Activated carbons from co-carbonization of waste truck tires and spent tea leaves

This study reports the co-carbonization of waste truck tires (WTT) and spent tea leaves (STL) at different blend ratios using chemical activating reagents (KOH and ZnCl₂) carried out at 800 °C. The highest BET surface area from blends was 527.24 m²/g, obtained using ZnCl₂ activation at a blend ratio of 1:3 (WTT/STL). Activated carbons yields in the blends were the highest at a blend ratio of 3:1 (WTT/STL) for both chemical activations. They were 24.37 wt% for KOH activation and 41.59 wt% for ZnCl₂ activation. ZnCl₂ activation produced higher carbon and lower oxygen content than those using KOH activation. Regardless of the type of feed, the oxygen removal efficiency of ZnCl₂ was higher than that of KOH under identical conditions. Among all the activated carbons produced, the BET surface area of the activated carbons obtained from the carbonization of STL alone was highest for both activations. The BET surface area of the activated carbons produced in this study was comparable to that of activated carbons produced commercially.     

Effect of severe sepsis on platelet count and their indices

Background

Sepsis is a major disease affecting almost all organs and systems.

Objectives

To examine platelet count and indices (mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW)) in severe sepsis.

Methods

Patients with criteria for sepsis at a first examination by an Infectious Diseases specialist were selected. Consecutive patients who were admitted to the out-patient clinic and who were not diagnosed with any infectious disease were selected as the control group.

Results

A total of 145 patients with sepsis and 143 patients as a control group were included in the study. MPV and PDW were significantly differentbetween sepsis patients and control group (P<0.05). Platelet count in sepsis patients was lower than control group but the difference was not significant. PDW was the unique significantly different parameter between survivors and non-survivors (p=0.001).

Conclusion

Platelet indices are important laboratory findings in the diagnosis of sepsis and severe sepsis. Severe sepsis patients who have greater than 18 % PDW levels have a higher risk of death. Therefore, PDW, which is part of an inexpensive, easily accessible and routinely performed test for almost all patients admitted to health facilities may be used for predicting mortality.     

First case of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis peritonitis due to Candida sake

Fungal peritonitis is a relatively uncommon complication of peritoneal dialysis that contributes significantly to morbidity, drop out from the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) program, and mortality. Candida sake infections were rarely published in literature. We present the first case of peritonitis due to C. sake. A 41-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, weakness. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated a fistula tract, which has an opening at inferolateral of the umbilicus extending 5 cm from the skin into the abdominal cavity with a foreign body (11 × 10 mm length) inside the fistula. The foreign body was removed by surgery being apparently a part of a previously inserted peritoneal catheter. Postoperative specimens revealed polymorph leucocytes and yeast cells in Gram stain, and culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) yielded a growth of a fungus, subsequently identified as C. sake with Api ID 32C. Fluconazole (200 mg/day) therapy was started. He recovered after two weeks of therapy. In conclusion, C. sake , a rare type of Candida species, should be considered as a probable peritoneal pathogen in patients with multiple episodes of bacterial peritonitis, previous broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and diabetes mellitus.     

In vitro effects of L-carnitine on coronary artery bypass grafts

BACKGROUND:

The gold standard treatment for multivessel coronary revascularization is coronary artery bypass grafting. The internal mammary artery and saphenous vein grafts are the conduits most frequently used for these operations. Spasm of arterial and venous grafts is a significant problem during the operation.

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the acute in vitro effects of L-carnitine on internal mammary artery and saphenous vein grafts using a tissue bath.

METHODS:

Ten consecutive patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled in the present study (nine men, one woman; mean [± SD] age 62±9.1 years). Samples from left internal mammary artery and saphenous vein grafts were collected from each patient. Submaximal smooth muscle contraction was achieved by adding 1 μM phenylephrine, and L-carnitine was then added to the solution. The concentration-response curves of the vasodilation response were obtained.

RESULTS:

In the internal mammary graft samples, the vasodilation response to L-carnitine was 64.3±11.1% at a concentration of 5 mM. In the saphenous vein graft samples, the vasodilation response to L-carnitine was 41.5±11.4% at a concentration of 5 mM. There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.001) between the response of the internal mammary artery and saphenous vein grafts in the in vitro tissue bath system.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results indicate that L-carnitine is a potential vasodilatory drug for internal mammary artery and saphenous vein grafts.     

Hemimacroglossia caused by isolated plexiform neurofibroma: a case report

OBJECTIVES: The present case is a diffuse isolated plexiform neurofibroma of the tongue that was not associated with neurofibromatosis that we treated with intraoral surgery. STUDY DESIGN: A case report. METHODS: We present a 5-year-old girl with isolated plexiform neurofibroma of the tongue with infiltration of the tongue base and review treatment approaches for this very rare tumor. RESULTS: An intraoral approach appears to be a good alternative method that allows both an acceptable exposure for total excision and limited postoperative sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated plexiform neurofibroma of the tongue is very rare. It causes a massive macroglossia that is progressive with advance of years and disturbs the patient's speech, occlusion, and tongue movements. Involvement of the tongue may be associated with infiltration into the deep structures of the neck by the tumor, thereby presenting considerable operative difficulties.     

Intracranial epidural abscess secondary to isolated sphenoid sinusitis

Isolated sphenoid sinus infection, although an uncommon entity, can cause severe cranial complications when left untreated. A case of temporal epidural abscess secondary to isolated sphenoid sinusitis in a 13-year-old boy is presented. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical because the disease can progress rapidly.     

Coccygectomy for coccygodynia: do we really have to wait?

AIM: To determine the results of 21 cases of persistent coccygodynia unresponsive to conservative management and treated with coccygectomy. METHODS: Of 81 patients with coccygodynia, 21 underwent surgical excision of the coccyx with a minimum 5 days of antibiotic prophylaxis. All 21 patients were followed for at least 2 years and questioned about their satisfaction with the operation and its timing. Pain levels were recorded preoperatively and during the postoperative period using the VAS scale. RESULTS: The mean VAS score was 51.88 (40-70), and this decreased to 3.17, 2.94 and 2.76 in the 6th, 12th and 24th months, respectively. This change was statistically significant. Of the 21 cases, 17 had an excellent result and 4 had a good result. None had a wound healing problem or infection. All were satisfied with the operation, and all stated that they would have liked to have undergone it sooner. CONCLUSION: For unstable coccygeal fracture and persistent coccygodynia, coccygectomy is a reliable method of treatment with a high satisfaction and a low complication rate.     

High-risk CD117-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the colon in a 12-year-old girl: adjuvant treatment with imatinib mesylate

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal tumors of the alimentary tract rarely observed in children. The treatment of choice for GIST is surgical resection. Although the prognosis of GISTs with low malignant potential is excellent, high-malignant-potential GISTs have a high rate of recurrence. Prognostic factors such as tumor size, mitotic rate and presence of metastases may provide an indication for adjuvant imatinib mesylate (IM) treatment. Here we present a young patient with a large GIST with high-risk features who is in complete remission after surgical excision and adjuvant IM treatment. This patient is the only colon-located CD117-positive case where IM was administered. The exact indications as well as the optimal dose and duration of IM need to be clarified with the contribution of new cases and the growing experience of this rare disease.