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Reliable Procedure (reliable + procedure)
Selected AbstractsSurfactant-coated single-walled carbon nanotubes as a novel pseudostationary phase in capillary EKCELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 11 2007Beatriz Suárez Abstract The analytical potential of the use of surfactant-coated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SC-SWNTs) as pseudostationary phase in CE is described. The pseudostationary phase shows an efficient alternative in enhancing electrochromatographic resolution of compounds which are capable of interacting with a nanotube surface, such as aromatic compounds. In general, the resolution is enhanced by increasing nanotube concentration in the buffer but the maximum amount of SWNTs that can be added to background electrolyte was found limited by compatibility with the UV/visible detection. As an alternative, a low-extension partial filling was used, consisting of the introduction into the capillary of concentrated SC-SWNT, just before the sample, with a plug length similar to the sample one. This has been showed as a reliable procedure in increasing resolution and sensitivity by sweeping phenomena. Finally, the potential of SC-SWNTs to perform chiral separations is discussed. [source] The serodiagnosis of human infections with Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosisFEMS IMMUNOLOGY & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Henrik Chart Abstract The techniques of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting were evaluated for the serodiagnosis of human infections with Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was prepared from strains comprising four serogroups of Y. enterocolitica and five serogroups of Y. pseudotuberculosis, tested against 200 sera submitted to the Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens for routine serodiagnosis, and shown to contain antibodies to Yersinia LPS by agglutination. Forty four sera were found to contain antibodies that bound to one of the LPS preparations used in the immunoassay. Thirty five of the sera contained antibodies to the LPS of Y. enterocolitica O3, whilst three contained antibodies to the LPS of Y. enterocolitica O5, 27 and Y. enterocolitica O9 LPS respectively. Two sera had antibodies to the LPS of Y. pseudotuberculosis II and a single serum contained antibodies to Y. pseudotuberculosis IV. The SDS-PAGE-immunoblotting procedure described proved to be a reliable procedure for the serodiagnosis of infections with Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis. [source] Recrystallization behaviour of the nickel-based alloy 80 A during hot formingJOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY, Issue 3 2007S. MITSCHE Summary The dynamic recrystallization as well as meta-dynamic and static recrystallization of the nickel-based alloy 80A was investigated by means of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Specimens were hot compressed at a temperature of 1120°C and a strain rate of 0.1/s at varying strain and soak times to describe the recrystallization behaviour. Various approaches were tested in order to differentiate between recrystallized and deformed grains based on EBSD data. The grain orientation spread was clearly found to be the most reliable procedure. A high twinning of the recrystallized grains was observed, and as a consequence the measured grain size was strongly dependent on whether the coherent and incoherent twin boundaries were regarded as genuine boundaries or removed. [source] A simple cultural method for the presumptive detection of the yeasts Brettanomyces/Dekkera in winesLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2005J.A. Couto Abstract Aims:, The development of a simple and reliable procedure, compatible with routine use in wineries, for the presumptive detection of Brettanomyces/Dekkera from wine and wine-environment samples. Methods and Results:, The method of detection of these yeasts employs a selective enrichment medium. The medium contains glucose (10 g l,1) as carbon and energy source, cycloheximide (20 mg l,1) to prevent growth of Saccharomyces, chloramphenicol (200 mg l,1) to prevent growth of bacteria and p -coumaric acid (20 mg l,1) as the precursor for the production of 4-ethyl-phenol. After the inoculation with wine, the medium is monitored by visual inspection of turbidity and by periodic olfactive analysis. Contaminated wines will develop visible turbidity in the medium and will produce the 4-ethyl-phenol off-odour, which can be easily detected by smelling. Conclusions:, A selective enrichment liquid medium was developed to differentially promote the growth and activity of Brettanomyces/Dekkera. The method is simple to execute, employing a simple-to-prepare medium and a periodic olfactive detection. Significance and Impact of the Study:, The characteristics of the procedure make it particularly applicable