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Conventional Procedures (conventional + procedure)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	43%
Life Sciences	12%
Engineering	12%

Selected Abstracts

Efficient and sensitive method of DNA silver staining in polyacrylamide gels

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 1 2005
Lujiang Qu
Abstract DNA silver staining is widely used to detect DNA fragment in polyacrylamide gel with high sensitivity. Conventional procedures of the silver staining involve several steps, which take about 40 min to 2 h in total. To improve the efficiency of DNA silver staining, a more efficient protocol is developed in this study. The procedure comprises only four steps including impregnating, rinsing, developing, and stopping, and could be completed within 20 min. Nitric acid and ethanol in the silver-impregnation step of the new procedure eliminates the need for prior treatment of gels with a fixing solution and following rinse prior to impregnation with silver. The procedure has high sensitivity and long storage lifetime. The minimum detectable mass of DNA is 0.44 and 3.5 ng in denaturing and nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel, respectively. [source]

Surgical Treatment of Chronic Gluteal Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Reused Skin Graft Technique

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 2 2003
Hung-wen Kuo MD
BACKGROUND The treatment of chronic lesions in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) remains a challenge for dermatologists. In most cases, wide surgical excision of the affected skin reduces the recurrence rate to a minimum. Split-thickness skin grafts have usually been applied to resurface large postoperative defects. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to introduce an alternative method of skin grafting, called "reused" or "recycled" skin graft, for the reconstruction of the large skin defect with chronic gluteal HS. METHODS The study consisted of six patients (two females and four males) with gluteal HS. After a wide en bloc excision, the wound was immediately recovered with meshed-skin graft, made from the resected skin itself. Thus, the sacrifice of the skin donor is spared. The drum dermatome (Padgett-Hood) is suitable to take the split-skin graft from the resected skin of the affected buttock. The thickness of grafts was set between 12/1,000 and 20/1,000 inches, and all grafts were meshed with 1.5 times the expansion. The skin grafts were secured in place on the wound and a tie-over dressing was applied. RESULTS Postoperative complications were usually minor ones, such as hematoma, discharge, and small areas of graft skin necrosis (less than 1 cm2), although one patient developed a 3×4 cm2 graft necrosis and wound infection. The follow-up period after surgery ranged from 8 to 36 months. No patient experienced any functional disabilities or recurrence during follow-up years. CONCLUSION When the epidermal involvement remains mild to moderate, this reused skin graft technique is an alternative choice to resurface the surgical defect of gluteal HS. It is superior to the conventional procedure, which requires fresh skin donor site. [source]

Oxime Carbonates: Novel Reagents for the Introduction of Fmoc and Alloc Protecting Groups, Free of Side Reactions

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 17 2010
Sherine N. Khattab
Abstract Fmoc and Alloc protecting groups represent a consistent alternative to classical Boc protection in peptide chemistry. The former was established in the last decades as the ,-amino protecting group of choice, whereas the latter allows a fully orthogonal protection strategy with Fmoc and Boc. Usually, the introduction of the Fmoc and Alloc moieties takes place through their halogenoformates, azides, or activated carbonates. This rather simple reaction is accompanied by several side reactions, specially the formation of Fmoc/Alloc dipeptides and even tripeptides. The present work describes new promising Fmoc/Alloc-oxime reagents, which are easy to prepare, stable, and highly reactive crystalline materials that afford almost contaminant-free Fmoc/Alloc-amino acids in high yields by following a conventional procedure. Amongst the Fmoc-oxime derivatives, the N -hydroxypicolinimidoyl cyanide derivative (N -{[(9H-fluoren-9-yl)methoxy]carbonyloxy}picolinimidoyl cyanide) gave the best results for the preparation of Fmoc-Gly-OH, which is the most predisposed to give side reactions. The same Alloc-oxime analogue afforded the preparation of Alloc-Gly-OH in good yield, purity, and extremely low dipeptide formation, as analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC and NMR spectroscopy. [source]

Functional outcomes of transoral laser surgery of supraglottic carcinoma compared with a transcervical approach

