Evaluation of Mechanical and Microstructural Properties and Global Warming Potential of Green Concrete with Wheat Straw Ash and Silica Fume

Cement and concrete are among the major contributors to CO₂ emissions in modern society. Researchers have been investigating the possibility of replacing cement with industrial waste in concrete production to reduce its environmental impact. Therefore, the focus of this paper is on the effective use of wheat straw ash (WSA) together with silica fume (SF) as a cement substitute to produce high-performance and sustainable concrete. Different binary and ternary mixes containing WSA and SF were investigated for their mechanical and microstructural properties and global warming potential (GWP). The current results indicated that the binary and ternary mixes containing, respectively, 20% WSA (WSA20) and 33% WSA together with 7% SF (WSA33SF7) exhibited higher strengths than that of control mix and other binary and ternary mixes. The comparative lower apparent porosity and water absorption values of WSA20 and WSA33SF7 among all mixes also validated the findings of their higher strength results. Moreover, SEM–EDS and FTIR analyses has revealed the presence of dense and compact microstructure, which are mostly caused by formation of high-density calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and calcium hydroxide (C-H) phases in both blends. FTIR and TGA analyses also revealed a reduction in the portlandite phase in these mixes, causing densification of microstructures and pores. Additionally, N₂ adsorption isotherm analysis demonstrates that the pore structure of these mixes has been densified as evidenced by a reduction in intruded volume and a rise in BET surface area. Furthermore, both mixes had lower CO₂-eq intensity per MPa as compared to control, which indicates their significant impact on producing green concretes through their reduced GWPs. Thus, this research shows that WSA alone or its blend with SF can be considered as a source of revenue for the concrete industry for developing high-performance and sustainable concretes.     

‘What About Swallowing?’ Diagnostic Performance of Daily Clinical Practice Compared with the Eating Assessment Tool-10

In daily clinical practice, patients are frequently asked about their swallowing as part of the patient-clinician interview. This study compares the diagnostic performance of a single open question ‘What about swallowing?’ (usual care) with the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) as reference test in screening for oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD). 303 outpatients at risk of OD were recruited at three university hospitals: 162 men and 141 women with a mean age of 70 years. All data were retrieved by phone. To identify patients at risk of dysphagia, two different cut-off scores for the EAT-10 total score were retrieved from the literature. The diagnostic performance of the single question was determined by comparing dichotomized answers to the single question (no problems versus difficulties in swallowing) with the EAT-10 as reference test. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values ranged between 0.75–0.76, 0.75–0.84, 0.93–0.97 and 0.38–0.43, respectively. Mostly, the results of this exploratory study indicate a sufficient diagnostic performance of the single question in identifying patients who are at risk of dysphagia when using the EAT-10 questionnaire as a reference test. Further research, is, however, necessary to provide additional psychometric data on Functional Health Status (FHS) questionnaires including the single question using either FEES or VFS as gold standard or reference test.     

Co-existence of high levels of a cytochrome b mutation and of a tandem 200 bp duplication in the D-loop of muscle human mitochondrial DNA

Previous studies have suggested that some patients with large-scale mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions also presented a heteroplasmic 260 bp tandem duplication in the mtDNA D-loop region. Such duplications were observed not only in patients with mitochondrial pathology but also in aged subjects. However, the percentage of duplicated mtDNA did not exceed a few per cent of the total mtDNA, except in one example where it reached 30%. We report here another type of 200 bp duplication in the mtDNA D-loop region that, instead of being associated with a large-scale deletion, is correlated to the presence of a point mutation in the cytochrome b gene. The 200 bp duplication concerned up to 95% of the total mtDNA of some muscle mitochondria and was absent from the patient lymphocyte DNA. The percentages of the 200 bp duplication and that of the cytochrome b mutation were relatively close in whole muscle as well as in single muscle fibres, suggesting a correlation between the mutation and the duplication. This duplication could also be detected by PCR in two other patients with mitochondrial disorders but without known deletion or mtDNA mutation. These data suggest that the accumulation of these small duplications in the mtDNA D-loop could be indicative of the presence of other defects of the mtDNA which would damage the respiratory chain function. These deficiencies would induce the generation of small duplications in the D-loop.      

A mutation in human keratin K6b produces a phenocopy of the K17 disorder pachyonychia congenita type 2

Type I and type II keratins form the heteropolymeric intermediate filament cytoskeleton, which is the main stress-bearing structure within epithelial cells. Pachyonychia congenita (PC) is a group of autosomal dominant disorders whose most prominent phenotype is hypertrophic nail dystrophy accompanied by other features of ectodermal dysplasia. It has been shown previously that mutations in either K16 or K6a, which form a keratin expression pair, produce the PC-1 variant (MIM 184510). Mutations in K17 alone, an unpaired accessory keratin, result in the PC-2 phenotype (MIM 184500). Here, we describe a family with PC-2 in which the K17 locus on 17q was excluded and linkage to the type II keratin locus on 12q was obtained (Z max 3.31 at straight theta = 0). Mutation analysis of candidate keratins revealed the first reported missense mutation in K6b, implying that this keratin is the previously unknown expression partner of K17, analogous to the K6a/K16 pair. Co-expression of these genes was confirmed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining. These results reveal the hitherto unknown role of the K6b isoform in epithelial biology, as well as genetic heterogeneity in PC-2.      

