Measurement Placement in Distribution System State Estimation

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Peri-Vesical Fat Interposition Flap Reinforcement in High Vesico-Vaginal Fistulas

Background and Aim: The urinary bladder becomes small, contracted and is associated with excess pelvic fat in long standing cases of vesico-vaginal fistulas (VVFs). The aim of this new technique was to use this excess pelvic fat for harvesting an interposition flap. Materials and Methods: An interposition flap of peri-vesical fat was raised from the anterior, superior and posterior surfaces of the urinary bladder and was interposed between the right angle closed vaginal vault and the urinary bladder to strengthen the repair. This technique was used in two patients of VVFs. Results: Both the patients had successful outcome and were able to retain sufficient quantity of urine at 3 months follow-up. Conclusions: Peri-vesical fat flap proved an effective interposition flap in the repairs of VVFs in selected cases. Key words: Interposition flap, peri-vesical fat flap, vesicovaginal fistula

Iron content of ferritin modulates its uptake by intestinal epithelium: implications for co-transport of prions

The spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the deer and elk population has caused serious public health concerns due to its potential to infect farm animals and humans. Like other prion disorders such a sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob-disease of humans and Mad Cow Disease of cattle, CWD is caused by PrP-scrapie (PrPSc), a β-sheet rich isoform of a normal cell surface glycoprotein, the prion protein (PrPC). Since PrPSc is sufficient to cause infection and neurotoxicity if ingested by a susceptible host, it is important to understand the mechanism by which it crosses the stringent epithelial cell barrier of the small intestine. Possible mechanisms include co-transport with ferritin in ingested food and uptake by dendritic cells. Since ferritin is ubiquitously expressed and shares considerable homology among species, co-transport of PrPSc with ferritin can result in cross-species spread with deleterious consequences. We have used a combination of in vitro and in vivo models of intestinal epithelial cell barrier to understand the role of ferritin in mediating PrPSc uptake and transport. In this report, we demonstrate that PrPSc and ferritin from CWD affected deer and elk brains and scrapie from sheep resist degradation by digestive enzymes, and are transcytosed across a tight monolayer of human epithelial cells with significant efficiency. Likewise, ferritin from hamster brains is taken up by mouse intestinal epithelial cells in vivo, indicating that uptake of ferritin is not limited by species differences as described for prions. More importantly, the iron content of ferritin determines its efficiency of uptake and transport by Caco-2 cells and mouse models, providing insight into the mechanism(s) of ferritin and PrPSc uptake by intestinal epithelial cells

Covering behavior of deep-water echinoids in Antarctica: possible response to predatory king crabs

This is the final version of the article. Available from Inter Research via the DOI in this record.Covering behavior refers to the propensity of echinoids (Echinoidea) to lift materials from the surrounding environment onto their aboral surfaces using their tube feet and spines. This behavior has been widely documented in regular echinoids from a variety of well-lit, shallow-marine habitats. Covering behavior in the deep sea, however, is rarely observed, and the functional significance of covering when it does occur remains speculative. During a photographic survey of the seafloor off Anvers Island and Marguerite Bay along the western Antarctic Peninsula, we imaged 11 benthic transects at depths ranging from 390 to 2100 m. We recorded the number of echinoid species, incidence of covering behavior, types of materials used for covering, potential predators of echinoids, and potential prey items for predators. The echinoid Sterechinus spp. was found at all depths, and the percentage of individuals exhibiting covering behavior increased with depth between 390 and 1500 m. There was a significant positive correlation between the incidence of covering behavior in Sterechinus spp. and the density of king crabs (Anomura: Lithodidae), crushing predators that may be expanding their bathymetric range up the Antarctic continental slope as a consequence of ongoing climatic warming. In contrast, covering behavior was not positively correlated with the densities of non-crab predators, the total densities of predators, or the availability of prey. Our results document rarely observed covering behavior in echinoids living in the deep sea and suggest that covering could be a behavioral response to predation pressure by king crabs.We thank the crew of the RV ‘Nathaniel B. Palmer’ during the NBP13-10 cruise for logistical help, as well as J. S. Anderson, A. Brown, C. Easson, D. Ellis, S. Thatje, and S. C. Vos. Thanks also to Paul Dayton as well as 2 anonymous reviewers who offered constructive comments and suggestions. Funding was provided by grants from the US National Science Foundation to R.B.A. (ANT- 1141877) and J.B.M. (ANT-1141896). This paper is contribution no. 160 from the Institute for Research on Global Climate Change at the Florida Institute of Technology

A Study of hypomagnesemia in critically ill patients and its correlation with patient outcomes

