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Background: We aimed to clarify whether pathological changes in skin and subcutaneous tissue with lymphedema affected the skin hardness sensed by palpation. Methods and Results: In 50 patients with unilateral legs with lymphedema (LE), the skin hardness of the lower inner thigh and lower inner calf was determined using a scale ranging from 1 (softest) to 7 (hardest) based on palpation. Then, the skin hardness was correlated with the measurements of skin/subcutaneous tissue ultrasonography images obtained from the palpated parts. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that dermal thickness was a significant factor that affected the difference in skin hardness between the LE and the contralateral asymptomatic leg for both thigh (p < 0.05) and calf (p < 0.01). When the thigh and calf in the LE were individually studied, subcutaneous echogenicity (p < 0.05), indicating subcutaneous inflammation/fibrosis, and subcutaneous thickness (p < 0.01) also seemed to affect skin hardness, respectively. Conclusions: The skin hardness sensed in the LE seemed to be affected predominantly by dermal thickening. In addition, the pathological changes in the subcutaneous tissue caused by LE seemed to have an impact on skin hardness. Clinical Trial Registration number 2020-150.

Background Mesentery thickening and enlarged lymphnodes are typical findings of Crohn's disease (CD), but their role is unknown. Aim of the present study was to evaluate their prevalence and significance on postoperative complications and long-term surgical recurrence after CD surgery. Methods 1272 consecutive, unselected patients were retrospectively reviewed, divided into 4 groups based on the presence or absence of a thickened mesentery and enlarged lymphnodes, and stratified for primary or recurrent surgical procedure. In all patients but those treated with strictureplasty the mesentery and lymphnodes were removed. Patients’ characteristics, peri-operative findings, and long-term recurrence were compared by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results Thickened mesentery and enlarged lymphnodes were not present in all cases, were typical of ileal location and penetrating behaviour, had a constant decrease over recurrences, were independent of either pre-operative medical therapy or surgical approach, did not increase the duration of surgery and complications, presented similar 20-years recurrence rate to normal mesentery and lymphnodes. Lymphopathy was associated to a worst nutritional status during disease recurrences. At multivariate analysis, age, location, and behaviour, but not mesenteric characteristics, were related to an increased risk of surgical recurrence. Conclusions This study provides new information on mesentery and lymphnodes in CD patients. Further studies are needed to clarify the appropriate surgical approach.

Achilles tendon rupture is a common problem affecting both high level and casual athletes. Haglund´s deformity is an abnormality of the postero-superior part of the calcaneus, which often leads to retro-calcaneal bursitis as well as thickening and inflammation of the calcaneal tendon, a combination of pathologies known as Haglund's syndrome. We report a rare case of a relapse Achilles tendon rupture in a 39-year-old professional handball player with a pronounced painful Haglund´s deformity treated with tendon debridement and reattachment using the Arthrex Speedbridge® system. This case report illustrates a rarely described operative and post-operative management of this unusual combination of Achilles tendon rupture and Haglund´s deformity.

Исследовано влияние различных флокулянтов и коагулянтов на процесс интенсификации сгущения хвостов гравитации золотоносных кор выветривания Винокуровского рудопроявления. Определена зависимость показателей содержания твердого в осадке от расхода коагулянтов и флокулянтов, а также зависимости удельной площади осаждения от расхода коагулянтов и флокулянтов. Установлено, что наиболее эффективным реагентом для интенсификации процесса сгущения, окисленной золотосодержащей руды является Magnaflok 351 при расходе 5 г/т. Данный расход реагента позволяет получить содержание твердого в осадке 60,51% при небольшой удельной площади осаждения. Потери со сливом при использовании данного реагента составляют 15 г/м3. Потери со сливом без использования реагентов составляют 40 г/м3., The influence of different flocculants and coagulants on the process of intensification of thickening of final tails of gold-bearing residual soil of Vinokurovsky ore deposit was studied. The dependence of solid content in sediment on the consumption of coagulants and flocculants, as well as the dependence of the specific area of sedimentation on the consumption of coagulants and flocculants, is determined. It is established that the most effective reagent for intensification of the thickening process of oxidized gold-bearing ore is Magnaflok 351 at a consumption rate of 5 g/t. This reagent consumption allows to obtain a solid content in the sludge of 60.51% at a small specific area of sedimentation. The drain loss with this reagent is 15 g/m3. The drain loss without reagent is 40 g/m3., Международный научно-исследовательский журнал, Выпуск 5 (131) 2023

