Performance of the CMS High Granularity Calorimeter prototype to charged pion beams of 20−-300 GeV/c

The upgrade of the CMS experiment for the high luminosity operation of the LHC comprises the replacement of the current endcap calorimeter by a high granularity sampling calorimeter (HGCAL). The electromagnetic section of the HGCAL is based on silicon sensors interspersed between lead and copper (or copper tungsten) absorbers. The hadronic section uses layers of stainless steel as an absorbing medium and silicon sensors as an active medium in the regions of high radiation exposure, and scintillator tiles directly readout by silicon photomultipliers in the remaining regions. As part of the development of the detector and its readout electronic components, a section of a silicon-based HGCAL prototype detector along with a section of the CALICE AHCAL prototype was exposed to muons, electrons and charged pions in beam test experiments at the H2 beamline at the CERN SPS in October 2018. The AHCAL uses the same technology as foreseen for the HGCAL but with much finer longitudinal segmentation. The performance of the calorimeters in terms of energy response and resolution, longitudinal and transverse shower profiles is studied using negatively charged pions, and is compared to GEANT4 predictions. This is the first report summarizing results of hadronic showers measured by the HGCAL prototype using beam test data.Comment: To be submitted to JINS

Recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the skin treated successfully with single agent cetuximab therapy

Selcuk Seber,1 Aylin Gonultas,2 Ozlem Ozturk,2 Tarkan Yetisyigit1 1Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Namik Kemal University, 2Pathology Department, Tekirdag State Hospital, Tekirdag, Turkey Abstract: Recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is a rare but difficult to treat condition. Frequently, the disease presents itself in elderly patients with poor performance status and bearing many comorbidities, thus the decision to administer systemic chemotherapy becomes difficult to make. In addition, current chemotherapeutic protocols response rates are far from satisfactory. Recently cetuximab, a chimeric antibody against epidermal growth factor receptor, is increasingly being reported as an alternative treatment. We therefore report this case of a recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in an elderly woman with poor performance status and who had an excellent clinical response to single agent cetuximab therapy with complete resolution of the disease and minimal toxicity during the course of the treatment to provide evidence for future prospective clinical trials. Keywords: cetuximab, EGFR inhibiton, squamous cell carcinoma of the ski

The Effect of Humic Acid Substances on the Thyroid Function and Structure in Lead Poisoning

ABSTRACT Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal, which adversely affects thyroid gland function and structure. Due to its high molecular weight and abundant functional groups, humic acid substances (HAS) can form chelates with heavy metals. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the prophylactic effect of HAS on thyroid hormone levels and histopathological lesions of laying hens exposed to lead (Pb) poisoning. After a week of adaptation, 192 Lohmann White laying hens (25 weeks of age) were fed one of four diets: a basal diet (BD) or the BD with HAS (0.15%), with Pb (0.3 g/kg), or with both. Experimental groups were replicated in 12 cages, with four hens each. Pb poisoning did not alter triiodothyronine (FT3; 3.22 ± 0.20 ng/dL) or thyroxine (FT4; 0.71 ± 0.08 ng/dL) concentrations, but caused a 167% increase in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration. HAS supplementation returned the high TSH levels of hens exposed to Pb poisoning to normal values. Degenerative changes in the epithelial cells of the thyroid gland of the hens exposed to Pb poisoning were evidenced. Connective tissue cells in the interfollicular area and total amount of colloids with partially atrophic follicles were observed. These histopathological findings were less severe when HAS was added to the diet. In conclusion, HAS alleviates the effects of Pb poisoning on thyroid gland function and structure, possibly preventing its internalization by the tissue by forming chelates and exerting anti-inflammatory effects

Effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on liver regeneration capacity after living donor hepatectomy: a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has multiple hepatoprotective activities: it modifies the bile acid pool, decreases levels of endogenous, hydrophobic bile acids while increasing the proportion of nontoxic hydrophilic bile acids. It also has cytoprotective, antiapoptotic, and immunomodulatory properties. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of postoperative administration of UDCA on liver regeneration capacity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind study that was carried out in our Liver transplant Institute. Sixty living liver donors (LLDs) who underwent right lobe living donor hepatectomy were divided into two groups using computer-generated random numbers: one group received oral UDCA 500 mg 12 hourly for 7 days (UDCA group; n=30) from the first postoperative day (POD) and the other did not receive UDCA (non-UDCA group; n=30). Both groups were compared in terms of the following parameters: clinical and demographic parameters, liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, total bilirubin, direct Bilirubin), and INR. RESULTS: The median ages in the UDCA and non-UDCA were 31 years (95% CI for median: 26-38) and 24 years (95% CI for median: 23-29), respectively. Liver function tests showed significant differences at various times within the first seven PODs. The INR was lower in UDCA group patients on POD3 and POD4. However, GGT was significantly lower on POD6 and POD7 for the UDCA group. Total bilirubin was also significantly lower on POD3 for the UDCA group patients, but ALP was lower all from POD1 to POD7. A significant difference was also observed in AST on POD3, POD5 and POD6. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative administration of oral UDCA significantly improves liver function tests and INR among LLDs

