Hardness, Corrosion Behavior, and Microstructure of Al-Cu-Mg Alloy as a Fuction of 0.3 wt.% Ti Addition and Treatment of Alloy by Polymer Solution PAG

      تم دراسة تأثير إضافة التيتانيوم (Ti) كعنصر سبك إلى سبيكة Al-Cu-Mg على صلادة وتآكل هذه السبيكة. أظهرت نتائج اختبار الصلادة والاستقطاب للعينات المعالجة لفترات مختلفة عن طريق التعتيق عند 423.15 كلفن لمدة 5 ساعات زيادة كبيرة في نسبة تحسين صلابة برينل (HBW) بنسبة 113.95٪ (من 43HBW إلى 92HBW) وانخفاض شديد في معدل التآكل في السبيكة بعد إضافة Ti تنخفض كثافة التيار بنسبة 77.54٪ (من 58.14 µA cm-2 إلى 13.06 µA cm-2) مع التعتيق لمدة 5 ساعات مقارنة بالسبيكة الأساسية, ينعكس تأثير إضافة (Ti) والمعالجة الحرارية للمحلول (في PAG) أيضًا في تقوية وإعادة بلورة وتعديل البنية المجهرية للحبوب. تم إثبات هذه التغييرات بوضوح من خلال الاختبار المجهري وتثبت أن إضافة Ti لها تأثير تآزري كبير مما يتسبب في تثبيط إعادة التبلور وصقل حجم الحبيبات.      The effect of adding titanium (Ti) as an alloying element to Al-Cu-Mg alloy on the hardness and corrosion of this alloy was investigated. The hardness and polarization test results of samples treated for various periods by aging at 423.15 K for 5hr showed a significant increment in the Brinell hardness (HBW) improvement ratio of 113.95% (from 43HBW to 92HBW) and an extreme reduction the corrosion rate of the alloy after Ti adding decrease in the current density by 77.54% (from 58.14 µA cm-2 to 13.06 µA cm-2) with aging for 5 hr compared to the base alloy. The impact of  addition (Ti) and solution heat  treatment (in PAG)  is also reflected in the strengthening, recrystallization, and modification of the grain microstructure. These changes were clearly demonstrated by microscopic testing and proves that the addition of Ti has a considerable synergistic effect causing inhibition of recrystallization and refinement of grain size

Hyperglycemia due to the utilization of anabolic steroids

Department of Pharmacology and Cinical Pharmacology, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, The 8th International Medical Congress for Students and Young Doctors, September 24-26, 2020Introduction. Hyperglycemia is a condition in which an excessive amount of glucose circulates in the blood plasma and is a common adverse reaction of anabolic steroids therapy, affecting 20% to 50% of patients without a history of diabetes. In addition, glucose levels are often elevated among patients with prediabetes and previously well-controlled diabetes during steroid therapy. Anabolics stimulate glucose production by the liver and inhibit peripheral glucose uptake, resulting in insulin resistance allowing blood glucose levels to rise and remain higher. Aim of the study. To determine the manifestations of hyperglycemia after utilization of anabolics. Materials and methods. It was made the bibliographic and personal investigations of hyperglycemic state due to anabolics. Twenty-five healthy male power athletes were followed up during their self-regimen of substance abuse. Results. In our investigation, there is determined that more than half of the men receiving highdose steroids develop hyperglycemia, with an incidence of 86% of at least one episode of hyperglycemia and 41% of athletes presenting a mean blood glucose ≥ 140 mg/dL Hyperglycemia incidence in men without a prior history of diabetes mellitus (DM) to steroid use varies from 34.3% to 56% for athletes with 1-3 years of anabolic utilization. The manifestations of hyperglycemia were: polyuria (36%), polydipsia (29%), polyphagia (41%), dizziness (18%), shakiness (19%), irritability or moodiness (37%), anxiety or nervousness (26%), trouble concentration (15%). The development of hyperglycemia was observed on 41% athletes, 29 - 41 years old, who reported a consumption of AAS for 1-3 years. They selfadministered high doses of oral stanozolol, oxymetholone, methandrostenolone and ibutamoren. For management of hyperglycemia, if diet and physical exercise do not reduce the glucose levels adequately, it is recommended to prescribe antidiabetic drugs, such as metformin, DPP-4 inhibitors or sulfonylureas that are effective and work by increasing insulin release from the pancreas but they may cause hypoglycemia. Conclusions. Complications associated with steroid-induced hyperglycemia are often underestimated despite hyperglycemia being a well-known adverse effect of anabolic therapy. Appropriate management of hyperglycemia due to anabolics is oral antidiabetic agent, such as a DPP-4 inhibitors, metformin, or by using the weight-based NPH insulin may reduce the risk of adverse outcomes, including symptomatic hyperglycemia and new-onset diabetes