Background Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are exposed to overlapping cardiovascular risk factors. We hypothesized that CF is characterized by increased arterial stiffness and greater intima-media thickness (IMT). Methods This cross-sectional study assessed the digital volume pulse arterial stiffness index (SIDVP) using photopletysmography, measured intima-media complex thickness (IMT) at the common carotid artery, and obtained an extended set of clinical and atherosclerosis-related laboratory parameters. Results Fifty-five patients with moderate-to-severe CF (mean age 26.3±8.6 years, BMI 20.3±3.1 kg/m2, FEV1 62±26%) and 51 healthy controls (25.1±4.4 years, BMI 21.7±3.0 kg/m2) entered the study. SIDVP was greater in pancreatic insufficient (PI), but not pancreatic sufficient (PS) CF patients compared with control (7.3±1.8 m/s vs 6.0±1.2 m/s; p=7.1 × 10−5). IMT was increased in PS (but not PI) participants relative to control (552±69 µm vs 456±95 µm, p=0.0011). SIDVP was also greater in PI than in PS patients (7.3±1.8 m/s vs 6.3±1.7 m/s, p=0.0232) and IMT was higher in PS compared with PI (552±69 µm vs 453±82 µm, p=0.0002). SIDVP independently associated with age, PI, the lack of liver cirrhosis, and with Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization. PS was the only independent correlate of IMT in CF. Conclusions PI patients are at risk of developing general arterial stiffness. PS may relate to carotid IMT thickening, which underscores the need for further study that could lead to reconsideration of dietary guidance in PS CF.

Purpose The purpose of the study is to determine if a combination of dermal thickening and subcutaneous fluid honeycombing on non-contrast MRI, termed the dermal rim sign (DRS), can be diagnostically analogous to dermal backflow seen on lymphoscintigraphy in patients with secondary upper extremity lymphedema. Materials and methods Upper extremity MRI and lymphoscintigraphy were performed on patients referred to a multidisciplinary lymphedema clinic for suspicion of secondary lymphedema. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of DRS on MRI in detecting dermal backflow on lymphoscintigraphy and the correlation between DRS, Indocyanine Green (ICG) lymphography, bioimpedence L-Dex® ratio and MRI Lymphedema Staging were calculated. Weighted interobserver agreements on the presence and location of DRS on MRI were calculated. Results Of the 45 patients in the study, 91.1% (41/45) of patients had history of breast cancer. The average age was 58.4 ± 10.5 years, with a mean symptom duration of 4.7 ± 4.4 years. The mean BMI was 30.5 ± 7.0 kg/m2. Interobserver agreement on the presence and the extent of DRS on MRI was 0.93 [95% confidence-interval: 0.80–1]. DRS was present in 97% (32/33) of patients who demonstrated dermal backflow on lymphoscintigraphy. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of DRS were 96.6% [81.7%–99.9%], and 75.0% [47.6%–92.7%], 87.5% [74.9%–94.3%], and 92.3% [63.1%–98.8%]. DRS was associated with severity on ICG lymphography and bioimpedance (both p Conclusions DRS on non-contrast MRI is highly predictive of dermal backflow and correlates with clinical measures of lymphedema severity. DRS may be used as an independent diagnostic biomarker to identify patients who would benefit from dedicated exams.

This chapter describes the treatment of fine coal tailings from a coal preparation facility, starting from the acceptance of tailings, or fine raw coal, into a plant thickener, which concentrates the tailings as a slurry, and produces clarified water for recirculation to the process plant. The methods of disposal of the thickened slurry tailings are discussed, from the types of filtration technologies available, to new methods, including deep cone paste thickening. All these dewatering processes are designed to recirculate the maximum amount of water to the plant and offer alternatives for the tailings solids disposal to the older solution of pumping to tailings pond, or dam.

This chapter discusses current developments and latest applied solid–liquid separation technologies and equipment used for coal. It commences with a classification of the different solid–liquid separation technologies used and pre-treatment applied, such as thickening, coagulation and flocculation. It then describes all types of commonly used filters, including vacuum and pressure types, centrifuges such as vibrating basket, screen scroll, screen bowl and solid bowl types with their applications for different coal size fraction or coal tailings. An overview of non-mechanical technologies such as coal drying is given before the chapter closes with a discussion on the emerging and future trends in solid–liquid separation within the coal industry.

