Effectiveness of zinc protoporphyrin/heme ratio and ferritin for assessing iron status in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Since iron is crucial for many tissue processes, we, therefore, aimed to assess ferritin and the zinc protoporphyrin to heme ratio (ZnPP/H) as indicators of iron status in preterm newborns, particularly during certain inflammatory episodes. METHODS: From 170 preterm babies, paired ferritin and ZnPP/H measurements were collected twice (on the first postnatal day and six weeks later). To compare these measures and assess the impact of anemia, sepsis, and packed red blood cell transfusion (PRBT), three different scenarios were considered. RESULTS: Compared to the non-anemic group, the anemic patients' serum ferritin level was considerably lower (p = 0.044), whereas the anemic patients' ZPP/H ratio was significantly greater (p < 0.001). In neonates with sepsis, ferritin levels were considerably greater in both anemic and non-anemic septic neonates compared to neonates without sepsis (p < 0.001 for each). Regarding ZPP/H ratio, no appreciable variations were found between the two groups. In addition, serum ferritin significantly increased following each PRBT (p < 0.001 for each). As a result of each PRBT, the ZPP/H ratio considerably decreased (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: As a measure of iron status during particular inflammatory processes like infection and PRBT, ZnPP/H may be more accurate.

Corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 1 M HCl by pyrazolone-sulfonamide hybrids: synthesis, characterization, and evaluation.

Carbon steel is widely used in the petroleum industry for pipelines, storage tanks, and equipment due to its mechanical properties, and strength. However, challenges such as environmental conditions and corrosive materials can affect its lifespan and require maintenance and repair. This work aimed to prepare pyrazalone-sulfonamide hybrids, and confirmed by mass spectra, FTIR, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR. These compounds were examined as mild steel corrosion inhibitors in 1 M HCl solutions at 298-323 K using the gravimetric technique, electrochemical measurements, scanning electronic microscope analysis, and quantum chemical calculations. The values of inhibitory efficiency identified by electrochemical and non-electrochemical techniques exhibit good agreement. At various temperatures and in the 50 to 500 ppm concentration range. During the adsorption process, these substances connect to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Some adsorption isotherm and kinetic parameters have been developed and discussed. The metal surface had a thin inhibitory protective layer, according to investigations using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). These findings demonstrated the potential of pyrazolone-sulfonamide as effective organic corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel.

Repair of subtotal tympanic membrane perforations: A temporal bone study of several tympanoplasty materials.

The aim of this project was to investigate the effects of different types of graft material, and different remaining segments of the native TM on its motion. In twelve human temporal bones, controlled TM perforations were made to simulate three different conditions. (1) Central perforation leaving both annular and umbo rims of native TM. (2) Central perforation leaving only a malleal rim of native TM. (3) Central perforation leaving only an annular rim of native TM. Five different graft materials (1) perichondrium (2) silastic (3) thin cartilage (4) thick cartilage (5) Lotriderm® cream were used to reconstruct each perforation condition. Umbo and stapes vibrations to acoustic stimuli from 250 to 6349 Hz were measured using a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. Results showed that at low frequencies: in the Two Rims condition, all grafting materials except thick cartilage and Lotriderm cream showed no significant difference in umbo velocity from the Normal TM, while only Lotriderm cream showed a significant decrease in stapes velocity; in the Malleal Rim condition, all materials showed a significant decrease in both umbo and stapes velocities; in the Annular Rim condition, all grafting materials except Lotriderm and perichondrium showed no significant difference from the Normal TM in stapes velocity. Umbo data might not be reliable in some conditions because of coverage by the graft. At middle and high frequencies: all materials showed a significant difference from the Normal TM in both umbo and stapes velocities for all perforation conditions except in the Annular Rim condition, in which silastic and perichondrium showed no significant difference from the Normal TM at umbo velocity in the middle frequencies. In the low frequencies, the choice of repair material does not seem to have a large effect on sound transfer. Our data also suggests that the annular rim could be important for low frequency sound transfer.

Effects of Cartilage Overlay on the Tympanic Membrane: Lessons From a Temporal Bone Study for Cartilage Tympanoplasty.

