgery issued in 2 weeks. Further PDSA cycles over the course of 8 weeks helped to improve and implement the new handover. The overall rating, out of 10, of the new handover increased from 3.4 to 8. Doctors felt the new handover was safer for patients and could be used as a tool for reviewing or referring patients. This project describes the use of a simple, cost-effective intervention that helped to improve patient safety and staff satisfaction.

Stability of colloidal silver nanoparticles trapped in lipid bilayer: effect of lecithin concentration and applied temperature.

PubMed

Barani, Hossein; Montazer, Majid; Braun, Hans-Georg; Dutschk, Victoria

2014-12-01

The use of silver nanoparticle on various substrates has been widespread because of its good antibacterial properties that directly depend on the stability of the silver nanoparticles in a colloidal suspension. In this study, the colloidal solutions of the silver nanoparticles were synthesised by a simple and safe method by using lecithin as a stabilising agent and their stability was examined at various temperatures. The effect of the lecithin concentrations on the stability of the synthesised silver nanoparticles was examined from 25 to 80°C at 5°C intervals, by recording the changes in the UV-vis absorption spectra, the hydrodynamic diameter and the light scattering intensity of the silver nanoparticles. In addition, the morphology of the synthesised silver nanoparticles was investigated with the low-voltage scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that increasing temperature caused different changes in the size of the stabilised and the unstabilised silver nanoparticles. The size of the stabilised silver nanoparticles reduced from 38 to 36 nm during increasing temperature, which confirmed good stability.

Laboratory diagnosis of peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

PubMed Central

Ludlam, H A; Price, T N; Berry, A J; Phillips, I

1988-01-01

The clinical course and laboratory diagnosis of peritonitis in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis was studied in 32 consecutive episodes. Peritonitis was associated with a failure in aseptic technique in eight episodes and with an exit-site infection in four episodes. Intraperitoneal vancomycin and ceftazidime were safe, effective, and convenient. Most patients administered their antibiotics at home, and symptoms usually resolved by day 4. Culture of the deposit obtained by centrifugation of 50 ml of effluent after leukocyte lysis provided the best rate of recovery (84% culture positive) but was technically demanding. Filtration of the same volume without leukocyte lysis was simple to perform and almost as effective. Enrichment was less satisfactory (65% culture positive) owing to the presence of antibiotic or infection with fastidious microorganisms. Culture of 50 ml of effluent after concentration by a commonly used laboratory technique, centrifugation without leukocyte lysis, performed poorly (59% culture positive at 48 h), as this method caused sequestration and death of microorganisms within the leukocytes. Culture of nearly 1 liter of effluent from 33 asymptomatic patients by the same techniques yielded no microorganisms. PMID:3183023

Comparative study of disinfectants for use in low-cost gravity driven household water purifiers.

PubMed

Patil, Rajshree A; Kausley, Shankar B; Balkunde, Pradeep L; Malhotra, Chetan P

2013-09-01

Point-of-use (POU) gravity-driven household water purifiers have been proven to be a simple, low-cost and effective intervention for reducing the impact of waterborne diseases in developing countries. The goal of this study was to compare commonly used water disinfectants for their feasibility of adoption in low-cost POU water purifiers. The potency of each candidate disinfectant was evaluated by conducting a batch disinfection study for estimating the concentration of disinfectant needed to inactivate a given concentration of the bacterial strain Escherichia coli ATCC 11229. Based on the concentration of disinfectant required, the size, weight and cost of a model purifier employing that disinfectant were estimated. Model purifiers based on different disinfectants were compared and disinfectants which resulted in the most safe, compact and inexpensive purifiers were identified. Purifiers based on bromine, tincture iodine, calcium hypochlorite and sodium dichloroisocyanurate were found to be most efficient, cost effective and compact with replacement parts costing US$3.60-6.00 for every 3,000 L of water purified and are thus expected to present the most attractive value proposition to end users.

Nano- and Micro-Scale Oxidative Patterning of Titanium Implant Surfaces for Improved Surface Wettability.

PubMed

Kim, In-hye; Son, Jun Sik; Choi, Seok Hwa; Kim, Kyo-han; Kwon, Tae-yub

2016-02-01

A simple and scalable surface modification treatment is demonstrated, in which nano- and microscale features are introduced into the surface of titanium (Ti) substrates by means of a novel and eco-friendly oxidative aqueous solution composed of hydrogen peroxide (H202) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). By immersing mirror-polished Ti discs in an aqueous mixture of 30 wt% H2O2/5 wt% NaHCO3 at 23 +/- 3 degrees C for 4 h, it was confirmed that this mixture is capable of generating microscale topographies on Ti surfaces. It also simultaneously formed nanochannels that were regularly arranged in a comb-like pattern on the Ti surface, thus forming a hierarchical surface structure. Further, these nano/micro-textured Ti surfaces showed great surface roughness and excellent wettability when compared with control Ti surfaces. This study demonstrates that a H2O2/NaHCO3 mixture can be effectively utilized to create reproducible nano/microscale topographies on Ti implant surfaces, thus providing an economical new oxidative solution that may be used effectively and safely as a Ti surface modification treatment.

Effect of Atmospheric Plasma Treatment to Titanium Surface on Initial Osteoblast-Like Cell Spreading. .

PubMed

Kim, In-Hye; Son, Jun-Sik; Kwon, Tae-Yub; Kim, Kyo-Han

2015-01-01

Plasma treatments are becoming a popular method for modifying the characteristics of a range of substrate surfaces. Atmospheric pressure plasma is cost-efficient, safe and simple compared to high-pressure plasma. This study examined the effects of atmospheric pressure plasma to a titanium (Ti) surface on osteoblast-like cell (osteoblast) spreading and cellular networks. The characteristics of the Ti surface before and after the atmospheric plasma treatment were analyzed by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurements, and an optical 3D profiling system. The morphology of osteoblasts attached to the Ti surfaces was observed by SEM and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The atmospheric pressure plasma made the Ti surfaces more hydrophilic. The osteoblasts that adhered to the untreated surface were round and spherical, whereas the cells covered a larger surface area on the plasma-treated surface. The plasma-treated Ti surface showed enhanced cell spreading and migration with more developed cellular networks. In conclusion, an atmospheric plasma treatment is a potential surface modifying method that can enhance the initial the cell affinity at the early stages in vitro.

Green remediation. Tool for safe and sustainable environment: a review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Mamta; Pant, Gaurav; Hossain, Kaizar; Bhatia, A. K.

2017-10-01

Nowadays, the bioremediation of toxic pollutants is a subject of interest in terms of health issues and environmental cleaning. In the present review, an eco-friendly, cost-effective approach is discussed for the detoxification of environmental pollutants by the means of natural purifier, i.e., blue-green algae over the conventional methods. Industrial wastes having toxic pollutants are not able to eliminate completely by existing the conventional techniques; in fact, these methods can only change their form rather than the entire degradation. These pollutants have an adverse effect on aquatic life, such as fauna and flora, and finally harm human life directly or indirectly. Cyanobacterial approach for the removal of this contaminant is an efficient tool for sustainable development and pollution control. Cyanobacteria are the primary consumers of food chain which absorbed complex toxic compounds from environments and convert them to simple nontoxic compounds which finally protect higher food chain consumer and eliminate risk of pollution. In addition, these organisms have capability to solve secondary pollution, as they can remediate radioactive compound, petroleum waste and degrade toxins from pesticides.

Single-step collision-free trajectory planning of biped climbing robots in spatial trusses.

PubMed

Zhu, Haifei; Guan, Yisheng; Chen, Shengjun; Su, Manjia; Zhang, Hong

For a biped climbing robot with dual grippers to climb poles, trusses or trees, feasible collision-free climbing motion is inevitable and essential. In this paper, we utilize the sampling-based algorithm, Bi-RRT, to plan single-step collision-free motion for biped climbing robots in spatial trusses. To deal with the orientation limit of a 5-DoF biped climbing robot, a new state representation along with corresponding operations including sampling, metric calculation and interpolation is presented. A simple but effective model of a biped climbing robot in trusses is proposed, through which the motion planning of one climbing cycle is transformed to that of a manipulator. In addition, the pre- and post-processes are introduced to expedite the convergence of the Bi-RRT algorithm and to ensure the safe motion of the climbing robot near poles as well. The piecewise linear paths are smoothed by utilizing cubic B-spline curve fitting. The effectiveness and efficiency of the presented Bi-RRT algorithm for climbing motion planning are verified by simulations.

Low-level light treatment ameliorates immune thrombocytopenia

PubMed Central

Yang, Jingke; Zhang, Qi; Li, Peiyu; Dong, Tingting; Wu, Mei X.

2016-01-01

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an immune-mediated acquired bleeding disorder characterized by abnormally low platelet counts. We reported here the ability of low-level light treatment (LLLT) to alleviate ITP in mice. The treatment is based on noninvasive whole body illumination 30 min a day for a few consecutive days by near infrared light (830 nm) transmitted by an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LLLT significantly lifted the nadir of platelet counts and restored tail bleeding time when applied to two passive ITP models induced by anti-CD41 antibody. The anti-platelet antibody hindered megakaryocyte differentiation from the progenitors, impaired proplatelet and platelet formation, and induced apoptosis of platelets. These adverse effects of anti-CD41 antibody were all mitigated by LLLT to varying degrees, owing to its ability to enhance mitochondrial biogenesis and activity in megakaryocytes and preserve mitochondrial functions in platelets in the presence of the antibody. The observations argue not only for contribution of mitochondrial stress to the pathology of ITP, but also clinical potentials of LLLT as a safe, simple, and cost-effective modality of ITP. PMID:27901126

Low-level light treatment ameliorates immune thrombocytopenia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Jingke; Zhang, Qi; Wu, Mei X.

2017-02-01

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an immune-mediated acquired bleeding disorder characterized by abnormally low platelet counts. We reported here the ability of low-level light treatment (LLLT) to alleviate ITP in mice. The treatment is based on noninvasive whole body illumination 30 min a day for a few consecutive days by near infrared light (830 nm) transmitted by an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LLLT significantly lifted the nadir of platelet counts and restored tail bleeding time when applied to two passive ITP models induced by anti-CD41 antibody. The anti-platelet antibody hindered megakaryocyte differentiation from the progenitors, impaired proplatelet and platelet formation, and induced apoptosis of platelets. These adverse effects of anti-CD41 antibody were all mitigated by LLLT to varying degrees, owing to its ability to enhance mitochondrial biogenesis and activity in megakaryocytes and preserve mitochondrial functions in platelets in the presence of the antibody. The observations argue not only for contribution of mitochondrial stress to the pathology of ITP, but also clinical potentials of LLLT as a safe, simple, and cost-effective modality of ITP.