in a wine-making environment thus presenting important advantages to the wine industry. [source] Reliability of free-flap coverage in diabetic foot ulcersMICROSURGERY, Issue 2 2005Ömer Özkan M.D. As microsurgery advances, microsurgical free-tissue transfers have become the reconstructive method of choice over staged or primary amputation, and enabling independent ambulation in difficult lower-extremity wounds. In this report, we present our experiences with free-tissue transfer for the reconstruction of soft-tissue defects in 13 diabetic foot ulcers. Following radical debridement, soft-tissue reconstruction was achieved in the following ways: anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap in 5 patients, radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap in 3 patients, lateral arm fasciocutaneous flap in 1 patient, gracilis musculocutaneous flap in 1 patient, tensor fascia latae flap in 1 patient, deep inferior epigastric perforator flap in 1 patient, and a parascapular flap in the remaining patient. In 8 cases, diabetic wounds were in the foot, while wounds were at the level of the lower leg in the remaining patients. In all patients, vascular patency was confirmed by the Doppler technique. In suspicious cases, arteriography was then performed. While all flaps survived well in the postoperative period, one patient died from cardiopulmonary problems on postoperative day 16 in an intensive care unit. Amputation was necessary in the early postoperative period because of healing problems. In the remaining 10 cases, all flaps survived intact. In one case, arterial revision was performed successfully. The ultimate limb salvage rate was 83% for the 12 patients. Independent ambulation was achieved in these cases. During the follow-up period of 8 months to 2 years, no ulcer recurrence was noted, and no revascularization or vascular bypass surgery was needed before or after the free-tissue transfers. The authors conclude that free-tissue transfer for diabetic foot ulcers is a reliable procedure, despite pessimistic opinions regarding the flap survival and low limb salvage rates. It should be considered a useful reconstructive option for serious defects in well-selected cases. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 25:107,112, 2005. [source] Fifteen-Count Breathlessness Score in adults with COPDRESPIROLOGY, Issue 5 2006Marie WILLIAMS Objective and background: The Fifteen-Count Breathlessness Score (15CBS) has been reported to quantify breathlessness. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the 15CBS in adults with COPD. Methods: Using an observational correlation design, subjects with clinical signs and symptoms of COPD were videotaped performing the 15CBS at a self-selected (task 1) and an 8-s counting pace (task 2), on two occasions with 5-min rest between attempts. Respiratory-related quality of life questionnaires, self-report shortness of breath measures and pulmonary function tests were completed by all subjects. Results: Thirty subjects completed the protocol. No significant differences and good linear relationships were calculated for the 15CBS within subjects (task 1 P = 0.32, r = 0.75 and task 2 P = 1.00, r = 0.86) and between assessors (task 1 P = 0.57, r = 0.99 and task 2 P = 0.21, r = 0.75). No significant relationships were evident between the 15CBS and shortness of breath or quality of life scores. Significant relationships existed between the 15CBS and FVC (litres and per cent predicted). Conclusion: Most subjects completed the 15CBS using one breath, limiting discrimination between subjects with differing degrees of breathlessness. Although data from this study confirmed that the 15CBS is a reliable procedure within people with COPD, further modification is required to increase the validity and discriminative ability of this instrument. [source] Ovarian maturation of wild Farfantepenaeus paulensis in relation to histological and visual changesAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 14 2003S Peixoto Abstract The present study describes the ovarian development stages of wild Farfantepenaeus paulensis (Pérez-Farfante) through the combined observation of histological and visual characteristics. Twenty-five females (61.8±2.4 g) were captured in 35,40-m deep waters off southern Brazil (27°S). The females were grouped according to the size and shape of their ovary and then killed. The colour of the fresh ovary was compared with a chromatic scale catalogue. Analysis of the histological sections of each ovary determined the morphological characteristics, size and frequency of the different oocyte types. Based on these characteristics, four distinct stages of ovarian maturation are proposed: stage I (immature), characterized by the presence of small basophilic oocytes (52.1±19.9 ,m) and ovary colour ranging from translucent to creamy; stage II (developing), with yolky oocytes (YOs) (144.2±26.1 ,m) and a light green colour; stage