HYPOTHESIS: Placing cartilage grafts on different tympanic membrane (TM) locations will affect sound transfer function, and the effects will differ according to the part of the TM modified. BACKGROUND: Cartilage tympanoplasty is increasingly popular because of lower reperforation rates, and better long-term stability. In this temporal bone study, we investigated the effect of placing cartilage grafts over different parts of the normal TM on sound transmission. METHODS: In 10 human fresh frozen temporal bones, umbo and stapes vibrations to acoustic stimuli from 250 to 8000 Hz were measured at multiple points using a scanning laser vibrometer. Four different cartilage arrangements were measured in each temporal bone. 1) Overlay condition leaving an umbo rim of normal TM (Umbo Rim). 2) Overlay condition leaving annular rim of normal TM (Annular Rim). 3) Overlay condition leaving both rims of normal TM (Two Rims). 4) Overlay condition leaving no normal TM exposed (No Rims). RESULTS: At low frequencies, there was a statistically significant decrease in velocity from baseline for the No Rims (umbo mean -4 dB; stapes -6 dB) and Umbo Rim (umbo -4 dB; stapes -3.7 dB) conditions. All conditions showed significant decreases for middle frequencies (umbo -4.0, -5.9, -7.4 and -6.3 dB; stapes -10.8, -6.6, -6.3 and -7.7 dB) and high frequencies (umbo -13.2, -3.0, -3.1 and -5.5 dB; stapes -4.6, -2.4, -2.6 and -3.5 dB). Results are in order for No Rims, Umbo Rim, Two Rims, and Annular Rim conditions. CONCLUSION: In the low frequencies, it seems to matter where the cartilage is placed, and in particular the annular rim of the TM seems to be important for the low-frequency acoustic transfer function. In the higher frequencies, all graft placements caused some drop at all frequencies. In all frequencies, effects were modest by clinical standards.

Correlation between Seropositivity of Chlamydia Trachomatis and Tubal and/or Pelvic Pathology Detected by Diagnostic Laparoscopy in Subfertile Women.

This prospective observational study was carried out in the Infertility Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, from February 2011 to December 2013. Sixty-nine (69) subfertile women who were seropositive for Chlamydia Trachomatis were included in this study. Inclusion criteria was patients with sub-fertility having age between 22 and 40 years, seeking infertility treatment, normal ovarian function, all normozoospermic male partner, duration of infertility ranged from 1.5 to 14 years. Exclusion criteria were patients having sub-fertility with extensive pelvic and/or ovarian surgery, endometriosis, ablation of endometriotic spots, pelvic tuberculosis and history of ectopic pregnancy. Before laparoscopic evaluation, all study women were screened for Chlamydia Trachomatis Specific IgG & IgM antibodies using ELISA in the Microbiology Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh. All the study women had positive results for IgG antibodies. All study women underwent diagnostic laparoscopy. During laparoscopy, we observed the condition of pelvic cavity, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, peritubal adhesions, tubo-ovarian relationship, status of Pouch of Douglas (POD), fimbriae etc. During dye test procedure, dilute methylene blue dye was injected through the cervical canal and the dye spill out was observed to confirm the tubal patency or blockage or pattern of flow of dye. The results of laparoscopic findings demonstrated that mobility of uterus was restricted in 20(29%) cases, adhesion of uterus with peritoneum was in 8(11.6%) cases, uterine fibroid was present in 11(15.9%) cases, hydrosalpinx in right fallopian tubes were in 27(39.1%) cases, in left fallopian tubes were in 32(46.4%) cases and in both fallopian tubes in 16(23.2%) cases, inflamed right fallopian tubes in 32(46.4%) cases, inflamed left fallopian tubes in 36(52.2%) cases and inflamed both fallopian tubes in 26(37.7%) cases, adhesions in pouch of Douglas was in 4(5.8%) cases, collections in pouch of Douglas was in 7(10.1%) cases and obliterations in pouch of Douglas was in 5(7.2%) cases. Results of Dye test during laparoscopy were that right fallopian tube was blocked in 32(46.4%) cases, left fallopian tube was blocked in 32(46.4%) cases and both fallopian tubes were blocked in 21(30.4%) cases. This study shows that by laparoscopy, significant number of cases of tubal and pelvic pathology was diagnosed in the chlamydia trachomatis seropositive subfertile female. This indicates strong correlation between seropositivity of chlamydia trachomatis and/or pelvic pathology detected by diagnostic laparoscopy.

The Effect of Piston Diameter in Stapedotomy for Otosclerosis: A Temporal Bone Model.

