The determination of dark adaptation time using electroretinography in conscious Miniature Schnauzer dogs

The optimal dark adaptation time of electroretinograms (ERG's) performed on conscious dogs were determined using a commercially available ERG unit with a contact lens electrode and a built-in light source (LED-electrode). The ERG recordings were performed on nine healthy Miniature Schnauzer dogs. The bilateral ERG's at seven different dark adaptation times at an intensity of 2.5 cd·s/m2 was performed. Signal averaging (4 flashes of light stimuli) was adopted to reduce electrophysiologic noise. As the dark adaptation time increased, a significant increase in the mean a-wave amplitudes was observed in comparison to base-line levels up to 10 min (p < 0.05). Thereafter, no significant differences in amplitude occured over the dark adaptation time. Moreover, at this time the mean amplitude was 60.30 ± 18.47 µV. However, no significant changes were observed for the implicit times of the a-wave. The implicit times and amplitude of the b-wave increased significantly up to 20 min of dark adaptation (p < 0.05). Beyond this time, the mean b-wave amplitudes was 132.92 ± 17.79 µV. The results of the present study demonstrate that, the optimal dark adaptation time when performing ERG's, should be at least 20 min in conscious Miniature Schnauzer dogs

Alignment of Ti

In this study, magnetic field (B) was applied on TiO2 (anatase) of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) for alignment of crystal. Magnetic field was applied on TiO2 when deposited TiO2 on the fluorine tin oxide (FTO) was dried at 373 K for crystalline orientation. And applying time of B was varied 0~25 min. Characteristics of the magnetic field applied TiO2 films were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Current-voltage characteristics were also analyzed using solar simulator, and it was confirmed that the energy conversion efficiency of 41% was increased. Finally, it was identified that the magnetic field affected orientation of TiO2, resulting in the enhancement of the performance of the DSC

Application of a Cumulative Summation test (CUSUM)in the Lumbar Spine

Study design: Retrospective analysisObjectives: The aim of this study was to monitor the quality control of pedicle screw fixation using a cumulativesummation test (CUSUM).Overview of Literature: CUSUM test has already been used in several different surgical settings including theassessment of outcomes in transplant, laparoscopic, and total hip replacement surgeries. However, there has been nodata regarding CUSUM analysis for spine surgery.Methods: Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent lumbar fusion surgery were included in this study.The primary outcome was the CUSUM analysis for monitoring the quality control of the accuracy of pedicle screwinsertion.Results: Seven screws of the 100 pedicle screw insertions were considered to have failed in the lumbar fusion surgery,respectively. Throughout the monitoring period, there was no indication by the CUSUM test that the quality ofperformance of the pedicle screw fixation procedure was inadequate.Conclusions: Thisstudy demonstrates the CUSUM test can be a useful tool for monitoring of the quality of proceduresrelated with spine surgery.OAIID:oai:osos.snu.ac.kr:snu2014-01/102/0000004226/7SEQ:7PERF_CD:SNU2014-01EVAL_ITEM_CD:102USER_ID:0000004226ADJUST_YN:NEMP_ID:A079510DEPT_CD:801CITE_RATE:0DEPT_NM:의학과SCOPUS_YN:NCONFIRM:

Phacoemulsification and acryl foldable intraocular lens implantation in dogs: 32 cases

This study evaluated the surgical outcome and complications of phacoemulsification and the implantation of an acryl foldable intraocular lens (IOL) with a squared edge in dogs with cataracts. Thirty-two eyes from 26 dogs were examined. The mean follow up period was 75.9 days ranging from 23 to 226 days. The complications after phacoemulsification were posterior capsular opacity (PCO) around the IOL (n = 11), ocular hypertension (n = 4), focal posterior synechia (n = 4), hyphema (n = 3) and corneal ulcer (n = 2). The complications associated with the IOL were decenteration of the optic (n = 2) and ventral haptic displacement (n = 1). Most cases of PCO were found only around the margin of the IOL, and all eyes had vision during the observation period. In conclusion, the implantation of an acryl-foldable lens with a squared edge at the time of phacoemulsification is an effective method for preserving the central visual field of dogs with cataract

Continuous testing of silica-PEI adsorbents in a lab.-scale twin bubbling fluidized-bed system

