Enhancing the inhibition and adsorption performance of SABIC iron corrosion in sulfuric acid by expired vitamins. Experimental and computational approach.

The inhibition potency of expired thiamine or vitamin B1 (VB1) and riboflavin or vitamin B2 (VB2) against SABIC iron corrosion in 0.5 M H2SO4 solutions was investigated using chemical and electrochemical techniques. Theoretical studies such as DFT and MC simulations were performed on both VB1 and VB2 inhibitors to obtain information related to the experimental results. It has been found that the inhibition efficacy assigned from all measurements used increases with increasing concentration of the two expired vitamins and reduces at elevated temperatures. It reached 91.14% and 92.40% at 250 ppm of VB1 and VB2, respectively. The inhibition was explicated by the adsorption of the complex formed between expired vitamins and ferrous ions on the SABIC iron surface. The adsorption was found to obey the Langmuir isotherm model. Galvanostatic polarization demonstrated that the two expired vitamins act as an inhibitor of the mixed type. These expired vitamins have proven effective in inhibiting the pitting corrosion induced by the presence of Cl- ions. The pitting potential is transferred to the positive values showing resistance to pitting damage. The theoretical parameter values are consistent with experimental results.

Convalescence and driver reaction time after tension-free inguinal hernia repair.

To obtain an objective basis for a policy on the advice to patients on when to drive after anterior tension-free hernia repair. Foot reaction time before operation and on the 2nd postoperative day in 20 skilled male drivers with a right inguinal hernia was measured and compared with that of 30 normal subjects. The tests in a car simulator indicated that an untreated right inguinal hernia had no effect on emergency stop reaction time and that a plug-mesh hernia repair did not impair reaction time on the 2nd postoperative day (P>0.30). Average visual analogue pain scores on the 2nd and 4th postoperative days were 2.3 and 1.7, respectively. On the 8th postoperative day 18 patients had returned to normal activity and work. There was no recurrences after a mean postoperative time of 18 months. These data suggest that open tension-free hernia repair allows return to normal activities and car driving within a few days of the operation.

Continuous avoidance measures with or without acaricide in dust mite-allergic asthmatic children.

BACKGROUND: Improvement in the quality of life in the Western world and increased time spent indoors by children have enhanced the spread of house dust mites and increased the exposure time for sensitive children. Also, exposure to house dust mites in infancy and subsequent development of childhood asthma have been clinically linked. Recently, new acaricides have been developed. OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of the new acaricide (esdepallethin and piperonyl butoxide--"Acardust") combined with environmental control compared with continuous house dust mite avoidance measures. METHOD: Forty-six house dust mite-allergic, asthmatic children were evaluated for 6 months in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomly allocated to active and placebo acaricide treatment combined with avoidance measures, whereas only continuous avoidance measures were taken in the third group. Symptom score, medication usage, and peak flow measurements were recorded daily. The amount of house dust mite allergen in the dust vacuumed from the bedrooms was also measured. RESULTS: Morning and evening peak expiratory flow rates and forced expiratory volume in one second remained unchanged throughout the study period. In all groups, the symptom scores improved significantly, whereas the amount of house dust mite allergen decreased significantly at the end of the trial. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous house dust mite avoidance measures have a significant positive effect on the symptomology of children with mild or moderate asthma. "Acardust" combined with continuous house dust mite avoidance measures is not more effective than continuous house dust mite avoidance measures alone in the treatment of house dust mite-allergic, asthmatic children.

Swimming and grommets.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, children with tympanostomy ventilating tubes, or grommets, were advised that water should not enter their ears in order to prevent ear infections. This group of children has been considered somewhat handicapped regarding swimming. We conducted a prospective study to determine if there is a relation between suppurative otitis media and surface swimming in children with grommets. METHODS: Forty-two children with tympanostomy ventilating tubes were included in this study. Of the 42 children, 22 were swimmers and 20 were nonswimmers, who served as the control group. The age range was 3 to 12 years, and there was no difference in the age distribution between the groups. Surface swimming was allowed without earplugs or a bathing cap, although it was mandatory to use polymyxin B-neomycin-hydrocortisone eardrops at bedtime on the day of swimming. No diving was allowed. RESULTS: Three of 22 swimmers and 2 of 20 nonswimmers developed otorrhea. In 4 of the 5 children, the otorrhea was followed by an upper respiratory tract infection. In all cases, a bacterial culture revealed Pseudomonas. The ear drainage was easily controlled with local otic treatment in all the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Taking into consideration the possible risks of infection and bearing in mind the value and joy of swimming to children and parents, families should be reassured that surface swimming does not increase the risk of infection in children with tympanostomy tubes.