A Safe Solution to Dopant Gas Desorption from Metal Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakanoya, Tsutomu; Egami, Maki

2006-11-01

TOXICAPTURE™ is used to further minimize trace toxic dopant gas inside cylinder valve outlets, which, over time, may desorb from metal surfaces. When outlet caps or connections to ion source gas cylinders are disconnected in order to perform installations or bottle changes, there always is some risk that toxic fumes resulting from desorption of the metal surface in contact with dopant gas are released in air and inhaled by the operator. TOXICAPTURE™ is a simple and easy solution to reduce this risk that may damage human health or may pollute clean room environment. TOXICAPTURE™ will react with the poison gas vapor to form nontoxic and solid material through irreversible chemical reactions. TOXICAPTURE™ prevents contamination and corrosion on gas contact surfaces of gas pipings, pressure regulators, pneumatic valves, mass flow controllers, and other parts in a gas box. TOXICAPTURE™ is highly effective in shortening the time to achieve high vacuum and in extending the lifetime of devices in the gas box. In this paper, we introduce the structure, functions, reactivity, applications, and effectivity of TOXICAPTURE™.

Innovative concepts for marginal fields (advanced monotower developments)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smith, M.T.; Marks, V.E.

1995-12-01

The braced monotower provides a safe, functional and cost effective solution for topsides up to 500 tonnes, with up to 8 wells and standing in water depths of up to 70 meters. It is both simple in concept and structurally efficient. The superstructure is supported by a single column which is stayed by three symmetrically orientated legs. A broad mudline base is also provided to limit pile loads. The final concept offers complete protection to the risers and conductors from ship impact, as all appurtenances are housed within the central column. The basic design philosophy of the low intervention platformmore » is to minimize the onboard equipment to that vitally needed to produce hydrocarbon. The concept eliminates the life support functions that on a normal North Sea platform can contribute up to 50% of the topside dry weight. A system of Zero Based Engineering is used that ensures each item of equipment contributes more to the NPV of the platform than the fully built-up through life cost. This effectively eliminates the operator preference factor and the ``culture`` cost.« less

A multilayered polyurethane foam technique for skin graft immobilization.

PubMed

Nakamura, Motoki; Ito, Erika; Kato, Hiroshi; Watanabe, Shoichi; Morita, Akimichi

2012-02-01

Several techniques are applicable for skin graft immobilization. Although the sponge dressing is a popular technique, pressure failure near the center of the graft is a weakness of the technique that can result in engraftment failure. To evaluate the efficacy of a new skin graft immobilization technique using multilayered polyurethane foam in vivo and in vitro. Twenty-six patients underwent a full-thickness skin graft. Multiple layers of a hydrocellular polyurethane foam dressing were used for skin graft immobilization. In addition, we created an in vitro skin graft model that allowed us to estimate immobilization pressure at the center and edges of skin grafts of various sizes. Overall mean graft survival was 88.9%. In the head and neck region (19 patients), mean graft survival was 93.6%. Based on the in vitro outcomes, this technique supplies effective pressure (<30 mmHg) to the center region of the skin graft. This multilayered polyurethane foam dressing is simple, safe, and effective for skin graft immobilization. © 2011 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Investigation of safe-life fail-safe criteria for the space shuttle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

An investigation was made to determine the effects of a safe-life design approach and a fail-safe design approach on the space shuttle booster vehicle structure, and to recommend any changes to the structural design criteria. Two configurations of the booster vehicle were considered, one incorporating a delta wing (B-9U configuration) and the other a swept wing (B-16B configuration). Several major structural components of the booster were studied to determine the fatigue life, safe-life, and fail-safe capabilities of the baseline design. Each component was investigated to determine the practicability of applying a safe-life or fail-safe design philosophy, the changes such design approaches might require, and the impact of these changes on weight, cost, development plans, and performance.

Evaluation of the safety benefits of legacy safe routes to school programs

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-08-01

This study first examined the feasibility of conducting a crash-based assessment of the safety effects of legacy Safe Routes to School : (SRTS) programs. These were SRTS programs operating before the passage of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Effici...

Effects of the Smartphone Application "Safe Patients" on Knowledge of Patient Safety Issues Among Surgical Patients.

PubMed

Cho, Sumi; Lee, Eunjoo

2017-12-01

Recently, the patient's role in preventing adverse events has been emphasized. Patients who are more knowledgeable about safety issues are more likely to engage in safety initiatives. Therefore, nurses need to develop techniques and tools that increase patients' knowledge in preventing adverse events. For this reason, an educational smartphone application for patient safety called "Safe Patients" was developed through an iterative process involving a literature review, expert consultations, and pilot testing of the application. To determine the effect of "Safe Patients," it was implemented for patients in surgical units in a tertiary hospital in South Korea. The change in patients' knowledge about patient safety was measured using seven true/false questions developed in this study. A one-group pretest and posttest design was used, and a total of 123 of 190 possible participants were tested. The percentage of correct answers significantly increased from 64.5% to 75.8% (P < .001) after implementation of the "Safe Patients" application. This study demonstrated that the application "Safe Patients" could effectively improve patients' knowledge of safety issues. This will ultimately empower patients to engage in safe practices and prevent adverse events related to surgery.

Biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using guava ( Psidium guajava) leaf extract and its antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bose, Debadin; Chatterjee, Someswar

2016-08-01

Among the various inorganic nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles have received substantial attention in the field of antimicrobial research. For safe and biocompatible use of silver nanoparticles in antimicrobial research, the different biogenic routes are developed to synthesize silver nanoparticles that do not use toxic chemicals. Among those, to synthesize silver nanoparticles, the use of plant part extract becomes an emerging field because plant part acts as reducing as well as capping agent. For large-scale production of antibacterial silver nanoparticles using plant part, the synthesis route should be very simple, rapid, cost-effective and environment friendly based on easy availability and non-toxic nature of plant, stability and antibacterial potential of biosynthesized nanoparticles. In the present study, we report a very simple, rapid, cost-effective and environment friendly route for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using guava ( Psidium guajava) leaf extract as reducing as well as capping agent. This plant has been opted for the present study for its known medicinal properties, and it is easily available in all seasons and everywhere. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles are characterized by UV-Vis and TEM analysis. The average particle size is 40 nm in the range of 10-90 nm. The antibacterial activity of these nanoparticles against Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 741 has been measured by disc diffusion method, agar cup assay and serial dilution turbidity measurement assay. The results show that green synthesized silver nanoparticles, using guava ( Psidium guajava) leaf extract, have a potential to inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Multiclass mycotoxin analysis in edible oils using a simple solvent extraction method and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Eom, Taeyong; Cho, Hyun-Deok; Kim, Junghyun; Park, Mihee; An, Jinyoung; Kim, Moosung; Kim, Sheen-Hee; Han, Sang Beom

2017-11-01

A simple and rapid method for the simultaneous determination of 11 mycotoxins - aflatoxins B 1 , B 2 , G 1 and G 2 ; fumonisins B 1 , B 2 and B 3 ; ochratoxin A; zearalenone; deoxynivalenol; and T-2 toxin - in edible oils was established using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In this study, QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe), QuEChERS with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction, and solvent extraction were examined for sample preparation. Among these methods, solvent extraction with a mixture of formic acid/acetonitrile (5/95, v/v) successfully extracted all target mycotoxins. Subsequently, a defatting process using n-hexane was employed to remove the fats present in the edible oil samples. Mass spectrometry was carried out using electrospray ionisation in polarity switching mode with multiple reaction monitoring. The developed LC-MS/MS method was validated by assessing the specificity, linearity, recovery, limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy and precision with reference to Commission Regulation (EC) 401/2006. Mycotoxin recoveries of 51.6-82.8% were achieved in addition to LOQs ranging from 0.025 ng/g to 1 ng/g. The edible oils proved to be relatively uncomplicated matrices and the developed method was applied to 9 edible oil samples, including soybean oil, corn oil and rice bran oil, to evaluate potential mycotoxin contamination. The levels of detection were significantly lower than the international regulatory standards. Therefore, we expect that our developed method, based on simple, two-step sample preparation process, will be suitable for the large-scale screening of mycotoxin contamination in edible oils.

Outcomes of minimally invasive simple prostatectomy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Lucca, Ilaria; Shariat, Shahrokh F; Hofbauer, Sebastian L; Klatte, Tobias

2015-04-01

(1) To assess the outcomes of minimally invasive simple prostatectomy (MISP) for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with large prostates and (2) to compare them with open simple prostatectomy (OSP). A systematic review of outcomes of MISP for benign prostatic hyperplasia with meta-analysis was conducted. The article selection process was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-seven observational studies with 764 patients were analyzed. The mean prostate volume was 113.5 ml (95 % CI 106-121). The mean increase in Qmax was 14.3 ml/s (95 % CI 13.1-15.6), and the mean improvement in IPSS was 17.2 (95 % CI 15.2-19.2). Mean duration of operation was 141 min (95 % CI 124-159), and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 284 ml (95 % CI 243-325). One hundred and four patients (13.6 %) developed a surgical complication. In comparative studies, length of hospital stay (WMD -1.6 days, p = 0.02), length of catheter use (WMD -1.3 days, p = 0.04) and estimated blood loss (WMD -187 ml, p = 0.015) were significantly lower in the MISP group, while the duration of operation was longer than in OSP (WMD 37.8 min, p < 0.0001). There were no differences in improvements in Qmax, IPSS and perioperative complications between both procedures. The small study sizes, publication bias, lack of systematic complication reporting and short follow-up are limitations. MISP seems an effective and safe treatment option. It provides similar improvements in Qmax and IPSS as OSP. Despite taking longer, it results in less blood loss and shorter hospital stay. Prospective randomized studies comparing OSP, MISP and laser enucleation are needed to define the standard surgical treatment for large prostates.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Akhan, Okan, E-mail: akhano@tr.net; Islim, Filiz, E-mail: fislim@yahoo.com; Balci, Sinan, E-mail: snnbalci@gmail.com

PurposeThe purpose of our study is to evaluate results of percutaneous aspiration with alcohol sclerotherapy in symptomatic patients with simple hepatic cysts by employing single-session techniques either by a needle or a catheter.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively included 39 simple hepatic cysts in 35 patients treated via percutaneous aspiration and single-session alcohol sclerotherapy between years 1993 and 2012. Indications were pain (n = 28) or ruling out cystic echinococcus (CE) disease (n = 7). 29 cysts in 26 patients were treated by needle technique (Group A) and ten cysts in nine patients were treated by single-session catheter technique (Group B). Patients were followed for 4–173 monthsmore » (median: 38 months).ResultsAll patients were successfully treated. Before procedure, cyst volumes were 21–676 cc (median: 94 cc). Post-procedure cyst volumes at last follow-up were 0-40 cc (median: 1 cc). The mean decrease in cyst volume was 95.92 ± 2.86 % in all patients (95.96 ± 3.26 % in Group A and 95.80 ± 6.20 % in Group B). There was no statistically significant difference between the volume reduction rates of Group A and Group B. Only one patient, in Group B, developed a major complication, an abscess. Hospitalization period was 1 day for all patients.ConclusionsFor patients with symptomatic simple hepatic cysts smaller than 500 cc in volume by using puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration (PAIR) technique with only needle, single-session alcohol sclerotherapy of 10 min is a safe and effective procedure with high success rate.« less

Office-based Electromyography-guided Botulinum Toxin Injection to the Cricopharyngeus Muscle: Optimal Patient Selection and Technique.

