Comparison of clinical features and prognosis between ultrashort-segment and short-segment hirschsprung disease

ObjectiveTo compare the differences in clinical features, postoperative complications, and long-term bowel function outcomes of ultrashort-segment Hirschsprung disease (USHD) and short-segment Hirschsprung disease (SHD).MethodsA retrospective study was conducted to compare patients with USHD or SHD who underwent transanal endorectal pull-through (TEPT) at Beijing Children's Hospital between January 2014 and June 2021. Clinical details were collected from medical records. A long-term bowel function questionnaire (age > 4 years old) was completed by the patients' parents.ResultsA total of 84 patients (USHD = 15, SHD = 69) were included. Age at diagnosis and radical surgery in the USHD group were significantly older than the SHD group (46 [38, 66] vs. 34 [6, 55] months, p = 0.002; 51 [39, 68] vs. 37 [10, 68] months, p = 0.001, respectively). Compared with the SHD group, patients with USHD are more likely to suffer anastomosis leakage and postoperative enterocolitis after TEPT ([3/15, 33.3%] vs. [1/69, 1.4%], p = 0.017; [5/15, 33.3%] vs. [6/69, 8.7%], p = 0.023). In addition, patients in the USHD group are inclined to suffer lower bowel function scores (12.0 [7.5, 18.3] vs. 17 [15, 19], p = 0.018).Patients in the USHD group were more likely to suffer poorer ability to hold back defecation (p = 0.023), soiling (p = 0.011), fecal accidents (p = 0.004), and social problems (p = 0.004).ConclusionCompared with patients with SHD, patients with USHD are diagnosed and performed TEPT at an older age. and they are inclined to suffer postoperative enterocolitis, anastomosis leakage, and poorer long-term bowel function following TEPT

Sealing pipe top enhancing transportation of particulate solids inside a vertically vibrating pipe

Particles can move against gravity inside a vibrating tube inserted in a static granular bed. This offers a new approach for transporting bulk material. In this work, we demonstrate a method to enhance the conveying of powder by sealing the tube top. With the same vibration conditions, a comparison of particle motion in an opened tube and closed top (sealed) pipe is made. Compared to an un-sealed pipe, particle upward motion within a sealed pipe is improved. With low vibration strength, only particles in the sealed tube can ascend. With increasing vibration strength, particles can climb in both tubes while particles in sealed pipe move faster and higher. The enhancement effect works well for particles of smaller size (d < 1 mm), and the positive effect becomes weaker with an increase in particle diameter. In a sealed tube, the final height of the granular column increases as the tube length increases while the growth velocity is reduced. Particle conveying in sealed tube shows less dependence on tube diameter compared to an un-sealed tube. Sealing the tube top introduces air pressure difference during each vibration cycle, which induces an additional upward drag force on the particles in the tube. The drag force becomes significant compared to other relevant forces for small diameter particles at high levels of vibration

Directional Rumble Strips for Reducing Wrong-Way-Driving Freeway Entries

This report presents evaluation results of directional rumble strips (DRS) designed to deter wrong-way (WW) freeway entries. Mathematical models have been built to identify high-risk locations of WWD. Based on the model, one off-ramp, exit 41 northbound on I-70 was found to have a WW entry probability of 55%. 96 hours of video data were recorded at the chosen off-ramp. Then one pattern of DRS (D3) was implemented on the chosen location with the help of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Sound and vibration data were recorded and compared between RW and WW directions for speed ranging from 15 mph to 30 mph. Another 96 hours of video data were recorded after the implementation. The analysis of before and after implementation data showed that the DRS cannot reduce the probability of WWD, but it can warn WW drivers and reduce their speed, which will significantly reduce WWD accidents

Analisis bauran pemasaran pada usaha batu bata merah Desa Karanglegi Kecamatan Trangkil Kabupaten Pati

