Covalently immobilized, silica gel or resin-supported C-protected cysteine or cystine Fe and Ni complexes - synthesis and structural characterization with FT-IR spectroscopy

In this work the syntheses of covalently grafted C-protected Fe(III)− or Ni(II)−L-cysteine and Fe(III)− or Ni(II)−L-cystine complexes onto a surface-modified silica gel or Merrifield’s resin are described. Conditions of the syntheses were varied and the obtained structures were studied by classical analytical (titration) as well as spectroscopic (infrared, atomic absorption) methods. It was found that the sulphur atoms in the molecules acted as primary coordination sites, while the other coordinating groups varied depending on whether the complexes were formed under ligand-poor or ligand-excess conditions

Two Approaches to Solving the Inversion Problem for Eddy Current NDE

The eddy current NDE inversion problem is to determine flaw parameters from eddy current sensor impedance changes. Two approaches to solving this problem are discussed for geometries with two components of eddy current. The first is to use the Finite Element Method of numerical analysis to compute the sensor impedance change for each flaw parameter value. The second approach is to combine the Finite Element Method with an analytical scattering technique. These two approaches are applied to the problem of an infinitely long coil surrounding an infinitely long conducting bar with an infinitely long surface crack. The calculated impedance changes show good agreement with known analytical and experimental results

Background: Tokyo Guidelines for the management of acute cholangitis and cholecystitis

There are no evidence-based-criteria for the diagnosis, severity assessment, of treatment of acute cholecysitis or acute cholangitis. For example, the full complement of symptoms and signs described as Charcot’s triad and as Reynolds’ pentad are infrequent and as such do not really assist the clinician with planning management strategies. In view of these factors, we launched a project to prepare evidence-based guidelines for the management of acute cholangitis and cholecystitis that will be useful in the clinical setting. This research has been funded by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, in cooperation with the Japanese Society for Abdominal Emergency Medicine, the Japan Biliary Association, and the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery. A working group, consisting of 46 experts in gastroenterology, surgery, internal medicine, emergency medicine, intensive care, and clinical epidemiology, analyzed and examined the literature on patients with cholangitis and cholecystitis in order to produce evidence-based guidelines. During the investigations we found that there was a lack of high-level evidence, for treatments, and the working group formulated the guidelines by obtaining consensus, based on evidence categorized by level, according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence of May 2001 (version 1). This work required more than 20 meetings to obtain a consensus on each item from the working group. Then four forums were held to permit examination of the Guideline details in Japan, both by an external assessment committee and by the working group participants (version 2). As we knew that the diagnosis and management of acute biliary infection may differ from country to country, we appointed a publication committee and held 12 meetings to prepare draft Guidelines in English (version 3). We then had several discussions on these draft guidelines with leading experts in the field throughout the world, via e-mail, leading to version 4. Finally, an International Consensus Meeting took place in Tokyo, on 1–2 April, 2006, to obtain international agreement on diagnostic criteria, severity assessment, and management

Gastric cancer surgery: Billroth I or Billroth II for distal gastrectomy?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The selection of an anastomosis method after a distal gastrectomy is a highly debatable topic; however, the available documentation lacks the necessary research based on a comparison of early postoperative complications. This study was conducted to investigate the difference of early postoperative complications between Billroth I and Billroth II types of anastomosis for distal gastrectomies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 809 patients who underwent distal gastrectomies for gastric cancer during four years were included in the study. The only study endpoint was analysis of in-patients' postoperative complications. The risk adjusted complication rate was compared by POSSUM (Physiological and operative severity score for enumeration of morbidity and mortality) and the severity of complications was compared by Rui Jin Hospital classification of complication.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Complication rate of Billroth II type of anastomosis was almost double of that in Billroth I (P = 0.000). Similarly, the risk adjusted complication rate was also higher in Billroth II group. More severe complications were observed and the postoperative duration was significantly longer in Billroth II type (P = 0.000). Overall expenditure was significantly higher in Billroth II type (P = 0.000).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Billroth II method of anastomosis was associated with higher rate of early postoperative complications. Therefore, we conclude that the Billroth I method should be the first choice after a distal gastrectomy as long as the anatomic and oncological environment of an individual patient allows us to perform it. However more prospective studies should be designed to compare the overall surgical outcomes of both anastomosis methods.</p