Laboratory Validation of Calculations of Magnetic Field Mitigation Underneath Transmission Lines Using Passive and Active Shield Wires

This paper is aimed at reporting experimental measurements and calculations of how the magnetic field underneath overhead transmission lines is mitigated using passive and active shield wires. The magnetic field values were compared to those calculated using the current simulation technique (CST). A laboratory transmission line model representing the Egyptian 500 kV EHV line was built with dimensions scaled down in the ratio 10:1. The flat single circuit of the line was modeled in the laboratory by phase separation of 1.2 m and conductor diameter of 2.76 mm at height of 1.9 m. The shield wires were spaced 4.3 m at a height of 1.45 m. Magnetic field measurements were carried out for load currents of 5.7 and 10 A. The field was measured at 0.3 m above ground level with and without passive and active shield wires for several different lateral positions. The measured and calculated field values generally agreed reasonably with an error ranging between 2.5 and 20 % within the ROW. The maximum reduction of magnetic field from the passive shield wires is 10% at the edge of right of way. With active shield wires carrying a current of 5 A (one half of the conductor current), the reduction of magnetic field reached 17% at the edge of ROW

Autologous Pericardial Band for Tricuspid Valve Annuloplasty: Midterm Results

Background: Even though tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a frequent cardiac valve disorder, and tricuspid valve annuloplasty (TVA) has been evolved to manage TR for more than 50 years, there is still a substantial controversy regarding the best durable method for TVA. We reported our midterm (3 years) outcomes of TVA using autologous pericardial (AP) band comparing it with DeVega annuloplasty for the management of functional TR. Methods: Between January 2017 and November 2018, about 175 cases with moderate or more TR underwent TVA as a part of primary left-sided valve replacement surgery. Autologous pericardial (AP) TVA was performed in 100 patients, and DeVega TVA in 75 patients. Results: Both groups are comparable as regards preoperative characteristics. Immediate postoperatively, regarding NYHA class, degree of TR, ejection fraction, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure, there was a marked improvement within the 2 groups compared to the preoperative values, without a significant difference between both groups. 94% of patients completed the follow-up period. In hospital death was 2% in the AP group, and 1% in the DeVega group. The AP group showed a marked improvement in the mean degree of TR at the same follow-up period compared to the DeVega group, 12% patients of the AP group and 21% patients of the De Vega group had 3+ or 4+ TR at 3 years postoperative follow up. There was a marked improvement in the Diastolic tricuspid annuloplasty diameter in the AP group compared to the DeVega group. There were 6.3% late deaths in our study. Conclusion:  TVA with an AP was more durable than the DeVega in avoiding postoperative TR progression on the midterm results

Effect of binary and ternary solid dispersions prepared by fusion method on the dissolution of poorly water soluble diacerein

The poor solubility of drug substances in water and their low dissolution rate in aqueous G.I.T fluid often leads to insufficient bioavailability. The present investigation is an attempt to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of diacerein (a poorly soluble drug) by solid dispersion technique. Binary solid dispersions were made using PEG-4000 or PEG-6000 as carriers with varying drug: carrier ratios 1:1, 1:3 and 1:5. Also ternary solid dispersions were made using PEG-4000 and Pluronic F-68 at ratios 1:5:1, 1:5:2 and 1:5:3. Nine formulae were prepared and evaluated for saturated solubility, In-vitro drug release. Solid state characterization including DSC, FTIR, XRD and SEM is also carried out. All formulae showed marked significant improvement in the solubility and dissolution rate of the drug. The interaction studies showed no interaction between the drug and any of the used carriers. Formula SD9 (1:5:3; drug: PEG-4000: Pluronic F-68) showed the best dissolution profile with about 44.73% of the drug being released in the first 5 minutes and more than 79 % of the drug being released in the first 15 minutes. Also this formula showed the highest dissolution rate of 6.66 %/min. It was concluded that combination of PEG-4000 and Pluronic F-68 can be well utilized to improve the solubility of poorly soluble drugs

Effect of binary and ternary solid dispersions prepared by fusion method on the dissolution of poorly water soluble diacerein

The poor solubility of drug substances in water and their low dissolution rate in aqueous G.I.T fluid often leads to insufficient bioavailability. The present investigation is an attempt to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of diacerein (a poorly soluble drug) by solid dispersion technique. Binary solid dispersions were made using PEG-4000 or PEG-6000 as carriers with varying drug: carrier ratios 1:1, 1:3 and 1:5. Also ternary solid dispersions were made using PEG-4000 and Pluronic F-68 at ratios 1:5:1, 1:5:2 and 1:5:3. Nine formulae were prepared and evaluated for saturated solubility, In-vitro drug release. Solid state characterization including DSC, FTIR, XRD and SEM is also carried out. All formulae showed marked significant improvement in the solubility and dissolution rate of the drug. The interaction studies showed no interaction between the drug and any of the used carriers. Formula SD9 (1:5:3; drug: PEG-4000: Pluronic F-68) showed the best dissolution profile with about 44.73% of the drug being released in the first 5 minutes and more than 79 % of the drug being released in the first 15 minutes. Also this formula showed the highest dissolution rate of 6.66 %/min. It was concluded that combination of PEG-4000 and Pluronic F-68 can be well utilized to improve the solubility of poorly soluble drugs