Настоящая работа выполнена специалистами фирмы «Инжиниринг Доберсек ГмбХ» в рамках проекта «Строительство закрытого склада концентрата», который предусматривает два технологических передела: сгущение и фильтрование. Концентратная пульпа из трех флотационных отделений обогатительных фабрик Полтавского ГОКа по пульпопроводам подается в сгуститель, где она без флокулянта сгущается до 60% и специальными центробежными насосами перекачивается в усреднительную емкость, из которой материал распределяется по камерным фильтр-прессам ФКМ-500. Обезвоженный осадок конвейерами направляется на участок окомкования и далее в обжиговую печь или транспортируется на закрытый склад. Дано описание технологического комплекса обезвоживания флитоконцентрата и приведены технико-экономические показатели его работы. Описаны пилотные испытания сгущения концентратной пульпы. Приведен технологический расчет и выбор сгустителя. Представлены результаты приемочных испытаний и комплексного опробования высокоскоростного сгустителя HRT-32, установленного для сгущения флотоконцентрата трех отделений флотаций обогатительных фабрик комбината с последующим обезвоживанием сгущенного продукта на пресс-фильтрах ФКП-500. Содержание твердого в питании сгустителя – 20%, в сгущенном продукте – 60%, чистота слива менее 1000 мг/л. Производительность по исходной концентратной пульпе – 1600 м3/ч, по твердому – 400 т/ч., Бұл жұмысты «Инжиниринг Доберсек ГмбХ» фирмасының мамандары екі технологиялық қайта бөлуді көздейтін «жабық концентрат қоймасын салу» жобасы шеңберінде орындады: қоюлату және сүзу. Полтава КБК байыту фабрикаларының үш флотациялық бөлімшелерінен алынған концентрат целлюлозасы целлюлоза құбырлары арқылы қоюландырғышқа беріледі, онда ол флокулянтсыз 60%-ға дейін қалыңдатылады және арнайы орталықтан тепкіш сорғылармен орташа сыйымдылыққа айдалады, одан материал фкм-500 камералық сүзгі престері бойынша таратылады. Сусыздандырылған тұнба конвейерлермен шұңқырлау учаскесіне және одан әрі күйдіру пешіне жіберіледі немесе жабық қоймаға тасымалданады. Флотоконцентратты сусыздандырудың технологиялық кешенінің сипаттамасы берілген және оның жұмысының техникалық-экономикалық көрсеткіштері келтірілген. Концентрлі целлюлозаның қоюлануының пилоттық сынақтары сипатталған. Технологиялық есептеу және қоюландырғышты таңдау берілген. Қабылдау сынақтарының нәтижелері және ФКП-500 пресс-сүзгілерінде қоюландырылған өнімді кейіннен сусыздандыра отырып, комбинаттың байыту фабрикалары флотацияларының үш бөлімшесінің флотоконцентратын қоюлату үшін орнатылған жоғары жылдамдықты HRT-32 қоюландырғышын кешенді сынау ұсынылды. Қатты қоюландырғыштың қоректік құрамы – 20 %, қоюландырылған өнімде 60%, ағызу тазалығы 1000 мг/л – ден аз. бастапқы концентрат целлюлозасы бойынша Өнімділік – 1600 м3/сағ, қатты өнімділік –400 т/сағ., This work was carried out by specialists of Engineering Dobersek GmbH within the framework of the project «Construction of a closed concentrate warehouse», which provides for two technological stages: thickening and filtration. Pulp concentrate from three flotation departments of the processing plants of the Poltava GOK is fed through sludge pipelines to a thickener, where it is condensed to 60% without flocculant and pumped by special centrifugal pumps into an equalizing tank, from which the material is distributed through chamber filter presses FKM-500. The dehydrated sludge enters the granulation zone, and then is disposed of or transported to a closed warehouse. The description of the technological complex for dewatering the fleet before receiving the concentrate is given and the technical and economic indicators of its operation are given. Pilot tests of concentrate pulp thickening are described. The technological calculation and selection of the thickener are given. The results of acceptance tests and complex testing of the HRT-32 high-speed thickener installed for thickening the flotation concentrate of three flotation departments of the processing plants of the combine with subsequent dehydration of the condensed product on the FKP-500 press filters are presented. The solid content of the thickener in the diet is 20%, in the condensed product 60%, the purity of the drain is less than 1000 mg/l. The capacity for the initial concentrate pulp is 1600 m3/h, for solid pulp – 400 t/h., Горный журнал Казахстана, Выпуск 5 (2017) 2023, Pages 54-59

