Open-heart correction of tetralogy of Fallot in an acyanotic dog

Tetralogy of Fallot was diagnosed in an acyanotic 11-month-old dog. Predicted pressure gradient across the pulmonic valve, as assessed by use of continuous wave Doppler echocardiography, was 94.5 mm Hg. Bidirectional shunting was identified by means of selective angiography. Open-heart correction was performed, using a transatrial approach with limited ventriculotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass. The hypertrophied infundibulum was resected, the ventricular septal defect was closed primarily, and a transannular pericardial patch graft was applied. Pressure gradients across the pulmonic valve were 52.9 and 22.8 mm Hg 2 weeks and 4 months after surgery, respectively. Advances in cardiopulmonary bypass, anesthetic management, and use of the transatrial approach may improve the success of open-heart correction of tetralogy of Fallot in dogs.     

An approach for drag correction based on the local heterogeneity for gas–solid flows

The drag models typically used for gas–solids interaction are mainly developed based on homogeneous systems of flow passing fixed particle assembly. It has been shown that the heterogeneous structures, i.e., clusters and bubbles in fluidized beds, need to be resolved to account for their effect in the numerical simulations. Since the heterogeneity is essentially captured through the local concentration gradient in the computational cells, this study proposes a simple approach to account for the non‐uniformity of solids spatial distribution inside a computational cell and its effect on the interaction between gas and solid phases. To validate this approach, the predicted drag coefficient has been compared to the results from direct numerical simulations. In addition, the need to account for this type of heterogeneity is discussed for a periodic riser flow simulation with highly resolved numerical grids and the impact of the proposed correction for drag is demonstrated. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 1203–1212, 2017     

Development of Polymer Network of Phenolic and Epoxies Resins Mixed with Linseed Oil: Pilot Study

Epoxy resin was mixed with phenolic resins in different percentages by weight. Composite 40/60 means the proportion by weight of epoxy resin is 40%. It was found that only composites 50/50 and 40/60 could be cured in ambient conditions. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed that only these two composites form interpenetrating polymer network. The addition of linseed oil to the two resins results also in the formation of interpenetrating network irrespective of proportion by weight of the resins; the mechanical properties will only be better when the percentage by weight of epoxy resin is higher; the aim of reducing cost and at the same time maintaining the mechanical properties cannot be fully achieved because epoxy resin is much more expensive than its counterpart.     

Human endometrial angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is the development of new microvessels from existing vessels, a process that involves microvascular endothelial cells. Physiological angiogenesis rarely occurs in adults except in the ovary and endometrium during the reproductive life of females. Angiogenesis occurs by sprouting and non-sprouting mechanisms. Since endothelial sprouts are not observed in human endometrium, we hypothesized that non-sprouting mechanisms such as intussusception and elongation are involved in endometrial angiogenesis. The demand for angiogenesis differs spatially and temporally in the endometrium: angiogenesis occurs in the basalis layer during menstruation and in the functionalis and subepithelial capillary plexus during the proliferative and early secretory stages. Most studies have failed to demonstrate a link between expression of endometrial angiogenic factors and new vessel growth. However, we demonstrated recently a strong relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunolocalized in in-travascular neutrophils and endothelial cell proliferation in each of the subepithelial capillary plexus, functionalis and basalis regions of the human endometrium. Our data also indicate that focal neutrophil VEGF has a role in the development of the subepithelial capillary plexus and functionalis microvessels during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. We propose that neutrophils are an intravascular source of VEGF for vessels that undergo angiogenesis by intussusception and elongation.     

Development and validation of a measure of interpersonal strengths: The Inventory of Interpersonal Strengths.

An Inventory of Interpersonal Strengths (IIS) was developed and validated in a series of large college student samples. Based on interpersonal theory and associated methods, the IIS was designed to assess positive characteristics representing the full range of interpersonal domains, including those generally thought to have negative qualities (e.g., introversion, coldness, submissiveness). The 8 subscales (octants) of the 64-item IIS demonstrated good circumplex features and reliability. Tests comparing Big 5 interpersonal factors, Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP), Battery of Interpersonal Capabilities (BIC), and other interpersonal measures demonstrated convergent and discriminant validity and shared interpersonal structure. The IIS accounted for significant additional variance in life satisfaction and quality of personal relationships beyond the IIP and the BIC. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The ocular manifestations of Beh?et's disease

Of 32 patients with Beh?et's disease, 21 had uveitis. The uveitis was seldom the initial manifestation of systemic disease, but once established, it tended to become chronic and bilateral, involving the anterior and posterior segments. Hypopyon was a relatively uncommon occurrence in this series. All patients with uveal inflammation had obvious cellular reactions within the vitreous body. Other posterior segment manifestations of the disease included localized retinal edema, macular edema, disc edema, retinal pigmentary changes, and accumulation of exudative material in the deep retina. One patient developed a necrotizing retinitis with deep retinal exudation and subsequent retinal detachment. Occlusions of retinal vessels were common. Neuro-ophthalmologic manifestations of Beh?et's disease included cranial nerve palsies, a homonymous hemianopic field defect, and papillitis.