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 8 2004
Rubén Cabanillas MD
Abstract Background. Several functional advantages have been described for the transoral laser supraglottic laryngectomy as compared with open techniques. However, comparative studies have been rarely performed. Methods. Functional results in 26 patients treated with a transoral approach were retrospectively compared with those of a comparable series of 26 patients who underwent a transcervical approach. Results. The only significant differences found between the two groups were a lesser number of temporary tracheotomies and a shorter time of removal of the nasogastric tube in the laser group. No significant differences were found in the incidence of postoperative complications, hospital stay, and swallowing capacity. Conclusions. The rate of functional problems after transoral laser surgery did not greatly decrease compared with the rate after the conventional procedure. The mayor advantage of the transoral approach was the lower incidence of temporary tracheotomies. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck26: 653,659, 2004 [source]

Fluid dynamic numerical simulation coupled with heat transfer and reaction in the tubular reactor of industrial cracking furnaces

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 4 2010
Chufu Li
Abstract The thermal cracking furnace is the heart of the ethylene production process in a petrochemical plant. This paper presents a comprehensive mathematical model containing equations for mass, momentum and heat transfer combined with Kumar molecular kinetic model to describe dynamic behaviors of fluid flow, heat transfer and reaction in the tubular reactor of thermal cracking furnaces. The ,flow-reaction' decomposition strategy is adopted to solve the complex model for implementing the fluid dynamic simulation coupled with heat transfer and reaction in the tubular reactor by a conventional procedure. The proposed mathematical model and the decomposition algorithm are successfully applied to the fluid dynamic simulation in the tubular reactor of a millisecond industrial cracking furnace. The results of dynamic simulation reveal the various transient behaviors of fluid flow, temperature change and species content variation in the tubular reactor under the step disturbance of inlet feedrate. Finally, the performance of the decomposition algorithm is also investigated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Electroanatomic Versus Fluoroscopic Mapping for Catheter Ablation Procedures:

JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2004
A Prospective Randomized Study
Introduction: The aim of this prospective randomized study was to compare the routine use of electroanatomic imaging (CARTO) with that of conventional fluoroscopically guided activation mapping (conventional) in an unselected population referred for catheter ablation. We sought to compare the two approaches with respect to procedure outcome and duration, radiation exposure, and cost. Methods and Results: All patients undergoing catheter ablation (with the exception of complete AV nodal ablation) were prospectively randomized to either a CARTO or conventional procedure for mapping and ablation. One hundred two patients were randomized. Acute procedural success was similar with either strategy (CARTO vs conventional 43/47 vs 51/55, P > 0.5), as was procedure duration (144 [58] vs 125 [48] min, P = 0.07 (mean [SD]). CARTO was associated with a substantial reduction in fluoroscopy time (9.3 [7.6] vs 28.8 [19.5] min, P < 0.001) and radiation dose (6.2 [6.1] vs 20.8 [32.7] Gray, P = 0.003). CARTO cases used fewer catheters (2.5 [0.7] vs 4.4 [1.1], P < 0.001), but catheter costs were higher (13.8 vs 9.3 units, P < 0.001, where one unit is equivalent to the cost of a nonsteerable quadripolar catheter). Conclusion: For all catheter ablation procedures, even when a center's "learning curve" for CARTO is included, procedure duration and outcome are similar for CARTO and conventional procedures. CARTO is associated with drastically reduced fluoroscopy time and radiation dose. Although fewer catheters are used with CARTO, catheter costs remain higher. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 15, pp. 310-315, March 2004) [source]

One way to ventilate patients during fibreoptic intubation

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2001
P. Slots
Occasionally anaesthesiologists find themselves in situations where ventilation during intubation with a fibreoptic bronchoscope (FOB) is desirable. In order to ventilate the patient during the FOB intubation, we used a 90° angle swivel connector, normally used for fibreoptic bronchoscopia in an intubated patient. After a nasotracheal tube is placed with the tip in the oropharynx, ventilation of the patient is possible via this tube by closing the mouth and other nostril. The fibrescopic procedure is done through the right-angle connector with suction port and the tube is used to guide the tip of the FOB to the aditus laryngis. The method has been used in 7 patients who were impossible to intubate with a conventional procedure. In all patients ventilation was possible and intubation was performed in 5 min (range 1,15). [source]

