A comparison of two infiltration models applied to simulation of overland flow over a two-dimensional flume.

At the hillslope scale, where the rill-interrill configuration plays a significant role, infiltration is one of the major hydrologic processes affecting the generation of overland flow. As such, it is important to achieve a good understanding and accurate modelling of this process. Horton's infiltration has been widely used in many hydrologic models, though it has been occasionally found limited in handling adequately the antecedent moisture conditions (AMC) of soil. Holtan's model, conversely, is thought to be able to provide better estimation of infiltration rates as it can directly account for initial soil water content in its formulation. In this study, the Holtan model is coupled to an existing overland flow model, originally using Horton's model to account for infiltration, in an attempt to improve the prediction of runoff. For calibration and validation, experimental data from a two-dimensional flume which is incorporated with hillslope configuration have been used. Calibration and validation results showed that Holtan's model was able to improve the modelling results with better performance statistics than the Horton-coupled model. Holtan's infiltration equation, which allows accounting for AMC, provided an advantage and resulted in better runoff prediction of the model.

Analysis of effects of climate change on runoff in an urban drainage system: a case study from Seoul, Korea.

Both water quantity and quality are impacted by climate change. In addition, rapid urbanization has also brought an immeasurable loss of life and property resulting from floods. Hence, there is a need to predict changes in rainfall events to effectively design stormwater infrastructure to protect urban areas from disaster. This study develops a framework for predicting future short duration rainfall intensity and examining the effects of climate change on urban runoff in the Gunja Drainage Basin. Non-stationarities in rainfall records are first analysed using trend analysis to extrapolate future climate change scenarios. The US Environmental Protection Agency Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) was used for single event simulation of runoff quantity from the study area. For the 1-hour and 24-hour durations, statistically significant upward trends were observed. Although the 10-minute duration was only nearly significant at the 90% level, the steepest slope was observed for this short duration. Moreover, it was observed that the simulated peak discharge from SWMM increases as the short duration rainfall intensity increases. The proposed framework is thought to provide a means to review the current design of stormwater infrastructures to determine their capacity, along with consideration of climate change impact.

Evaluation of overland flow model for a hillslope using laboratory flume data.

Comprehensive modelling of overland flow requires models for both rill and interrill area overland flow. Evaluation of a physically based mathematical model for simulating overland flow generated on rill and interrill areas of hillslope was done using a data set gathered from a laboratory experimental setup. A rainfall simulator has been constructed together with a 6.50 m × 1.36 m erosion flume that can be given adjustable slopes in both longitudinal and lateral directions. The model was calibrated and validated using the experimental results from the setup of the flume having 5% lateral and 10% longitudinal slopes where rainfall intensities of 105 and 45 mm/hr were induced with the use of nozzles. Results show that for the given slope combination, the model was capable of simulating the flow coming from the rill and interrill areas for the two different rainfall intensities. It was found that significantly more of the flow occurred in the form of the rill flow. The model studied here can be used for the better prediction of overland flow and can also be used as a building block for an associated erosion and sediment transport model.

[The functional prognosis of physical working ability under conditions of extreme high altitude].

The physical performance of climbers, those making high-altitude ascensions up to 8000 m, without additional oxygen was measured. Some functional criteria of the organism adaptation to exhausting physical loading at the high altitudes were selected. It was established that the forecasting of a successful ascension could be improved if the potential maximal oxygen uptake was added to the standard definition parameters of aerobic metabolism such as the maximal oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold of oxygen uptake. The potential maximal oxygen uptake is considered to be the parameter of maximal oxygen uptake reserve growing in condition of realization of adaptive reaction to hypoxia.

[Determination of the anaerobic threshold by the rate of ventilation and cardio interval variability].