Complications of anabolic steroids utilisation

Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of MoldovaIntroduction. The anabolic steroids are most controversial drugs in the world. It works as heroin and amphetamine. Young people turning to use steroids as away to improve or change their body shape and nowadays a lot of people likely to use more steroids to bulk up so the number of people that require the steroids has been increased in the last few years, because these kind of drugs are incredibly effective. Steroids can push the physiologic limits of the muscle making it bigger faster and stronger that it could get naturally but abuse of steroids comes with several undesirable effects and health problems including liver, heart and skin infections as well as physiological disturbances such as depression and dependence. Aim of the study. To study the most important complications of anabolic utilization. Materials and methods. I analyzed the bibliographic review and documents about steroid utilization last 5 years ago. Results. Anabolic steroids are powerful hormone. Steroids increase muscle growth and recovery, strength and leanness. Many serious side effects and health risks are involved with using steroids. Early symptoms are cystic acne, increase in body weight, headache, dizziness, cramping and premature hair loss, health risks involving the cardiovascular system include cholesterol modification, heart disease, high blood pressure, septic chock and even death. Effects to the reproductive system include genital atrophy, genital swelling, sexual dysfunction, impotence, fetal damage, sterility and menstrual irregularities. The liver and kidney are under constant attack by steroids. Effects to the liver include cancer, pelosis hepatitis and effects on the kidney that include kidney stones, kidney diseases. Taking steroids can also affect the skin producing acne, rashes, and red spots on the body, increase body hair and baldness and increase facial hair in the women. The steroids can also affect the users psychologically: they can become depressed, aggressive and very hostile. Steroids often cause shrinking of testicles, breast growth, and a higher risk of prostate cancer. Conclusions. Steroids are serious drugs that produce a lot of complications. The discontinuing use often leads to withdrawal and depression, which creates a lack of physical drive or social interaction among users

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Hardness, corrosion behavior, and microstructure of Al-Cu-Mg alloy as a fuction of 0.3 wt.% Zr addition

The effect of adding zirconium (Zr) as an alloying element to Al-Cu-Mg alloy on the hardness and corrosion of this alloy was investigated. The hardness and polarization test results of samples treated for various periods by aging at 423.15 K for 3hr showed a significant increment in the Brinell hardness (HBW) improvement ratio of 115.6% (from 45HBW to 97HBW) and an extreme reduction the corrosion rate of the alloy after Zr adding decrease in the current density by 79.42% (from 56.50 µA cm-2 to 11.63 µA cm-2) with aging for 3 hr compared to the base alloy ..The impact of this addition is also reflected in the strengthening, recrystallization, and modification of the grain microstructure. These changes were clearly demonstrated by microscopic testing and proves that the addition of Zr has a considerable synergistic effect causing inhibition of recrystallization and refinement of grain size.

