Intercalation of Hydrotalcites with Hexacyanoferrate(II) and (III)-a ThermoRaman Spectroscopic Study

Raman spectroscopy using a hot stage indicates that the intercalation of hexacyanoferrate(II) and (III) in the interlayer space of a Mg,Al hydrotalcites leads to layered solids where the intercalated species is both hexacyanoferrate(II) and (III). Raman spectroscopy shows that depending on the oxidation state of the initial hexacyanoferrate partial oxidation and reduction takes place upon intercalation. For the hexacyanoferrate(III) some partial reduction occurs during synthesis. The symmetry of the hexacyanoferrate decreases from Oh existing for the free anions to D3d in the hexacyanoferrate interlayered hydrotalcite complexes. Hot stage Raman spectroscopy reveals the oxidation of the hexacyanoferrate(II) to hexacyanoferrate(III) in the hydrotalcite interlayer with the removal of the cyanide anions above 250 °C. Thermal treatment causes the loss of CN ions through the observation of a band at 2080 cm-1. The hexacyanoferrate (III) interlayered Mg,Al hydrotalcites decomposes above 150 °C

Studies on rumen magnet usage to prevent hardware disease in buffaloes

Aim: To evaluate the rumen magnet given once a life as a prophylaxis of hardware disease in buffaloes. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 3100 buffaloes were divided into two groups. In group I, 1200 hardware diseased buffaloes were surgically treated with rumenotomy, given reticular magnets and followed up to 7 years for a possible recurrent hardware disease. In group II, 1900 clinically normal buffalo heifers were given rumen magnets orally then followed up to seven years for a possible occurrence of hardware disease. All buffaloes showed signs of hardware disease were treated by rumenotomy. Data were statistically analyzed using chi-square test. Results: Hardware disease was recorded in 110 animals (10.8%) and 155 animals (8.9%) in groups I and II. The incidence of developing a hardware disease during the first 4 years after the use of magnet was 0% in both groups. Starting from 5th year, a time dependent increase in the proportion of buffaloes developing a hardware disease was noticed in both groups (P < 0.05). The use of magnets in group I provided the same level of protection as that of group II since the overall proportions of the occurrence of hardware disease during 7 years post magnet use were not statistically different (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Administration of a rumen magnet is an effective prophylaxis for hardware disease and reapplication of a second new magnet is recommended four years later in buffaloes at high risk

Physical evaluation of a new pulp capping material developed from portland cement

Background: This study examined the effects of addition of 10% and 25% by weight calcium hydroxide on the physicochemical properties of Portland cement associated with 20% bismuth oxide in order to develop a new pulp capping material. Material and Methods: The solubility, pH value, setting time, compressive strength, and push out bond strength of modified Portland were evaluated and compared to those of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement containing 20% bismuth oxide. Results: The statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA and Duncan’s post-hoc test. The results show that the strength properties and push out bond strength of Portland cement were adversely affected by addition of calcium hydroxide especially with a ratio of 25 wt%, however, the setting time and pH were not affected. MTA showed a statistically significant lower setting time than other cements (P≤0.001). Portland cement with bismuth oxide and Port Cal I showed a statistically significant higher Push out Bond strength than MTA and Port Cal II (P=0.001). Conclusions: Taking the setting time, push out bond strength and pH value into account, addition of 10 wt% calcium hydroxide to Portland cement associated with 20% bismuth oxide produces a new pulp capping material with acceptable physical and adhesive properties. Further studies are recommended to test this cement biologically as a new pulp capping material