Приведен гранулометрический состав хвостов обогощения компании ЮГОК и исходные характеристики хвостовой пульпы. Изложена методика и приборное оформление лабораторных и пилотных исследований сгущения хвостовой пульпы в скоростном режиме. Описан состав и принцип работы технологического комплекса сгущения, а также порядок запуска в эксплуатацию комплекса сгущения хвостовой пульпы. Приведены достигнутые технические показатели сгустителя HRT-62. В работе по запуску и наладке комплекса приняли участие профильные специалисты (инженеры-механики, системотехники, гидротехники, электрики комбината ЮГОК и ряда зарубежных фирм). Представлены результаты приемочных испытаний и комплексного опробования комплекса сгущения на основе высокоскоростных сгустителей HRT-62, которые при работе на хвостовой пульпе ЮГОКа подтвердили проектные технологические показатели по удельной нагрузке (0,4- 0,45 т/(м2·ч), уплотнению осадка до 57-63%, чистоте слива менее 150 мг/л. Комплекс сгущения обеспечивает процент водооборота на уровне 95%. Реализация данного проекта позволяет организовать внутрифабричный водооборот, при котором максимальное использование оборотных вод достигается сгущением хвостовой пульпы в сгустителях HRT-62 до содержания твердого 57- 63% и применением осветленной воды для технологических целей, ОТКБК компаниясының байыту құйрықтарының гранулометриялық құрамы және құйрық целлюлозасының бастапқы сипаттамалары келтірілген. Құйрық целлюлозасын жылдамдық режимінде қоюлатудың зертханалық және пилоттық зерттеулерінің әдістемесі мен аспаптық дизайны көрсетілген. Қоюландырудың технологиялық кешенінің құрамы мен жұмыс принципі, сондай-ақ құйрық целлюлозасын қоюландыру кешенін пайдалануға беру тәртібі сипатталған. HR-62 қоюландырғышының қол жеткізілген техникалық көрсеткіштері келтірілген. Кешенді іске қосу және баптау жұмыстарына бейінді мамандар (инженер-механиктер, жүйелік техниктер, гидротехниктер, ОТКБК комбинатының электриктері және бірқатар шетелдік фирмалар) қатысты. Қабылдау сынақтарының нәтижелері және HRT-62 жоғары жылдамдықты Қоюландырғыштар негізінде қоюландыру кешенін кешенді сынау ұсынылды, олар ОТКБК-ның құйрық целлюлозасында жұмыс істеген кезде меншікті жүктеме (0,4-0,45 т/(м2·сағ), тұнбаны 57-63% дейін тығыздау, ағызу тазалығы 150 мг/л-ден аз жобалық технологиялық көрсеткіштерді растады. қоюландыру кешені су айналымының пайызын 95% деңгейінде қамтамасыз етеді. Бұл жобаны іске асыру зауытішілік су айналымын ұйымдастыруға мүмкіндік береді, бұл ретте айналымдағы суларды барынша пайдалануға HRT-62 қоюлатқыштарындағы құйрық целлюлозасын қатты 57-63%-ға дейін қоюлату және технологиялық мақсаттар үшін тазартылған суды қолдану арқылы қол жеткізіледі, The granulometric composition of the tailings of the SM&PP enrichment company and the initial characteristics of the tail pulp are given. The methodology and instrumentation design of laboratory and pilot studies of tail pulp thickening in high-speed mode are described. The composition and principle of operation of the technological thickening complex, as well as the procedure for commissioning the tail pulp thickening complex, are described. The achieved technical indicators of the HRT-62 thickener are given. Specialized specialists (mechanical engineers, system engineers, hydraulic engineers, electricians of the SM&PP combine and a number of foreign companies) took part in the work on the launch and commissioning of the complex.The results of acceptance tests and complex testing of the thickening complex based on HRT-62 high-speed thickeners, which, when working on the tail pulp of the tank, confirmed the design technological indicators for specific load (0.4-0.45 t/(m2·h), sediment compaction up to 57-63%, drain purity less than 150 mg/l, are presented. The condensation complex provides a percentage of water turnover at the level of 95%. The implementation of this project makes it possible to organize an intra-factory water circulation, in which the maximum use of circulating water is achieved by thickening the tail pulp in HRT-62 thickeners to a solid content of 57-63% and using clarified water for technological purposes., Горный журнал Казахстана, Выпуск 4 (2016) 2023, Pages 42-47