In this study, a lab.-scale twin bubbling fluidized-bed system (TBS) has been used continuously to test the performance for CO2 adsorption of silica-PEI (S.PEI) adsorbents, containing 40 wt.% of PEI, which were supplied by the University of Nottingham (UNOTT). The TBS comprises bubbling-bed adsorption and desorption reactors, a riser for pneumatic conveying of solids from the adsorption to the desorption reactor, and a cyclone for solid-gas separation. The adsorbent prepared using PEI with a molecular mass of 800 (S.PEI-0.8K) was a preliminarily tested for almost 24 h at the given operating conditions by varying the inlet sorbent/CO2 mass ratio at the adsorber to analyse the CO2 removal efficiency in the adsorption reactor and the dynamic sorption capacity of the adsorbent. A 180-h continuous test was then carried out by changing various experimental conditions such as the H2O concentration, reaction temperature, solid layer height, reaction gas flow rate, and inlet sorbent/CO2 mass ratio at the adsorber using PEI with a molecular mass of 5000 (S.PEI-5K) adsorbent. In this test, a CO2 removal efficiency of above 80% and a dynamic sorption capacity greater than 6.0 wt.% were achieved

Comparative study of the treatment outcomes of osteoporotic compression fractures without neurologic injury using a rigid brace, a soft brace, and no brace : a prospective randomized controlled non-inferiority trial

BACKGROUND:The efficacy of brace application for the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the treatment outcomes in patients with osteoporotic compression fractures with regard to whether the patients had no braces, rigid braces, or soft braces.METHODS:We randomly assigned sixty patients with acute one-level osteoporotic compression fractures within three days of injury to the no-brace, soft-brace, and rigid-brace groups through 1:1:1 allocation. The primary outcome was the baseline adjusted Oswestry Disability Index score at twelve weeks after compression fracture. The non-inferior margin of the Oswestry Disability Index was set at an average of 10 points.RESULTS:The baseline adjusted Oswestry Disability Index score at twelve weeks after compression fracture in the no-brace group was not inferior to that in the soft-brace or rigid-brace groups. The mean adjusted Oswestry Disability Index score was 35.95 points (95% confidence interval, 25.42 to 46.47 points) in the no-brace group and 37.83 points (95% confidence interval, 26.77 to 48.90 points) in the soft-brace group, with a difference of -1.88 points (95% confidence interval, -7.02 to 9.38 points) between the groups. Similarly, the mean adjusted Oswestry Disability Index score was 35.95 points (95% confidence interval, 25.42 to 46.47 points) in the no-brace group and 33.54 points (95% confidence interval, 23.79 to 43.29 points) in the rigid-brace group, with a difference of 2.41 points (95% confidence interval, -7.86 to 9.27 points) between the groups. During the follow-up assessment period, there was no significant difference among the groups for the overall Oswestry Disability Index scores (p = 0.260), visual analog scale for pain scores for back pain (p = 0.292), and anterior body compression ratios (p = 0.237). However, the Oswestry Disability Index scores and the visual analog scale scores for back pain significantly improved with time after the fractures (p < 0.001), and the body compression ratios significantly decreased with time in all three groups (p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS:The Oswestry Disability Index scores for the treatment of compression fractures without a brace were not inferior to those with soft or rigid braces. Moreover, the improvement in back pain and progression of anterior body compression were similar among the three groups.OAIID:oai:osos.snu.ac.kr:snu2014-01/102/0000004226/15SEQ:15PERF_CD:SNU2014-01EVAL_ITEM_CD:102USER_ID:0000004226ADJUST_YN:NEMP_ID:A079510DEPT_CD:801CITE_RATE:4.309DEPT_NM:의학과SCOPUS_YN:NCONFIRM:

NaCl plus chitosan as a dietary salt to prevent the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The effect of NaCl plus 3% chitosan on the systolic blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were evaluated and compared with NaCl plus KCl (NaCl, 49.36% + KCl 49.36%) and chitosan or NaCl treatment alone. In SHR, administration of NaCl plus chitosan (44 mM Na/day) for two months significantly decreased the systolic blood pressure greater than of NaCl plus KCl and NaCl alone. NaCl plus chitosan resulted, though not statistically significant, in decreased urinary Na+ excretion and decreased blood urea nitrogen levels. Urinary creatinine of NaCl plus chitosan was slightly decreased compared to 3 treated groups. Serum electrolytes levels, however, remained unchanged. The combination of NaCl and chitosan may be superior to the conventional use of NaCl plus KCl or NaCl alone in the prevention of hypertension. Even though these supplementary diets have demonstrated potential anti-hypertensive effects in the experimental animal model, further research is needed before any recommendations can be made