III (mature), presenting large YOs but with cortical rods (235.0±30.2 ,m) and an olive-brown colour; and stage IV (spent), with atretic oocytes and the same ovary colour pattern as stage I. The gonadosomatic index ranged from 1.6 (stage IV) to 13.7% (stage III) and was closely related to the different ovarian maturation stages. The observation of visual features coupled with histological characteristics was found to represent a reliable procedure to evaluate the ovarian maturation of F. paulensis. [source] Original Article: Complications of laparoscopic myomectomy: A single surgeon's series of 1001 casesAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 4 2010G. P. Paul Objective:, The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the safety, intra-operative and post-operative morbidity of laparoscopic approach for myomectomy. Methods:, The total 1001 subjects who underwent endoscopic surgery over a 16-year period were studied retrospectively. All the data were collected regarding clinical presentation, intra-operative findings, intra-operative and post-operative complications, and hospital stay, and statistically analysed. Results:, The average age of subjects was 32.62 years and the most common indication for surgery was infertility (48.5%). A total of 2167 myomas were removed; 43.98% of subjects required removal of multiple myomas. The average blood loss was 248 mL, and the average hospital stay was 1.5 days. The overall major and minor complication rate is very low except one subject who required laparotomy for post-operative bleeding, and there was one unexplained post-operative death. Conclusions:, Laparoscopic myomectomy is comparable to laparotomy myomectomy in terms of duration of surgery, blood loss and complication rates. This large single surgeon series on laparoscopic myomectomy also shows a low complication rate suggesting that laparoscopic myomectomy is a safe and reliable procedure, even in the presence of multiple or large myomas. [source] Experience with non-cycled artificial urinary sphinctersBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 7 2004C.D.A. Herndon Papers in this section review experience with artificial urinary sphincters, hypospadias, and the exstrophy/epispadias complex. Also, in keeping with a significant theme of urological trauma in this issue of the journal, authors from Mansoura evaluate the late renal functional and morphological evaluation of high-grade renal injuries in children after conservative treatment. OBJECTIVE To report our experience in children and adolescents with a non-cycled artificial urinary sphincter. While some children with the AUS can void, others require clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) through the sphincter or an alternative site for catheterization; in some of the latter we have either not cycled (pumped) an activated AUS or the AUS has failed, and there is concern about ischaemia in some adults with a non-cycled AUS. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 143 patients who had an AUS placed between 1980 and 2002 were reviewed retrospectively; 15 (10 boys and five girls) no longer cycled (pumped) their AUS. The mean age at AUS insertion was 11 years and the mean (range) follow-up after insertion was 10.4 (1.64,22.2) years. The diagnoses included myelomeningocele in 11, sacral agenesis in three and cloaca in one. Nine patients have an activated functioning AUS and in six the AUS does not function; in the first nine the sphincter has not routinely been cycled (pumped) for a mean (range) of 1.6 (0.6,2.9) years. In the other six with a nonfunctioning AUS the mean (range) observation period is 6.4 (1.5,10) years since the system has not functioned. RESULTS All patients were completely continent, including the six with a nonfunctioning AUS. After inserting the AUS, two patients voided in combination with CIC (one each urethral and abdominal stoma) and 13 emptied by CIC (nine abdominal stoma, four urethral). There was a mechanical complication in eight patients; three had the AUS repaired and are dry, and five are dry with no repair. In one patient the AUS was never activated. To date there has been no erosion of the cuff in any of the 15 patients with a non-cycled AUS. CONCLUSION The AUS remains an extremely reliable procedure to achieve continence in children and young adults. It is versatile and can be combined with other procedures that provide an alternative means for catheterization. While some have noted the need to routinely cycle the AUS to prevent erosion, this has not been our experience in these 15 patients. [source] Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for T1 renal cancer: the gold standard?BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2004A comparison of laparoscopic vs open nephrectomy OBJECTIVE To evaluate the complication rate and clinical follow-up of patients treated for T1 renal cancer by open or laparoscopic nephrectomy at