Background: Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are fibre-like nanomaterials whose structural similarity to asbestos has raised concerns that they may also pose a mesothelioma hazard. The objective of this study was to examine the inflammatory potential of three CNT samples of differing length on the lungs and pleural cavity following introduction into the airspaces of mice. ResultsAspiration of the two short/tangled and one long CNT sample into the lungs of mice resulted in a length-dependent inflammatory response at 1 week, i.e., only the long CNT sample caused acute neutrophilic inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage at 1 week and progressive thickening of the alveolar septa. The authors also report length-dependent inflammatory responses in the pleural lavage after exposure only to the long CNT. The inflammatory response in the pleural cavity to long fibres and the appearance of lesions along the chest wall and diaphragm was not present at 1 week and only evident by 6 weeks post-exposure. Conclusion: Length-dependent pathogenicity is a feature of asbestos and the results presented in this study demonstrate similar length-dependent pathogenicity of CNT in the lungs and pleural space following airspace deposition. The data support the contention that long CNT reach the pleura from the airspaces, and that they are retained at the parietal pleura and cause inflammation and lesion development. The parietal pleura is the site of origin of mesothelioma and inflammation is considered to be a process involved in asbestos carcinogenesis and so the data support the contention that CNT may pose an asbestos-like mesothelioma hazard.

A 24-year-old young man presented to us with total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) in the right eye 1 year post ocular chemical burn. The patient subsequently underwent limbal biopsy in the healthy contralateral eye and autologous simple limbal epithelial transplantation in the right eye. The patient was followed up with sequential imaging of the cornea with high-resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography (HR-ASOCT) for 3 years. The serial HR-ASOCT imaging in the operated eye showed regeneration of the epithelium from the limbal transplant over the human amniotic membrane (hAM) with integration of the transplant within the cornea with subepithelial retention of the hAM. Over the long-term follow-up, thinning of the hAM and thickening of the epithelium was noted. At 3 years, the cornea maintained an intact epithelium with no signs of recurrence of LSCD.

Electrolyzed waters, containing mainly hypochlorous acid, are used in dental practice because of their high microbicidal effect. For wider use, three neutral electrolyzed water-based gels, namely, HOCl-containing aqueous gels were prepared with a thickening/gelling agent in this study. We evaluated their microbicidal effects against four strains and storage stabilities indicated by available chlorine concentration. Immediately after preparation, all gels (70 ppm) could completely remove microbes by a 3-min treatment. The gel prepared with xanthan gum remarkably reduced its available chlorine concentration even under shaded and refrigerated storage conditions, failing to maintain its microbicidal effect following 1-day storage, whereas other gels, prepared with carboxyvinyl polymer or agar, maintained effective concentration (>20 ppm), with high microbicidal effects following 9-day and 21-day storage, respectively. Neutral electrolyzed water-based gels might be useful to remove oral microbes. Based on our results, agar is the most suitable thickening/gelling agent from the viewpoint of storage stability.

To directly compare and describe the differences between juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients and pediatric controls regarding features of the synovial and tenosynovial membrane on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the wrist. T1-weighted contrast-enhanced MRI scans of 25 JIA patients with clinically active wrist arthritis and 25 children without a history of joint complaints nor any clinical signs of joint inflammation were evaluated by two readers blinded to clinical data. The synovium was scored at five anatomical sites based on thickening of the synovium (0–3 scale) and synovial enhancement (0–2 scale). Thickening and/or enhancement of the tenosynovium was scored at four anatomical sites using a 0–3 scale. Significantly higher scores for synovial thickening (median 4 vs. 1, p p p = 0.220). This study highlights the higher synovial thickening/enhancement scores on contrast-enhanced MRI of the wrist in JIA patients compared to pediatric controls. Tenosynovial thickening and/or enhancement was rarely present in both groups. In JIA patients, synovial thickening and enhancement were particularly present at three anatomical sites. These results substantially support rheumatologists and radiologists when navigating through MRI of the wrist in search for JIA disease activity.