Di Kabupaten Pati terdapat tiga sentra industri batu bata merah yaitu batu bata merah dari Desa Karanglegi KecamatanTrangkil, batu bata merah dari Desa Kembang Kecamatan Dukuhseti, dan batu bata merah dari Desa Baturejo Kecamatan Sukolilo. Desa Karanglegi terkenal sebagai salah satu penghasil batu bata dengan kualitas terbaik di Kabupaten Pati dan dapat dipastikan 90% masyarakat desa ini berprofesi sebagai pengrajin batu bata merah. Batu bata merah Karanglegi memiliki prospek yang bagus karena menguasai/memasok kebutuhan bangunan hampir 60% wilayah Pati dan sekitarnya. Inti utama dari kegiatan pemasaran yang dikenal luas adalah bauran pemasaran (marketing mix), yang mencakup 4P (Product, Price, Place, Promotion). Keempat komponen tersebut merupakan kombinasi yang mempunyai peran yang sama dan merupakan satu kesatuan guna menunjang sukses perusahaan. Untuk mengetahui bagaimana bauran pemasarannya maka berdasarkan rumusan masalah dalam penelitian ini, yaitu “Bagaimana bauran pemasaran pada usaha batu bata merah Desa Karanglegi Kecamatan Trangkil Kabupaten Pati?”. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif, dengan jenis penelitian lapangan (field research) dan menggunakan dua jenis sumber data, yaitu data primer dan data sekunder. Data tersebut diperoleh dengan menggunakan metode wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi. Setelah data terkumpul, langkah selanjutnya data tersebut dianalisis dengan metode deskriptif kualitatif. Hasil penelitian ini menyatakan bahwa bauran produk yang ada di usaha batu bata merah meliputi kualitas produk (kokoh, tidak mudah patah, ukuran besar). Produk berkualitas didapat dari pemilihan bahan baku, proses pencetakan manual, pembakaran benar-benar sampai matang merata.Bauran harga (price) menerapkan strategi harga rabat dengan memberikan potongan ketika membeli dalam skala besar.Dalam menetapkan harga, pengrajin batu bata merah tidak asal-asalan, melainkan dengan melakukan kalkulasi bahan, dan permintaan pasar. Mereka tergabung dalam paguyuban pengrajin batu bata merah sehingga harga pengrajin satu dengan yang lain sama (sepakat). Bauran distribusi (place) meliputi saluran distribusi pengrajin batu bata Desa Karanglegi dilakukan dengan saluran langsung kepada konsumen dan ada juga melalui perantara agen, pedagang besar, maupun pedagang kecil. Bauran promosi (promotion) yang dilakukan pengrajin batu bata merah melalui penjualan langsung, periklanan (radio, media sosial). Persaingan yang dilkukan sesama pengrajin dilakukan secara fair.Daerah pemasaran yang dijangkau oleh pengrajin batu bata Karanglegi adalah wilayah Kabupaten Pati, luar Kabupaten Pati. Segmen pasar batu bata Desa Karanglegi adalah kalangan menengah ke bawah, menengah ke atas

Transplanted adult human hepatic stem/progenitor cells prevent histogenesis of advanced hepatic fibrosis in mice induced by carbon tetrachloride

Transplantation of adult human hepatic stem/progenitor cells (hHSPCs) has been considered as an alternative therapy, replacing donor liver transplantation to treat liver cirrhosis. This study assessed the antifibrotic effects of hHSPCs in mice with fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and examined the actions of hHSPCs on the fibrogenic activity of human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in a coculture system. Isolated hHSPCs expressed stem/progenitor cell phenotypic markers. Mice were given CCl4 (twice weekly for 7 weeks) and hHSPC transplantation weekly. CCl4 induced advanced fibrosis (bridging fibrosis and cirrhosis) in mice, which was prevented by hHSPC transplantation. The liver of hHSPC-transplanted mice showed only occasional short septa and focal parenchymal fibrosis, and a 50% reduction in hepatic collagen, assessed by Sirius red stain histomorphometry. Moreover, the proteins for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I were decreased. While α-SMA, collagen α1(I), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproproteinase-1 mRNAs were decreased, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 mRNA was increased, consistent with decreased fibrogenesis. MMP-2 and transforming growth factor-β were not affected. Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were lower, suggesting improvement of liver function/damage. In coculture, hHSPCs elicited changes of α-SMA and fibrogenic molecules in HSCs similar to those observed in vivo, providing evidence for a functional link between hHSPCs and HSCs. A decreased HSC proliferation was noted. Thus, transplantation of hHSPCs prevents histogenesis of advanced liver fibrosis caused by CCl4. hHSPCs mediate downregulation of HSC activation coincident with modulation of fibrogenic molecule expression, leading to suppression of fibrogenesis both in vivo and in vitro

Transplanted adult human hepatic stem/progenitor cells prevent histogenesis of advanced hepatic fibrosis in mice induced by carbon tetrachloride