PubMed

Kim, Min-Su; Kim, Go-Woon; Rho, Young-Soo; Kwon, Kee-Hwan; Chung, Eun-Jae

2017-05-01

This retrospective study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness and safety of office-based electromyography-guided injection of botulinum toxin in the cricopharyngeus muscle of patients who did not show upper esophageal sphincter passage in a swallowing study in spite of maximal swallowing rehabilitation. Thirty-six patients who showed no or limited ability to oral feed after maximum swallowing rehabilitation were enrolled. Video fluoroscopic swallowing study, flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, disability rating scale, penetration aspiration score, and National Institutes of Health swallowing safety scale were used in the evaluation of dysphagia. Success was defined as nondependence on gastrostomy for patients who previously were dependent on gastrostomy and improvement in disability rating scale score after botulinum toxin injections. The total success rate was 63.9%. The complication rate was very low, with only 1 patient showing temporary unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Botulinum toxin injection was more effective in patients with cranial nerve IX or X palsy than in those without it ( P = .006). This procedure can be a simple, safe, and effective tool in patients with cricopharyngeal dysfunction after swallowing rehabilitation, especially for cranial nerve IX or X palsy.

Aromatherapy hand massage for older adults with chronic pain living in long-term care.

PubMed

Cino, Kathleen

2014-12-01

Older adults living in long-term care experience high rates of chronic pain. Concerns with pharmacologic management have spurred alternative approaches. The purpose of this study was to examine a nursing intervention for older adults with chronic pain. This prospective, randomized control trial compared the effect of aromatherapy M technique hand massage, M technique without aromatherapy, and nurse presence on chronic pain. Chronic pain was measured with the Geriatric Multidimensional Pain and Illness Inventory factors, pain and suffering, life interference, and emotional distress and the Iowa Pain Thermometer, a pain intensity scale. Three groups of 39 to 40 participants recruited from seven long-term care facilities participated twice weekly for 4 weeks. Analysis included multivariate analysis of variance and analysis of variance. Participants experienced decreased levels of chronic pain intensity. Group membership had a significant effect on the Geriatric Multidimensional Pain Inventory Pain and Suffering scores; Iowa Pain Thermometer scores differed significantly within groups. M technique hand massage with or without aromatherapy significantly decreased chronic pain intensity compared to nurse presence visits. M technique hand massage is a safe, simple, but effective intervention. Caregivers using it could improve chronic pain management in this population. © The Author(s) 2014.

Vibration stimuli and the differentiation of musculoskeletal progenitor cells: Review of results in vitro and in vivo

PubMed Central

Edwards, Jennifer Helen; Reilly, Gwendolen Clair

2015-01-01

Due to the increasing burden on healthcare budgets of musculoskeletal system disease and injury, there is a growing need for safe, effective and simple therapies. Conditions such as osteoporosis severely impact on quality of life and result in hundreds of hours of hospital time and resources. There is growing interest in the use of low magnitude, high frequency vibration (LMHFV) to improve bone structure and muscle performance in a variety of different patient groups. The technique has shown promise in a number of different diseases, but is poorly understood in terms of the mechanism of action. Scientific papers concerning both the in vivo and in vitro use of LMHFV are growing fast, but they cover a wide range of study types, outcomes measured and regimens tested. This paper aims to provide an overview of some effects of LMHFV found during in vivo studies. Furthermore we will review research concerning the effects of vibration on the cellular responses, in particular for cells within the musculoskeletal system. This includes both osteogenesis and adipogenesis, as well as the interaction between MSCs and other cell types within bone tissue. PMID:25914764

Chemical pleurodesis for spontaneous pneumothorax.

PubMed

How, Cheng-Hung; Hsu, Hsao-Hsun; Chen, Jin-Shing

2013-12-01

Pneumothorax is defined as the presence of air in the pleural cavity. Spontaneous pneumothorax, occurring without antecedent traumatic or iatrogenic cause, is sub-divided into primary and secondary. The severity of pneumothorax could be varied from asymptomatic to hemodynamically compromised. Optimal management of this benign disease has been a matter of debate. In addition to evacuating air from the pleural space by simple aspiration or chest tube drainage, the management of spontaneous pneumothorax also focused on ceasing air leakage and preventing recurrences by surgical intervention or chemical pleurodesis. Chemical pleurodesis is a procedure to achieve symphysis between the two layers of pleura by sclerosing agents. In the current practice guidelines, chemical pleurodesis is reserved for patients unable or unwilling to receive surgery. Recent researches have found that chemical pleurodesis is also safe and effective in preventing pneumothorax recurrence in patients with the first episode of spontaneous pneumothorax or after thoracoscopic surgery and treating persistent air leakage after thoracoscopic surgery. In this article we aimed at exploring the role of chemical pleurodesis for spontaneous pneumothorax, including ceasing air leakage and preventing recurrence. The indications, choice of sclerosants, safety, effects, and possible side effects or complications of chemical pleurodesis are also reviewed here. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Differential gene expression analysis of ‘Chili’ (Pyrus bretschneideri) fruit pericarp with two types of bagging treatments

PubMed Central

Wang, Yuling; Zhang, Xinfu; Wang, Ran; Bai, Yingxin; Liu, Chenglian; Yuan, Yongbing; Yang, Yingjie; Yang, Shaolan

2017-01-01

Preharvest bagging is a simple, grower-friendly and safe physical protection technique commonly applied to many fruits, and the application of different fruit bags can have various effects. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the fruit quality effects of different bagging treatments, digital gene expression (DGE) profiling of bagged and unbagged ‘Chili’ (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.) pear pericarp during development was performed. Relative to unbagged fruit, a total of 3022 and 769 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in the polyethylene (PE)-bagged and non-woven fabric-bagged fruit, respectively. DEGs annotated as photosynthesis-antenna proteins and photosynthesis metabolism pathway were upregulated in non-woven fabric-bagged fruit but downregulated in the PE-bagged fruit. Non-woven fabric bagging inhibited lignin synthesis in ‘Chili’ pear pericarp by downregulating DEGs involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis; consequently, the fruit lenticels in non-woven fabric-bagged fruit were smaller than those in the other treatments. The results indicate that the non-woven fabric bagging method has a positive effect on the appearance of ‘Chili’ pear fruit but neither of the two bagging treatments is conducive to the accumulation of soluble sugar. PMID:28280542

Aspirin challenge and desensitization: how, when and why.

PubMed

Cortellini, Gabriele; Caruso, Cristiano; Romano, Antonino

2017-08-01

To investigate the current approach to aspirin challenge (drug provocation) and/or desensitization in patients with histories of hypersensitivity reactions to it, particularly in those with cardiovascular diseases. The literature indicates that patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), including those with an acute coronary syndrome, may safely undergo low-dose aspirin challenge and/or desensitization. Recently, flowcharts regarding challenge/desensitization procedures with aspirin in patients with CAD and histories of aspirin hypersensitivity reactions have become available. Aspirin desensitization and continuous aspirin therapy constitute an effective option in patients with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-exacerbated respiratory diseases (NERD) who have suboptimally controlled asthma or rhinosinusitis, or require multiple revision polypectomies. The use of aspirin has proven to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with CAD. There is a general consensus on aspirin's effectiveness in secondary prevention of CAD. Therefore, aspirin desensitization is necessary in patients with CAD and histories of hypersensitivity reactions to it. The effectiveness of aspirin desensitization and continuous therapy in patients with NERD has been shown in numerous studies. However, shared selection criteria of candidates for aspirin challenge/desensitization procedures, and simple and homogeneous protocols are necessary. Moreover, preventive safety measures are still needed in order to reduce the potential risks of these procedures.

Topical formic acid puncture technique for the treatment of common warts.

PubMed

Bhat, R M; Vidya, K; Kamath, G

2001-06-01

Warts are a common chronic skin disorder that can be cosmetically disfiguring and, depending on the location, cause inhibition of function. The presence of dozens of topical and systemic treatments for warts is a testament to the lack of a rapid, simple, uniformly effective, inexpensive, nonscarring, and painless treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of 85% formic acid application, an inexpensive therapy, for the treatment of warts. A placebo-controlled, nonrandomized, open trial was performed in 100 patients with common warts attending Father Muller's Medical College Hospital, Mangalore. Fifty patients received 85% formic acid application and 50 patients received placebo (water) using a topical application/needle puncture technique every other day. Ninety-two per cent of patients who received formic acid application showed complete disappearance of warts after a 3-4-week treatment period, compared to 6% in the placebo group. The results show that 85% formic acid application is a safe, economical, and effective alternative in the treatment of common warts with few side-effects and good compliance. A multicenter trial is needed to examine the efficacy and safety of this treatment.

[Application of percutaneous trans esophageal gastro-tubing (PTEG) in to home care for a patient with terminal stage of gastric cancer].

PubMed

Oishi, H; Murata, J; Shirotani, N; Kameoka, S

1998-12-01

Since 1994, we devised and have continued to develop a percutaneous trans esophageal gastro-tubing (PTEG) as an effective technique to drain gastrointestinal contents of critical patients suffering from gastric carcinoma. Here we report our satisfactory experience with a critical gastric cancer patient for whom we improved QOL by the application of the PTEG technique. The patient suffered from severe stenosis or obstruction of the digestive tract. This method was found to be effective enough to enable the patient to receive further medical care at home. The patient was a 36-year-old female who had far-advanced, inoperable gastric carcinoma. It was therefore decided to use the PTEG method. The PTEG method was performed using a rupture-free balloon (RFB) catheter to drain the gastrointestinal contents. A reservoir-port for IVH use was embedded to control the patient's nutrition. A morphine hydrochloride suppository was then given for the pain. PTEG was found to be effective, safe and simple; moreover, it is a less-invasive, intestine-maintaining method, which enabled the patient to continue receiving further medical treatment at home.