the same institution, as this approach appears to be attractive for treating small renal cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 1995 and 2002, 39 patients underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic and 26 transperitoneal open radical nephrectomy for T1 renal cancer (TNM 1997). Variables before during and after surgery, e.g. cancer recurrence, were compared between the groups. RESULTS There were no differences between the laparoscopic and open groups in age, sex ratio, weight, height, fitness score, operative duration (134 vs 133 min), minor or major complications, tumour diameter, Fuhrman grade or length of follow-up. Patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery had less blood loss (133 vs 357 mL, P < 0.001), less need for transfusion (none vs 150 mL, P = 0.04), a lower consumption of analgesia drugs, and shorter hospitalization (5.5 vs 8.8 days, P < 0.001). With a mean follow-up of 20.4 months there was no recurrence or tumour progression. CONCLUSION Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for patients with T1 renal cancer is a safe, reliable procedure that decreases hospitalization time and bleeding, and ensures the same cancer control as open nephrectomy. [source] Incidence of redetachment 6 months after scleral buckling surgeryACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2 2010Fleur Goezinne Abstract. Purpose:, The preoperative and intraoperative clinical variables associated with redetachment and/or a poor visual outcome following scleral buckling (SB) surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) have mainly been studied after a short follow-up. This study aimed to analyse long-term effects by following patients for at least 6 months. Methods:, In a retrospective survey we evaluated the data of 436 eyes that underwent SB surgery. Postoperative data were collected at 3-month intervals. Results:, After a mean follow-up period of 51 months, anatomic reattachment was achieved in 76% after one SB procedure, with a final reattachment rate of 97% after additional vitreoretinal procedures. In total, 104 eyes developed redetachment during follow-up. After more than 6 and 12 months of follow-up, 32 eyes (7%) and 20 eyes (5%), respectively, developed redetachment. Multivariate regression analysis showed that recurrent redetachment and more than 7 days of visual field loss were significant predictors for a poor postoperative visual outcome at 12 months. A cumulative size of the tear of more than three disc diameters was a significant predictor of recurrent RRD. Conclusion:, Conventional SB surgery is a reliable procedure in a selected group of eyes with primary RRD. However, in eyes with a retinal tear with a cumulative size of more than three disc diameters, a primary vitrectomy should be considered. Taking into account that 7% of eyes developed redetachment after 6 months, a longer follow-up period seems necessary to evaluate the anatomical and visual outcomes after SB surgery. [source] Sinus Lift Using a Nanocrystalline Hydroxyapatite Silica Gel in Severely Resorbed Maxillae: Histological Preliminary StudyCLINICAL IMPLANT DENTISTRY AND RELATED RESEARCH, Issue 2009Luigi Canullo DDS ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate histologically a nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite silica gel in maxillary sinus floor grafting in severely resorbed maxillae. Materials and Methods: A total of 16 consecutive patients scheduled for sinus lift were recruited during this study. Patients were randomly divided in two groups, eight patients each. In both groups, preoperative residual bone level ranged between 1 and 3 mm (mean value of 2.03 mm). No membrane was used to occlude the buccal window. Second surgery was carried out after a healing period of 3 months in Group 1 and 6 months in Group 2. Using a trephine bur, one bone specimen was harvested from each augmented sinus and underwent histological and histomorphometric analysis. Results: Histological analysis showed significant new bone formation and remodeling of the grafted material. In the cores obtained at 6 months, regenerated bone, residual NanoBone, and bone marrow occupied respectively 48 ± 4.63%, 28 ± 5.33%, and 24 ± 7.23% of the grafted volume. In the specimens taken 3 months after grafting, mean new bone was 8 ± 3.34%, mean NanoBone was 45 ± 5.10%, and mean bone marrow was 47 ± 6.81% of the bioptical volume. Conclusions: Within the limits of this preliminary prospective study, it was concluded that grafting of maxillary sinus using nanostructured hydroxyapatite silica gel as only bone filler is a reliable procedure also in critical anatomic conditions and after early healing period. [source] Optimizing open live-donor nephrectomy , long-term donor outcomeCLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2004M Schostak Abstract:, Introduction:, The technique of laparoscopic or retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy has been increasingly propagated in recent years. The central advantage is supposed to be a reduction of perioperative discomfort. However, there have not been many reports describing the subjective feeling associated with an open donor nephrectomy, particularly with respect to the pain level in the perioperative and long-term course. This retrospective study examines the perioperative pain and morbidity and long-term outcome of living kidney donors from 35 yr of experience at the University Hospital Benjamin Franklin of the Free University of Berlin. Methods:, A total of 102 living kidney donors were asked to fill out a questionnaire. Five epidemiological questions were posed and the rest dealt mainly with lasting subjective and objective surgical impairments. There were also questions relating to the perioperative pain level (VAS/NAS-Score). In addition, basic information was obtained regarding the donor's current health status (physical examination, serum creatinine; sometimes also ultrasound, protein IU, blood pressure), and/or examinations were performed. Results:, The mean age at the time of donation was 45.5 and 55% were women. Donor nephrectomies were left-sided in 78 cases and right-sided in 24. There was a total complication rate of 53%, but serious complications only occurred in two cases (1.9%). A total of 53 donors could be reached. Although 41.5% felt they had a lasting impairment, somatic sequelae like respiratory, abdominal or scar problems were rare, affecting a maximum of only four patients in each case. Fifteen patients reported neurological problems such as sensory disturbances. The mean serum creatinine was 89.9 ,mol/L in female and 114.2 ,mol/L in male donors. Microalbuminuria was found in 22.6% of the donors, hypertension in 35.8%. Persistent pain was reported by 20.7%, its occurrence being permanent in two of the donors and very frequent in one. All the others rarely have pain. The median perioperative VAS/NAS score was 8 on the first day after surgery, 5 after 1 wk and 1 after 1 month. The analgesia was rated as good or very good by 71%. Everyday life was managed as well as before surgery after 2,4 wk by the highest percentage (42%) of patients, but working capacity was only regained after 1,3 months by a comparable percentage (44%). Forty-six percent had a very good and 33% a good feeling after the kidney donation. The relationship to the recipient had intensified in most cases. Ninety-one percent would again decide in favor of a donation. Conclusion:, Donor nephrectomy in an open technique is a safe and reliable procedure with low morbidity. After a median post-operative period of 7 yr, however, 42% of the donors still report general impairment due to the intervention, although concrete somatic problems were only detected in a few cases. Nearly all these patients underwent surgery in a full flank position. Wound-healing impairments were also significantly more frequent with this surgical technique. This positioning should thus be avoided. The post-operative pain level was relatively high, but a marked improvement was achieved in the course of the observation period by optimizing analgesic management. [source] Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric characterization and quantitation of xanthine derivatives using isotopically labelled analogues: an application for equine doping control analysisRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 14 2004Mario Thevis Isotope-dilution mass spectrometry has been employed successfully in numerous fields of analytical chemistry enabling the establishment of fast and reliable procedures. In equine sports, xanthine derivatives such as caffeine and theobromine are prohibited, and doping control laboratories analyze horse urine specimens regarding these illicit performance-enhancing drugs. Theobromine has to exceed a threshold level of 2,,g/mL, hence a robust and reliable quantitation is required. Stably deuterated theobromine and caffeine were synthesized by the reaction of xanthine or theobromine with iodomethane-d3 in the presence of N -methyl- N -trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide or potassium carbonate in acetonitrile, respectively. Both compounds were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, and a robust and fast assay for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of theobromine in equine urine samples was validated. Urine specimens were extracted by means of solid-phase extraction cartridges, and concentrated extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography interfaced to a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. In addition, the dissociation behavior of deuterated analogues to caffeine and theobromine allowed proposals for fragmentation routes of xanthine derivatives after atmospheric pressure ionization and collisionally activated dissociation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||