Background The relationship between the diaphragm thickening fraction and the transdiaphragmatic pressure, the reference method to evaluate the diaphragm function, has not been clearly established. This study investigated the global and intraindividual relationship between the thickening fraction of the diaphragm and the transdiaphragmatic pressure. The authors hypothesized that the diaphragm thickening fraction would be positively and significantly correlated to the transdiaphragmatic pressure, in both healthy participants and ventilated patients. Methods Fourteen healthy individuals and 25 mechanically ventilated patients (enrolled in two previous physiologic investigations) participated in the current study. The zone of apposition of the right hemidiaphragm was imaged simultaneously to transdiaphragmatic pressure recording within different breathing conditions, i.e., external inspiratory threshold loading in healthy individuals and various pressure support settings in patients. A blinded offline breath-by-breath analysis synchronously computed the changes in transdiaphragmatic pressure, the diaphragm pressure-time product, and diaphragm thickening fraction. Global and intraindividual relationships between variables were assessed. Results In healthy subjects, both changes in transdiaphragmatic pressure and diaphragm pressure-time product were moderately correlated to diaphragm thickening fraction (repeated measures correlation = 0.40, P < 0.0001; and repeated measures correlation = 0.38, P < 0.0001, respectively). In mechanically ventilated patients, changes in transdiaphragmatic pressure and thickening fraction were weakly correlated (repeated measures correlation = 0.11, P = 0.008), while diaphragm pressure-time product and thickening fraction were not (repeated measures correlation = 0.04, P = 0.396). Individually, changes in transdiaphragmatic pressure and thickening fraction were significantly correlated in 8 of 14 healthy subjects (ρ = 0.30 to 0.85, all P < 0.05) and in 2 of 25 mechanically ventilated patients (ρ = 0.47 to 0.64, all P < 0.05). Diaphragm pressure-time product and thickening fraction correlated in 8 of 14 healthy subjects (ρ = 0.41 to 0.82, all P < 0.02) and in 2 of 25 mechanically ventilated patients (ρ = 0.63 to 0.66, all P < 0.01). Conclusions Overall, diaphragm function as assessed with transdiaphragmatic pressure was weakly related to diaphragm thickening fraction. The diaphragm thickening fraction should not be used in healthy subjects or ventilated patients when changes in diaphragm function are evaluated. Editor’s Perspective What We Already Know about This Topic What This Article Tells Us That Is New

Background Keloids are benign fibrous tumors derived by excessive proliferation of fibroblasts and collagen synthesis after an injury, and they do not regress spontaneously. Earlobes keloids may develop either on the helix or on the anterior or posterior lobe, up to several years after piercing. Aims To evaluate the effectiveness of a combined protocol of CO2 laser + dye laser versus CO2 laser + dye laser + Enerjet. Methods Eighty patients with a total of 83 ear keloids were divided in two groups: One group has been treated in the same session with a single CO2 laser procedure + a pulsed Dye laser procedure; the second group has been treated as the group one with an adjunctive Enerjet procedure. Results Of the 40 patients for a total of 41 treated keloids in the first group, 85.4% of keloids did not recur during a follow-up period (3 months-7 years), 14.6% of the lesions recurred (6/41) with mild thickening of the scar and underwent to further treatments. The second group (40 patients, 42 keloids) results showed a 90.5% of keloids which did not recur during a follow-up period (3 months-2 years), while 9.5% of the lesions recurred (4/42) with mild thickening of the scar and underwent to further treatments. Conclusions Lasers demonstrated a synergistic effect when combined together and an excellent outcome has been obtained in the 88% of treated lesions, with a slighter higher prevalence of excellent outcome of the group treated with a further procedure with Enerjet.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare malignant tumor with peritoneal thickening. Tuberculous peritonitis also shows peritoneal thickening, so differentiating between the two is important but difficult if latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is present. We herein report a patient with MPM and LTBI. A 79-year-old man was diagnosed with peritoneal thickening on computed tomography. Interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) results were positive, suggesting tuberculous peritonitis. He underwent a laparoscopic omental biopsy and was diagnosed with MPM, which can occur together with LTBI. If peritoneal thickening is observed, an IGRA should be performed early, and the possibility of LTBI should be considered.

Purpose To assess changes in outer retinal layer (ORL) thickness before the development of exudative macular neovascularization (MNV) in eyes with age-related macular degeneration. Design Retrospective observational case series. Methods Eyes with age-related macular degeneration that eventually developed exudative MNV followed with sequential optical coherence tomography for ≥2 years before the exudation occurred were enrolled. The ORL thickness was automatically calculated by the optical coherence tomography software for each sector of the early treatment diabetic retinopathy study map at each follow-up visit. The ORL thickness change from baseline to the day when the exudative MNV developed was compared between sectors that eventually developed exudative MNV and those that did not. Results Forty-seven eyes (47 patients) were included. At baseline (24 ± 3 months before exudative MNV), mean (standard deviation) ORL thickness of sectors that eventually developed exudative MNV was similar to that of sectors that did not (85.2 [8.2] µm vs 86.8 [5.7] µm, P = .08). ORL thickness significantly increased in sectors that developed exudative MNV compared with those that did not (+5.8 [10.4] µm vs −2.8 [3.6] µm, P Conclusion Thickening of the ORL begins in the area where exudative MNV will develop long before the exudation, accelerating significantly in the last 2 months. The occurrence of exudative MNV could be predicted by 2 months using this simple analysis.