Improvement of ambulatory function with multilevel soft tissue surgery in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

PubMed

Thamkunanon, Verasak

2011-08-01

Single Event Multilevel soft tissue surgery in spastic diplegic children also was effective for improving ambulatory function obviously as multilevel bone and soft tissue surgery. Just muscle and tendon surgery seem to be enough for better lever arm dysfunction of the lower extremity. It has safe, simple and rapid recovery. Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) improvement after single event multilevel soft tissue surgery had been observed in these study groups of patients. Retrospective review in 93 spastic diplegic children who were more than 3 years old, had ability to understand communication, at least leaned sitting and one-hand gross function ability had been operated on by single event multilevel soft tissue surgery. GMFCS was assessed at the time of pre-operation and 6-12 months after operation. Analyzing GMFCS change was performed by statistics. Average 7 site surgery per one patient, 84% GMFCS level improvement and 16% GMFCS level non-improvement were reported. Nine cases (9.7%) were improved 2 level of GMFCS and 74% improved 1 level. GMFCS level compared between pre- and post surgery had changed by the significant statistic (p < 0.001). The average GMFCS level improvement for all groups was 0.93 level. The average age in the improved group (75 months old) was less than the non-improved group (92 month old), was a trend difference in statistic (p = 0.032). Single Event Multilevel Soft tissue surgery was effective in improving the GMFCS level average 1 level. It changed ambulatory function of spastic diplegic CP children obviously, immediately and safely. Younger age might get more benefit than older children.

Effect of an emergency department-based electronic system for musculoskeletal consultation on facilitating care for common injuries.

PubMed

Mears, Simon C; Pantle, Hardin A; Bessman, Edward S; Lifchez, Scott D

2015-05-01

Access to musculoskeletal consultation in the emergency department (ED) is a nationwide problem. In addition, consultation from a subspecialist may be delayed or may not be available, which can slow down the ED flow and reduce patient satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to review the 1-year results of a change in the authors' institutional practice to reduce subspecialty consultation for select musculoskeletal problems while still ensuring adequate patient follow-up in orthopedic or plastic surgery clinics for patients not seen by these services in the ED. The authors hypothesized that select injuries could be safely managed in the ED by using an electronic system to ensure appropriate follow-up care. Using Kaizen methodology, a multidisciplinary group (including ED staff, orthopedics, plastic surgery, pediatrics, nursing, radiology, therapy, and administration) met to improve care for select musculoskeletal injuries. A system was agreed on in which ED providers managed select musculoskeletal injuries without subspecialist consultation. Follow-up was organized using an electronic system, which facilitated communication between the ED staff and the secretarial staff of the subspecialist departments. Over a 1-year period, 150 patients were treated using this system. Charts and radiographs were reviewed for missed injuries. Radiographic review revealed 2 missed injuries. One patient had additional back pain and a lumbar spine fracture was found during the subspecialist follow-up visit; it was treated nonoperatively. Another patient appeared to have scapholunate widening on the injury radiograph that was not appreciated in the ED. Of the 150 patients, 51 were seen in follow-up by a subspecialist at the authors' institution. An electronic system to organize follow-up with a subspecialist allowed the ED providers to deliver safe and effective care for simple musculoskeletal injuries. Copyright 2015, SLACK Incorporated.

Remotely-supervised transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for clinical trials: guidelines for technology and protocols.

PubMed

Charvet, Leigh E; Kasschau, Margaret; Datta, Abhishek; Knotkova, Helena; Stevens, Michael C; Alonzo, Angelo; Loo, Colleen; Krull, Kevin R; Bikson, Marom

2015-01-01

The effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is cumulative. Treatment protocols typically require multiple consecutive sessions spanning weeks or months. However, traveling to clinic for a tDCS session can present an obstacle to subjects and their caregivers. With modified devices and headgear, tDCS treatment can be administered remotely under clinical supervision, potentially enhancing recruitment, throughput, and convenience. Here we propose standards and protocols for clinical trials utilizing remotely-supervised tDCS with the goal of providing safe, reproducible and well-tolerated stimulation therapy outside of the clinic. The recommendations include: (1) training of staff in tDCS treatment and supervision; (2) assessment of the user's capability to participate in tDCS remotely; (3) ongoing training procedures and materials including assessments of the user and/or caregiver; (4) simple and fail-safe electrode preparation techniques and tDCS headgear; (5) strict dose control for each session; (6) ongoing monitoring to quantify compliance (device preparation, electrode saturation/placement, stimulation protocol), with corresponding corrective steps as required; (7) monitoring for treatment-emergent adverse effects; (8) guidelines for discontinuation of a session and/or study participation including emergency failsafe procedures tailored to the treatment population's level of need. These guidelines are intended to provide a minimal level of methodological rigor for clinical trials seeking to apply tDCS outside a specialized treatment center. We outline indication-specific applications (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression, Multiple Sclerosis, Palliative Care) following these recommendations that support a standardized framework for evaluating the tolerability and reproducibility of remote-supervised tDCS that, once established, will allow for translation of tDCS clinical trials to a greater size and range of patient populations.

Ontological approach for safe and effective polypharmacy prescription

PubMed Central

Grando, Adela; Farrish, Susan; Boyd, Cynthia; Boxwala, Aziz

2012-01-01

The intake of multiple medications in patients with various medical conditions challenges the delivery of medical care. Initial empirical studies and pilot implementations seem to indicate that generic safe and effective multi-drug prescription principles could be defined and reused to reduce adverse drug events and to support compliance with medical guidelines and drug formularies. Given that ontologies are known to provide well-principled, sharable, setting-independent and machine-interpretable declarative specification frameworks for modeling and reasoning on biomedical problems, we explore here their use in the context of multi-drug prescription. We propose an ontology for modeling drug-related knowledge and a repository of safe and effective generic prescription principles. To test the usability and the level of granularity of the developed ontology-based specification models and heuristic we implemented a tool that computes the complexity of multi-drug treatments, and a decision aid to check the safeness and effectiveness of prescribed multi-drug treatments. PMID:23304299

Safe driving and executive functions in healthy middle-aged drivers.

PubMed

León-Domínguez, Umberto; Solís-Marcos, Ignacio; Barrio-Álvarez, Elena; Barroso Y Martín, Juan Manuel; León-Carrión, José

2017-01-01

The introduction of the point system driver's license in several European countries could offer a valid framework for evaluating driving skills. This is the first study to use this framework to assess the functional integrity of executive functions in middle-aged drivers with full points, partial points or no points on their driver's license (N = 270). The purpose of this study is to find differences in executive functions that could be determinants in safe driving. Cognitive tests were used to assess attention processes, processing speed, planning, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. Analyses for covariance (ANCOVAS) were used for group comparisons while adjusting for education level. The Bonferroni method was used for correcting for multiple comparisons. Overall, drivers with the full points on their license showed better scores than the other two groups. In particular, significant differences were found in reaction times on Simple and Conditioned Attention tasks (both p-values < 0.001) and in number of type-III errors on the Tower of Hanoi task (p = 0.026). Differences in reaction time on attention tasks could serve as neuropsychological markers for safe driving. Further analysis should be conducted in order to determine the behavioral impact of impaired executive functioning on driving ability.

An analysis of attitude toward infant sleep safety and SIDS risk reduction behavior among caregivers of newborns and infants.

PubMed

Varghese, S; Gasalberti, D; Ahern, K; Chang, J C

2015-11-01

To explore beliefs and attitude toward infant sleep safety and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) risk reduction behaviors among caregivers of newborns and infants. A convenience sample comprised of 121 caregivers of newborns at Staten Island University Hospital completed a questionnaire. Despite an overall favorable attitude toward safe sleep practices, a majority disagreed with use of pacifiers (53%) and believed that swaddling (62%) as well as the use of home monitors (59%) are acceptable practices. The caregivers who recalled being taught about safe sleep had higher perception of infant vulnerability (P<0.001), more confidence in their ability to implement safe sleep behaviors (P<0.0006) and stronger belief that safe sleep behaviors are effective (P<0.01). Active caregiver education may result in more effective demonstration of safe sleep and SIDS risk reduction behaviors. Further study is needed to assess if favorable attitudes toward safe sleep practices correlate with actual demonstrated behaviors.

SeHCAT absorption: a simple test of ileal dysfunction.

PubMed

Fagan, E A; Chadwick, V S; Baird, I M

1983-01-01

A new selenium-labelled synthetic bile salt SeHCAT (taurine conjugate of 23-[75Se]-25-homocholic acid) was assessed as a test of ileal dysfunction in 20 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Whole body retention of SeHCAT was compared with tests of vitamin B12 absorption (Schilling test and whole body retention) and the cholylglycine-1-14C breath test and faecal isotope excretion. Clear differentiation, with no overlap was obtained between 10 normal subjects and patients with ileal disease/resection in the SeHCAT 7-day retention results. The Schilling test was more sensitive; enabling discrimination between patients with limited and extensive ileal disease/resection. An unexpected rise in SeHCAT retention was observed in patients with colonic IBD. The 7-day SeHCAT retention is a safe, simple screening test for ileal dysfunction and has practical advantages compared with the Schilling test.

Polymer optical fiber tapering using chemical solvent and polishing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Supian, L. S.; Syuhaimi Ab-Rahman, Mohd; Arsad, Norhana

2017-11-01

A method for developing polymer optical fiber (POF) directional coupler is introduced where the initial procedure includes using chemical solvent to remove the cladding, and bare out the core in order to align the unclad center of the fiber with other similar fiber to develop a coupler. The process is safe, simple, inexpensive and require low operation skill. The etched fiber offers improvement to the performance of various POF devices, i.e, couplers and sensors. Instead of relying only on silica or glass fiber, POF now can be used as an alternative to improve the network performance in short distance communication system. The measurement parameters laid out offer great outcomes. However, the couplers intended to be developed is yet to be realized, where deeper research and various experiments are needed in order to develop a simple but optimum performance coupler that can be used for various applications.

Safe and Efficient Support for Embeded Multi-Processors in ADA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruiz, Jose F.

2010-08-01

New software demands increasing processing power, and multi-processor platforms are spreading as the answer to achieve the required performance. Embedded real-time systems are also subject to this trend, but in the case of real-time mission-critical systems, the properties of reliability, predictability and analyzability are also paramount. The Ada 2005 language defined a subset of its tasking model, the Ravenscar profile, that provides the basis for the implementation of deterministic and time analyzable applications on top of a streamlined run-time system. This Ravenscar tasking profile, originally designed for single processors, has proven remarkably useful for modelling verifiable real-time single-processor systems. This paper proposes a simple extension to the Ravenscar profile to support multi-processor systems using a fully partitioned approach. The implementation of this scheme is simple, and it can be used to develop applications amenable to schedulability analysis.