Pharmacological treatment of acute Gout attacks: Which treatment is effective? Review the latest systematic reviews using the AMSTAR tool

Gout is an inflammatory condition of the joints caused by deposition of crystallized monosodium urate (MSU) in the joint which leads to Arthritis. there are many debates about the suitable pharmacological therapy for the acute inflammatory gout attacks. The Pharmacological treatment included colchicine, non steroidal anti- inflammatory (NASIDS) and corticosteroid injection. The aim of this study is to review the evidences which studied the effect of Colchicine, NASID and corticosteroid injections and discuss their effectiveness in treating the acute flares of Gout. After evaluation the validity of the latest best evidences presented in the database by using the AMSTAR tool. There was no best drug and no optimal dose identified in treating acute Gout attacks. Doctors should be careful in selecting the treatment considering the side effect of each medication and deal with each patient individually to provide the best health care

Evaluation treatment planning system for oropharyngeal cancer patient using machine learning

Oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) comprises a group of various malignant tumours that grow in the throat, larynx, mouth, sinuses, and nose. The research aims: to investigate the performance of the OPC VMAT model by comparison to clinical plans in terms of dosimetric parameters and normal tissue complication probabilities. Purpose: Tune the model which at least matches the performance of clinical created photon treatment plans and analyse and find the most appropriate strategic plan scheme for OPC. Methods and materials: The machine learning (ML) plans are compared to the reference plans (clinical plans) based on dose constraints and target coverage. VMAT oropharynx ML model of Raystation development 11B version (non-clinical) was used. A model was trained by using different modalities. A different strategy of machine learning and clinical plans was performed for five patients. The dose Prescribed for OPC is 70 Gy, 2 Gy per fraction (2Gy/Fx). The PTV was derived for the primary tumour and secondary tumour, PTV+7000 cGy and PTV_5425 cGy volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) were used with beams performing a full 360° rotation around the single isocenter. Results: Organs at risk were observed that the volume of L-Eye in clinical plan (AF) for the case1 treatment planning could be successfully used ensuring efficiency and lower than MLVMAT and MLVMAT-org plans were 372 cGy, 697 cGy and 667 cGy respectively, while showed case2, case3, case4 and case5 are better to protect the critical organs in ML plan compare with a clinical plan. DHI for the PTV-7000 and PTV-5425 is between 1 and 1.34, While DCI for PTV-7000 and PTV-5425 is between 0.98 and 1

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium report, data summary of 50 countries for 2010-2015: Device-associated module

•We report INICC device-associated module data of 50 countries from 2010-2015.•We collected prospective data from 861,284 patients in 703 ICUs for 3,506,562 days.•DA-HAI rates and bacterial resistance were higher in the INICC ICUs than in CDC-NHSN's.•Device utilization ratio in the INICC ICUs was similar to CDC-NHSN's. Background: We report the results of International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from January 2010-December 2015 in 703 intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific. Methods: During the 6-year study period, using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC-NHSN) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infection (DA-HAI), we collected prospective data from 861,284 patients hospitalized in INICC hospital ICUs for an aggregate of 3,506,562 days. Results: Although device use in INICC ICUs was similar to that reported from CDC-NHSN ICUs, DA-HAI rates were higher in the INICC ICUs: in the INICC medical-surgical ICUs, the pooled rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection, 4.1 per 1,000 central line-days, was nearly 5-fold higher than the 0.8 per 1,000 central line-days reported from comparable US ICUs, the overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was also higher, 13.1 versus 0.9 per 1,000 ventilator-days, as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, 5.07 versus 1.7 per 1,000 catheter-days. From blood cultures samples, frequencies of resistance of Pseudomonas isolates to amikacin (29.87% vs 10%) and to imipenem (44.3% vs 26.1%), and of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to ceftazidime (73.2% vs 28.8%) and to imipenem (43.27% vs 12.8%) were also higher in the INICC ICUs compared with CDC-NHSN ICUs. Conclusions: Although DA-HAIs in INICC ICU patients continue to be higher than the rates reported in CDC-NSHN ICUs representing the developed world, we have observed a significant trend toward the reduction of DA-HAI rates in INICC ICUs as shown in each international report. It is INICC's main goal to continue facilitating education, training, and basic and cost-effective tools and resources, such as standardized forms and an online platform, to tackle this problem effectively and systematically