Right hepatectomy by the anterior method with liver hanging versus conventional approach for large hepatocellular carcinomas

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 7 2010
T.-J. Wu
Background: The aim was to compare short-term results of right hepatectomy using the anterior approach (AA) and liver hanging manoeuvre with the conventional approach (CA) for large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: This was a retrospective review of 71 consecutive patients with HCC at least 5 cm in diameter who underwent curative right hepatectomy using either the AA with the liver hanging manoeuvre (33) or the CA (38) between January 2004 and December 2008. Clinical data, operative results and survival outcomes were analysed. Results: The groups had similar clinical, laboratory and pathological parameters. The AA group had larger tumours than the CA group (P = 0·039), but comparable grade and stage distribution. The operative results were similar except for an increased blood transfusion requirement with the conventional procedure (P = 0·001). The AA group had a lower recurrence rate (P = 0·003) and better disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0·001) than the CA group, but overall survival rates were not significantly different (P = 0·091). Presence of tumour encapsulation, absence of tumour microvascular invasion and AA were predictive of DFS, whereas tumour stage was the only independent predictor of overall survival. Conclusion: The AA right hepatectomy with liver hanging manoeuvre for large HCC is associated with reduced blood transfusion requirement and lower recurrence rates in the short term. Copyright © 2010 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Ammonium fluoride extraction for determining inorganic sulphur in acid forest soils

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2000
J. Prietzel
Summary Current methods for determining inorganic sulphur (S) in aerated mineral soil horizons often result in underestimates. To overcome this defect we developed a new method combining a batch extraction with 0.5 m NH4F solution at a soil:solution ratio of 1:5 with a subsequent analysis of the mobilized SO42, by ion chromatography. The ammonium fluoride extraction enables us to characterize inorganic sulphate in non-calcareous forest soils. It is more efficient than conventional procedures in which inorganic S is extracted with phosphate or bicarbonate solution. In contrast to the extraction with strongly alkaline reagents (NaOH, KOH, LiOH), the NH4+,NH3 buffer system in NH4F prevents the pH of the suspension from exceeding 9.0 and thus the undesired conversion of organic S into SO42, by auto-oxidation and hydrolysis of ester sulphate. In a comparison we demonstrated that the inorganic S in six German forest soils is underestimated by up to 50% or 200 kg S ha,1 in the uppermost 60 cm, if it is assessed by extraction with 0.016 m KH2PO4 or 0.5 m NaHCO3 instead of 0.5 m NH4F. Conversely, the pool of ester sulphate is overestimated almost threefold. [source]

One-Pot Preparation of Polymer,Enzyme,Metallic Nanoparticle Composite Films for High-Performance Biosensing of Glucose and Galactose

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 11 2009
Yingchun Fu
Abstract New polymer,enzyme,metallic nanoparticle composite films with a high-load and a high-activity of immobilized enzymes and obvious electrocatalysis/nano-enhancement effects for biosensing of glucose and galactose are designed and prepared by a one-pot chemical pre-synthesis/electropolymerization (CPSE) protocol. Dopamine (DA) as a reductant and a monomer, glucose oxidase (GOx) or galactose oxidase (GaOx) as the enzyme, and HAuCl4 or H2PtCl6 as an oxidant to trigger DA polymerization and the source of metallic nanoparticles, are mixed to yield polymeric bionanocomposites (PBNCs), which are then anchored on the electrode by electropolymerization of the remaining DA monomer. The prepared PBNC material has good biocompatibility, a highly uniform dispersion of the nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution, and high load/activity of the immobilized enzymes, as verified by transmission/scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. The thus-prepared enzyme electrodes show a largely improved amperometric biosensing performance, e.g., a very high detection sensitivity (99 or 129,µA cm,2 mM,1 for glucose for Pt PBNCs on bare or platinized Au), a sub-micromolar limit of detection for glucose, and an excellent durability, in comparison with those based on conventional procedures. Also, the PBNC-based enzyme electrodes work well in the second-generation biosensing mode. The proposed one-pot CPSE protocol may be extended to the preparation of many other functionalized PBNCs for wide applications. [source]