Transplantation of adult human hepatic stem/progenitor cells (hHSPCs) has been considered as an alternative therapy, replacing donor liver transplantation to treat liver cirrhosis. This study assessed the antifibrotic effects of hHSPCs in mice with fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) and examined the actions of hHSPCs on the fibrogenic activity of human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in a coculture system. Isolated hHSPCs expressed stem/progenitor cell phenotypic markers. Mice were given CCl4 (twice weekly for 7 weeks) and hHSPC transplantation weekly. CCl4 induced advanced fibrosis (bridging fibrosis and cirrhosis) in mice, which was prevented by hHSPC transplantation. The liver of hHSPC-transplanted mice showed only occasional short septa and focal parenchymal fibrosis, and a 50% reduction in hepatic collagen, assessed by Sirius red stain histomorphometry. Moreover, the proteins for a-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and collagen I were decreased. While alpha-SMA, collagen alpha 1(I), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproproteinase-1 mRNAs were decreased, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 mRNA was increased, consistent with decreased fibrogenesis. MMP-2 and transforming growth factor-beta were not affected. Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were lower, suggesting improvement of liver function/damage. In coculture, hHSPCs elicited changes of alpha-SMA and fibrogenic molecules in HSCs similar to those observed in vivo, providing evidence for a functional link between hHSPCs and HSCs. A decreased HSC proliferation was noted. Thus, transplantation of hHSPCs prevents histogenesis of advanced liver fibrosis caused by CCl4. hHSPCs mediate down-regulation of HSC activation coincident with modulation of fibrogenic molecule expression, leading to suppression of fibrogenesis both in vivo and in vitro

Utilization of single-chamber microbial fuel cells as renewable power sources for electrochemical degradation of nitrogen-containing organic compounds

By employing promising single-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs) as renewable power sources, an aerated electrochemical system is proposed and for nitrogen-containing organic compounds (pyridine and methyl orange) removals. Carbon felt performed the best as electrode material while lower initial contaminant concentration and lower initial pH value could improve the performance. A degradation efficiency of 82.9% for pyridine was achieved after 360 min electrolysis with its initial concentration of 200 mg/L, initial pH of 3.0 and applied voltage of 700 mV. Mechanisms study implied that indirect electrochemical oxidation by generated hydrogen peroxide was responsible for their degradation. This study provides an alternative utilization form of low bioelectricity from MFCs and reveals that applying it to electrochemical process is highly-efficient as well as cost-effective for degradation of nitrogen-containing organic compounds. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) [21307117, 41440025]; Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China [20120022120005]; Beijing Excellent Talent Training Project [2013D009015000003]; Beijing Higher Education Young Elite Teacher Project [YETP0657]; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [2652015226, 2652015131]SCI(E)[email protected]

Bacterial Communities in the Sediments of Dianchi Lake, a Partitioned Eutrophic Waterbody in China

Bacteria play an important role in the decomposition and cycling of a variety of compounds in freshwater aquatic environments, particularly nutrient-rich eutrophic lakes. A unique Chinese eutrophic lake - Dianchi - was selected for study because it has two separate and distinct basins, Caohai with higher organic carbon levels and Waihai with lower organic carbon levels. Sediment bacterial communities were studied in the two basins using samples collected in each season from June 2010 to March 2011. Barcoded pyrosequencing based on the 16 S rRNA gene found that certain common phyla, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Chloroflexi, were dominant in the sediments from both basins. However, from the class to genus level, the dominant bacterial groups found in the sediments were distinct between the two basins. Correlation analysis revealed that, among the environmental parameters examined, total organic carbon (TOC) accounted for the greatest proportion of variability in bacterial community. Interestingly, study results suggest that increasing allochthonous organic carbon could enhance bacterial diversity and biomass in the sediment. In addition, analysis of function genes (amoA and nosZ) demonstrated that ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were dominant in sediments, with 99% belonging to Nitrosomonas. Denitrifying bacteria were comparatively diverse and were associated with some cultivatable bacteria

A Generalized Probabilistic Topology Control for Wireless Sensor Networks

Topology control is an effective method to improve the energy-efficiency and increase the communication capacity of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Traditional topology control algorithms are based on deterministic model that fails to consider lossy links which provide only probabilistic connectivity. Noticing this fact, we propose a novel probabilistic network model. We meter the network connectivity using network reachability. It is defined as the minimal of the upper limit of the end-to-end delivery ratio between any pair of nodes in the network. We attempt to find a minimal transmission power for each node while the network reachability is above a given application-specified threshold. The whole procedure is called probabilistic topology control (PTC). We prove that PTC is NP-hard and propose a fully distributed algorithm called BRASP. We prove that BRASP has the guaranteed performance and the communication overhead is O(vertical bar E vertical bar + vertical bar V vertical bar). The experimental results show that the network energy-efficiency can be improved by up to 250% and the average node degree is reduced by 50%