Experimental determination of the laminar burning velocity of methane-oxygen-flames stabilized with cylindrical burners at various preheating temperatures

The laminar burning velocity of pure methane-oxygen flames stabilized with a cylindrical tube burner was determined experimentally via optical methods (Schlieren-technique and CH* chemiluminescence). Both flow exit profiles were examined: a fully developed and a plug flow profile. The experiments were conducted for an equivalence ratio range of 0.5 < Φ < 2.2, while the inlet temperature of the educts was set to 293 K. The results of the CH4-O2 flames show a maximum laminar burning velocity of approx. 360 cm/s near stoichiometric conditions

Analysis of CH2_{2}O x OH as marker for fuel-rich air to pure oxy-fuel flames under higher preheat temperature and elevated pressure

The scope of the present work is a numerical and experimental investigation about the range of validity in terms of applicability of CH$_{2}$OxOH as a marker for the heat release rate (HRR) for fuel-rich air to pure oxy-fuel flames including preheating and elevated pressure. Therefore, laminar, freely propagating 1d CH$_{4}$ flames were calculated, where oxygen content in the oxidizer (from air to pure oxy-fuel combustion), inlet temperature and pressure were varied for a wide range of the equivalence ratios. The preheat temperature and pressure were parametrically changed from 300 K to 573 K and 1 bar to 5 bar, respectively. Different reaction mechanisms were used, namely GRI30, DLR, USC/II, Caltech2.3 and ABF. The performance of the CH$_{2}$OxOH as a marker for HRR is assessed in terms of correlation coefficients of their profiles in laminar flames. The comparison of the obtained correlations of CH$_{4}$/air and CH$_{4}$/O$_{2}$ flames shows that in case of air combustion, the HRR can be accurately estimated by the product of CH$_{2}$OxOH for slightly rich flames (Φ = 1.5), whereas the quality of the correlation degrades with increasing equivalence ratio. In contrary, the correlation coefficient increases with higher equivalence ratios in the fuel-rich domain for enhanced oxygen contents in the oxidizer. For pure oxyfuel combustion, the best correlation is found at an equivalence ratio of approximately Φ = 3.0. Elevated pressure leads in all flames to better correlations at lower equivalence ratios compared to standard inlet conditions, whereas preheating induces the opposite trend and expands the valid regime. A series of CH$_{4}$/air flames were also investigated experimentally in a range of the equivalence ratio between 1 < Φ < 2 at standard inlet conditions. The qualitative CH$_{2}$O (excitation at 355 nm) and OH (excitation at 283 nm) concentration were resolved applying two-dimensional LIF for flames stabilized at a McKenna burner. Comparisons show similar trends for measurements and numerical simulations

Cecum perforation due to tuberculosis in a renal transplant recipient: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Tuberculosis can present in many varied clinical situations in immunosuppressed patients. It has been reported that the sigmoid colon is the most common site for colonic perforation in renal transplant recipients and diverticulitis is its most common cause. Cecal perforation because of tuberculosis is extremely rare in a renal transplant recipient. We present the case of a renal transplant patient with cecal perforation due to tuberculosis, 10 years after renal transplantation.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 39-year-old Caucasian man, who was a renal transplant recipient, was admitted to our emergency surgery unit with an acute abdomen. A cecal perforation was found at exploratory laparotomy, and a right hemicolectomy with an end ileostomy and transverse colonic mucous fistula were performed. Necrotizing granulomatous colitis due to tuberculosis was reported in the histopathologic examination.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Colonic perforations in immunosuppressed patients may have unusual presentations and unusual causes. Tuberculosis infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis during the histopathologic evaluation in immunocompromised patients such as renal transplant recipients.</p

Nuclear medicine procedures and the evaluation of male sexual organs: a short review

Sexuality consists of three aspects that are interrelated and inseparable, biological, physiological and social. The biological aspect considers the individual's capability to give and to receive pleasure. In consequence, it covers the functionality of the sexual organs and the physiology of human sexual response cycle. Diagnostic imaging modalities, such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) have been used to evaluate clinical disorders of the male reproductive system. PET and SPECT procedures basically involve the administration of a radiopharmaceutical that has a higher uptake in a specific tumor or tissue. The aim of this brief review is to present some radiopharmaceuticals that have been used in the clinical evaluation of the male sexual organs (testes, prostate, seminal vesicles, penis) related with male sexuality. This information could be useful in better understanding the male sexual response cycle, as well as the sexual disorders, when considering the male sexual organs and the pelvic floor. Moreover, the findings obtained with PET and SPECT imaging could help to evaluate the efficacy of clinical results of therapeutic procedures. In conclusion, the knowledge from these images could aid in better understanding the physiology of the different organs related with sexuality. Furthermore, they could be important tools to evaluate the physiological integrity of the involved organs, to improve clinical strategies and to accompany the patients under treatment

Tumor marker utility and prognostic relevance of cathepsin B, cathepsin L, urokinase-type plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1, CEA and CA 19-9 in colorectal cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cathepsin B and L (CATB, CATL), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its inhibitor PAI-1 play an important role in colorectal cancer invasion. The tumor marker utility and prognostic relevance of these proteases have not been evaluated in the same experimental setting and compared with that of CEA and CA-19-9.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Protease, CEA and CA 19-9 serum or plasma levels were determined in 56 patients with colorectal cancer, 25 patients with ulcerative colitis, 26 patients with colorectal adenomas and 35 tumor-free control patients. Protease, CEA, CA 19-9 levels have been determined by ELISA and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, respectively; their sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy have been calculated and correlated with clinicopathological staging.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The protease antigen levels were significantly higher in colorectal cancer compared with other groups. Sensitivity of PAI-1 (94%), CATB (82%), uPA (69%), CATL (41%) were higher than those of CEA or CA 19-9 (30% and 18%, respectively). PAI-1, CATB and uPA demonstrated a better accuracy than CEA or CA 19-9. A combination of PAI-1 with CATB or uPA exhibited the highest sensitivity value (98%). High CATB, PAI-1, CEA and CA 19-9 levels correlated with advanced Dukes stages. CATB (<it>P </it>= 0.0004), CATL (<it>P </it>= 0.02), PAI-1 (<it>P </it>= 0.01) and CA 19-9 (<it>P </it>= 0.004) had a significant prognostic impact. PAI-1 (<it>P </it>= 0.001), CATB (<it>P </it>= 0.04) and CA 19-9 (<it>P </it>= 0.02) proved as independent prognostic variables.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>At the time of clinical detection proteases are more sensitive indicators for colorectal cancer than the commonly used tumor markers. Determinations of CATB, CATL and PAI-1 have a major prognostic impact in patients with colorectal cancer.</p