Acute superior vena cava obstruction due to tight pericardial closure following congenital defect repair

The obstruction of the superior vena cava (SVC) of acute onset nature following surgery is a rare and serious condition. The tight closure of the pericardium over the heart during surgical procedures may cause external compression on the SVC. Echocardiography and Computed tomography (CT) scan aids in the diagnosis. Cutting open the pericardial stitches relieves the condition

Evaluation of coronary arteries in congenital heart disease in children : diagnostic comparison of electrocardiogram-gated and non-electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography cardiac angiograpy

Purpose: To compare the visualization and anatomy of coronary arteries in children (≤ 2 years) with congenital heart disease (CHD) on non-electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated and ECG-gated computed tomography angiography (CTA). Material and methods: In this retrospective study, approved by the Ethics Committee of our institute, evaluation of coronary arteries in CHD was performed in 40 children on non-ECG-gated CTA and in 42 children on ECG-gated CTA. The origin and course of the right coronary artery (RCA), left main coronary artery (LMCA), left anterior descending (LAD) artery, and left circumflex (LCX) artery were evaluated by 2 paediatric radiologists independently. Results: ECG-gated CT scans yielded increased (additional) visualization of all the coronary arteries, when compared to non-ECG-gated CT scans. The RCA, LMCA, LAD artery, and LCX artery were visualized in 47.5%, 62.5%, 55%, and 32.5% of children, respectively, on non-ECG-gated studies, while they were visualized in 64.3%, 92.8%, 80.9%, and 62% children, respectively, on ECG-gated studies. The coronary artery anatomical variations were also supplementarily detected more in the ECG-gated group (23.8%) than in the non-ECG gated group (2.5%). Conclusions: ECG-gated CT cardiac angiography studies yield enhanced diagnostic outcomes for the evaluation of the coronary arteries in comparison to non-ECG-gated studies

Hannibal's trek across the alps: Geomorphological Analysis of sites of geoarchaeological interest

International audienceA ~2200 year-old question related to Hannibal's invasion route across the Alps into Italia, has been argued by classicists without recovery of material evidence. A comparison of topographical descriptions in the ancient literature with environmental parameters in the Alps, attempted here for the first time, provides a database against which various pathways can be assessed. Identification of sites using geological, geomorphological, astronomical, chemical and petrological methods leads to the exclusion of certain transit points and targeting of others where geoarchaeological excavation might yield important evidence related to the military culture of ancient Carthage

Silymarin protects liver against toxic effects of anti-tuberculosis drugs in experimental animals

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The first line anti-tuberculosis drugs isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF) and pyrazinamide (PZA) continues to be the effective drugs in the treatment of tuberculosis, however, the use of these drugs is associated with toxic reactions in tissues, particularly in the liver, leading to hepatitis. Silymarin, a standard plant extract with strong antioxidant activity obtained from <it>S. marianum</it>, is known to be an effective agent for liver protection and liver regeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective actions of silymarin against hepatotoxicity caused by different combinations of anti-tuberculosis drugs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Male Wistar albino rats weighing 250–300 g were used to form 6 study groups, each group consisting of 10 rats. Animals were treated with intra-peritoneal injection of isoniazid (50 mg/kg) and rifampicin (100 mg/kg); and intra-gastric administration of pyrazinamid (350 mg/kg) and silymarin (200 mg/kg). Hepatotoxicity was induced by a combination of drugs with INH+RIF and INH+RIF+PZA. Hepatoprotective effect of silymarin was investigated by co-administration of silymarin together with the drugs. Serum biochemical tests for liver functions and histopathological examination of livers were carried out to demonstrate the protection of liver against anti-tuberculosis drugs by silymarin.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Treatment of rats with INH+RIF or INH+RIF+PZA induced hepatotoxicity as evidenced by biochemical measurements: serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities and the levels of total bilirubin were elevated, and the levels of albumin and total protein were decreased in drugs-treated animals. Histopathological changes were also observed in livers of animals that received drugs. Simultaneous administration of silymarin significantly decreased the biochemical and histological changes induced by the drugs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The active components of silymarin had protective effects against hepatotoxic actions of drugs used in the chemotherapy of tuberculosis in animal models. Since no significant toxicity of silymarin is reported in human studies, this plant extract can be used as a dietary supplement by patients taking anti-tuberculosis medications.</p