Gravity thickening by deep cone thickener is popularly applied in cemented paste backfill, which is essential for tailings management and green mining. To avoid rake bogging, high concentration and high flowability are required for thickened tailings slurry. These properties depend critically on the yield stress of the slurry. The yield stress, in turn, can be influenced by the flocculant dosage and the acidity (pH) that form the flocculation condition. Experiments have been performed to eventually quantify the dependence of yield stress on these two variables. The yield stress test of flocculated and thickened copper mineral tailings slurry, and the analysis of flocculant adsorption, were conducted at different pH values and flocculant dosages. It turns out that the amount of flocculant adsorbed on the tailings particles surface has a maximum with respect to pH but increases with the increasing flocculant dosage. In turn, the amount of flocculant adsorbed affects the yield stress, a macroscopic property of the slurry, through the total interactions (microscopic) between polymer-coated tailings particles. Bridging interaction is essential for total interactions. It is obtained that the yield stress varies analogously to the absolute of the minimum value of the total interactions at different pH values and flocculant dosages. Therefore, interparticle interactions should be adjusted by control pH and flocculant dosage to achieve high-concentration and high-flowability underflow to avoid rake bogging in a deep cone thickener.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to compare the results of the RT-PCR test, with the findings of Chest CT and to determine the features of CT for the diagnosis of COVID-19 and how to approach RT-PCR negative patients. MATERIAL METHOD: Chest CT findings of 569 COVID-19 diagnosed patients, followed up at the pandemic wards between March and June 2020 were retrospectively examined. Patients were grouped according to RT-PCR results, gender, and age. RESULTS: 284 (49%) were RT-PCR(+), 285 (50.8%) were RT-PCR(-) of total 569 patients. 11 (1.9%) of RT-PCR(+) had no involvement in Chest CT while all the RT-PCR(-) patients were CT(+). The distribution of lesions in CT were; 544 (95.6%) bilateral, 553 (97.2%) multilobar, 557(98%) peripherally 151 (26.5%) posteriorly localized. The most common findings were; 539 (94.7%) ground-glass opacity (GGO), 365 (64.1%) consolidation, 160 (28.1%) crazy paving interlobular septal thickening. CO-RADS mean value was 5.4 ± 0.7. GGO and reticulation in RT-PCR(-) patients were 280 (98.2%) and 24 (8.4%); while they were 259 (91.2%) and 12 (4.2%) in RT-PCR(+) patients, were significantly higher (p

Background: Harlequin ichthyosis is an uncommon, extreme type of skin issue related with gigantic thickening of skin over whole body. The primary case was accounted for in 1750 by Reverend Oliver Hart. The general occurrence is 1 out of 300,000 births. Around 200 cases have been accounted for all through the world. In 1984, a newborn child with this issue was brought into the world in Pakistan and the child lived till 2008. One more such birth was recorded in the USA in 1994. As of late, one case was accounted for in June 2016 at Nagpur, India. A Harlequin child was brought into the world to a youthful couple in Lata Mangeshkar Hospital. Objectives: To assess the existing knowledge regarding Harlequin Ichthyosis among P.B.Bsc nursing students. To assess the effectiveness of planned teaching on knowledge regarding Harlequin Ichthyosis among P.B.Bsc nursing students. To associate the post-test knowledge regarding Harlequin Ichthyosis among P.B.Bsc nursing students with selected demographic variables. Materials and Methods: A one group pre-test and post-test research design study will undertaken to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching on knowledge regarding harlequin ichthyosis among P.B.B.Sc nursing students of selected colleges. Expected Results: There will be significant association between pre-test and post-test knowledge regarding Harlequin ichthyosis among P.B.Bsc nursing students.

A 70-year-old Caucasian male was referred to the Rheumatology Clinic for an abnormal computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrating thickening of large and medium sized arterial vessels associated with a high sedimentation rate.

All bioprosthetic valves, both surgical and transcatheter, have a finite lifespan before their leaflets inevitably degenerate, leading to stenosis or regurgitation. As younger, low-risk patients receive a transcatheter aortic valve, it is expected that they will most likely outlive their bioprosthetic valve. The heterogeneity of studies regarding surgical valve durability makes the interpretation of the data challenging. Leaflet thickening is seen in transcatheter heart valves but currently there is no evidence that it leads to premature valve deterioration or clinical events. Standardized definitions of structural valve deterioration should allow for comparisons between future clinical trials to assess the durability of different transcatheter heart valves.

