Utilization of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) in kraft pulping process

Aim of this study is to investigate the effect of adding sodium borohydride (NaBH4) in kraft pulping. First of all, six kraft cooks were carried out for varying active alkali and sulfidity. Then, kraft methods for K1 and K6 cooks were modified by adding 1, 2 and 3% NaBH4. The results indicated that modifying kraft method (K1) by adding 3% NaBH4 (KB13) resulted in 9.97% (relative percentage) yield increase and 10.1% (relative percentage) kappa reduction. Although the mechanical properties of NaBH 4 modified pulps were lower compared to the kraft pulps, NaBH 4 modified pulps were much brighter. © Triveni Enterprises

Chemical constituents of balsam from Liquidambar orientalis

WOS: A1996UC6450000

Biodegradation of Abies bornmulleriana (Mattf.) and Fagus orientalis (L.) by the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The effects of Phaneroehaete chrysosporium, a white rot fungus, on the chemical composition of Abies bornmulleriana and Fagus orientalis wood chips were investigated. After the chips were inoculated with the fungus, 20-, 40- and 60-day samples were analysed in order to determine the influence of fungal treatment on the chemical components of the cell walls, and the fibre properties of both species were measured. As a result of P. chrysosporium growth, both types of wood had slight relative increases in percentage cellulose. Percentage holocellulose showed statistically significant decreases and solubility values increased considerably. The lignin ratio for F orientalis decreased significantly in relation to zero-time control samples. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Effects of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation therapy on chronic pelvic pain

PubMedID: 22269443Objective: This research is a prospective study which was designed to determine the effects of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) therapy on the quality of life and sexual life of patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Methods: The sample consisted of an experimental group (n = 12) and a control group (n = 12), in total 24 patients. The experimental group was treated with PTNS once a week (in total 12 sessions), while the control group received routine intervention. Results: The pain frequency and intensity in women who underwent PTNS decreased considerably. Women had less pain during sexual intercourse after PTNS. We determined in our study that PTNS improved the quality of life of women with CPP by decreasing the intensity of pain and contributed to a more comfortable performance of their daily activities. Conclusions: PTNS is a type of treatment which contributes to the quality of life of women with CPP by decreasing the intensity of pain. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel

Comparison of the effects of Aloe vera gel and coconut oil on the healing of open wounds in rats

In this study, the effects of Aloe vera gel and coconut oil on wound healing were investigated and compared in rats. Forty-two Wistar albino rats were used during the experiment, in which they were operated on under general anaesthesia to create two full-thickness open skin wounds (created with a 0.5 cm diameter punch biopsy apparatus) on both back sides of the median line. A total of 42 rats were divided into three groups of 14 animals each to receive the topical application of Aloe vera gel (AV group - n = 14), coconut oil (CO group - n = 14) and cold cream (CONT group - n = 14). The medical applications were performed twice a day in all the groups. The wound borders were marked on a transparent sheet every day. Afterwards, this sheet was transferred to the millimetre graph paper. On days 0, 7, and 14, the unhealed wound area was measured in all the groups. On days 7 and 14, seven rats in each group were euthanised. Then, skin samples including the intact skin were taken from the wound sites for histopathological and biochemical evaluations. The topical application of Aloe vera gel showed a significant increase in the healing process of the open wounds in terms of the clinical evaluation, histopathological and biochemical data averages when compared with the coconut oil and cold cream groups of rats (P < 0.05). The results obtained in the present study demonstrate that Aloe vera gel may provide a good alternative for the treatment of open wounds

Randomized trial of long-term effects of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation on chronic pelvic pain

PubMedID: 24619189Objective: To evaluate the long-term effects of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) on quality of life in women with chronic pelvic pain. Materials and methods: Thirty-three women with chronic pelvic pain were randomized into PTNS (n = 16) or control (n = 17) groups. In PTNS group, weekly PTNS in 30-min sessions for 12 weeks was performed whereas the control group received no stimulation. Present pain intensity-visual analog scale (PPI-VAS), short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ), and SF-36 were used at baseline, 12-week, and 6-month follow-up for the evaluation of pain intensity and quality of life. Results: Two women (12.5 %) were cured, 7 (43.8 %) were much improved, 6 (37.5 %) were the same and 1 (6.3 %) was worse after PTNS. Two women (11.8 %) were improved, 10 (58.8 %) were the same, and 5 (29.4 %) were worse in the control group. Mean PPI-VAS of PTNS group at baseline, 12 weeks, and 6 months was 8.4 ± 1.1, 3.8 ± 3.5 and 4.5 ± 3.7, respectively. There was a significant improvement in PPI-VAS scores of PTNS group whereas no change was observed in the control group. There was a slight increase in the PPI-VAS scores of the PTNS group at 6-month, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was significant improvement in all domains of SF-MPQ and SF-36 in PTNS group with continuing effects at 6 months whereas no significant change was observed in the control group. Conclusion: PTNS is a minimally invasive treatment method that leads to decrease in pain severity and improvement in quality of life in women with chronic pelvic pain with effects continuing at 6 months. © 2014 Springer-Verlag