Investigating the Effect of Tube Diameter on the Performance of a Hybrid Photovoltaic–Thermal System Based on Phase Change Materials and Nanofluids

The finite element (FEM) approach is used in this study to model the laminar flow of an eco-friendly nanofluid (NF) within three pipes in a solar system. A solar panel and a supporting phase change material (PCM) that three pipelines flowed through made up the solar system. An organic, eco-friendly PCM was employed. Several fins were used on the pipes, and the NF temperature and panel temperature were measured at different flow rates. To model the NF flow, a two-phase mixture was used. As a direct consequence of the flow rate being raised by a factor of two, the maximum temperature of the panel dropped by 1.85 °C, and the average temperature dropped by 1.82 °C. As the flow rate increased, the temperature of the output flow dropped by up to 2 °C. At flow rates ranging from low to medium to high, the PCM melted completely in a short amount of time; however, at high flow rates, a portion of the PCM remained non-melted surrounding the pipes. An increase in the NF flow rate had a variable effect on the heat transfer (HTR) coefficient.     

Falsos positivos en la activación por IAMCEST en una red regional: análisis integral e impacto clínico. Resultados del registro Codi Infart de Cataluña

Introduction and objectives

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) network activation by a noncardiologist reduces delay times but may increase the rate of false-positive STEMI diagnoses. We aimed to determine the prevalence, predictors, and clinical impact of false-positive activations within the Catalonian STEMI network (Codi Infart).

Induction of Cd-metallothionein in cadmium exposed monkeys under different nutritional stresses

Induction of cadmium metallothionein (MT) in chronic cadmium exposure in Rhesus monkeys undergoing protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) and calcium deficiency has been studied. A positive correlation between cadmium content and levels of MT in kidney, liver, intestine, testis, heart and lung, has been observed. The accumulation of cadmium and synthesis of MT in these tissues was highest in monkeys subjected to cadmium exposure during calcium deficiency. Although more of cadmium is directed towards kidneys of calcium-deficient monkeys the MT-inducing ability of kidney is lower than that of liver. Monkeys on PCM diet also showed enhanced accumulation of cadmium and MT as compared to those on normal diet during cadmium exposure.     

Labeling of neurons following intravenous injections of fluorescent tracers in mice

Several fluorescent tracers were injected intravenously in the tail veins of adult mice, and the distribution of these substances in the central nervous system and sensory and autonomic ganglia was investigated. Injections of the blue tracers Granular Blue, True Blue and Fast Blue resulted in labeling of the somatomotor and visceromotor nuclei of the brainstem and spinal cord, the paraventricular, supraoptic and arcuate nuclei of the hypothalamus, the area postrema and the sensory and sympathetic ganglia. Following i.v. injections of Nuclear Yellow, labeling occurred only in the median eminence, the area postrema and the sensory and sympathetic ganglia.     

The pocket-creation method facilitates colonic endoscopic submucosal dissection (with video)

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Analysis of reperfusion delay in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty based on first medical contact and time of presentation

Introduction and objectives

In primary angioplasty, the interval between first medical contact (FMC) and reperfusion should be less than 120 minutes. The time to reperfusion varies depending on where FMC is established. Recent studies suggest longer times in patients presenting in off-hours. The objective is to evaluate the time intervals between the onset of symptoms and reperfusion according to where the FMC occurs and time of day of patient presentation.

Methods

Prospective observational study of acute myocardial infarction patients treated with primary angioplasty (February 2007 to May 2009). Depending on the FMC, patients were classified as belonging to the hospital group (hospital with primary angioplasty), the transfer group (hospital without primary angioplasty), or the emergency medical system (EMS) group (out-of-hospital care). For each group, the prehospital delay, diagnostic delay, delay in activation and/or transfer, and procedure delay were recorded.

Results

Primary angioplasty was performed in 457 patients: 155 in the hospital group, 228 in the transfer group and 72 in the EMS group. The median [interquartile range] door-to-reperfusion times were 80 [63-107], 148 [118-189] and 81 [66-98] minutes, respectively (P < .0001). The transfer group showed a greater delay in diagnosis (P < .0001) and delayed activation and/or transfer (P < .0001). The EMS group had the shortest total time due to a reduced prehospital delay (P = .001). No difference was found with regard to the time of presentation (P = .42).

Conclusions

Transfer group patients were treated later and EMS group patients much earlier. There were no differences in association with the time of presentation. The identification of inappropriate delays should enable the introduction of measures to improve the efficiency of treatment.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org     

浆细胞性乳腺炎患者外周血CD4+CD25+CD127-调节性T细胞变化

目的:观察浆细胞性乳腺炎(Plasma cell mastitis,PCM)患者外周血CD4+ CD25+ CD127-调节性T细胞(CD4+CD25+ CD127-Treg)数量和功能变化,以探讨PCM免疫病理机制.方法:将58例浆细胞乳腺炎患者分成三组:其中急性组13例(22％)、亚急性组25例(43％)和慢性组20例(34％).并设正常对照组20例及乳腺癌对照组16例.以流式细胞术检测各型PCM患者外周血中CD4 +CD25+ CD127 Treg细胞百分率;实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测转录因子Foxp3表达及ELISA检测TGF-β水平.结果:三组PCM组与正常组相比,外周血CD4+ CD25+ CD127 Treg数量,外周血PBMC中Foxp3表达及血浆TGF-β水平均下降(P＜0.05),其中急性PCM组下降最为明显(P＜0.01),乳腺癌组三项指标均升高(P＜0.05).结论:浆细胞性乳腺炎患者的CD4+ CD25+ CD127-Treg数量及功能有所下降.     

Effects of cysteine on the pharmacokinetics of itraconazole in rats with protein-calorie malnutrition

The effects of cysteine on the pharmacokinetics of itraconazole were investigated after intravenous, 20 mg/kg, and oral, 50 mg/kg, administration of the drug to control rats (fed for 4 weeks on 23% casein diet) and rats with PCM (protein-calorie malnutrition, fed for 4 weeks on 5% casein diet) and PCMC (PCM with oral cysteine supplementation, 250 mg/kg, twice daily during the fourth week). After intravenous administration of itraconazole to rats with PCM, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time infinity (AUC) of itraconazole was significantly greater (3580 compared with 2670 and 2980 microg min/ml) than those in control rats and rats with PCMC (the values between control rats and rats with PCMC were not significantly different). The above data suggested that metabolism of itraconazole decreased significantly in rats with PCM due to suppression of hepatic microsomal cytochrome p450 (CYP) 3A23 in the rats. The results could be expected since in rats with PCM, the level of CYP3A23 decreased significantly as compared to control. Itraconazole was reported to be metabolized via CYP3A4 to several metabolites, including hydroxyitraconazole, in human subjects. Human CYP3A4 and rat CYP3A1 (CYP3A23) proteins have 73% homology. By cysteine supplementation (rats with PCMC), the AUC of itraconazole was restored fully to control levels.