Pharmacokinetics of phenprobamate after oral administration to healthy subjects

Phenprobamate (CAS 673-31-4) is a centrally acting skeletal-muscle relaxant agent. There are only two studies in the literature about the pharmacokinetics of phenoprobamate in man. The inconsistency between the results of these studies can be attributed partly to the different analytical methodologies used. A sensitive, specific and reproducible HPLC-assay, which may increase the reliability of the pharmacokinetic studies of phenprobamate in plasma, has been developed recently. The objective of this investigation was to assess the single-dose kinetics of phenprobamate in human and to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of clinical and regulatory concern. The plasma pharmacokinetics of phenprobamate have been investigated following single oral administration at a dose of 800 mg in eleven healthy volunteers.     

Influence of doctor blade gap on the properties of tape cast NiO/YSZ anode supports for solid oxide fuel cells

In this study, various tape cast NiO/YSZ anode support layers with similar geometric properties are fabricated by varying the doctor blade from 100?µm to 200?µm with an increment of 25?µm. The mechanical properties of the anode support layers are investigated by three point bending tests of 30 samples for each doctor blade gap. The reliability curves of the flexural strength data are also obtained via two-parameter Weibull distribution method. The effects of the doctor blade gap on the microstructure and the electrochemical performance of the anode support layers are determined via SEM investigations and single cell performance-impedance tests, respectively. The apparent porosities of the samples are also measured by Archimedes’ principle. The results indicate that the doctor blade gap or the resultant tape thickness influences the microstructure of tape cast NiO/YSZ anode supports significantly, yielding different mechanical and electrochemical characteristics. At a reliability level of 70%, the highest flexural strength of 110.20?MPa is obtained from the anode support layer with a doctor blade gap of 175?µm and the 16?cm² active area cell with this anode support layer also exhibits the highest peak performance of 0.483?W/cm² at an operating temperature of 800?°C. Thus, a doctor blade gap of 175?µm is found to have such a microstructure that provides not only better mechanical strength but also higher electrochemical performance.     

Mechanical properties and repair bond strength of polymer-based CAD/CAM restorative materials

Information on the mechanical properties and repairability of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) blocks is scarce. Five CAD/CAM blocks with similar indications were evaluated, including four resin nanoceramics, one polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN), and one feldspathic ceramic. CAD/CAM blocks were sectioned into 4 mm × 1.2 mm × 13 mm bars for flexural strength (FS), and 4 mm thick blocks were prepared for elastic modulus (EM), nanohardness (NH), and microshear bond strength (µSBS) testing. FS of the CAD/CAM blocks was determined using a three-point bending test, whereas EM and NH values were measured using a nanoindenter. The reparability of the tested block materials was determined by the µSBS test. One-way ANOVA was conducted for FS, EM, NH, and µSBS followed by Tukey's pairwise comparison (α < 0.05). FS ranged from 115 to 207 MPa, EM from 8.21 to 44 GPa, NH from 0.76 to 7.24, and µSBS from 24.9 to 30.6 MPa. The findings of the present study revealed that resin nanoceramic blocks exhibited higher FS values than PICN and feldspathic ceramic, and they have acceptable mechanical properties for the fabrication of single-unit restorations according to the ISO 6872:2008. Furthermore, all CAD/CAM blocks tested can be successfully repaired regarding their recommended repair protocol.     

Determination of the energy savings and the optimum insulation thickness in the four different insulated exterior walls

The optimum insulation thickness of the external wall for four cities from four climate zones of Turkey, energy savings over a lifetime of 10 years and payback periods are calculated for the five different energy types and four different insulation materials applied externally on walls. Extruded polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, nil siding and rock wool as wall insulation material are selected. In this study, the net energy cost savings are calculated using the P₁–P₂ method. The results show that energy cost savings vary between 4.2 $/m² and 9.5 $/m² depending on the city and insulation materials. The highest payback period value with 2.25 years in Mersin found by using natural gas as an energy source for heating, while the lowest value is reached by using LPG as an energy source in Bitlis.     