A Simple fMRI Compatible Robotic Stimulator to Study the Neural Mechanisms of Touch and Pain.

PubMed

Riillo, F; Bagnato, C; Allievi, A G; Takagi, A; Fabrizi, L; Saggio, G; Arichi, T; Burdet, E

2016-08-01

This paper presents a simple device for the investigation of the human somatosensory system with functional magnetic imaging (fMRI). PC-controlled pneumatic actuation is employed to produce innocuous or noxious mechanical stimulation of the skin. Stimulation patterns are synchronized with fMRI and other relevant physiological measurements like electroencephalographic activity and vital physiological parameters. The system allows adjustable regulation of stimulation parameters and provides consistent patterns of stimulation. A validation experiment demonstrates that the system safely and reliably identifies clusters of functional activity in brain regions involved in the processing of pain. This new device is inexpensive, portable, easy-to-assemble and customizable to suit different experimental requirements. It provides robust and consistent somatosensory stimulation, which is of crucial importance to investigating the mechanisms of pain and its strong connection with the sense of touch.

Modified Pull-out Suture in Posterior Root Tear of the Medial Meniscus: Using a Posteromedial Portal.

PubMed

Cho, Jin Ho

2012-06-01

In cases with root tear of the medial meniscus posterior horn, the meniscus usually can be repaired by a pull out suture technique. However, there is difficulty in manipulating a suture hook via the anteromedial portal and looking through the arthroscopic camera via anterolateral portal in the narrow medial joint space at the same time. This article describes a modified simple pull out suture technique for root tear of the medial meniscus posterior horn using a posteromedial portal that provides a safe and easy handling of the suture hook. Our indications of this technique used in patients with Outerbridge 1-2 arthritic change and minimal varus axis change. Benefits of this technique are simple, less invasive, and reduced operation time by simultaneous suture with a hook via posteromedial portal and pulling of a string with grasper. It may reduce the possibility of an additional chondral or meniscal injury.

Safe drinking water and clean air: an experimental study evaluating the concept of combining household water treatment and indoor air improvement using the Water Disinfection Stove (WADIS).

PubMed

Christen, Andri; Navarro, Carlos Morante; Mäusezahl, Daniel

2009-09-01

Indoor air pollution and unsafe water remain two of the most important environmental risk factors for the global burden of infectious diseases. Improved stoves and household water treatment (HWT) methods represent two of the most effective interventions to fight respiratory and diarrhoeal illnesses at household level. Since new improved stoves are highly accepted and HWT methods have their drawbacks regarding sustained use, combining the two interventions in one technical solution could result in notable positive convenience and health benefits. A WAter DIsinfection Stove (WADIS) based on a Lorena-stove design with a simple flow-through boiling water-treatment system was developed and tested by a pilot experimental study in rural Bolivia. The results of a post-implementation evaluation of two WADIS and 27 Lorena-stoves indicate high social acceptance rather due to convenience gains of the stove than to perceived health improvements. The high efficacy of the WADIS-water treatment system, with a reduction of microbiological contamination load in the treated water from 87600 thermotolerant coliform colony forming units per 100mL (CFU/100mL) to zero is indicative. The WADIS concept unifies two interventions addressing two important global burdens of disease. WADIS' simple design, relying on locally available materials and low manufacturing costs (approx. 6 US) indicates potential for spontaneous diffusion and scaling up.

Simplified Method for Groundwater Treatment Using Dilution and Ceramic Filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Musa, S.; Ariff, N. A.; Kadir, M. N. Abdul; Denan, F.

2016-07-01

Groundwater is one of the natural resources that is not susceptible to pollutants. However, increasing activities of municipal, industrial, agricultural or extreme land use activities have resulted in groundwater contamination as occured at the Research Centre for Soft Soil Malaysia (RECESS), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). Thus, aims of this study is to treat groundwater by using rainwater and simple ceramic filter as a treatment agent. The treatment uses rain water dilution, ceramic filters and combined method of dilute and filtering as an alternate treatment which are simple and more practical compared to modern or chemical methods. The water went through dilution treatment processes able to get rid of 57% reduction compared to initial condition. Meanwhile, the water that passes through the filtering process successfully get rid of as much as 86% groundwater parameters where only chloride does not pass the standard. Favorable results for the combination methods of dilution and filtration methods that can succesfully eliminate 100% parameters that donot pass the standards of the Ministry of Health and the Interim National Drinking Water Quality Standard such as those found in groundwater in RECESS, UTHM especially sulfate and chloride. As a result, it allows the raw water that will use clean drinking water and safe. It also proves that the method used in this study is very effective in improving the quality of groundwater.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gu, Lina; He, Xiaomei; Wu, Zhenyu, E-mail: zhenyuwuhn@sina.com

Highlights: • Mesoporous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/hydroxyapatite composite was synthesized by a simple, efficient and environmental friendly method. • The prepared material had a large surface area, high pore volume, and good magnetic separability. • DOX-loaded Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/hydroxyapatite composite exhibited surprising slow drug release behavior and pH-dependent behavior. - Abstract: In this contribution, we introduced a simple, efficient, and green method of preparing a mesoporous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/hydroxyapatite (HA) composite. The as-prepared material had a large surface area, high pore volume, and good magnetic separability, which made it suitable for targeted drug delivery systems. The chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) wasmore » used to investigate the drug release behavior of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/HA composite. The drug release profiles displayed a little burst effect and pH-dependent behavior. The release rate of DOX at pH 5.8 was larger than that at pH 7.4, which could be attributed to DOX protonation in acid medium. In addition, the released DOX concentrations remained at 0.83 and 1.39 μg/ml at pH 7.4 and 5.8, respectively, which indicated slow, steady, and safe release rates. Therefore, the as-prepared Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/hydroxyapatite composite could be an efficient platform for targeted anticancer drug delivery.« less

A STING-activating nanovaccine for cancer immunotherapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Min; Wang, Hua; Wang, Zhaohui; Cai, Haocheng; Lu, Zhigang; Li, Yang; Du, Mingjian; Huang, Gang; Wang, Chensu; Chen, Xiang; Porembka, Matthew R.; Lea, Jayanthi; Frankel, Arthur E.; Fu, Yang-Xin; Chen, Zhijian J.; Gao, Jinming

2017-07-01

The generation of tumour-specific T cells is critically important for cancer immunotherapy. A major challenge in achieving a robust T-cell response is the spatiotemporal orchestration of antigen cross-presentation in antigen-presenting cells with innate stimulation. Here, we report a minimalist nanovaccine, comprising a simple physical mixture of an antigen and a synthetic polymeric nanoparticle, PC7A NP, which generates a strong cytotoxic T-cell response with low systemic cytokine expression. Mechanistically, the PC7A NP achieves efficient cytosolic delivery of tumour antigens to antigen-presenting cells in draining lymph nodes, leading to increased surface presentation while simultaneously activating type I interferon-stimulated genes. This effect is dependent on stimulator of interferon genes (STING), but not the Toll-like receptor or the mitochondrial antiviral-signalling protein (MAVS) pathway. The nanovaccine led to potent tumour growth inhibition in melanoma, colon cancer and human papilloma virus-E6/E7 tumour models. The combination of the PC7A nanovaccine and an anti-PD-1 antibody showed great synergy, with 100% survival over 60 days in a TC-1 tumour model. Rechallenging of these tumour-free animals with TC-1 cells led to complete inhibition of tumour growth, suggesting the generation of long-term antitumour memory. The STING-activating nanovaccine offers a simple, safe and robust strategy in boosting anti-tumour immunity for cancer immunotherapy.

Stay Legal and Safe in Treating for Bed Bugs

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Quick fix solutions may sound appealing, but they may not be legal, safe, or effective. To avoid adverse effects such as poisoning, buy EPA-registered pesticides labeled for bed bug control, and follow all label directions and precautions.

Effects of Forest and Grassland Management On Drinking Water Quality for Public Water Supplies:A Review And Synthesis of the Scientific Literature - Review Draft

Treesearch

George E. Dissmeyer

1999-01-01

The Importance of Safe Public Drinking Water The United States Congress justified passing the Safe Drinking Water Amendments (SDWA) of 1996 (P. L. 104-182) by stating "safe drinking water is essential to the protection of public health".For 50 years the basic axiom for public health protection has been safe drinking water...

Peace Operations in Mali: Theory into Practice Then Measuring Effectiveness

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-09

community’s response along two broad lines of effort (LOE): Creating a Safe and Secure Environment and promoting Stable Governance. When seeking to achieve a... Safe and Secure Environment , two objectives were measured. Objective #1 sought the Cessation of Large Scale Violence. Success was attained, as...Creating a Safe and Secure Environment and promoting Stable Governance. When seeking to achieve a Safe and Secure Environment , two objectives were

THE EFFECTS OF RESPONSE EFFORT ON SAFE PERFORMANCE BY THERAPISTS AT AN AUTISM TREATMENT FACILITY

PubMed Central

Casella, Sarah E; Wilder, David A; Neidert, Pamela; Rey, Catalina; Compton, Megan; Chong, Ivy

2010-01-01

The effects of response effort on safe behaviors (i.e., glove wearing, hand sanitizing, and electrical outlet replacement) exhibited by therapists at an autism treatment center were examined. Participants were exposed to 2 or 3 levels of effort (i.e., high, medium, low) for each dependent variable. Results showed increased safe performance during the low-effort conditions relative to other conditions across all dependent variables for all participants. PMID:21541157

The challenge of improving boiling: lessons learned from a randomized controlled trial of water pasteurization and safe storage in Peru.

PubMed

Heitzinger, K; Rocha, C A; Quick, R E; Montano, S M; Tilley, D H; Mock, C N; Carrasco, A J; Cabrera, R M; Hawes, S E

2016-07-01

Boiling is the most common method of household water treatment in developing countries; however, it is not always effectively practised. We conducted a randomized controlled trial among 210 households to assess the effectiveness of water pasteurization and safe-storage interventions in reducing Escherichia coli contamination of household drinking water in a water-boiling population in rural Peru. Households were randomized to receive either a safe-storage container or a safe-storage container plus water pasteurization indicator or to a control group. During a 13-week follow-up period, households that received a safe-storage container and water pasteurization indicator did not have a significantly different prevalence of stored drinking-water contamination relative to the control group [prevalence ratio (PR) 1·18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·92-1·52]. Similarly, receipt of a safe-storage container alone had no effect on prevalence of contamination (PR 1·02, 95% CI 0·79-1·31). Although use of water pasteurization indicators and locally available storage containers did not increase the safety of household drinking water in this study, future research could illuminate factors that facilitate the effective use of these interventions to improve water quality and reduce the risk of waterborne disease in populations that boil drinking water.