Serial changes in the serum levels of leptin, homocysteine, galectin-3, total phospholipids and hexosamines among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

AbstractBackgroundCoronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cardiovascular disorder in adults. This study was performed to elucidate the role of active leptin, homocysteine, galectin-3, total phospholipids, total, bound, free hexosamines, free-to-bound hexosamines ratio in the pathogenesis of chronic myocardial ischemia and studying the effect of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on their serum levels.MethodsA prospective case control study was carried out on 100 ischemic heart disease male patients undergoing elective CABG and 25 healthy males. Serum levels of total phospholipids, total and free hexosamines, were estimated using spectrophotometric methods, while, serum levels of active leptin, homocysteine and galectin-3 were estimated using ELISA assay kit.ResultsSignificant higher serum active leptin, homocysteine, galectin-3, free hexosamines and free to bound hexosamines ratio levels preoperatively when compared with the control group (p < 0.01 for all) with significant lowering of their serum levels following CABG (p < 0.01 for all) except for active leptin. Significant lower serum total phospholipids, total and bound hexosamines levels preoperatively when compared with the control group (p < 0.01 for all) with significant elevations in their serum levels following CABG (p < 0.01 for all).ConclusionsHigh active leptin, homocysteine, galectin-3, free and free to bound hexosamines ratio and low total phospholipids, total and bound hexosamines play an important role in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia. The serum levels of homocysteine, galectin-3, hexosamines and total phospholipids, but not active leptin are significantly lowered following CABG

Spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns in prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019 : a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Ending the global tobacco epidemic is a defining challenge in global health. Timely and comprehensive estimates of the prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden are needed to guide tobacco control efforts nationally and globally. Methods We estimated the prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden for 204 countries and territories, by age and sex, from 1990 to 2019 as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study. We modelled multiple smoking-related indicators from 3625 nationally representative surveys. We completed systematic reviews and did Bayesian meta-regressions for 36 causally linked health outcomes to estimate non-linear dose-response risk curves for current and former smokers. We used a direct estimation approach to estimate attributable burden, providing more comprehensive estimates of the health effects of smoking than previously available. Findings Globally in 2019, 1.14 billion (95% uncertainty interval 1.13-1.16) individuals were current smokers, who consumed 7.41 trillion (7.11-7.74) cigarette-equivalents of tobacco in 2019. Although prevalence of smoking had decreased significantly since 1990 among both males (27.5% [26. 5-28.5] reduction) and females (37.7% [35.4-39.9] reduction) aged 15 years and older, population growth has led to a significant increase in the total number of smokers from 0.99 billion (0.98-1.00) in 1990. Globally in 2019, smoking tobacco use accounted for 7.69 million (7.16-8.20) deaths and 200 million (185-214) disability-adjusted life-years, and was the leading risk factor for death among males (20.2% [19.3-21.1] of male deaths). 6.68 million [86.9%] of 7.69 million deaths attributable to smoking tobacco use were among current smokers. Interpretation In the absence of intervention, the annual toll of 7.69 million deaths and 200 million disability-adjusted life-years attributable to smoking will increase over the coming decades. Substantial progress in reducing the prevalence of smoking tobacco use has been observed in countries from all regions and at all stages of development, but a large implementation gap remains for tobacco control. Countries have a dear and urgent opportunity to pass strong, evidence-based policies to accelerate reductions in the prevalence of smoking and reap massive health benefits for their citizens. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Reconstruction of a Diffusely Diseased Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery with Left Internal Thoracic Artery Patch: One year follow up

Background: Management of patients with extensive coronary artery disease (CAD) is challenging. This study presents the results of extensive reconstruction of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery using the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) patch in patients with extensive LAD disease. Methods: This study was conducted between January 2017 and April 2020 and included 86 patients. Males presented 88% (n=76), and the mean age was 57.8±7.31 years. Patients underwent long (2- 4 cm, n= 51) or extensive (≥4 cm, n=. 35) segment reconstruction of the LAD using LITA graft. Associated comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (n= 68, 79%), hypertension (n=, 60, 69%), and chronic kidney disease (n= 5, 5.8%). Results: The mean cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times were 107 ±21.24 and 68±12.8 min, respectively. ICU stay ranged from 1 to 15 days and hospital stay from 6 to 30 days. Seven patients (8%) needed IABP, 3 (3.5%) had low cardiac output, 10 (11.5%) had pulmonary complications, 5 (5.8%) had mediastinitis, 7 (8%) had a stroke, and 5 (5.8%) had acute kidney injury. Mortality occurred in seven patients (8%), 4 (4.6%) had hospital mortality, and 3 (3.5%) had late mortality. During the 1-year follow-up, 7 (8%) patients had recurrent anginal pain. CT angiography showed patent LITA to LAD in 6 patients. Conclusion: Extensive LITA patch reconstruction of the diffuse LAD disease could be a safe procedure with accepted early clinical outcomes