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Effects of Iron Deficiency Anemia and its Treatment on Ghrelins, Obestatin and Heat Shock Protein 70
Get PDFThe impact of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and its treatment on increased levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in settings with higher tissue stress induced by both ghrelin, which is both an antioxidant and a food intake stimulant, and also obestatin with opposing effects were investigated. The association of pica with these parameters was also examined. The study included 28 patients with IDA and 28 healthy controls. While acyl ve des-acyl ghrelin values were lower (p<0.05) in IDA. With treatment, ghrelin levels climbed. In IDA, obestatin levels were higher than the control values (p<0.05). With the IDA treatment, acyl and des-acyl Ghrelin levels increased. Contrarily, obestatin values fell down. The concentration of HSP 70 in IDA and during its therapy was above control values. Acyl, des-acyl ghrelin, obestatin, and HSP70 levels were increased in the pica group. In the pica group obestatin/acyl ghrelin ratio was comparatively higher (p<0.05). In IDA decrease in ghrelin and an increase in obestatin levels are observed, while HSP 70 remains the same. An increase in the obestatin/acyl ghrelin ratio might be responsible for the pica disorder
Properties of Nanogenerator Materials for Energy-Harvesting Application
Get PDFAdvancements in nanotechnology and materials science have led to the development of a variety of nanogenerator materials with improved properties, making energy harvesting technologies increasingly viable for various applications, such as powering wearable devices, remote sensors, and even small electronic gadgets in the future. The evolution of hybrid materials consisting of polymers and nanoparticles as efficient energy harvesters and energy storage devices is in high demand nowadays. Most investigations on organic ferroelectric P(VDF-TrFE) as a polymer host of polymer nanocomposite devices were primally focused on the β phase due to its excellent electrical properties for various application purposes. Nanofiller is also introduced into the polymer host to produce a polymer nanocomposite with enhanced properties. A brief description of various physical quantities related to ferroelectric, dielectric, pyroelectric effects and Thermally Stimulated Current (TSC) for energy harvesting applications in nanogenerator materials is presented. This article explores the different materials and uses of various nanogenerators. It explains the basics of the pyroelectric effect and the structure of pyroelectric nanogenerators (PNGs), as well as recent advancements in micro/nanoscale devices. Additionally, it discusses how the performance of ferroelectric, dielectric, pyroelectric, and TSC are impacted by the annealing treatment of P(VDF-TrFE) polymer
Simulation and Experiment Analysis of Driveshaft
Get PDFA driveshaft is a small spring coil less than 1mm in diameter, composed of several stainless-steel wire filaments. In intervention, the driveshaft is used to transmit force and motion to the inside body through the existing micro channels (such as arteries, veins, and gastrointestinal tract). The performance of the driveshaft determines the efficiency, stability, and accuracy of force and motion transitions, the ability to pass through tortuous microchannels, and the damage to healthy tissues. To determine the influence of fabrication parameters (filament, wire diameter, and outer diameter) on the mechanical properties (such as bending stiffness and natural frequency) of the driveshaft, a simulation was established in ABAQUS to calculate the deformation displacement under 0.0098N and first-order natural frequency. Then, the bending stiffness is calculated. The results show that the bending stiffness and the first-order natural frequency of the driveshaft increase with the increase of the filament number and wire diameter, and with the outer diameter of the driveshaft increases, the bending stiffness increases, while the first-order natural frequency decreases. Finally, the simulation model is verified by measuring the deformation displacement in the experiment. This study provides a methodology for designing and selecting the driveshaft in Interventional therapy
Efficiency of the Crile Procedure in the Removal of Thyroid Malignancies Invaded into the Internal Jugular Vein
Get PDFAim: This work aims to determine the effectiveness of the Crile procedure for optimizing the diagnosis and treatment of patients with locally advanced thyroid malignancies.
Objects: The objects of the study were the results of treatment of patients with thyroid cancer using two techniques: Crile procedure and vein resection with sealing and preservation of blood flow.
Materials and Methods: The research was carried out experimentally using Crile surgical intervention and vein resection with sealing and preservation of blood flow. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed by observing the recurrence and mortality rates. The patient’s quality of life was assessed through the conversation and questionnaire survey.
Results and Findings: It was found that Doppler ultrasonography of the main vessels in the neck helps to establish the internal jugular vein invasion, as well as its tumour thrombosis at the preoperative stage in clinical cases of suspected extrathyroidal extension of thyroid tumours in addition to radiological methods. A thyroid gland with a tumour invaded into the internal jugular vein must be radically removed with simultaneous resection of the affected part of the vein. We proved that the Crile procedure — resection of a vein with sealing of stumps and interruption of blood flow on one side of the neck — is a safe technique. It reduces the trauma and duration of the operation and reduces the likelihood of recurrence as it does not require further plastic surgery or vascular shunting with the restoration of blood flow. At the same time, bilateral interruption of blood flow in cases of resection of both internal jugular veins can lead to serious complications and requires a blood flow restoration operation from the side of the smaller tumour invasion
Using Measurement Invariance to Explore the Source of Variation in Basic Medical Science Students’ Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness
Get PDFIntroduction: Many research studies have shown that students' evaluations of teaching(SET) are affected by different variables without testing the requirement of fair comparisons. These studies have not tested the measurement equivalency of SET surveys according to these variables. Measurement equivalency of SET refers to whether a SET survey is interpreted similarly across different groups of individuals (Variable Levels). Without evidence of measurement invariance across different variables under investigation, the SET ratings should not be compared across these variables and this is the goal of this study.
Methods: Measurement Invariance analysis of SET survey was investigated using 1649 responses to SET of four different medical core courses offered by the College of Science and College of Medicine and from different levels.
