Concrete Made with Iron Ore Tailings as a Fine Aggregate: A Step towards Sustainable Concrete

The need for low-cost raw materials is driven by the fact that iron ore tailings, a prevalent kind of hazardous solid waste, have created major environmental issues. Although many studies have focused on using iron ore tailing (IOT) in concrete and have reported positive results, readers may find it difficult to accurately assess the behaviors of IOT in concrete due to the scattered nature of the information. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of IOT in concrete is necessary. This paper thoroughly reviews the characteristics of concrete that contains IOT such as fresh properties, mechanical properties and durability at different age of curing. The outcome of this review indicates that by using IOT, concrete’s mechanical properties and durability improved, but its flowability decreased. Compressive strength of concrete with 20% substitution of IOT is 14% more than reference concrete. Furthermore, up to 40% substitution of IOT produces concrete that has sufficient flowability and compactability. Scan electronic microscopy results indicate a weak interfacial transition zone (ITZ). The optimum IOT dosage is important since a greater dose may decrease the strength properties and durability owing to a lack of fluidity. Depending on the physical and chemical composition of IOT, the average value of optimum percentages ranges from 30 to 40%. The assessment also recommends areas of unsolved research for future investigations.     

The vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism rs1544410 T/T genotype as a predictor of factor vitamin D thresholds deficiency in patients with psoriasis vulgaris—A preliminary study

Background

Many clinical features of psoriasis include a rash with itchy, scaly patches, most frequently on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp. By studying genes involved with psoriasis receptivity, the pathologic pathways of psoriasis become clearer and more understood.

Aim

To predict the participation of rs1544410 in serum vitamin D levels (SDL) in psoriasis, psoriasis susceptibility, and severity.

Patients/Methods

One hundred five patients with psoriasis were categorized by body surface area as mild, moderate, and severe. SDL and genetic analysis of rs1544410 were performed using polymerase chain reaction and standard Sanger methods.

Result

Our findings revealed that SDL were higher in healthy subjects than in patients. The rs1544410 genotype TT was more prevalent in patients, while CT was more prevalent in controls. Our findings revealed that the T alleles were frequently more in the patient group than in the controls. (p ≤ 0.001). While in healthy normal individuals, the C alleles were frequently more (p ≤ 0.001). SDL are lower in patients with the TT genotype. Patients with moderate form of psoriasis have higher SDL than those with mild or severe form.

Conclusion

rs1544410 polymorphism has been linked to a higher probability of psoriasis and SDL deficiency. However, grander scale studies in a larger number of people are necessary.     

Sacral neuromodulation for refractory ulcerative colitis: safety and efficacy in a prospective observational series of eight patients

Purpose

Ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment is mainly based on immunosuppressive therapy. As anti-inflammatory effects of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) have been previously reported in animal models, we conducted a pilot study aimed at assessing clinical, biological, and endoscopic response but also safety of SNM use in UC refractory to medical therapy.

Methods

Adult patients with histologically proven UC resistant to immunosuppressive therapy were invited to enroll in the study. Primary outcome was the rate of UC remission (UCDAI score ≤ 2, without any criteria > 1) at 8 weeks (W8). Secondary outcomes were biological and endoscopic response also evaluated at W8 and W16. Subsequently, every patient was followed every 6 months. Adverse events were prospectively collected for safety assessment during the follow-up.

Results

Eight patients, with mean age 47 years old, suffering from UC for 2–13 years were included. There were no complications in relation to SNM procedure. The acceptance of the device was excellent in all patients. Clinical and endoscopic remission was obtained at W8 in one patient (12.5%) and three other patients (37.5%) were responders at W16. At review (mean follow-up of 4 years), two patients (25%) were in remission and two (25%) were responders.

Conclusion

SNM application is safe in patients suffering from refractory UC. Effects on disease activity were mainly observed after 16 weeks. Larger prospective studies are mandatory, but SNM could be a way to reinforce medical therapy and reduce the use of immunosuppressive drugs.

     

Surgical outcomes of complicated cataract with pediatric trematode granulomatous uveitis

AIM: To describe the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of complicated cataract with pediatric trematodal granulomatous uveitis (TGU). METHODS: Patients of cataract with TGU in the membranous (inactive) stage underwent cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Preoperative history and ophthalmic examination were conducted for all cases, whereas Schimphlug imaging and corneal topography were done for some patients. Postoperative follow up was done on the 1st, 2nd, and 5th postoperative days after surgery. Then, it was done at least at one, three, and six months postoperatively. Intraoperative and postoperative complications and the methods of their management were reported. RESULTS: Twelve eyes of 12 male children were included in this study ranging from 8 to 16y. The mean best corrected Snellen visual acuity (BCVA) was significantly improved from 0.09±0.06 preoperatively to 0.37±0.11 at the final visit 6mo postoperatively (P<0.001). Schimphlug imaging and corneal topography showed flattening of the anterior surface of the inferior cornea. Intraoperative difficulties and complications included the poor dilatability of the drown down pupil, strong posterior synechia between the anterior lens capsule and the iris at the site of the inferior retrocorneal vascularized membrane and hyphema. All cases underwent primary hydrophobic IOL implantation. CONCLUSION: Surgery for this type of cataract is relatively safe and effective. It is associated with some specific difficulties and complications that should be considered during surgery and follow up.     

Determinants of splenic preservation among patients with sickle cell disease in North-Eastern Nigeria

Objective

In patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), the spleen commonly enlarges during early childhood, but undergoes reduction in size and fibrosis from repeated episodes of vaso-occlusion and infarction. The rate of progression of this process varies markedly among these patients. The aim of current study was to explore clinical and laboratory factors associated with the preservation of the spleen among these patients.

Methods

Two hundred four patients with SCD (103 females; age 1–45 years) underwent abdominal ultrasonography at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria between October 2020 and November 2021 to assess for splenic visualisation and echotexture. Steady-state clinical parameters and blood samples for full blood count, serum chemistry, high-performance liquid chromatography and malaria parasitemia were obtained from all the patients.

Results

The spleen was visualised in 107 (52.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 46%–59%) patients with SCD on ultrasonography. While the spleen was visualised in all children less than 5 years of age, it was visualised in only 23.5% of those aged 15 years and older. Visualisation of the spleen was significantly associated with low mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and high haemoglobin F (HbF) in those younger than 10 years. The odds of visualisation of the spleen on ultrasonography increased by a factor of 1.17% for every 1% increase in HbF level. Only 32 (15%) patients were on regular hydroxyurea therapy. The HbF level was significantly higher among patients on hydroxyurea (median 12.7 vs. 7.4; p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

In patients with SCD, failure to visualise the spleen was not found in children less than 5 years old. Patients with visualised spleens had a higher level of HbF than those with non-visualised spleens. HbF was significantly associated with visualisation of the spleen before 10 years of age. Since early administration of hydroxyurea will increase HbF level, we expect that it would help to preserve the spleen.     

Slipped capital femoral epiphyses: A major on-target adverse event associated with FGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in pediatric patients

Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are increasingly being used off label in pediatrics. Long-term safety data are limited, and serious toxicities unique to pediatrics may emerge. In a retrospective analysis of patients less than 18 years of age with recurrent/refractory FGFR altered gliomas treated with FGFR TKIs at MSKCC (n = 7), we observed slipped capital femoral epiphyses in three of seven patients along with increased linear growth velocity. Clinicians should closely monitor bone health and have a low index of suspicion for serious orthopedic complications including slipped capital femoral epiphyses and inform patients of related risks as part of consent when treating with FGFR TKIs.