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Abstract: This study evaluated rheological properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE) modified asphalts using conventional methods (penetration, softening point and rotational viscosity) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). In addition, Marshall Properties and moisture damage of mixtures from these asphalts and four aggregates were studied using ASTM D1559 and ASTM D4867. LDPE modification improved asphalt temperature susceptibility. Practical LDPE dosages obtained were 2.5% and 3.0% (w/w) for 60/70 and 80/100 asphalts, respectively. LDPE addition slowed down approach of asphalt to a pure viscous liquid while increasing complex modulus at high temperature. The modified asphalts exhibited pseudo-plasticity and LDPE reduced shear susceptibilities of 60/70 and 80/100 asphalts by 16% and 34%, respectively. Modified mixtures exhibited stability increase to a maximum followed by a decrease possibly because of stretching of asphalt by LDPE. The total voids in mix remained within 3-5% for LDPE dosages between 0 and 3%. Limestone mixtures resisted moisture damage, while pumice behavior was asphalt specific. Neat granite and quartzite mixtures did not resist moisture damage though LDPE made them resistant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), lymphocele formation is a troublesome complication. The use of peritoneal flaps has emerged as a promising novel technique to tackle this complication. We explored this technique by suturing both the medial peritoneal flaps to each other and keeping them distracted so that the lymphadenectomy beds are left wide open., Objective: To assess the efficacy of our peritoneal distraction technique on lymphocele rates following Retzius-sparing RARP., Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included patients with localized prostate carcinoma who underwent Retzius-sparing RARP with standard pelvic lymph node dissection between May 2014 and September 2022 at Aster Medcity, Kochi, India. Based on the use of the technique, patients were divided into two groups: peritoneal distraction and closed groups. Both groups were matched using the propensity scoring method in a 1:1 ratio., Results: A total of 272 patients were included, of which 89 (32.7%) belonged to the peritoneal distraction group. Although the overall incidence of lymphocele between the two groups were comparable, none of the patients in the peritoneal distraction group required any intervention for lymphocele management, as opposed to 7 patients from the closed group (3.9%; P = 0.015). No significant association was found between lymphocele formation and serum prostate-specific antigen level, Gleason score, and the number of lymph nodes harvested., Conclusions: This study found that peritoneal distraction stitch is a simple and effective technique to reduce the incidence of symptomatic lymphocele that require intervention after Retzius-sparing RARP., Competing Interests: None., (Copyright: © 2024 Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences.)

Introduction: triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a reliable surrogate marker of insulin resistance. We assessed the association between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and vascular risk factors and clinical outcomes of critically ill adult COVID-19 patients., Methods: data from the charts of all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 who were hospitalized at Mengo Hospital Uganda from December 2020 to August 2021 was used for this study. Data on demographics, past medical history, clinical presentation, laboratory findings and clinical outcomes within the first 10 days of admission was extracted. TyG index was calculated as Inverse (triglyceride (mg/dl) x fasting glucose level (mg/dl)/2 and defined vascular risk factors using standard methods. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was conducted to establish a significant association. Statistical significance was set at p< 0.05., Results: out of 314 patients, 176 (56%) were females. The mean age ± SD was 58.2 years ± 16.82. The median TyG index was 9.76 (9.29-10.33). A high TyG index was found among 85.4% (n= 268, 95% CI: 0.809-0.889) of patients. Elevated total cholesterol was in 55.4% (n=174), triglycerides 70.7% (n=222), LDL 64.7% (n=203), blood glucose 80.6% (n=253), systolic blood pressure 43% (n=135) and 24.8% (n=78) diastolic blood pressure. The majority 49.7% ( n=156) were discharged, 22.0% (n=69) needed admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), 15.3% (n=48) died in the unit and 13.0% (n=41) had a composite outcome. The TyG index was significantly associated with glycated hemoglobin (AOR=1.029, 95%CI 0.561-1.496, p<0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (AOR=0.121,95%CI 0.023-0.219, p=0.016), high-density cholesterol (AOR=1.956, 95%CI 1.299-2.945, p=0.001), total cholesterol (AOR=2.177, 95%CI 1.5222-3.144, p<0.001, hospital death (AOR=0.778, 95%CI 0.623-0.972, p=0.028) and composite outcome (AOR=1.823, 95% CI 1.221-2.559, p=0.023). There was no association between hypertension and TyG index., Conclusion: a high TyG index was associated with vascular risk factors and clinical outcomes., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright: William Lumu et al.)