The Effect of Humic Acid Substances on the Thyroid Function and Structure in Lead Poisoning Author(s) Sahin A I Iskender H II

Keywords Lead poisoning, humic acid substances, thyroid gland, chicken. Submitted: April/2016 Approved: August/2016 ABSTRACT Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal, which adversely affects thyroid gland function and structure. Due to its high molecular weight and abundant functional groups, humic acid substances (HAS) can form chelates with heavy metals. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the prophylactic effect of HAS on thyroid hormone levels and histopathological lesions of laying hens exposed to lead (Pb) poisoning. After a week of adaptation, 192 Lohmann White laying hens (25 weeks of age) were fed one of four diets: a basal diet (BD) or the BD with HAS (0.15%), with Pb (0.3 g/kg), or with both. Experimental groups were replicated in 12 cages, with four hens each. Pb poisoning did not alter triiodothyronine (FT 3 ; 3.22 ± 0.20 ng/dL) or thyroxine (FT 4 ; 0.71 ± 0.08 ng/dL) concentrations, but caused a 167% increase in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration. HAS supplementation returned the high TSH levels of hens exposed to Pb poisoning to normal values. Degenerative changes in the epithelial cells of the thyroid gland of the hens exposed to Pb poisoning were evidenced. Connective tissue cells in the interfollicular area and total amount of colloids with partially atrophic follicles were observed. These histopathological findings were less severe when HAS was added to the diet. In conclusion, HAS alleviates the effects of Pb poisoning on thyroid gland function and structure, possibly preventing its internalization by the tissue by forming chelates and exerting antiinflammatory effects

Management of wet ascitic type of peritoneal tuberculosis: single center experience

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to present our experience with the management of 17 patients with ascites who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy or laparotomy, and histologic confirmation of wet ascitic type of peritoneal tuberculosis (TB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2008 and March 2019, 17 patients whose ascites were investigated by a gastroenterologist and who were thought to have non-cirrhotic ascites were referred to our Surgery clinic for peritoneal biopsy. The clinical, biochemical, radiological, microbiological, and histopathological data of the patients who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy or laparotomy were analyzed retrospectively. Histopathological examination of peritoneal tissue samples in hematoxylin-eosin-stained preparations revealed necrotizing granulomatous inflammation with caseous necrosis and Langhans type giant cells. Ehrlich-Ziehl-Neelsen (EZN) staining was studied with the suspicion of TB. Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) were detected in EZN stained slide. Histopathological findings were also considered. RESULTS: Seventeen patients aged 18 to 64 years were included in this study. The most common symptoms were ascites and abdominal distention, weight loss, night sweats, fever and diarrhea. Radiological examination revealed peritoneal thickening, ascites, omental cacking, and diffuse lymphadenopathy. Histopathologically, necrotizing granulomatous peritonitis consistent with peritoneal TB were detected. While direct laparoscopy was preferred in sixteen patients, laparotomy was preferred in the remaining one due to previous surgical procedures.  However, seven were converted to open laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of abdominal TB requires high index of suspicion, and the treatment should be prompt to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with delay in treatment

Green Composites: Materials, Manufacturing and Engineering Advanced composites ;, 7./ J. Paulo Davim.

In English.Includes bibliographical references and index.Composite materials are engineered materials, made from two or more constituents with significantly different physical or chemical properties which remain separate on a macroscopic level within the finished structure. Due to their special mechanical and physical properties they have the potential to replace conventional materials.Alma, Mehmet Hakki / Salan, Tufan / Tozluoglu, Ayhan / Gonultas, Oktay / Candan, Zeki -- Sahoo, Prasanta / Das, Suman Kalyan / Acharya, Samir Kumar -- Manoharan, S. / Krishnaraj, V. / Vijay, R. / Singaravelu, D. Lenin / Suresha, B. -- Babu, J. / Philip, Jose / Davim, J. Paulo -- Aldahdooh, M. A. A. / Alnuaimi, Ali / Jamrah, A. / Bunnori, N. Muhamad / Johari, M. A. Megat / Martini, M. I. -- Frontmatter -- Preface -- Contents -- List of contributing authors -- 1. Green composite materials from liquefied biomass / 2. Tribological aspects of natural fiber composites / 3. Development and characterization of novel fiber reinforced hybrid friction composites / 4. Machining defects in green composites / 5. GUSMRC – From concept to structural application / Index1 online resource (161p.