A novelty in laparoscopic total colectomy with natural orifice specimen extraction using a plastic cover Uma novidade na colectomia total laparoscópica com extração de espécime em orifício natural usando uma cobertura plastic

Introduction: Minimally invasive colectomy has been performed for some years for many patients worldwide without much complications compared to the open approach. In this study we explained our experience regarding a modification in laparoscopic total colectomy and removing the specimen with Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction (NOSE) through rectum using a plastic cover for the first time. Methods and material: This was an experimental study on a new technique of total colectomy with a small modification. Total colectomy was performed based on 7 port laparoscopic approach. Rectum was sparred. Colon was then taken out through the anal canal using a plastic cover. Results: Thirteen patients underwent laparoscopic total colectomy by removal of the specimen through rectum. Mean age of patients was 42.23 ± 8.15 years. Mean duration of operation was 130 ± 32.4 min. All patients had an uneventful postoperative hospitalization. Discussion: Laparoscopic total colectomy has been proven to have superior benefits than the open approach. In NOSE technique, colon is removed from the anal canal without any complication or consuming much time. This technique might have less pain and removes the complications associated with an incision on the skin to remove the specimen. Also, due to low price of a usual plastic cover, it can be used instead of other techniques to remove the specimen through the rectum. © 2020 Sociedade Brasileira de Coloproctologi

A new framework for characterization of poroelastic materials using indentation

To characterize a poroelastic material, typically an indenter is pressed onto the surface of the material with a ramp of a finite approach velocity followed by a hold where the indenter displacement is kept constant This leads to deformation of the porous matrix, pressurization of the interstitial fluid and relaxation due to redistribution of fluid through the pores. In most studies the poroelastic properties, including elastic modulus, Poisson ratio and poroelastic diffusion coefficient, are extracted by assuming an instantaneous step indentation. However, exerting step like indentation is not experimentally possible and usually a ramp indentation with a finite approach velocity is applied. Moreover, the poroelastic relaxation time highly depends on the approach velocity in addition to the poroelastic diffusion coefficient and the contact area. Here, we extensively studied the effect of indentation velocity using finite element simulations which has enabled the formulation of a new framework based on a master curve that incorporates the finite rise time. To verify our novel framework, the poroelastic properties of two types of hydrogels were extracted experimentally using indentation tests at both macro and micro scales. Our new framework that is based on consideration of finite approach velocity is experimentally easy to implement and provides more accurate estimation of poroelastic properties

Anal position index; can it predict pelvic organ disorders in adults? O índice de posição anal pode prever doenças de órgãos pélvicos em adultos?

Introduction: Anal position index is calculated with a simple formula, which is used to determine the exact position of anus in perineum. This index is currently used only in neonates and infants. Anteriorly displacement of anus is a common cause of chronic constipation. Here we assessed the association between anal position index with patients� characteristics, chronic constipation, rectum prolapse uterine prolapse, and number of delivery. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed in 2018 on 63 adult admitted to colorectal surgery clinic. Anus-forchuette, coccyx-forchuette and coccyx-scrotum and anal-scrotum were measure by a simple meter tape. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS for Windows, ver. 18) was used for data analysis. Independent Student's t-test, correlation coefficient and ANOVA were used. Results: Sixty-three patients within age range of 22�75 years old were recruited. 48 were male (76.2) and 15 females (23.8). Twenty-nine (46) had chronic constipation. The mean ± SD of the index with confidence interval of 95 was 0.5325 ± 0.11861 in males and 0.4510 ± 0.16803 in females. Also the mean of the index was 0.4616 ± 0.14007 in patients with chronic constipation and 0.5570 ± 0.11559 in patients without constipation. Discussion: Anal position index can be a prognostic factor to predict chronic constipation and pelvic floor anatomy disturbance in adults as well as pediatrics. © 201

Vitamin E and selenium improve mesenchymal stem cell conditioned media immunomodulatory effects