Rectal hemorrhage as a first sign of renal cell adenocarcinoma

We present a 3-year-old patient with stenotic kinking of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) who developed an ischaemic infarction of the left brain hemisphere followed by severe neurological sequelae after a prolonged generalized seizure. At time of the seizure the boy was in biological remission of a nephrotic syndrome and received prednisolone and cyclosporin A (CsA) treatment. The haemodynamic consequences of inborn kinking of the ICA is discussed controversely in the literature. The presented case shows that stenotic kinking of the ICA may significantly impair the blood flow towards the homolateral hemisphere and therefore may result in an ischaemic infarction. The influence of CsA on seizure activity is discussed. CONCLUSION: This case provides clinical and radiological evidence supporting an association between stenotic kinking of the carotid artery and homolateral hemispheric brain infarction.     

Pack-boriding of Fe–Mn binary alloys: Characterization and kinetics of the boride layers

In this work, the boronizing of Fe–Mn binary alloys at 0.42, 0.76 and 0.94 wt.% Mn was carried out in a solid medium using the powder pack method. In this method, commercial Ekabor-II boron source and activator (ferro-silicon) were thoroughly mixed to form the boriding medium. The samples were boronized in an electrical resistance furnace for exposure times of 2, 4, 6 and 8 h at 1173 K under atmospheric pressure and a series of boronized samples in the temperature range 1073–1373 K for 3 h. After the furnace process, boronized samples were removed from the furnace and cooled in air. Afterwards, the boride layers generated by the pack-boronizing process were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, XRD analysis, Vickers microhardness and tensile testing. The generated boride layers, showing a saw-tooth morphology, had a surface microhardness in the range 1400–1270 HV0.1. It was shown that the values of yield stresses and ultimate tensile stresses were increased as the Mn content increases in the boronized Fe–Mn binary alloys. In contrast, the values of elongations determined from the stress–strain curves were decreased. Furthermore, it was found that the calculated mean value of the activation energy of boron diffusion was close to 119 J/mol.     

Thermal and exergy analysis of solar air collectors with passive augmentation techniques

One of the main disadvantages of solar air collectors in practical applications is their relatively low efficiency. In this experimental investigation, the shape and arrangement of absorber surfaces of the collectors were reorganised to provide better heat transfer surfaces suitable for the passive heat transfer augmentation techniques. The performance of such solar air collectors with staggered absorber sheets and attached fins on absorber surface were tested. The exergy relations are delivered for different solar air collectors. It is seen that the largest irreversibility is occurring at the conventional solar collector in which collector efficiency is smallest.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(dimethylsiloxane)–polythiophene composites

The synthesis was performed by the electropolymerization of thiophene on a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)‐coated platinum electrode at 2.2 V with tetrabutylammoniumtetrafloroborate (TBAFB) as a supporting electrolyte and with acetonitrile as a solvent. The characterization of the PDMS–polythiophene (Pth) composites was carried out with cyclic voltammetry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis, and conductivity measurements. The observed conductivities of the PDMS composites were 2.2–5.2 S/cm. The conductivity of Pth did not change appreciably with the addition of up to 30% insulating PDMS, but its processability improved. FTIR, SEM, and DSC studies showed the existence of a strong interaction, rather than physical adhesion, between PDMS and Pth. Highly flexible and foldable PDMS–Pth composites were obtained. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 2113–2119, 2003     

Comparative study between corpus cavernosum-electromyography findings and electron microscopy of cavernosal muscle biopsies in erectile dysfunction patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The colonic response to obstruction is poorly understood. Thickening of the proximal bowel following colonic stricture may be due to increased protein synthesis. We have investigated the colonic morphology and collagen concentration during the development of left-sided colonic obstruction in an animal model. METHODS: Twelve male Wistar rats received either a silk ligature obstruction of the colon 2.5 cm above the peritoneal reflection (n = 6) or manipulation of the left colon (controls, n = 6). Twenty-four hours later, three colonic specimens from the ligature zone and from 1 cm proximal and distal to this site, or from equivalent regions in controls, were assayed for hydroxyproline concentration. RESULTS: In controls there was no difference in hydroxyproline concentration between colonic sites. In obstructed rats, the hydroxyproline concentration was greater both at the ligature and distally, when compared with the proximal region. The hydroxyproline concentration was higher (p < 0.05) than corresponding control values at the ligature site (14.95 +/- 2.76 vs. 10.97 +/- 1.95 microgram/mg of dry tissue mean +/- s.d.) but not on either side. CONCLUSION: The colonic collagen concentration is equivalent or raised near an obstruction, demonstrating that obstructed colon may possess an enhanced capacity to hold sutures.