Investigation of the disposal of dead pigs by pig farmers in mainland China by simulation experiment.

PubMed

Wu, Linhai; Xu, Guoyan; Li, Qingguang; Hou, Bo; Hu, Wuyang; Wang, Jianhua

2017-01-01

Dead pigs are a major waste by-product of pig farming. Thus, safe disposal of dead pigs is important to the protection of consumer health and the ecological environment by preventing marketing of slaughtered and processed dead pigs and improper dumping of dead pigs. In this study, a probability model was constructed for the disposal of dead pigs by pig farmers by selecting factors affecting disposal. To that end, we drew on the definition and meaning of behavior probability based on survey data collected from 654 pig farmers in Funing County, Jiangsu Province, China. Moreover, the role of influencing factors in pig farmers' behavioral choices regarding the disposal of dead pigs was simulated by simulation experiment. The results indicated that years of farming had a positive impact on pig farmers' choice of negative disposal of dead pigs. Moreover, there was not a simple linear relationship between scale of farming and pig farmers' behavioral choices related to the disposal of dead pigs. The probability for farmers to choose the safe disposal of dead pigs increased with the improvement of their knowledge of government policies and relevant laws and regulations. Pig farmers' behavioral choice about the disposal of dead pigs was also affected by government subsidy policies, regulation, and punishment. Government regulation and punishment were more effective than subsidy. The findings of our simulation experiment provide important decision-making support for the governance in preventing the marketing of dead pigs at the source.

Long-term experiences in cryopreservation of mobilized peripheral blood stem cells using a closed-bag system: a technology with potential for broader application.

PubMed

Spoerl, Silvia; Peter, Robert; Wäscher, Dagmar; Verbeek, Mareike; Menzel, Helge; Peschel, Christian; Krackhardt, Angela M

2015-11-01

In several European countries, preparation of cellular products with open manufacturing systems as used for cryopreservation of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) needs to be performed in a clean-room facility. However, this form of manufacturing is highly expensive and laborious. Thus, safe techniques providing improved efficacy regarding time and material, which are in accordance with legal requirements are highly desirable. We have developed, validated, and applied a simple method for cryopreservation of PBSCs within a functionally closed-bag system using the closed cryo freeze prep set. This process fulfills good manufacturing practice requirements and allows for the cryopreservation of PBSCs without a clean-room facility. In addition to cryopreservation of PBSCs, we have recently successfully modified our system for processing, portioning, and cryopreservation of allogeneic donor lymphocytes. Since 2010, cryopreservation of PBSCs using a closed-bag system has been performed in our facility on a routine basis and 210 patients and healthy donors have been included in this analysis. No significant reduction in viability of CD34+ cells and no process-related contamination were observed. Outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation regarding time of engraftment and infectious complications is comparable to products manufactured in conventional clean-room facilities. Our data confirm that cryopreservation of PBSCs within a functionally closed-bag system is safe, effective, and economical. Furthermore, the system has the potential to be extended to other manufacturing processes of cellular products. © 2015 AABB.

Novel Use of a Pneumatic Compression Device for Haemostasis of Haemodialysis Fistula Access Catheterisation Sites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

O’Reilly, Michael K., E-mail: moreilly1@mater.ie; Ryan, David; Sugrue, Gavin

PurposeTransradial pneumatic compression devices can be used to achieve haemostasis following radial artery puncture. This article describes a novel technique for acquiring haemostasis of arterio-venous haemodialysis fistula access sites without the need for suture placement using one such compression device.Materials and MethodsA retrospective review of fistulograms with or without angioplasty/thrombectomy in a single institution was performed. 20 procedures performed on 12 patients who underwent percutaneous intervention of failing or thrombosed arterio-venous fistulas (AVF) had 27 puncture sites. Haemostasis was achieved using a pneumatic compression device at all access sites. Procedure details including size of access sheath, heparin administration and complicationsmore » were recorded.ResultsTwo diagnostic fistulograms, 14 fistulograms and angioplasties and four thrombectomies were performed via access sheaths with an average size (±SD) of 6 Fr (±1.12). IV unfractionated heparin was administered in 11 of 20 procedures. Haemostasis was achieved in 26 of 27 access sites following 15–20 min of compression using the pneumatic compression device. One case experienced limited bleeding from an inflow access site that was successfully treated with reinflation of the device for a further 5 min. No other complication was recorded.ConclusionsHaemostasis of arterio-venous haemodialysis fistula access sites can be safely and effectively achieved using a pneumatic compression device. This is a technically simple, safe and sutureless technique for acquiring haemostasis after AVF intervention.« less

Catalytic ignitor for regenerative propellant gun

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Voecks, Gerald E. (Inventor); Ferraro, Ned W. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

An ignitor initiates combustion of liquid propellant in a gun by utilizing a heated catalyst onto which the liquid propellant is sprayed in a manner which mitigates the occurrence of undesirable combustion chamber oscillations. The heater heats the catalyst sufficiently to provide the activation necessary to initiate combustion of the liquid propellant sprayed thereonto. Two embodiments of the ignitor and three alternative mountings thereof within the combustion chamber are disclosed. The ignitor may also be utilized to dispose of contaminated, excess, or waste liquid propellant in a safe, controlled, simple, and reliable manner.

Catalytic Ignitor for Regenerative Propellant Gun

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Voecks, Gerald E. (Inventor); Ferraro, Ned W. (Inventor)

1997-01-01

An ignitor initiates combustion of liquid propellant in a gun by utilizing a heated catalyst onto which the liquid propellant is sprayed in a manner which mitigates the occurrence of undesirable combustion chamber oscillations. The heater heats the catalyst sufficiently to provide the activation necessary to initiate combustion of the liquid propellant sprayed thereonto. Two embodiments of the igniter and three alternative mountings thereof within the combustion chamber are disclosed. The ignitor may also be utilized to dispose of contaminated, excess, or waste liquid propellant in a safe, controlled, simple, and reliable manner.

Safety systems in gamma irradiation facilities.

PubMed

Drndarevic, V

1997-08-01

A new electronic device has been developed to guard against individuals gaining entry through the product entry and exit ports into our irradiation facility for industrial sterilization. This device uses the output from electronic sensors and pressure mats to assure that only the transport cabins may pass through these ports. Any intention of personnel trespassing is detected, the process is stopped by the safety system, and the source is placed in safe position. Owing to a simple construction, the new device enables reliable operation, is inexpensive, easy to implement, and improves the existing safety systems.

Anaesthesia in Sickle-cell States: A Plea for Simplicity

PubMed Central

Oduro, K. A.; Searle, J. F.

1972-01-01

505 patients with various haemoglobinopathies were given a general anaesthetic between January 1970 and February 1972. One patient with haemoglobin SC disease and one patient with sickle-cell trait (HbAS) died postoperatively. Four other patients who were sickling positive, but whose genotypes were unknown, died, one from sickle-cell crisis precipitated by haemorrhage. A simple anaesthetic technique together with good postoperative care can provide safe general anaesthesia for patients with sickle-cell states. A plea is made for simplicity in the anaesthetic management of these patients. PMID:4643397

270V Battery Using COTS NiCd Cells For Manned Spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Darcy, Eric; Davies,Frank; Hummer, Leigh; Strangways, Brad

2002-01-01

A high power (>35 kW at 215V), low capacity (5.2 Ah), and compact (45L) NiCd battery was developed for the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle (CRV), which is an experimental version of the lifeboat for the International Space Station (ISS). A simple design and innovative approach using a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) NiCd cell design enabled the design, qualification, and production of 4 flight units of this highly reliable and safe spacecraft battery to be achieved rapidly (2 years) and cheaply ($13M).

Sequential treatment with intradermal incision (intracision) and 2,940-nm Er:YAG laser for chicken pox scars.

PubMed

Lee, Sang Ju; Kim, Young Koo; Choi, Sun Young; Park, Kui Young; Seo, Seong Jun

2014-01-01

Boxcar scars, such as chicken pox scars, are round to oval depressions with sharply defined vertical edges. Subcision is a simple and safe procedure for treatment of atrophic and depressed scars, but boxcar scars are generally not eliminated by subcision. Intradermal incision technique (intracision) can treat chicken pox scars by untethering fibrotic strands, raising collagen synthesis, and having additional intradermal blood pocket formation. We have found that chicken pox scars further improve when intracision is followed by laser skin resurfacing. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Proposal and Early Results of Capitate Forage as a New Treatment Method for Kienböck's Disease.

PubMed

Bekler, Halil Ibrahim; Erdag, Yiğit; Gumustas, Seyit Ali; Pehlivanoglu, Gökhan

2013-12-01

Kienböck's disease is a type of avascular necrosis which disrupts the biomechanics of the wrist as a result of the changes it creates in the lunate bone. Its treatment generally consists of osteotomies intended to relieve the pressure on the bone, pedicle bone grafting applications aiming to increase bone blood supply, and salvage procedures. Capitate forage is a safe and simple-to-apply surgical treatment method which is intended to enhance neovascularization of the lunate much like a radius osteotomy or core decompression.

Radionuclide-anesthetic flow study: a new technique for the study of regional anesthesia

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bauman, J.M.; Middaugh, R.E.; Cawthon, M.A.

1986-09-01

A new technique to study the dynamics of in vivo distribution of regional anesthetics is described. Five hundred microcuries of technetium-99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) added to the anesthetic in a syringe prior to injection allows both dynamic and static imaging to assess the initial distribution of the injected anesthetic. Superimposed bone scans or transmission scans help delineate anatomy. The radionuclide-anesthetic flow study is a simple, safe technique to investigate both the spread of regional anesthetics and the factors that affect it.

Can basic life support personnel safely determine that advanced life support is not needed?

PubMed

Cone, D C; Wydro, G C

2001-01-01

To determine whether firefighter/emergency medical technicians-basic (FF/EMT-Bs) staffing basic life support (BLS) ambulances in a two-tiered emergency medical services (EMS) system can safely determine when advanced life support (ALS) is not needed. This was a prospective, observational study conducted in two academic emergency departments (EDs) receiving patients from a large urban fire-based EMS system. Runs were studied to which ALS and BLS ambulances were simultaneously dispatched, with the patient transported by the BLS unit. Prospectively established criteria for potential need for ALS were used to determine whether the FF/EMT-B's decision to cancel the ALS unit was safe, and simple outcomes (admission rate, length of stay, mortality) were examined. In the system studied, BLS crews may cancel responding ALS units at their discretion; there are no protocols or medical criteria for cancellation. A convenience sample of 69 cases was collected. In 52 cases (75%), the BLS providers indicated that they cancelled the responding ALS unit because they did not feel ALS was needed. Of these, 40 (77%) met study criteria for ALS: 39 had potentially serious chief complaints, nine had abnormal vital signs, and ten had physical exam findings that warranted ALS. Forty-five (87%) received an intervention immediately upon ED arrival that could have been provided in the field by an ALS unit, and 16 (31%) were admitted, with a median length of stay of 3.3 days (range 1.1-73.4 days). One patient died. Firefighter/EMT-Bs, working without protocols or medical criteria, cannot always safely determine which patients may require ALS intervention.

