The Cholecystectomy As A Day Case (CAAD) Score: A Validated Score of Preoperative Predictors of Successful Day-Case Cholecystectomy Using the CholeS Data Set

Background Day-case surgery is associated with significant patient and cost benefits. However, only 43% of cholecystectomy patients are discharged home the same day. One hypothesis is day-case cholecystectomy rates, defined as patients discharged the same day as their operation, may be improved by better assessment of patients using standard preoperative variables. Methods Data were extracted from a prospectively collected data set of cholecystectomy patients from 166 UK and Irish hospitals (CholeS). Cholecystectomies performed as elective procedures were divided into main (75%) and validation (25%) data sets. Preoperative predictors were identified, and a risk score of failed day case was devised using multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to validate the score in the validation data set. Results Of the 7426 elective cholecystectomies performed, 49% of these were discharged home the same day. Same-day discharge following cholecystectomy was less likely with older patients (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), higher ASA scores (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), complicated cholelithiasis (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.48), male gender (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58–0.74), previous acute gallstone-related admissions (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.48–0.60) and preoperative endoscopic intervention (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.34–0.47). The CAAD score was developed using these variables. When applied to the validation subgroup, a CAAD score of ≤5 was associated with 80.8% successful day-case cholecystectomy compared with 19.2% associated with a CAAD score >5 (p < 0.001). Conclusions The CAAD score which utilises data readily available from clinic letters and electronic sources can predict same-day discharges following cholecystectomy

A study of biodiesel production from crude jatropha oil (CJO) with high level of free fatty acids

A two step-transesterification process was adopted to produce biodiesel from crudejatropha oil in lab scale and pilot plant. The crude jatropha oil used was sourced with high different level of free fatty acids. The first sample (FFA= 4.5%) was subjected to pretreatment step under reaction condition of 0.225 v/v sulfuric acid (H2SO4), 6: 1 w/w methanol (MeOH) to oil mole ratio, reaction temperature of 65 C, and 180 min of reaction time. Meanwhile, the second jatropha oil sample (FFA= 8%) was subjected to pretreatment process in pilot </p

Validated methods for determination of yohimbine hydrochloride in the presence of its degradation products

Two simple, accurate and sensitive and techniques have been developed and validated for the determination of yohimbine hydrochloride in presence of its acid, alkaline and photo-degradates as stability-indicating studies. First spectrophotometric technique was adopted for the determination of the investigated drug in presence of degradation products, by the use of derivative and derivative ratio methods, respectively, while the second technique utilized a high-performance liquid chromatography for the determination of yohimbine hydrochloride in presence of its degradation products, as stability indicating method. The chromatographic separation was achieved isocratically by using a mobile phase of water and methanol in a ratio of 55:45 V/V containing 0.5% triethylamine. The analysis was carried out using C18 (4.6 × 150 mm, 5 μm) at flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and UV detection at 270 nm. All the proposed methods were validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines and successfully applied for determination of the drug in pure form, in laboratory prepared mixtures and in pharmaceutical preparations. The obtained results were statistically compared to the official method of analysis for yohimbine hydrochloride and no significant differences were found

In vitro production of Sudanese camel (Camelus dromedarius) embryos from epididymal spermatozoa and follicular oocytes of slaughtered animals

Application of assisted reproductive technology in camelidea, such as artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer, has been slow in comparison to that for other livestock species. In Egypt, there are few attempts to establish in vitro maturation (IVM) and fertilization (IVF) techniques in dromedary camel. The present study was carried out to produce Sudanese camel embryos using in vitro matured oocytes and epididymal spermatozoa. Dromedary camel ovaries were collected from abattoirs and then, the oocytes were aspirated from all the visible follicles on the ovarian surface (~2-8 mm in a diameter). Meanwhile, Fetal Dromedary Camel Serum (FDCS) was obtained from camel fetuses after slaughtering. Thereafter, only Cumulus Oocyte Complexes (COCs) were matured in vitro in the Tissue Culture Medium (TCM-199) complemented with 10% FDCS. Spermatozoa required for in vitro fertilization were collected from testes (epididymal cauda) of the slaughtered camel bulls. The results clearly showed that the maturation rate of oocytes at metaphase II was about 59.5% while the fertilization rate was around 70.4%. Intriguingly, the embryo rates determined were 13.1%, in 2-cell; 0.0%, in 4-cell; 34.7%, in 8-16% cell; 39.1%, in morula and 13.1% in a blastocyst stage. This study represented a successful in vitro production of Sudanese dromedary camel embryos from epididymal sperm cells and in vitro matured oocytes recovered from slaughtered camels

Perspective of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) as a potential biodiesel feedstock in Turkey: characterization, engine performance and emissions analyses of butanol–biodiesel–diesel blends

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is widely farmed in Turkey. This study investigates the physicochemical properties of safflower biodiesel and its blends with Euro diesel and butanol. A polynomial curve-fitting method was used to predict kinematic viscosity and density of the ternary blends. Furthermore, characteristics such as DSC, FT-IR, UV-Vis and TGA were adopted to evaluate the influence of butanol addition on biodiesel–diesel blends. Engine performance parameters such as BP, torque and BSFC and emissions such as CO, HC, NOx and EGT were studied. Safflower methyl ester satisfied both EN 14214 and ASTM D 6751 standards regarding viscosity, flash point and density. However, iodine value was quite high. Oxidation stability fails to satisfy either standard. This is due to the high level of unsaturated fatty acids (91.05%). A reduction in BP, torque, HC and CO coupled with an increase in BSFC, NOx emissions and EGT was observed for all blends compared to Euro diesel. Overall, all blends appear to be good alternatives to biodiesel–diesel blends. This work supports that biodiesel can be blended with diesel and butanol as ternary blends (up to 20%) for use as a fuel in compression ignition (CI) engines. Therefore, combustion characteristics of blends shall be further investigated. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Grou