Survey on the prevalence of Dermanyssus gallinae in commercial laying farms in Portugal

ABSTRACT

Dermanyssus gallinae, also known as the poultry red mite (PRM), is a blood-feeding ectoparasite of poultry and sylvatic birds. This mite is endemic in many parts of the globe and poses a threat to the egg industry, while compromising the health and welfare of hens, both directly and as a vector of diseases. In addition, people attacked by D. gallinae may develop gamasoidosis. Despite the high prevalence in several European countries, epidemiological information on D. gallinae in Portugal is scarce. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and infestation levels in laying farms in Portugal and evaluate the perception and attitudes of producers regarding D. gallinae. A survey was performed between August 2016 – November 2017, which included 24 farms in the NUTS2 regions Centro and Norte. Mites were sampled with corrugated cardboard traps and the perception and attitudes of farmers regarding the PRM were evaluated with the European COREMI questionnaire prepared by WG 1 of the COST action FA1404. D. gallinae was detected in 95.8% of farms (95% CI: 79.8–99.3%). The average number of trapped mites among farms was 5200?±?16,522, with a median of 359 mites (interquartile range?=?46–3135). Results from the questionnaire show that insufficient monitoring, under-detection and late and suboptimal treatment may contribute to the maintenance of significant infestation levels. The present data highlight the need for adequate monitoring of D. gallinae, timely action and effective treatment in order to improve poultry productivity and ensure human and animal health and welfare.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

• A survey on the prevalence of D. gallinae in Portuguese layer farms is presented

• The perceived importance of D. gallinae was assessed with a questionnaire

• D. gallinae was detected in 95.8% of farms

• The results emphasize the need for adequate monitoring and treatment optimization.

     

Laparoscopic hysterectomy versus abdominal hysterectomy for severe pelvic endometriosis

ObjectiveTo compare the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) versus abdominal hysterectomy (AH) in patients with severe pelvic endometriosis.MethodsA retrospective review of patients undergoing hysterectomy for endometriosis was conducted between January 2002 and December 2007. A total of 503 patients had severe pelvic endometriosis; of these, 115 patients underwent LH and 388 patients underwent AH. Surgical outcomes—including operative time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, and need for blood transfusion—were analyzed and compared between the 2 treatment groups.ResultsOperative time was significantly longer for LH than for AH (185.1 ± 48.7 minutes and 139.9 ± 52.4 minutes, respectively; P < 0.001). However, estimated volume of blood loss, length of hospital stay, and complication rates were significantly less for patients in the LH group than for those in the AH group (302.6 ± 255.1 mL versus 760.9 ± 633.2 mL [P < 0.001]; 3.5 ± 1.1 days versus 6.4 ± 3.0 days [P < 0.001]; and 18.3% versus 49.0% [P < 0.001], respectively).ConclusionCompared with AH, LH was associated with fewer complications. LH should, therefore, be the preferred surgical option for women with severe pelvic endometriosis who require a hysterectomy.     

Unexpected ovarian malignancy after conservative laparoscopic surgery: five case series in a half decade of experience

Aims

To analyse and describe cases of unexpected ovarian malignancy after conservative laparoscopic surgery for an apparent benign ovarian mass at our centre.

Methods

This retrospective study was performed by collecting data from records of premenopausal women who underwent conservative laparoscopic surgery for benign ovarian mass at Siriraj Hospital over a 5?year period from 2006 to 2010. The rate of unexpected malignancy, histopathological type of the ovarian neoplasm and follow-up after surgery were reviewed.

Results

During the study period, 1,161 patients underwent conservative laparoscopic surgery. Of these, five (0.43%) had ovarian malignancy which were diagnosed after reviewing histopathological report postoperatively. The histopathological diagnosis was borderline tumour in two patients, clear cell carcinoma, granulosa cell tumour and mucinous cell adenocarcinoma in the other three patients. All patients are alive after a mean follow-up of 9–60?months with two patients developed recurrence.

Conclusion

The main concern for laparoscopic management of ovarian masses is unexpected malignancy. However, with careful patient selection, proper technique and an experienced operator, laparoscopic treatment of ovarian masses is the best approach and should be implemented, with low risk of unexpected malignancy and recurrence.     

Development of poly(glycerol adipate) nanoparticles loaded with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

The aim of this study was to assess acylated and non-acylated poly(glycerol adipate) polymers (PGA) as suitable nanoparticulate systems for encapsulation and release of ibuprofen, ibuprofen sodium salt (IBU-Na) and ketoprofen as model drugs. Drug encapsulated nanoparticles were prepared using the interfacial deposition method in the absence of surfactants. Physicochemical characterisation studies of the produced loaded nanoparticles showed that drug-polymer interactions depend on the characteristics of the actual active substance. IBU-Na showed strong interactions with the polymers and it was found to be molecularly dispersed within the polymer matrix while ibuprofen and ketoprofen retained their crystalline state. The drug release profiles showed stepwise patterns which involve an initial burst release effect, diffusion of the drug from the polymer matrix and eventually drug release possibly via a combined mechanism. PGA polymers can be effectively used as drug delivery carriers for various active substances.