Background: Magnesium (Mg) is essential for life and plays a key role in the human body's various biochemical and physiological processes. Hypomagnesemia is common in all hospitalized patients, especially with co-existing electrolyte abnormalities in critically ill patients. Hypomagnesemia, if not diagnosed on time and appropriately treated, can cause serious and potentially fatal complications and is associated with increased mortality.Aim and Objectives: To study hypomagnesemia in critically ill patients and its correlation with patient outcomes considering the following parameters: Age, Sex, Diabetic status, Association with other lab parameters, APACHE II score, Need for ventilator support, Length of stay in ICU, Total stay in the hospital, Mortality.Materials and Methods: The study was a prospective study done in the Department of General Medicine (Medical ICU), Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute from September 2016 to August 2017. A thorough clinical examination was done; clinical data were recorded into the EXCEL case sheet. Serum calcium, serum potassium, ABG, along with other basic labs was sent for all patients. APACHE II score was calculated and all parameters were entered into an excel sheet. The results of the study were analyzed and statistical data was summarized using SPSS 17 software. Pearson Correlation, Kendall Tau B, Student t-test, and ANOVA were done for specific variables.Results: A total of 1067 patients admitted in ICU between September 2016 to August 2017 were taken into the study out of which 169 patients had hypomagnesemia (< 1.8 mg/ dl). Various correlations were analyzed for age, sex, diabetic status, APACHE II score, serum calcium, serum potassium, ventilator requirement, ICU stay, hospital stay, and outcome. A total of 169 patients out of 1067 patients had hypomagnesemia in the present study (15.83%). The minimum magnesium value was 0.8 mg/dl and the maximum value was 1.7 mg/dL. The present study highlighted the importance of hypomagnesemia in intensive care unit and its outcome with various parameters. The present study showed that hypomagnesemia is associated with increased APACHE II score, increased incidence of ventilator requirement and higher mortality.Conclusion: Magnesium is an unrecognized cation in critically ill patients. The incidence of hypomagnesemia in the present study was less compared to other studies done in medically ill patients. Hypomagnesemia correlated well with APACHE II score, ventilator requirement, and mortality, which was statistically significant.&nbsp

Improved Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Properties of MWCNT–PMMA Composites Using Layered Structures

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of multi-walled carbon nanotubes–polymethyl methacrylate (MWCNT–PMMA) composites prepared by two different techniques was measured. EMI SE up to 40 dB in the frequency range 8.2–12.4 GHz (X-band) was achieved by stacking seven layers of 0.3-mm thick MWCNT–PMMA composite films compared with 30 dB achieved by stacking two layers of 1.1-mm thick MWCNT–PMMA bulk composite. The characteristic EMI SE graphs of the composites and the mechanism of shielding have been discussed. SE in this frequency range is found to be dominated by absorption. The mechanical properties (tensile, flexural strength and modulus) of the composites were found to be comparable or better than the pure polymer. The studies therefore show that the composite can be used as structurally strong EMI shielding material

Pediatric carcinoma of rectum - Varanasi experience

Background : Primary gastrointestinal system malignancies constitute approximately 2% of pediatric neoplasm and of these; colorectal carcinoma is the second most common malignancy. This is one of the rarer diseases in children. Aim : We reviewed our records to study the clinical features, outcome and the follow-up of this condition with evaluation of the prognostic factors. Settings and Design: Tertiary care Pediatric Surgery centre. Retrospective study. Materials and Methods : The data of all patients with diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma from January 1986 to January 2006 were reviewed. The confirmation of the diagnosis was by biopsy from the lesion. The age, sex, family history, clinical features, response to the treatment and follow-up were studied. Results : There were four male patients. All had bleeding per rectum as the presenting complaint. Three patients had advanced disease at presentation. All the patients had signet cell adenocarcinoma. The two patients expired and one was lost to follow-up. One patient is alive after one year of follow up and is receiving treatment. Conclusion : Colorectal cancer in children though rare can be a reality, hence any children presenting with pain in abdomen along with doubtful history of constipation and rectal bleeding should be examined carefully with special emphasis on digital rectal examination

Analysis of the atmospheric distribution, sources, and sinks of oxygenated volatile organic chemicals based on measurements over the Pacific during TRACE-P

Airborne measurements of a large number of oxygenated volatile organic chemicals (OVOC) were carried out in the Pacific troposphere (0.1 - 12 km) in winter/spring of 2001 (24 February to 10 April). Specifically, these measurements included acetone (CH3COCHA3), methylethyl ketone (CH3COC2H5, MEK), methanol (CH3OH), ethanol (C2H5OH), acetaldehyde (CH3CHO), propionaldehyde C2H 5CHO), peroxyacylnitrates (PANs) (CnH 2n+1COO2NO2), and organic nitrates (CnH2n+1ONO2). Complementary measurements of formaldehyde (HCHO), methyl hydroperoxide (CH 3OOH), and selected tracers were also available. OVOC were abundant in the clean troposphere and were greatly enhanced in the outflow regions from Asia. Background mixing ratios were typically highest in the lower troposphere and declined toward the upper troposphere and the lowermost stratosphere. Their total abundance (ΣOVOC) was nearly twice that of nonmethane hydrocarbons (Σ C2-C8 NMHC. Throughout the troposphere, the OH reactivity of OVOC is comparable to that of methane and far exceeds that of NMHC. A comparison of these data with western Pacific observations collected some 7 years earlier (February-March 1994) did not reveal significant differences. Mixing ratios of OVOC were strongly correlated with each other as well as with tracers of fossil and biomass/biofuel combustion. Analysis of the relative enhancement of selected OVOC with respect to CH 3Cl and CO in 12 plumes originating from fires and sampled in the free troposphere (3-11 km) is used to assess their primary and secondary emissions from biomass combustion. The composition of these plumes also indicates a large shift of reactive nitrogen into the PAN reservoir thereby limiting ozone formation. A three-dimensional global model that uses state of the art chemistry and source information is used to compare measured and simulated mixing ratios of selected OVOC. While there is reasonable agreement in many cases, measured aldehyde concentrations are significantly larger than predicted. At their observed levels, acetaldehyde mixing ratios are shown to be an important source of HCHO (and HOx) and PAN in the troposphere. On the basis of presently known chemistry, measured mixing ratios of aldehydes and PANs are mutually incompatible. We provide rough estimates of the global sources of several OVOC and conclude that collectively these are extremely large (150-500 Tg C yr-1) but remain poorly quantified. Copyright 2004 by the American Geophysical Union