The Electrical Resistance of AgTS-S(CH2)n-1CH3//Ga2O3/EGaIn Tunneling Junctions

Tunneling junctions having the structure AgTS–S(CH2)n−1CH3//Ga2O3/EGaIn allow physical–organic studies of charge transport across self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). In ambient conditions, the surface of the liquid metal electrode (EGaIn, 75.5 wt % Ga, 24.5 wt % In, mp 15.7 °C) oxidizes and adsorbs―like other high-energy surfaces―adventitious contaminants. The interface between the EGaIn and the SAM thus includes a film of metal oxide, and probably also organic material adsorbed on this film; this interface will influence the properties and operation of the junctions. A combination of structural, chemical, and electrical characterizations leads to four conclusions about AgTS–S(CH2)n−1CH3//Ga2O3/EGaIn junctions. (i) The oxide is ∼0.7 nm thick on average, is composed mostly of Ga2O3, and appears to be self-limiting in its growth. (ii) The structure and composition (but not necessarily the contact area) of the junctions are conserved from junction to junction. (iii) The transport of charge through the junctions is dominated by the alkanethiolate SAM and not by the oxide or by the contaminants. (iv) The interface between the oxide and the eutectic alloy is rough at the micrometer scale.Chemistry and Chemical Biolog

Inner shell and valence shell electron excitation of gaseous molecules studied by electron energy loss spectroscopy

Electron energy loss spectroscopy has been used to obtain the inner shell electron excitation spectra of several different series of gaseous molecules. The spectra were all recorded under small momentum transfer conditions (usually 2.5 keV impact energy and small angle (~1°) scattering) and all spectral regions (both central atom and ligand) accessible by the present instrumentation (<1000 eV) have been measured. The series of molecules investigated include nitrogen containing molecules (NF₃, NH₃ and the methyl amines) and several phosphorus compounds (PX₃, X = H, F, Cl and CH₃; PF₅, OPF₃ and OPCL₃). In addition the spectra of Si(CH₃)₄ have been obtained and compared with published spectra of related Si containing compounds. All of the inner shell spectra show continuum structures which in many cases can be reasonably assigned to σ* shape-resonances. However, comparison of the inner shell electron excitation spectra of NF₃ with the X-ray photoelectron spectra (also reported here) show that continuum structure can also be ascribed, in some cases, to onsets of "shake-up" continua. The relationship of shape-resonance position and bond length is also examined in the systems studied here. The valence shell electron energy loss spectra of many of the above molecules are also reported. The assignment of these spectra is shown to be greatly facilitated by a comparison with the inner shell spectra. Finally, the inner shell and valence shell electron energy loss spectra of trans-1,3-butadiene and allene are also reported and assigned. In particular, the spectral assignment of the inner shell spectrum of allene allows clarification of its complex and controversial valence shell spectrum.Science, Faculty ofChemistry, Department ofGraduat

Imaging of aerosols using time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry

Interest in environmental aerosol chemistry has grown over the last decade as a result of its role in both climate change and troposheric pollution. In this work, the combination of ToF-SIMS and SEM/EDX was employed to explore the surface chemistry of aerosols. The capabilities and limitations of ToF-SIMS were investigated using particles of known composition and size produced by a vibrating orifice aerosol generator (VOAG). Principal component analysis (PCA) proved to help in the distinction of particles of different types by consolidating the information generated by ToF-SIMS. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Role of chemical vs. physical interfacial interaction and adsorbed water on the tribology of ultrathin 2D-material/steel interfaces

International audienceLubrication of steel using two-dimensional (2D)-materials has been a growing interest in recent years at the macro/microscale for a wide range of applications including lubricating 440 C-steel for satellite and automotive components. This work takes a new approach of comparing the tribological behavior of ultrathin-graphite and ultrathin-MoS2 at varying humidity against a custom-fabricated 440 C-steel counter-surface using friction force microscopy. The presence of oxides on the 440 C-steel counter-surface is found to form stronger chemical interactions with MoS2, leading to higher friction, interfacial-shear-strength and adhesion as compared to physically interacting steel/ultrathin-graphite interface. While water increases friction and adhesion for steel/ ultrathin-graphite interface, an opposite trend is observed for steel/MoS2 interface, where water act as a temporary protective film to suppress the chemical interaction

Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine in isoniazid induced hepatic injury in growing rats

436-440<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.5pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif""="">Status of oxidative/antioxidativc profile was the mechanistic approach to inumerate the nature of protection by Nacetylcysteine (NAC) in isoniazid (INH) exposed experimental animals. Analysis of lipid peroxidation, thiol levels, cytochrome P450, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reductase and transferase were estimated in liver along with the body and liver weight of animals and histological observations. Isoniazid exposure to animals resulted in no change in body and liver weights. Thiols, lipid peroxidation, catalase, SOD glutathione peroxidase, reductase, transferase and cytochrome P450 levels were altered with INH exposure. Supplementation of NAC with INH protected the animals against hepatotoxic reactions by minimizing the free radical induced tissue injury and overall maintenance of the endogenous scavengers of free radicals. </span