10 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of... - Medical and Physical Fitness Qualification Standards

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

...) Obesity of such degree that it would interfere with the safe and effective performance of normal and... previous two years. (2) Obesity. Obesity of such degree that it would interfere with the safe and effective...

10 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of... - Medical and Physical Fitness Qualification Standards

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

...) Obesity of such degree that it would interfere with the safe and effective performance of normal and... previous two years. (2) Obesity. Obesity of such degree that it would interfere with the safe and effective...

10 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of... - Medical and Physical Fitness Qualification Standards

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

...) Obesity of such degree that it would interfere with the safe and effective performance of normal and... previous two years. (2) Obesity. Obesity of such degree that it would interfere with the safe and effective...

10 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of... - Medical and Physical Fitness Qualification Standards

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

...) Obesity of such degree that it would interfere with the safe and effective performance of normal and... previous two years. (2) Obesity. Obesity of such degree that it would interfere with the safe and effective...

10 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of... - Medical and Physical Fitness Qualification Standards

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

...) Obesity of such degree that it would interfere with the safe and effective performance of normal and... previous two years. (2) Obesity. Obesity of such degree that it would interfere with the safe and effective...

Day-case surgery for total hip and knee replacement: How safe and effective is it?

PubMed

Lazic, Stefan; Boughton, Oliver; Kellett, Catherine F; Kader, Deiary F; Villet, Loïc; Rivière, Charles

2018-04-01

Multimodal protocols for pain control, blood loss management and thromboprophylaxis have been shown to benefit patients by being more effective and as safe (fewer iatrogenic complications) as conventional protocols.Proper patient selection and education, multimodal protocols and a well-defined clinical pathway are all key for successful day-case arthroplasty.By potentially being more effective, cheaper than and as safe as inpatient arthroplasty, day-case arthroplasty might be beneficial for patients and healthcare systems. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3:130-135. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.170031.

Effectiveness of the HomeSafe Pilot Program in reducing injury rates among residential construction workers, 1994-1998.

PubMed

Darragh, Amy Rowntree; Stallones, Lorann; Bigelow, Phillip L; Keefe, Thomas J

2004-02-01

The construction industry typically has one of the highest fatal and non-fatal injury rates compared with other industries. Residential construction workers are at particular risk of injury (work is in remote sites with small crews, there are often many subcontractors, and they have limited access to safety programs). Difficulty accessing information specific to this group has made research more challenging, therefore, there are few studies. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the HomeSafe Pilot Program, a safety education and training program designed to reduce injuries among residential construction workers. Researchers evaluated whether overall and severe injury incidence rates declined during the intervention period. Data were analyzed using incidence rates and Poisson regression to control for the effect of antecedent secular trend. Injury incidence rates declined significantly following HomeSafe; however, this effect was not statistically significant once temporal variation was controlled. The decline in injury rates following HomeSafe cannot be attributed solely to HomeSafe, however, programmatic and methodologic limitations contributed to the inconclusive results. Further research into the hazards faced by residential construction workers is needed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:210-217, 2004. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Creating Safe Spaces for Music Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hendricks, Karin S.; Smith, Tawnya D.; Stanuch, Jennifer

2014-01-01

This article offers a practical model for fostering emotionally safe learning environments that instill in music students a positive sense of self-belief, freedom, and purpose. The authors examine the implications for music educators of creating effective learning environments and present recommendations for creating a safe space for learning,…

50 CFR 218.104 - Mitigation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... or lower, if safe to do so, and at slowest safe speed. Firing or range clearance aircraft must be... Deck (OODs), junior OODs (JOODs), maritime patrol aircraft aircrews, and Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW... a “safe speed”, which means the speed at which the CO can maintain crew safety and effectiveness of...

50 CFR 218.104 - Mitigation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... or lower, if safe to do so, and at slowest safe speed. Firing or range clearance aircraft must be... Deck (OODs), junior OODs (JOODs), maritime patrol aircraft aircrews, and Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW... a “safe speed”, which means the speed at which the CO can maintain crew safety and effectiveness of...

50 CFR 218.104 - Mitigation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... or lower, if safe to do so, and at slowest safe speed. Firing or range clearance aircraft must be... Deck (OODs), junior OODs (JOODs), maritime patrol aircraft aircrews, and Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW... a “safe speed”, which means the speed at which the CO can maintain crew safety and effectiveness of...

50 CFR 218.104 - Mitigation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... or lower, if safe to do so, and at slowest safe speed. Firing or range clearance aircraft must be... Deck (OODs), junior OODs (JOODs), maritime patrol aircraft aircrews, and Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW... a “safe speed”, which means the speed at which the CO can maintain crew safety and effectiveness of...

77 FR 45471 - White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-01

... safe and healthy environments, and have access to high-level, rigorous course work and support services...-rounded education in safe and healthy environments, as well as access to support services, which will... system. African Americans lack equal access to highly effective teachers and principals, safe schools...

New, Patented Technique for Naturally Restoring Healthy Vision

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anganes, Andrew A.; McLeod, Roger David; Machado, Milena

2009-05-01

The patented NATUROPTIC METHOD FOR RESTORING HEALTHY VISION claims to be a novel teaching method for safely and naturally improving vision. It is a simple tutoring process designed to work quickly, requiring only a minimal number of sessions for improvement. We investigated these claims, implementing Naturoptics for safe recovery of vision, ourselves, over a period of time. Research was conducted at off campus locations, mentored by the creator of the Naturoptic Method. We assessed our initial visual acuity and subsequent progress, using standard Snellen Eye Charts. Our research is designed to document successive improvements in vision, and to assess our potential for teaching the method. Naturoptics' Board encourages work-study memorial awards for students. They are: ``The David Matthew McLeod Memorial Award,'' or ``The Kaan Balam Matagamon Memorial Award,'' with net earnings shared by the designees, academic entities, the American Indians in Science and Engineering Society, AISES, or charity. The Board requires awardees, students, and associated entities, to sign non-disclosure agreements.

The Naturoptic Method for Safe Recovery of Vision: Mentored Tutoring, Earnings, Academic Entity Financial Resources Tool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sambursky, Nicole D.; McLeod, Roger David; Silva, Sandra Helena

2009-05-01

This is a novel method for safely and naturally improving vision. with applications for minority, female, and academic entity, financial advantages. The patented Naturoptic Method is a simple system designed to work quickly, requiring only a minimal number of sessions for improvement. Our mentored and unique activities investigated these claims by implementing the Naturoptic method on ourselves over a period of time. Research was conducted at off campus locations with the inventor of the Naturoptic Method. Initial visual acuity and subsequent progress is self assessed, using standard Snellen Eye Charts. Research is designed to document improvements in vision with successive uses of the Naturoptic Method, as mentored teachers or Awardees of ``The Kaan Balam Matagamon Memorial Award,'' with net earnings shared by the designees, academic entities, the American Indians in Science and Engineering Society, AISES, or charity. The Board requires Awardees, its students, or affiliates, to sign non-disclosure agreements. 185/1526

Aspirin allergy desensitization in cerebrovascular disease. A report of two cases, literature review and management guide for the neurointerventionalist.

PubMed

Zuckerman, Scott L; Seder, David B; Tsujiura, Crystiana; Cushing, Deborah; Gallup, Holly; Mocco, J; Hanel, Richard A; Ecker, Robert D

2014-01-01

Aspirin (ASA) is the mainstay of treatment in cerebrovascular and systemic vascular disease. ASA hypersensitivity can pose a challenge to achieving optimum medical management prior to and after neurointerventional treatment. Desensitization to ASA is well described in the allergy and cardiovascular literature, but there are no similar discussions specific to neurointervention. The purpose of our study was to describe our experience with ASA hypersensitivity management and review the relevant literature. Two cases of patients with symptomatic cerebrovascular disease requiring neurointervention who were successfully desensitized to their ASA hypersensitivity prior to treatment are described. The subsequent literature is reviewed. Several ASA desensitization protocols exist and have been proven to successfully treat ASA hypersensitivity and allow for ASA therapy to be safely initiated. We describe several previously published protocols. ASA desensitization is a safe and simple way to manage ASA hypersensitivity. We provide comprehensive management guidelines for the neurointerventionalist engaging in ASA desensitization.

International trade and waste and fuel management issue, 2009

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Agnihotri, Newal

The focus of the January-February issue is on international trade and waste and fuel managment. Major articles/reports in this issue include: Innovative financing and workforce planning, by Donna Jacobs, Entergy Nuclear; Nuclear power - a long-term need, by John C. Devine, Gerald Goldsmith and Michael DeLallo, WorleyParsons; Importance of loan guarantee program, by Donald Hintz; EPC contracts for new plants, by Dave Barry, Shaw Power Group; GNEP and fuel recycling, by Alan Hanson, AREVA NC Inc.; Safe and reliable reactor, by Kiyoshi Yamauchi, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.; Safe, small and simple reactors, by Yoshi Sakashita, Toshiba Corporation; Nuclear power inmore » Thailand, by Tatchai Sumitra, Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology; and, Nuclear power in Vietnam, by Tran Huu Phat, Vietnam Atomic Energy Commission. The Industry Innovation article this issue is Rectifying axial-offset-anomaly problems, by Don Adams, Tennessee Valley Authority. The Plant Profile article is Star of Stars Excellence, by Tyler Lamberts, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.« less

The Effects of Training, Feedback, and Participant Involvement in Behavioral Safety Observations on Office Ergonomic Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sasson, Joseph R.; Austin, John

2005-01-01

Eleven computer terminal operators participated in an experiment that assessed effects of several interventions aimed at increasing safe ergonomic performance. All participants received ergonomics training and performance feedback while six of them collected observations of safe behavior among the remaining five participants. Effects of…

Predicting behavioural responses to novel organisms: state-dependent detection theory.

