Relationship between ABO blood group and levels of Gal alpha,3Galactose-reactive human immunoglobulin G

BACKGROUND: The terminal Gal alpha1,3Galactose (alphaGal) determinant is present on all porcine glycoproteins and glycolipids, but is not expressed by human cells. Consequently human sera contain anti-alphaGal natural antibodies. The human blood group B antigen [Gal alpha1,3(Fuc1,2)Galactose] is differentiated from the alphaGal epitope by the presence of a fucosyl group. METHODS: To determine whether the expression of the B antigen has any effect on the level of alphaGal-reactive natural antibodies, equal numbers (n=12) of A, B, AB, and O serum samples were evaluated by ELISA and flow cytometry. RESULTS: A significant reduction in IgG alphaGal reactivity was observed with serum samples from B antigen-expressing donors (B, AB) relative to non-B antigen-expressing donors (A, O). CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with the possibility that anti-alphaGal antibodies in non-B antigen-expressing individuals include a subset that is reactive with the structurally related B antigen and that this subset is absent in B and AB individuals.     

Laparoscopic resection of posterior gastric leiomyoma

BACKGROUND: A variety of laparoscopic procedures for the repair of abdominal wall hernias have been described. The repair described in this paper represents a modification and improvement of one approach. METHODS: Our technique employs an Origin Tacker (Origin Medsystems, Inc, Menlo Park, CA) and a Gore suture passer (W. L. Gore, Flagstaff, AZ) to secure an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) patch, (DualMesh, W. L. Gore, Flagstaff, AZ) to the anterior abdominal wall. RESULTS: This approach simplifies the repair by minimizing the number of steps required to secure the ePTFE graft to the anterior abdominal. CONCLUSIONS: We have found this to be a safe and reliable technique that may be used in the laparoscopic repair of ventral, umbilical, or inguinal hernias.     

Modified version of dissolving suture material on the basis of glycol cellulose ethers: a histological study

Investigation of manufacturing of home-produced dissolving suture material was conducted. Influence of the material on tissues in the region of threads location and on the organism as a whole was studied up. The material resolved actively, did not cause pathological changes in surrounding tissues and in general pathological processes in the organism of animals. During 180 days the majority of the suture material quantity have resolved.     

Fatigue crack in large-scale tubular joints for offshore structures

Tubular members have been used for constructing offshore structures. Large-scale fatigue tests of welded tubular K-joints under the balanced in-plane bending brace were carried out to investigate the fatigue behavior of API 2W Gr.50 steel produced by POSCO. The experimental results were verified by numerical approaches and compared with the IIW, DnV RP-C203 and API RP 2A-WSD design curves. The test results based on the hot spot stress were in agreement with the design curves. The SCF factor for tubular K-jo...