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with immunoregulatory properties affect immune systems. Many studies showed that antioxidants such as vitamin E (Vit E) and selenium (Se) could improve stem cells survival. This study aims to investigate the effects of MSC conditioned media (CM) treated with Vit E and Se on immune cells. Methods: MSCs were isolated and cultured with Vit E and Se. Immature dendritic cells (DCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were cultured with MSC CM treated with Vit E and Se. The expression of HLA-DR, CD86, CD40, and CD83 on mature DC were evaluated. DC supernatant and PBMCs supernatant was collected for the study of TGF-β, IL-10, and IL-12. PBMCs evaluated for the expression of T-bet, GATA3, RORγt, and FOXP3. Results: MSC CM increased CD40 on myeloid DC (mDC). CD40 has been decreased in DC treated with MSC (Vit E) and MSC (Se) CM. HLA-DR expression on DCs and IL-12 level were significantly reduced in MSC (Vit E) CM. IL-10 concentration increased in DCs treated with MSC (Vit E) and MSC (Se) CM. Treatment of PBMCs with MSC CM decreased IL-10 level, FOXP3, and RORγt expression. On the other hand, the MSC (Vit E) CM and MSC (Se) CM decreased the IL-10 level and increased IL-12, T-bet, and RORγt. Conclusions: According to the results, the treatment of MSC with Vit E and Se enhanced the ability of MSCs to inhibit DCs and improved immunomodulatory effects. Concerning the effect of MSC on PBMC, it seems that it increased RORγt expression through monocytes. © Stem Cell Investigation. All rights reserved

Low expression of Talin1 is associated with advanced pathological features in colorectal cancer patients

To explore the proper prognostic markers for the likelihood of metastasis in CRC patients. Seventy-seven fresh CRC samples were collected to evaluate the mRNA level of the selected marker using Real-time PCR. Moreover, 648 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded CRC tissues were gathered to evaluate protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on tissue microarrays. The results of Real-Time PCR showed that low expression of Talin1 was significantly associated with advanced TNM stage (p = 0.034) as well as gender (p = 0.029) in mRNA levels. Similarly, IHC results indicated that a low level of cytoplasmic expression of Talin1 was significantly associated with advanced TNM stage (p = 0.028) as well as gender (p = 0.009) in CRC patients. Moreover, decreased expression of cytoplasmic Talin1 protein was found to be a significant predictor of worse disease-specific survival (DSS) (p = 0.011) in the univariate analysis. In addition, a significant difference was achieved (p = 0.039) in 5-year survival rates of DSS: 65 for low, 72 for moderate, and 88 for high Talin1 protein expression. Observations showed that lower expression of Talin1 at both the gene and protein level may drive the disparity of CRC patients� outcomes via worse DSS and provide new insights into the development of progression indicators because of its correlation with increased tumor aggressiveness. © 2020, The Author(s)

Electrohydrodynamic drying of kiwi (Actinidia Chinensis) slices

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) enhanced drying of kiwi slices using multiple point-to-plate electrode arrangements under a DC voltage was carried out in an experiment to compare with those of oven drying at 60 ºC and ambient-air at 25 ºC. The EHD was run at high electric field of 375 V mm-1 using thirteen ionizing needles to a plate electrode. The effects compared included drying rate, temperature, energy consumption, color, and shrinkage. Samples dried by the EHD and oven showed nearly the same values of moisture content whereas that of the air-dried sample was 3.5 times higher at the end of a 7-hour drying. The sample subjected to EHD preserved the same temperature during the drying. Compared with oven drying, EHD’s energy consumption was negligible. EHD and ambient-air drying rarely developed undesirable changes in color whereas the oven-dried sample color underwent a significant change in color. Finally, slices underwent almost the same final shrinkage in volume in both EHD and oven drying

Thermodynamic analysis of an internal reforming solid-oxide fuel cell combined with a gas turbine power plant

Paper presented at the 7th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Turkey, 19-21 July, 2010.Nowadays utilization of highly efficient and low pollutant power production systems is one of the primacies and attractive topics for researchers. Solid oxide fuel cells are such systems; and their capabilities to integrate with power cycles such as gas turbine cycles propose a hybrid system for future power plant. This study examines the performance a natural-gas-fed tabular solid-oxide fuel cell combined with a conventional recuperative gas turbine power plant. The overall system performance is analyzed by analyzing all components separately. Also a parametric study was performed to investigate the effect of various parameters such as compressor Pressure ratio and fuel mass flow rate on the cycle energy performance, entropy generation rate, SOFC power, electrical power and C02 emission. The results revealed that it is possible for this system to reach a first law efficiency of about 60% and optimum entropy generation rate at that of gas turbine.ej201