Results: The results showed the existence of teaching practices in the SET survey that are not equivalently loaded on its factor across the levels of targeted variables, and the college offered medical courses were a source of variation in basic medical science students’ evaluation of teaching effectiveness. On the other hand, teaching practices in the SET survey are equivalently loaded on its factor across course levels.
Discussion: The study results showed that the SET of medical courses is comparable to the courses only taught by the College of Medicine. These results provide evidence that medical courses are different from other courses offered by other colleges. This means that comparing SET of the College of Medicine with other colleges and colleges of medicine needs to compare SET results at the college level only
Ether Bond Formation in Waste Biomass–Derived, Value-Added Technical Hardwood Kraft Lignin Using Glycolic Acid
Get PDFEther bond formation in technical hardwood kraft lignin (THKL) by crosslinking using glycolic acid was investigated for bio-adhesive applications. Industrial hardwood kraft black liquor was used to extract the THKL utilized by acidification. Chemical and thermal properties of the THKL with and without crosslinking were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, solid-state 13C cross-polarization/magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (13C CP/MAS NMR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FTIR results revealed a new peak corresponding to the ether bond and hemiacetal formation due to crosslinking at 1075 cm-1 and 1324 cm-1. 13C CP/MAS NMR spectra revealed the presence of a higher number of ether bonds due to the reduced aromatic and aliphatic hydroxyl groups in THKL and new bonds formed at 62-64 ppm and 168-191 ppm due to crosslinking. XPS results revealed that new bonds were formed between glycolic acid and THKL, leading to increased atomic oxygen percentage and carbon–oxygen bonds in crosslinked THKL detected by peak intensity changes at 287.7 and 288.8 related to O–C–O and O–C=O. Also, the oxygen content increased from 14.88% to 31.76% due to bond formation. GPC confirmed a higher molecular weight and broader molecular-weight distribution of THKL. DSC and TGA curves of crosslinked THKL revealed exothermic behavior, high thermal stability, and low thermal degradation rate. Owing to a significant amount of kraft black liquor being generated by wood pulp industries and attractive chemical properties of THKL, THKL demonstrates promise as a raw material to produce green, sustainable bio-adhesives via the crosslinking of its different hydroxyl groups using glycolic acid
Regional Mineral Beneficiation Policy Interventions in the SADC: Stakeholder Perspectives
Get PDFThe Importance of Mineral Beneficiation: Mining is a significant economic activity in most Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, and mineral beneficiation has been identified and controversially discussed as one of the possibilities for industrialisation. The purpose of this article is to study mineral beneficiation policies and practices in the SADC countries with regard to the regional developmental agenda.
Methodology and Interventions: With many member countries being economically too small to muster the human and financial resources, the recently adopted Regional Mining Vision (RMV) envisages interventions at a regional level. This study followed a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews across the region mainly in English and seldom in French.
Principal Results: Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts from SADC member countries during the 2019 Mining Indaba. Participants were divided on whether beneficiation should be carried out nationally or in the SADC region. While beneficiation could support value-keeping, key challenges named were infrastructure development (i.e. energy, water), scarce skills, access to technology and related cost, but also lack of free trade and movement.
Conclusion: We submit that a more integrated beneficiation strategy for the SADC region, as was being developed through the RMV, would indeed be relevant in the future
Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Prepubescent Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)
Get PDFWater buffaloes are bred in Europe, Australia, North America, South America, and some African countries. European water buffaloes are all of the river type and are considered to be of the same breed named the Mediterranean water buffalo. This species plays a key role in milk production in Italy. Buffalo breeding for milk production has represented an important economic value in recent years, even in Italian regions where this activity was not historically rooted. Therefore, it is very important to monitor animal health and welfare by performing periodical clinical examinations combined with different hematological and biochemical tests. However, there are few studies regarding these aspects, as well as research aimed at establishing the reference ranges for species. This study aims to define hematological and biochemical parameters in a population of healthy water buffalo in controlled conditions for over a year in Italy
Sacred Space and the Modes of Intersection in Paulo Coelho’s The Pilgrimage
Get PDFTo analyze the depiction of sacred space and rituals in Paulo Coelho’s The Pilgrimage is the purpose of this essay. The bulk of studies on the functions and aims of pilgrimage have produced a multifaceted field of research for the further development of both secular and religious conceptualizations of this ritualized behavior. Whether pilgrimage is a matter of ideology, union with the sacred space, spiritual enlightenment, superstition, political identity, primitive religiosity, post-mortem body, or simply a matter of our attitudes toward pilgrimage as outsiders or insiders is still unresolved. In this article, I review the significance and purpose of pilgrimage in its traditional and anthropological context and in regard to the importance of sacred space or destination in various religions. Next, I approach the tradition of pilgrimage in the novel by drawing upon Gilles Deleuze’s critique of being, becoming, and animal. I subsequently explore three principal intersections that the protagonist experiences in his spiritual journey to the holy space, the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. I discuss how The Pilgrimage presents a non-traditional portrayal of sacred space and pilgrimage. I also explore the reciprocity between the pilgrim’s body and mind in developing a physical and mental relation with his natural environment. Whereas man’s desire for the divine or holy space has received considerable attention in the studies on pilgrimage, Coelho’s novel reorients the focus of attention from the final destination to the pilgrim’s modes of symbiosis along the road. This article also intends to demonstrate how the novel presents a new perspective for the study of the ritual, recognized as pilgrimage
Frevo: The State of the Art in Music
Get PDFFrevo is a Brazilian cultural expression composed of music and dance. Its musical genre is popular, but part of its musical structure is based on classical music theory. In recent years, research on frevo music has been growing. This is likely related to the recognition of frevo as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In this literature review, I present the current state of the art of frevo music. Research on frevo music is primarily focused on the field of Ethnomusicology and technical aspects, such as technical and interpretive analysis