HYPOTHESIS: The use of larger-diameter pistons in stapedotomy leads to better hearing outcomes compared with the use of smaller-diameter pistons. There is an interaction between stapes piston diameter and fenestration diameter. BACKGROUND: Otosclerosis can be treated surgically by removing part of the stapes and bypassing the stapes footplate with a prosthesis. Available piston shaft diameters range between 0.3 and 0.8 mm. There has been a tendency toward the use of smaller-diameter pistons, because of a suspected decreased risk of cochlear trauma and subsequent sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) with smaller pistons. However, mathematical models, temporal bone studies, and clinical studies suggest that the use of larger-diameter pistons is associated with better hearing outcomes. METHODS: Three fresh-frozen, non-pathologic temporal bones were harvested from human cadaveric donors. Acoustic stimuli in the form of pure tones from 250 to 8000 Hz were generated at 110 dB sound pressure level. A total of 16 frequencies in a 1/3-octave series were used. Stapes and round window velocities in response to the acoustic stimuli were measured at multiple equally spaced points covering the stapes footplate and round window using a scanning laser Doppler interferometry system. Eight sets of measurements were performed in each temporal bone: 1) normal condition (mobile stapes), 2) stapes fixation and stapedotomy followed by insertion of 3) a 0.4-mm-diameter piston in a 0.5-mm-diameter fenestration, 4) a 0.4-mm-diameter piston in a 0.7-mm-diameter fenestration, 5) a 0.4-mm-diameter piston in a 0.9-mm-diameter fenestration, 6) a 0.6-mm-diameter piston in a 0.7-mm-diameter fenestration, 7) a 0.6-mm-diameter piston in a 0.9-mm-diameter fenestration, and 8) a 0.8-mm-diameter piston in a 0.9-mm-diameter fenestration. RESULTS: At midrange frequencies, between 500 and 4000 Hz, round window velocities increased by 2 to 3 dB when using a 0.6-mm-diameter piston compared with a 0.4-mm-diameter piston. Using a 0.8-mm-diameter piston led to a further increase in round window velocities by 2 to 4 dB. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a modest effect of piston diameter on hearing results following stapedotomy.

Serum choline esterase and liver function among a group of organophosphorus pesticides sprayers in Egypt.

This study was initiated to investigate the long term effect of exposure to organophosphorus pesticides (O.P), with consideration to bilharziasis (an endemic parasitic disease in Egypt, usually associated with liver fibrosis). Serum levels of choline esterase (Ch E), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (Alk. Ph.) and proteins were estimated among 100 (O.P.) sprayers with various duration of exposure (3 to 15 years) and among 60 controls. O.P. sprayers showed significantly higher, SGPT and Alk. Ph. and lower Ch E and serum proteins than the controls. Among sprayers, duration of exposure to O.P. was significantly correlated with their levels of Ch E, SGPT, and Alk. Ph. but not with serum proteins. Compared to other parameters, SGPT seems to be a good indicator of the hepatic effect of long term exposure to O.P. Bilharzial infection did not modify the effect of O.P. pesticides on the above mentioned parameters. Ch E of smoker sprayers was significantly less than that of non smokers. This was attributed to increased absorbtion of O.P. during smoking at work places.

Characterization and elimination of the interfering effects of foreign species in the atomic-absorption determination of iron.

The inhibition-release titration method has been used to study interference effects in flame atomic-absorption determination of iron. Interferences from anions, cations and complexing agents with the atomic-absorption of iron when a stoichiometric air-acetylene flame is used, can be obviated by a preliminary treatment of the sample solution with sulphosalicylic acid to convert the iron into the same complex before aspiration, thus giving a constant environment for the iron in the flame processes.

Inactivation of pyruvate kinase type M2 from chicken liver by phosphorylation, catalyzed by a cAMP-independent protein kinase.

A cAMP-independent protein kinase from chicken liver phosphorylated and inactivated pyruvate kinase type M2 from the same tissue. Complete inactivation was reached when 4 mol of phosphate were incorporated/mol of tetrameric pyruvate kinase. The protein kinase bound with high affinity to pyruvate kinase type M2 (Km value for pyruvate kinase = 6 X 10(-10)M; it phosphorylated phosvitin and casein but not histones, ATP and GTP were substrates. The differences between the properties of this protein kinase in the interconversion of pyruvate kinase and that described previously are discussed.