PubMed

Trimmer, Pete C; Ehlman, Sean M; Sih, Andrew

2017-01-25

Human activity alters natural habitats for many species. Understanding variation in animals' behavioural responses to these changing environments is critical. We show how signal detection theory can be used within a wider framework of state-dependent modelling to predict behavioural responses to a major environmental change: novel, exotic species. We allow thresholds for action to be a function of reserves, and demonstrate how optimal thresholds can be calculated. We term this framework 'state-dependent detection theory' (SDDT). We focus on behavioural and fitness outcomes when animals continue to use formerly adaptive thresholds following environmental change. In a simple example, we show that exposure to novel animals which appear dangerous-but are actually safe-(e.g. ecotourists) can have catastrophic consequences for 'prey' (organisms that respond as if the new organisms are predators), significantly increasing mortality even when the novel species is not predatory. SDDT also reveals that the effect on reproduction can be greater than the effect on lifespan. We investigate factors that influence the effect of novel organisms, and address the potential for behavioural adjustments (via evolution or learning) to recover otherwise reduced fitness. Although effects of environmental change are often difficult to predict, we suggest that SDDT provides a useful route ahead. © 2017 The Author(s).

Economical Analysis on Prophylaxis, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Periprosthetic Infections

PubMed Central

Fernandez-Fairen, Mariano; Torres, Ana; Menzie, Ann; Hernandez-Vaquero, Daniel; Fernandez-Carreira, José Manuel; Murcia-Mazon, Antonio; Guerado, Enrique; Merzthal, Luis

2013-01-01

The economic burden of periprosthetic infections is enormous, but the number of economic studies dealing with this issue is very scarce. This review tries to know the economic literature existing, assess the value of current data, and recognize the less costly and more effective procedures for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periprosthetic infections. Forty five studies meeting the inclusion criteria and adhering to the quality criteria used were carefully analyzed to extract the economic data of relevance in evaluating the magnitude of problem and the more cost-effective solutions. However, because the heterogeneity and the low-quality of most of these studies meta-analytical technique has not been possible. Instead, the studies have been reviewed descriptively. Optimizing the antibiotic use in the prevention and treatment of periprosthetic infection, combined with systemic and behavioral changes in the operating room; detecting and treating the high-risk groups; a quick, simple, reliable, safe, and cost-effective diagnosis, and the rationale management of the instituted infection, specifically using the different procedures according to each particular case, could allow to improve outcomes and produce the highest quality of life for patients and the lowest economic impact. Nevertheless, the cost effectiveness of different interventions to prevent and to treat the periprosthetic infection remains unclear. PMID:24082966

Anatomical Basis for Safe and Effective Volumization of the Temple.

PubMed

Breithaupt, Andrew D; Jones, Derek H; Braz, Andre; Narins, Rhoda; Weinkle, Susan

2015-12-01

One of the earliest but often unaddressed signs of facial aging is volume loss in the temple. Treatment of the area can produce satisfying results for both patient and practitioner. Safe injection requires explicit knowledge of the anatomy to avoid complications related to the multitude of vessels that course throughout the region at various depths. The authors aim to detail the anatomy of the area and provide a safe and easy-to-follow method for injection. The authors review the relevant anatomy of the temporal region and its application to cosmetic filler injections. The authors describe an easy-to-follow approach for a safe and effective injection window based on numerous anatomical studies. Injection in this area is not without risk, including potential blindness. The authors review the potential complications and their treatments. Hollowing of the temple is an early sign of aging that, when corrected, can lead to significant patient and practitioner satisfaction. Proper anatomically knowledge is required to avoid potentially severe complications. In this study, the authors present a reliable technique to safely and effectively augment this often undertreated area of the aging face.

A Vascular Anastomosis Simulation Can Provide a Safe and Effective Environment for Resident Skills Development.

PubMed

Heelan Gladden, Alicia A; Conzen, Kendra D; Benge, Michael J; Gralla, Jane; Kennealey, Peter T

2018-04-09

Vascular anastomoses are complex surgical procedures, performed in time-sensitive circumstances, making intraoperative teaching more challenging. We sought to evaluate whether a vascular anastomosis simulation was effective in developing resident skills. General surgery residents participated in a vascular anastomosis simulation for 1 to 2hours during their transplant rotation. An attending transplant surgeon at the University of Colorado guided the resident through end-to-end and end-to-side anastomoses using bovine carotid artery (Artegraft). The residents completed a presimulation and postsimulation survey which quantitated their confidence. They also completed the MiSSES scale, which assessed the validity of the simulation. Twenty residents participated in the simulation and completed the surveys. The residents reported increased understanding in how to set up an end-to-end anastomosis and an end-to-side anastomosis (p = 0.001 and p = 0.009, respectively). They reported increased ability to suture, forehand and backhand with a Castro-Viejo needle driver (both p < 0.001). The residents reported increased ability to manipulate the needle (p = 0.006), and increased ability to manipulate tissue without causing trauma (p = 0.021). They reported increased confidence in tying a surgical knot with 6-0 Prolene and in operating while wearing loupes (p = 0.002, and p < 0.001, respectively). Overall, the residents reported increased confidence when asked to perform part of a vascular anastomosis in the operating room (p < 0.001). Seventeen residents completed the MiSSES scale with median scores of "somewhat agree" to "strongly agree" on all domains of the scale. The use of a simple, inexpensive vascular anastomosis simulation is an effective and safe environment to improve residents' surgical skills and the residents felt that the simulation was valid. Copyright © 2018 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Aqueous Solution-Phase Selenized CuIn(S,Se)2 Thin Film Solar Cells Annealed under Inert Atmosphere.

PubMed

Oh, Yunjung; Yang, Wooseok; Kim, Jimin; Woo, Kyoohee; Moon, Jooho

2015-10-14

A nonvacuum solution-based approach can potentially be used to realize low cost, roll-to-roll fabrication of chalcopyrite CuIn(S,Se)2 (CISSe) thin film solar cells. However, most solution-based fabrication methods involve highly toxic solvents and inevitably require sulfurization and/or postselenization with hazardous H2S/H2Se gases. Herein, we introduce novel aqueous-based Cu-In-S and Se inks that contain an amine additive for producing a high-quality absorber layer. CISSe films were fabricated by simple deposition of Cu-In-S ink and Se ink followed by annealing under an inert atmosphere. Compositional and phase analyses confirmed that our simple aqueous ink-based method facilitated in-site selenization of the CIS layer. In addition, we investigated the molecular structures of our aqueous inks to determine how crystalline chalcopyrite absorber layers developed without sulfurization and/or postselenization. CISSe thin film solar cells annealed at 550 °C exhibited an efficiency of 4.55% under AM 1.5 illumination. The low-cost, nonvacuum method to deposit chalcopyrite absorber layers described here allows for safe and simple processing of thin film solar cells.

Evaluation of Cognitive and Behavioral Effects of Peer Education Model-Based Intervention to Sun Safe in Children

PubMed Central

HU, Ping; HAN, Lingli; SHARMA, Manoj; ZENG, Huan; ZHANG, Yong; LI, Hui; ZHAO, Yong

2014-01-01

Abstract Background There have been many studies that evidence the health hazards of sunlight exposure, but less study on sun safe intervention model, especially in China. Our aim was to evaluate the cognitive and behavioral effects of a peer education model-based intervention to sun safe in children. Methods Cluster random control intervention was conducted in one district in Chongqing, China. Two primary schools, selected through stratified clustered sampling approach (two grades in each school, three classes in each grade) were designated as intervention (n=304) and control schools (n=305) randomly. 36 students, selected as peer educators in intervention group, were trained for one month. Educational activities such as discussions were organized by peer educator for one month. There was no sun safe education to participants in control school during the project period. The evaluation of changes of sun safe knowledge (the primary outcome), attitude and behavior (the secondary outcome measures) were conducted before intervention and at months of 0, 1 and 6 of the intervention to two groups using quantitative and qualitative methods. Results After the intervention, sun safe knowledge score which gained by the students from intervention group has been remarkably improved, compared to baseline survey (24.48±6.17 vs. 29.51±6.75) (P<0.001), and it kept this high level (29.02±7.96 and. 28.65±8.96), while control group students' scores have made no difference (P=0.410). Most of students have changed their sun safe behavior after the intervention. Conclusion Peer education program is somewhat effective in some dimensions for improving children's understanding of sun safe knowledge and behavior. PMID:25988089

How Safe Are Kid-Safe Search Engines?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Masterson-Krum, Hope

2001-01-01

Examines search tools available to elementary and secondary school students, both human-compiled and crawler-based, to help direct them to age-appropriate Web sites; analyzes the procedures of search engines labeled family-friendly or kid safe that use filters; and tests the effectiveness of these services to students in school libraries. (LRW)

Safe Haven Laws as "Crime Control Theater"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hammond, Michelle; Miller, Monica K.; Griffin, Timothy

2010-01-01

Objectives: This article examines safe haven laws, which allow parents to legally abandon their infants. The main objective is to determine whether safe haven laws fit the criteria of "crime control theater", a term used to describe public policies that produce the appearance, but not the effect, of crime control, and as such are essentially…

From Barrier Free to Safe Environments: The New Zealand Experience. Monograph #44.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wrightson, William; Pope, Campbell

Intrinsically safe design is presented as a logical extension of the principles of barrier free design, and as a higher level design strategy for effecting widespread implementation of the basic accessibility requirements for people with disabilities. Two fundamental planning procedures are proposed: including principles of safe and accessible…

Flame Tests Performed Safely: A Safe and Effective Alternative to the Traditional Flame Test

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dogancay, Deborah

2005-01-01

The trend toward inquiry-based learning is providing today's students with a more enriching education. When implementing inquiry it is important to recognize the great number of safety concerns that accompany this paradigm shift. Fortunately, with some consideration, teachers can shape students' laboratory experiments into safe and valuable…

Effect of Intrafix® SafeSet infusion apparatus on phlebitis in a neurological intensive care unit: a case-control study.

PubMed

Liu, F; Chen, D; Liao, Y; Diao, L; Liu, Y; Wu, M; Xue, X; You, C; Kang, Y

2012-01-01

To investigate the effect of the Intrafix(®) SafeSet infusion apparatus on the incidence of phlebitis in patients being intravenously infused in a neurological intensive care unit (ICU). Patients aged > 12 years, with no history of diabetes mellitus and no existing phlebitis, requiring a daily peripheral intravenous infusion of ≥ 8 h with the total period lasting ≥ 3 days, were enrolled. Infusions were performed using the Intrafix(®) SafeSet or normal infusion apparatus. Incidence of phlebitis (scored according to the Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice of the American Infusion Nurses Society) was analysed. Patients (n = 1545) were allocated to Intrafix(®) SafeSet (n = 709) or normal infusion (n = 836) groups, matched for age, gender and preliminary diagnosis. Incidence of phlebitis was significantly higher using normal infusion apparatus compared with the Intrafix(®) SafeSet (23.4% versus 17.9%, respectively). Intrafix(®) SafeSet infusion apparatus significantly reduced the incidence of phlebitis in patients in the neurological ICU, compared with normal infusion apparatus, and may be suitable for use in routine clinical practice.