Vaccines and autoimmunity—From side effects to ASIA syndrome

Since vaccines are in fact manufactured chemical compounds such as drugs, the appearance of side effects following their use is not surprising. Similarly, as the main goal of vaccines is to stimulate the immune system bringing out the production of protective antibodies, autoimmune-related side effects as a consequence of increased immune activity do not seem irrational. Fortunately, the rate of such side effects is low; however, the importance of reporting adverse events following vaccinations, understanding the mechanisms behind their appearance, making early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment cannot be overemphasized. In fact, autoimmune-related side effects of vaccines, particularly those based on adjuvants, were reported long before the introduction of the autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA). Nevertheless, ASIA gathered and united the side effects of vaccines under one title, a step which helped organize the research and call for better immune stimulators than adjuvants. New technologies and methods of making vaccines were clearly noticed during the pandemic of COVID-19 after the introduction of mRNA-based vaccines. In our current paper, we introduce the notion of side effects to vaccines, particularly those of autoimmune nature, the mechanisms of ASIA, and the main vaccines linked with the syndrome including the recent COVID-19 vaccines. The transition from side effects to ASIA is the main idea behind our work

Unilateral Partial Aphalangia and Hemimelia in an Adult Dog and Cat: Clinical Presentation and Radiography Findings

Congenital digital deformities are uncommon anomalies in dogs and cats and many of them are still not recorded in veterinary literature. This report describes the clinical presentation and radiological findings in a 3-year-old male German shepherd dog with a right pelvic limb partial aphalangia and an 11-year-old female Persian cat with a left thoracic limb partial hemimelia. The dog showed an absence of the fourth digit of right pes with abnormal footpads and a wide interdigital space between the third and fifth digits. Radiography revealed presence of all metatarsals, absence of the middle and distal phalanges of the fourth digit, under development of the proximal phalanx and foot pad of the fourth digit as well as fusion between the foot pads of fourth and fifth digits. The cat had only one digit, two nails and one rudimentary foot pad in the left thoracic limb. The left thoracic limb was shorter than the contralateral limb. Radiography revealed short ulna, presence of three carpal bones, absence of all metacarpals and presence of one digit with three phalanges. No other congenital disorders were noted in both animals. No treatment was offered because the dog and cat were coping well with their defects. In conclusion, dogs and cats with unilateral partial aphalangia and hemimelia can survive into adulthood with a reasonable quality of life, particularly indoor animals. Radiography plays a crucial role in complete description, classification and definite diagnosis of these defects in companion animals

Effect of Propolis on Experimental Cutaneous Wound Healing in Dogs

This study evaluates clinically the effect of propolis paste on healing of cutaneous wound in dogs. Under general anesthesia and complete aseptic conditions, two full thickness skin wounds (3 cm diameter) were created in each side of the chest in five dogs, one dorsal and one ventral, with 10 cm between them. These wounds were randomly allocated into two groups, control group (10 wounds) and propolis group (10 wounds). Both groups were represented in each dog. The wounds were cleaned with normal saline solution and dressed with macrogol ointment in control group and propolis paste in propolis group, twice daily till complete wound healing. Measurement of the wound area (cm2) was monitored planimetrically at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days after injury. The data were analyzed statistically. The results revealed a significant reduction in the wound surface area in the propolis group after 14 and 21 days compared to control group. The wound reepithelization, contraction, and total wound healing were faster in propolis group than in control group during five weeks of study. In conclusion, propolis paste has a positive impact on cutaneous wound healing and it may be suggested for treating various types of wounds in animals

Aggression in Pornography

Aggression in Pornography focusses on the issue of violence in mainstream pornography and examines what we know, what we think we know, and what are some surprising research findings and insights about the place of violence within pornography today. The authors first review the modern pornography industry, theoretical claims about pornography as violence, and the ways in which aggression has been defined and measured in previous research. Next, they review the findings of empirical research on violent content in pornographic materials and the potential effects of such content on audiences. The main part of the book relies on systematically collected empirical data, as the authors analyze the content of hundreds of pornographic videos as well as more than a hundred interviews with men and women who regularly watch pornography. These analyses provide surprising insights regarding the prevalence of and trends in violent content within mainstream pornography, the popularity of violent and non-violent content among viewers, and variations in aggression by race and sexual orientation. As such, Aggression in Pornography will be of interest to students and researchers in sociology, gender and sexuality studies, and media and film studies, as well as to wider audiences who are interested in today’s pornography industry and to policymakers looking to devise empirically driven policies regarding this industry and its potential effects