Background Left ventricular (LV) wall thickening occurs in patients following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Clinical consequences of cardiovascular (CV) remodeling may be more significant younger patients with longer anticipated life spans. Risk factors for CV remodeling following TEVAR are unknown but may be related to graft size. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of a multicenter healthcare system including patients aged ≤60 who underwent TEVAR between 2011 and 2019 with at least 1 year follow-up computed tomography angiography imaging available. Standard perioperative variables, native aortic diameter, and stent graft specifications were collected. Graft oversizing was calculated by dividing proximal graft diameter by proximal aortic diameter on preoperative imaging. Posterior LV wall thickness was measured at baseline and interval increases were normalized to time-to-follow-up. Primary outcome was annual rate of posterior LV wall thickening. Results One hundred one patients met inclusion criteria with a mean (SD) follow-up time of 1270 (693) days. Overall mean (SD) rate of LV wall thickness change was 0.534 (0.750) mm per year. Mean (SD) absolute LV wall thickness at most recent follow-up was 10.97 (2.85) mm for men, 9.69 (2.03) mm for women. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that higher rates of LV wall thickening were associated with narrower graft diameters (P = 0.0311). Greater absolute LV wall thickness at follow-up was associated with narrower grafts (P= 0.0155) and greater graft oversizing (P= 0.0376). Logistic regression demonstrated individuals who met criteria for LV hypertrophy were more likely to have narrower stent-grafts (P= 0.00798) and greater graft oversizing (P= 0.0315). Conclusions LV wall thickening occurred to a greater degree in individuals with narrower stent-grafts and higher rates of graft oversizing. This has significant implications for long-term cardiovascular health in younger patients may undergo TEVAR for atypical indications. Particular attention should be paid to long-term effects of stent-graft oversizing when selecting grafts in such populations.

Collaboration between constructional materials is the basis for superior structural performance. The inherent inferior properties of recycled aggregate concrete weaken the bond performance with steel tubes. This study investigated several methods to enhance the bond behavior between recycled aggregate concrete and steel tubes, for instance adding steel fibers, adjusting the water-binder ratio, introducing expansive cement, and thickening the steel tube. A repeated push-out test for 36 specimens was also conducted. The experimental results demonstrate that the undesirable impacts of recycled aggregate on the bond strength are offset by steel fibers and self-stress. Adding steel fibers simultaneously delays the decrease in bond strength during cycle loading. The benefit of self-stress relies on the steel tube thickness. The thicker steel tube is, the more remarkable the benefit becomes. Meanwhile, a predicted formulas is proposed, and gives the reasonable prediction of the bond strength between recycled aggregate concrete and steel tube.

We examined the influence of liquid thickness levels on the frequency of liquid penetration-aspiration in patients with dysphagia and evaluated the clinical risk factors for penetration-aspiration and aspiration pneumonia development.A case series.Single-institution academic center.We reviewed medical charts from 2018 to 2019. First, we evaluated whether liquid thickness levels influence the frequency of liquid penetration-aspiration in patients with dysphagia. Penetration-aspiration occurrence in a videofluoroscopic swallowing study was defined as Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) scores ≥3. Second, the association between liquid thickness level and penetration-aspiration was analyzed, and clinical risk factors were identified. Moreover, clinical risk factors for aspiration pneumonia development within 6 months were investigated.Of 483 patients, 159 showed penetration-aspiration. The thickening of liquids significantly decreased the incidence of penetration-aspiration (Thickening of liquids can reduce the incidence of penetration-aspiration. Vocal fold paralysis, impaired laryngeal sensation, and history of aspiration pneumonia are significant risk factors of penetration-aspiration. Poor performance status, PAS score ≥3, and history of aspiration pneumonia are significantly associated with aspiration pneumonia development following recommendations on thickening liquids.3.

The thickening management index for food for dysphagia is important in enabling recognition of the rheological properties of thickened liquids, including their static and dynamic properties. One of the static properties of these liquids is the yield stress. An improvement to the simplified inclined plane test is proposed here that involves use of an automatic system for measurement of the displacements of thickened liquids on an inclined plate. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the displacements of the thickened liquids and the variable thickener concentrations using an optical sensor. To measure the displacement of each thickened liquid on a clear inclined plate, an optical sensor that has a 12-mm-long light receiving surface is selected to form a one-dimensional position-sensitive detector (1D-PSD) under the clear inclined plate. The relationship between the angle of inclination of the plate θ at which the maximum voltage occurred in the 1D-PSD and five thickener (xanthan gum) concentrations c, ranging from 1.0 to 3.0 wt% in steps of 0.5 wt%, was investigated. It was confirmed that an approximately linear plot was obtained under the condition that θ = 8.24 c + 0.18, with the correlation R = .99 (for n = 7). This result indicated that the optical sensor composed of the 1D-PSD can measure the displacements of thickened liquids with various thickener concentrations on the clear inclined plate automatically.