The Using of Concrete Wash Water from Ready Mixed Concrete Plants in Cement Systems

Concrete plants accumulate large amounts of concrete wash water. This water, which pH is highly alkaline, has a negative impact on the environment. Its reuse in fresh concrete slightly reduces its mechanical properties. The combination of concrete wash water and zeolitic by-product led to an increase of 4.6% in the compressive strength at 7 days hydration and up to 30% at 28 days hydration. The same combination led to the denser microstructure compared to the samples made with concrete wash water. This could be explained by the pozzolanic reaction of the zeolitic by-product. The complex chemical reactions of cement, zeolitic by-product, and fines presented in the concrete wash water occurred. Therefore, it was suggested the reusing method of concrete wash water together with zeolitic by-product in the fresh concrete mixtures by substituting some amount of tap water with concrete wash water. In this way, the consumption of tap water is possible to reduce in cement systems.     

Scanning electron microscopic study of degeneration and regeneration in the olfactory epithelium after axotomy

Summary The olfactory epithelium of the adult hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) was examined with the scanning electron microscope following olfactory nerve axotomy. Axotomy results in retrograde degeneration of mature olfactory neurons. Maximum degeneration was observed around day 4. During the degeneration period the epithelium consists primarily of supporting and basal cells. Microvillar columnar supporting cells were observed to have fine cellular processes extending from their lateral border to neighbouring cells. Supporting cells extended to the basal lamina where they terminated in foot-like processes of variable shapes (club, splay and hook). Basal cells which gave rise to new replacement olfactory neurons were observed near the basal lamina. They had a rough cellular surface covered with small granules and fine cellular extensions. Bowman's gland duct cells extended unbranched through the epithelium where they formed funnel duct openings covered with microvilli. During early recovery periods (5–30 days) the number of olfactory neurons in the lower epithelium region increased. We observed olfactory neurons with developing axon and dendritic processes. Specialized growth cone structures were seen at the tips. Olfactory neuron growth cones were elongated or club-shaped and had a ruffled membrane surface. Several thin filopodia extended from the growth cone and made contact with adjacent cells. At late recovery periods (35–120 days) there was a marked increase in the number of olfactory neurons within the middle and lower epithelium regions. Numerous dendritic processes extended to the epithelial surface and terminated in knob-like ciliated structures. Olfactory axons passed basally, forming small intra-epithelial bundles that penetrated the basal lamina then fasciculated into larger bundles within the lamina propria.This study provides detailed three-dimensional observations of the olfactory epithelium following neuron injury, and describes neural degenerative changes, replacement of olfactory neurons, development and maturation. In addition, we describe the structure and basal attachment of supporting cells and their glial-like relation with olfactory neurons.     

Human leukocyte antigen and adult living-donor liver transplantation outcomes: an analysis of the organ procurement and transplantation network database.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) compatibility has no clinically significant impact in cadaveric liver transplantation. Less is known regarding living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Our prior analysis of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) database suggested a higher graft failure rate in patients who underwent LDLT from donors with close HLA match. We further investigated the effect of HLA-A, -B, and -DR matching on 5-yr graft survival in adult LDLT by analyzing OPTN data regarding adult LDLT performed between 1998 and 2005. We evaluated associations between 5-yr graft survival and total, locus-specific, and haplotype match levels. Separate analyses were conducted for recipients with autoimmune (fulminant autoimmune hepatitis, cirrhosis secondary to autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis) or nonautoimmune liver disease. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate interactions and adjust for potential confounders. Among 631 patients with available donor/recipient HLA data, the degree of HLA match had no significant effect on 5-yr graft survival, even when analyzed separately in recipients with autoimmune vs. nonautoimmune liver disease. To be able to include all 1,838 adult LDLTs, we considered a first-degree related donor as substitute for a close HLA match. We found no difference in graft survival in related vs. unrelated pairs. In conclusion, our results show no detrimental impact of close HLA matching on graft survival in adult LDLT, including in recipients with underlying autoimmune liver disease.     

Association between the HOXA1 A218G polymorphism and increased head circumference in patients with autism.

BACKGROUND: The HOXA1 gene plays a major role in brainstem and cranial morphogenesis. The G allele of the HOXA1 A218G polymorphism has been previously found associated with autism. METHODS: We performed case-control and family-based association analyses, contrasting 127 autistic patients with 174 ethnically matched controls, and assessing for allelic transmission disequilibrium in 189 complete trios. RESULTS: A, and not G, alleles were associated with autism using both case-control (chi(2) = 8.96 and 5.71, 1 df, p <.005 and <.025 for genotypes and alleles, respectively), and family-based (transmission/disequilibrium test chi(2) = 8.80, 1 df, p <.005) association analyses. The head circumference of 31 patients carrying one or two copies of the G allele displayed significantly larger median values (95.0th vs. 82.5th percentile, p <.05) and dramatically reduced interindividual variability (p <.0001), compared with 166 patients carrying the A/A genotype. CONCLUSIONS: The HOXA1 A218G polymorphism explains approximately 5% of the variance in the head circumference of autistic patients and represents to our knowledge the first known gene variant providing sizable contributions to cranial morphology. The disease specificity of this finding is currently being investigated. Nonreplications in genetic linkage/association studies could partly stem from the dyshomogeneous distribution of an endophenotype morphologically defined by cranial circumference.     

Antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities of essential oil from wild Ocotea quixos (Lam.) Kosterm. (Lauraceae) calices from Amazonian Ecuador.

Ocotea quixos essential oil was shown to possess significant inhibitory activity of platelet aggregation and clot retraction in rodent plasma. This study is aimed at fully characterizing the antiplatelet activity of the whole essential oil and its main components trans-cinnamaldehyde and methyl cinnamate also in human plasma, at investigating the mechanism underlying such activity and at evaluating the potential antithrombotic activity of subacute treatment of mice with Ocotea essential oil. In vitro Ocotea essential oil and trans-cinnamaldehyde inhibited arachidonic acid-, U46619-, ADP-, phorbol12-myristate13-alcetate-, collagen-induced platelet aggregation and thrombin-induced clot retraction in human and rodent plasma; Ocotea oil and trans-cinnamaldehyde competitively antagonized contractions induced by thromboxane A2 receptor agonist U46619 in rat isolated aortic ring (K(B) = 18 and 3.2 microg ml(-1), respectively). In vivo Ocotea oil, orally administered in a subacute treatment (30-100 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 5 days) to mice, prevented acute thrombosis induced by collagen-epinephrine intravenous injection. This antithrombotic activity was not accompanied by pro-haemorragic side effect, as detected by the inactivity in bleeding test, thus showing a favourable safety profile compared to the conventional antiplatelet agent, acetylsalicylic acid. Present findings indicate that Ocotea essential oil possesses potent and safe antithrombotic activity attributable to its antiplatelet and vasorelaxant effects. The main constituent trans-cinnamaldehyde seems to be the primary responsible for this activity through a putative mechanism involving the inhibition of thromboxane A2 receptors.     

Trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis: a retrospective study comparing arthrodesis to tendon interposition arthroplasty

Abstract Surgical management of trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis (OA) is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare results of trapeziometacarpal arthrodesis and of tendon interposition arthroplasty. One hundred twenty-six patients suffering from trapeziometacarpal OA underwent surgery between 1996 and 2001. Of these patients, 62 (78 thumbs) treated with joint arthrodesis and 33 (41 thumbs) treated with tendon interposition arthroplasty with abductor pollicis longus (APL) have been evaluated at follow-up and therefore entered this study. Mean age was 53 years, while the mean follow-up was 36 months. Overall results were satisfactory in 84 patients with good pain improvement. Patients treated with arthrodesis showed better functional ability in bi-digital pinch and grip strength. First finger opposition motion, however, was better conserved in patients treated with interposition arthroplasty. Fusions had an 11.5% complication rate (9 thumbs) with nonunions, whereas 14.8% (6 thumbs) of patients treated with interposition arthroplasty developed 1 first metacarpal base collapse, resulting in 1 first ray length reduction. Despite complications, however, patients did not report unsatisfactory results and generally experienced marked pain reduction. This study shows that arthrodesis can be considered the treatment of choice in patients suffering from trapeziometacarpal OA at Eaton stage III or less, whatever the age and when a good pinch strength is needed.     

Changing patterns of abnormal vascular wall F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on follow-up PET/CT studies.

BACKGROUND: Fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake may be increased in atherosclerotic plaques in asymptomatic patients. Repeat positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) studies were assessed for changes in patterns of FDG uptake and CT calcifications. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty consecutive cancer patients (mean age, 68 +/- 8 years) had repeat PET/CT studies 8 to 26 months apart. PET, CT, and PET/CT images were retrospectively evaluated for vascular wall abnormalities and for interval changes in the thoracic and abdominal aortas, as well as in carotid and iliac arteries, classified as PET+/CT+, PET+/CT-, and PET-/CT+. There were 485 abnormal sites in the first study and 495 in the second. CT calcifications were found in 46 patients (92%) in the first study and in 47 (94%) in the second. Vascular wall FDG uptake was found in both studies in 37 patients (74%). The pattern changed in 57 of 119 PET+ sites (48%) in the second study compared with 15 of 366 PET- sites (4%) (P < .0001). In the second study new PET+ sites were observed in 36 of 111 sites (32%) versus new PET-/CT+ sites in 19 of 384 sites (5%) (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in vascular FDG activity and CT calcifications can be assessed by repeat PET/CT. FDG-avid foci may represent a dynamic process, transient inflammation, whereas CT calcifications may indicate stable atherosclerosis. These preliminary results support the need for further research.