Customer satisfaction and the strategic role of university libraries

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 2 2010
Ulla Hakala
Abstract The paper stresses the importance of listening to customers at university libraries and the need to move from a library-based view to a customer-based view. Largely on account of their public nature, academic libraries in Finland , where the study was conducted , have until recently, based their operations and development mainly on conventional procedures and library-based perspectives. However, in order to better serve their own clientele, as well as their parent organizations, they need to listen to the voices of their customers, the library users. One way of ,listening' is through a customer survey, in this case LibQUAL , a survey instrument developed in the US for libraries. It collects data on the quality of the services, thus enabling libraries to identify areas in which service levels should be improved. [source]

Eine erweiterte Evaluation der Neurolept-Anästhesie für Meerschweinchen mit einer Analyse gemischt-exspiratorischer Gase während Spontanatmung.

JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 1-2 2004
Wirkung des Fastens auf das kardiorespiratorische System und den Metabolismus
Zusammenfassung Das beatmete Meerschweinchen wurde oft für neurophysiologische und respiratorische Studien eingesetzt. Diese Spezies ist auch für eine Evaluation künstlicher Sauerstoffträger, entwickelt aus Hämoglobin, geeignet, weil seine Sauerstoff-Hämoglobin-Bindung der des Menschen sehr ähnlich ist. Andererseits ist eine Narkose dieser Tiere wegen kardio-respiratorischer Depression mit herkömmlichen Verfahren schwierig. Bewährt hat sich die folgende intraperitoneal zu verabreichende Neurolept-Anästhesie: 0,2 mg Fentanyl (Janssen/D), 10 mg Droperidol (Janssen/D) sowie 400 mg Urethan in 10 ml isotonischer Natriumchlorid-Lösung pro kg Körpergewicht. Unser neues Tier-Modell ermöglicht, mit einem speziellen Ventilsystem den Gasaustausch unter Spontanatmung, kardiovaskuläre wie auch Blutgaswerte und damit den Säure-Basen-Status zu messen. Die vitalen Parameter der Tiere, blieben über mehr als 6 Stunden stabil und nahe bei Werten wacher Tiere, insbesondere der mittlere arterielle Blutdruck. Deswegen ist diese etablierte Neurolept-Anästhesie des Meerschweinchens für Forschungszweck zu bevorzugen. Nüchterne Tiere zeigten signifikant erniedrigte Blut-pH- (7,345 bzw. 7,401) sowie Herzfrequenz- (244 bzw. 277 min,1) und Ventilationswerte (167 bzw. 205 ml/min) im Vergleich zu nicht nüchternen Tieren. Summary An Extended Evaluation of a Neuroleptanesthesia for the Guinea Pig with Analysis of Mixed Expiratory Gases during Spontaneous Breathing. Effects of Fasting on the Cardiorespiratory System and Metabolism The artificially ventilated guinea pig was frequently used for neurophysiological and respiratory studies. This species is also preferable for an evaluation of hemoglobin based artificial oxygen carriers, because its oxygen hemoglobin binding is very similar to that of man. But the narcosis of this animal-species is very difficult, because of cardiorespiratory depression induced by conventional procedures. The following intraperitoneal administered neuroleptanesthesia was proved in guinea pigs: 0,2 mg Fentanyl (Janssen/D), 10 mg Droperidol (Janssen/D) and 400 mg Urethan in 10 ml isotonic sodium chloride solution per kg body weight. Our new animal model with a special valve system enables to assess the gas exchange under spontaneous breathing, cardiovascular and the acid-base parameters. The vital parameters of animals were stable over 6 hours and very close to those of awake animals, especially the arterial average blood pressure. For that reason, this established neuroleptanesthesia of guinea pigs is preferable for research purpose. The fasted animals show significantly decreased values of arterial blood pH (7,345 vs. 7,401), of heart frequency (244 vs. 277 min,1), and of ventilation value (167 vs. 205 ml/min) compared to non-fasted animals. [source]

Electroanatomic Versus Fluoroscopic Mapping for Catheter Ablation Procedures:

Management strategies following microsurgical flap failure

MICROSURGERY, Issue 1 2010
F.A.C.S., William Lineaweaver M.D.
Although increasingly rare, failed microsurgical flaps are a complicated clinical problem when they occur. Review of reports of management following microsurgical flap failure offers an outline of options. A substantial number of breast and extremity patients elect abandonment of reconstruction. The majority of head and neck, breast, and extremity patients proceed to nonmicrosurgical reconstructive options. Head and neck patients (38%) and 35% of extremity patients elect to have second microsurgical flaps, and 84% of these procedures were successful.Patient management following microsurgical flap failure includes strategic abandonment of reconstruction in some cases, use of conventional procedures in a majority of cases, and further microsurgical procedures in one-third of cases. The reconstructive surgeon should have this range of possibilities available for these difficult cases. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010. [source]

Control charts: a cost-optimization approach for processes with random shifts

APPLIED STOCHASTIC MODELS IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, Issue 3 2004
András Zempléni
Abstract In this paper we describe an approach for establishing control limits and sampling times which derives from economic performance criteria and a model for random shifts. The total cost related to both production and control is calculated, based on cost estimates for false alarms, for not identifying a true out of control situation, and for obtaining a data record through sampling. We describe the complete process for applying the method and compare with conventional procedures to real data from a Portuguese pulp and paper industrial plant. It turns out that substantial cost-reductions may be obtained. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Monopilegründungen von Offshore-Windenergieanlagen , Zum Ansatz der Bettung

BAUTECHNIK, Issue 1 2005
Jürgen Grabe Univ.-Prof.
Bei der Gründung von Offshore-Windenergieanlagen mit Monopiles stellt die große Momenten- und Horizontalkraftbelastung und deren zyklisches Auftreten eine besondere Herausforderung an die Prognose der Pfahlverformungen dar. Für ein System mit beispielhaften Abmessungen, Baugrundverhältnissen und Belastungen werden die konventionellen Verfahren zur Berechnung der horizontalen Pfahltragfähigkeit und -verformung, Bettungsmodulverfahren und API-Verfahren, mit den Ergebnissen einer 3D-FE-Analyse verglichen. Es zeigt sich, daß die konventionellen Verfahren für die Prognose der Verformungen im Gebrauchszustand, also deutlich unterhalb der Grenzlast, für dieses Beispiel unzureichend sind. Die Verteilung des Bettungsmoduls über die Tiefe wird mit keinem der Verfahren zutreffend abgebildet. Des weiteren wird die Veränderung des Bettungsmoduls über mehrere Zyklen für Schwell- und Wechselbelastungen untersucht. Vor allem bei einer Schwellast wird der auf den Ausgangszustand bezogene Bettungsmodul mit jedem Zyklus verändert. Die Verschiebung des Pfahlkopfs steigt auch nach 20 Belastungszyklen noch an. Der aus der ödometrischen Steifigkeit des Bodens abgeleitete Bettungsmodul ist zur Prognose der Pfahlverformungen insbesondere bei zyklischer Last fragwürdig. Hierfür besteht insbesondere in Anbetracht der geplanten Investitionen erheblicher Forschungsbedarf. Monopile foundations for Offshore-Wind Power Plants , approach of subgrade reaction. The large moments and horizontal forces and their cyclic occurrence represent a special challenge to the prognosis of the deformations of Monopiles as a foundation of offshore wind energy plants. The conventional procedures for the computation of the horizontal pile bearing capacity and deformation, subgrade reaction procedure and API procedure, are compared with the results of a 3D-FE analysis for a system with exemplary dimensions, soil conditions and loads. It is shown that the conventional procedures for the prognosis of the deformations in the serviceability limit state, thus clearly underneath the maximum load, for this example are insufficient. The distribution of the subgrade reaction modulus over the depth is sufficiently approximated with none of these procedures. Moreover the change of the subgrade reaction modulus is investigated for several cycles swelling and alternated loads. The modulus of subgrade reaction, referred to the initial pile position, changes especially under swelling loads for each loading cycle. The displacement of the pilehead still increases after 20 cycles. The modulus of subgrade reaction derived from the oedometric soil stiffness does not produce an accurate prognosis of the pile deformation particularly for cyclic loads. For this purpose further investigations are necessary. [source]