Effect of levodopa therapy on visual evoked potentials and visual acuity in amblyopia

Between 10 and 11 years after children were vaccinated with Vi capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi or meningococcal A + C control vaccine in a double blind randomized trial, we traced 83 subjects, aged 16-20 years. A blood sample was taken for determination of Vi antibody titres in both groups by radioimmunoassay. TO and TH titres were also done to assess if the participants had had recent exposure to typhoid fever. Fifty-eight percent of subjects in both groups had protective levels of Vi antibody against Salmonella typhi (a titre greater than 1 microgram ml-1). There was no significant difference in the levels of Vi antibodies in the cases versus the controls (p = 0.5). Two of the children who had received meningococcal A + C vaccine had recently had typhoid fever. Our data show that adolescents in typhoid endemic areas have high levels of Vi antibodies regardless of previous vaccination status, suggesting that Vi antibodies are acquired in adolescence by a large percentage of the population in this area. Moreover, Vi vaccination has led to ongoing antibody production in greater than 50% of Vi vaccinated children in an endemic area for a period of 10 years. Ongoing antigenic exposure may have contributed to these antibody levels.     

Transient weakness and compound muscle action potential decrement in myotonia congenita

Twenty-five Turkish patients with recessive myotonia congenita (RMC), 16 of whom had genetic confirmation, were studied. Nineteen had transient weakness. In the upper extremities, onset age of transient weakness was usually in the early teens. All untreated RMC patients had a compound muscle action potential decrement of > or =25%, usually above 50%, with repetitive nerve stimulation at 10/s for 5 s. Patients with other nondystrophic diseases with myotonia, except 1 patient with dominant myotonia congenita, had no transient weakness and a CMAP decrement below 25%.     

Freeze-Drying of Pharmaceutical Products: Research and Development Needs

Significance of pharmaceutical formulation (choosing of correct excipients in optimal quantities), effects of glass transition temperature, importance of theoretical modeling of the process, benefits of optimal control, and the advantages of remote monitoring of the process are presented. Experimental and theoretical research and development needs for the freeze-drying of pharmaceutical products are proposed and discussed.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Nano‐Encapsulated Black Pepper Oleoresin using Hydroxypropyl Beta‐Cyclodextrin for Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Applications

Previous studies have reported antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of black pepper oleoresin which is associated to its phenolic compounds and piperine. The ability of cyclodextrins to form an inclusion complex with a guest molecule could improve black pepper oleoresin application, bioavailability, and stability in foods. Hydroxypropyl beta‐cyclodextrin (HPBCD) inclusion complex with black pepper olereosin were synthesized using the kneading method and characterized for its physico‐chemical properties and its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Inclusion complex size was 103.9 ± 7.6 nm and indicated to be a polydisperse system. The entrapment efficiency was 78.3 ± 3.6%, which suggests that other constituents in black pepper oleoresin have higher affinities for HPBCD than piperine (major compound in black pepper oleoresin). Thermograms showed the disappearance of oxidation peaks of black pepper oleoresin, proving complex formation with HPBCD. Phase solubility results indicated 1:1 stoichiometric inclusion complex formation and an increase of black pepper oleoresin aqueous solubility with HPBCD concentration. Nano‐encapsulation with HPBCD did not affect (P > 0.05) total phenolic content; however, it enhanced (P < 0.05) black pepper oleoresin antioxidant activity. Black pepper oleoresin and its inclusion complex were analyzed for their antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli K12 and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2. Both free and encapsulated black pepper oleoresin effectively inhibited bacterial growth within the concentration range tested. Black pepper oleoresin encapsulated in HPBCD was able to inhibit Salmonella at lower (P < 0.05) concentrations than its corresponding free extract. Therefore, black pepper oleoresin‐HPBCD nanocapsules could have important applications in the food industry as antimicrobial and antioxidant system.     

Application of economical models for dye removal from aqueous solutions: cash flow,cost–benefit,and alternative selection methods

Although there are numerous adsorption studies performed by using various adsorbents, there is no deterministic knowledge about selection of appropriate adsorbent type from present alternatives. In order to evaluate the advantages of the selected adsorbent species mathematically, researchers may use economical models such as cash flow diagrams, cost–benefit analyses, and alternative selection methods. In spite of the fact that these models have been used in many other engineering branches they are rarely applied in environmental research. In this study we have aimed to investigate usability of the mentioned economical models in adsorption of reactive azo dyes from aqueous solutions. Activated ash, a waste material, and commercial granular activated carbon were decided to be adsorbent alternatives. By applying economical models appropriate adsorbent type was selected considering both adsorption efficiencies and economical conditions. Although similar tendencies were monitored in cash flow diagrams; considering the amount of expenses activated ash exhibited remarkable advantages compared to granular activated carbon. Furthermore, results of cost–benefit analyses showed that activated ash has been advantageous when total costs and profits were evaluated together. Results of this study suggest usage of these economical models even in adsorption studies in order to provide accurate information on the selection of appropriate adsorbent type. These methods enable evaluation of economical conditions, which is generally neglected, together with the obtained removal efficiencies.     

Wear behaviour of thermal flame sprayed FeCr coatings on plain carbon steel substrate

The principle aim of this study is to investigate the wear behaviour of FeCr coatings on Ni-based bond deposited plain carbon steel substrate for several applications in power generation plants. For this purpose, FeCr and Ni-based powders were sprayed on plain carbon steel substrates using a thermal flame spray technique. Fabricated layers were characterized by using a X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), microhardness and surface roughness testers. FeCr coatings were subjected to sliding wear against AISI 303 stainless steel counter bodies under dry and acidic environments. A pin-on-plate type of apparatus was used with normal loads of 49 and 101 N and sliding speed of 1 Hz. XRD results revealed that FeCr, Fe, Cr, Fe–Cr–Ni, γ-Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ phases are exist in the coating. In addition, some inhomogenities such as oxides, porosity, cracks, unmelted particles and inclusions were observed by SEM. The surface morphologies of FeCr samples after wear experiments were examined by SEM and EDS. It was found that friction coefficients of the coatings in dry condition are higher than that in acidic environment.     

A system-wide approach to minimize the operational cost of bench production in open-cast mining operations

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology - The production cycle of open-cast coal mines generally includes drilling, blasting, loading, hauling and coal preparation activities....     

Cataract extraction comparative study of ocular Beh?et's disease and idiopathic uveitis

A retrospective clinical trial was performed to review the management and discuss the outcome of cataract extraction in eyes with complicated cataract due to ocular Beh?et's disease (BD) (n = 55) and idiopathic uveitis (IU) (n = 43). The aim was to find the best method of treatment in each pathology. The surgical methods were intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE), extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), ECCE + intraocular lens (ECCE + IOL), and ECCE + trabeculectomy (ECCE + T). The postoperative visual prognosis was found to be significantly worse in eyes with ocular BD, than in those with IU because of the severe posterior segment complications of ocular BD, particularly optic atrophy (p < 0.05). When the outcome was evaluated with regard to the individual surgical techniques, the prognosis was found to be significantly better in eyes with IU undergoing ECCE than in those with BD undergoing the same operation (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the groups with regard to the other surgical treatment modalities (p < 0.05).