Validation of a hand-held exhaled nitric oxide analyzer for use in children

Measurements of exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) may be useful in the diagnosis and management of asthma in children. A new hand-held device (MINO, Aerocrine) for measuring FE(NO) has been marketed but has not been validated in a pediatric population. The objective is to validate the MINO against the NIOX analyzer. This was a randomized cross-over study where FE(NO) was measured in a single assessment using the MINO and NIOX. Children were recruited from a respiratory clinic and had six attempts to provide a FE(NO) measurement with each analyzer. Fifty-five children were enrolled, 33 boys, median age 9 years. A mean FE(NO) value was obtained in 39 children with MINO and 44 with NIOX. Paired mean FE(NO) values were obtained in 34 children and the values were higher for the NIOX (mean difference 3.9 ppb limits of agreement -1.1, 8.9). The differences between analyzers became greater at higher FE(NO) values. The first FE(NO) value using the MINO was 24 ppb and the mean of all FE(NO) values using the MINO was 27 ppb (difference not significant). Exhaled NO values were comparable between the two analyzers although there was greater consistency at lower values. The findings of the study do not contradict the manufacturer's recommendation that only one FE(NO) value is required with the MINO, however, we suggest that the mean of at least two values should be reported in children.     

Efficiency of Soil Amendments for Copper Removal and Brassica Juncea (L.) Growth in Wastewater Irrigated Agricultural Soil

Wastewater irrigation is becoming a massive challenge for sustainable agriculture. Particularly, copper (Cu) presence in wastewater poses a great threat to the food chain quality. Thus, scientists need to address this issue by using chemical and organic soil amendments to restore the soil ecosystem. Therefore, this study aims to examine the efficacy of sulphur, compost, acidified animal manure and sesame straw biochar for Cu immobilization, adsorption and Brassica growth in wastewater irrigated soil. The current findings presented that all the soil amendments prominently improved brassica yield and significantly minimized the Cu uptake by Brassica shoots and roots in sesame straw biochar (SB) (64.2% and 50.2%), compost (CP) (48% and 32.5%), acidified manure (AM) (37% and 23.2%) and Sulphur (SP) (16% and 3.1%) respectively relative to untreated soil. In addition, Cu bioavailability was reduced by 51%, 34%, 16.6%, and 7.4% when SB, CP, AM, and SP were incorporated in wastewater irrigated polluted soil. The Cu adsorption isotherm results also revealed that SB treated soil has great potential to increase Cu adsorption capacity by 223 mg g^??1 over control 89 mg g^??1. Among all the treatments, SB and CP were considered suitable candidates for the restoration of Cu polluted alkaline nature soil.

     

Primary Hyperparathyroidism in a Predominantly Vitamin D Deficient Population: A Single Center Experience

Hellenic Journal of Surgery - Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has a variable clinical presentation. Symptomatic PHPT continues to be the predominant form of the disease in the Indian...     

Multi-detector computed tomography imaging of large airway pathology: A pictorial review

The tracheobronchial tree is a musculo-cartilagenous framework which acts as a conduit to aerate the lungs and consequently the entire body. A large spectrum of pathological conditions can involve the trachea and bronchial airways. These may be congenital anomalies, infections, post-intubation airway injuries, foreign body aspiration or neoplasms involving the airway. Appropriate management of airway disease requires an early and accurate diagnosis. In this pictorial essay review, we will comprehensively describe the various airway pathologies and their imaging findings by multi-detector computed tomography.