The aim of this work is to develop methods for determining the anaerobic threshold according to the rate of ventilation and cardio interval variability during the test with stepwise increases load on the cycle ergometer and treadmill. In the first phase developed the method for determining the anaerobic threshold for lung ventilation. 49 highly skilled skiers took part in the experiment. They performed a treadmill ski-walking test with sticks with gradually increasing slope from 0 to 25 degrees, the slope increased by one degree every minute. In the second phase we developed a method for determining the anaerobic threshold according dynamics ofcardio interval variability during the test. The study included 86 athletes of different sports specialties who performed pedaling on the cycle ergometer "Monarch" in advance. Initial output was 25 W, power increased by 25 W every 2 min. The pace was steady--75 rev/min. Measurement of pulmonary ventilation and oxygen and carbon dioxide content was performed using gas analyzer COSMED K4. Sampling of arterial blood was carried from the ear lobe or finger, blood lactate concentration was determined using an "Akusport" instrument. RR-intervals registration was performed using heart rate monitor Polar s810i. As a result, it was shown that the graphical method for determining the onset of anaerobic threshold ventilation (VAnP) coincides with the accumulation of blood lactate 3.8 +/- 0.1 mmol/l when testing on a treadmill and 4.1 +/- 0.6 mmol/1 on the cycle ergometer. The connection between the measure of oxygen consumption at VAnP and the dispersion of cardio intervals (SD1), derived regression equation: VO2AnT = 0.35 + 0.01SD1W + 0.0016SD1HR + + 0.106SD1(ms), l/min; (R = 0.98, error evaluation function 0.26 L/min, p < 0.001), where W (W)--Power, HR--heart rate (beats/min), SD1--cardio intervals dispersion (ms) at the moment of registration of cardio interval threshold.

Distributed modelling of urban runoff using a meta-channel concept.

Hydraulic flood routing is advantageous for computational accuracy; however, it requires individual calculations of an extensive pipe network in the case of a two-dimensional analysis. In this study, a method for considering the characteristics of a two-dimensional pipe network has been developed using the meta-channel concept to simplify the detailed calculations involved in the estimation of runoff from urban catchments. In essence, the meta-channel concept turns a two-dimensional pipe network into a one-dimensional pipe with an effective hydraulic geometry. Once such geometry has been identified, the flood routing can then be performed for an urban drainage system. A nonlinear diffusion wave equation, derived from the Saint-Venant equation, was used for flood routing, with an explicit method used for the numerical solution. The celerity and diffusion coefficients, which are two parameters of the diffusion wave equation, were estimated for the Goonja drainage from a two-dimensional pipe network using the meta-channel concept. A comparison of the results of the meta-channel-based pipe routing with the distributed SWMM simulation and observed data, showed close similarities, and identified the applicability of the meta-channel concept in an urban drainage setting.

The impact of capsule endoscopy on surgical results in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) that cannot be established applying traditional endoscopic methods represents 5 % of all gastrointestinal bleedings. Earlier, in cases of recurrent, overt bleedings the surgeons had to perform a laparotomy "blind" without diagnosis. The aim of our retrospective study was to analyse the effectiveness of surgical therapy in patients with OGIB investigated with capsule endoscopy (CE). METHODS: During 36-month period at two workplaces capsule endoscopy studies were evaluated in 61 patients with OGIB who had undergone non-diagnostic panendoscopy and colonoscopy. CE findings were divided into three groups according to the bleeding source: definitive bleeding source (48), uncertain bleeding potential (5) and negative findings (8). Surgical therapy was initiated in 18 cases with definitive bleeding sources. RESULTS: The mean age of 7 male and 11 female patients operated on was 63.4 (+/- 10.69) years. The period between the first clinical symptoms and the date of the operation was an average of 18.2 (+/- 26.11) months. During this period patients were hospitalized in an average of 6 (+/- 7.96) cases. In 17 cases (94 %) the surgical and pathological findings justified the definitive bleeding sources detected by CE. In one case of bleeding angiodysplasia with negative pathological findings the follow-up period without recurrent bleeding justified the validity of CE results and the success of surgical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: CE offers a high impact on the surgical results in patients with OGIB. Through our CE examinations the correct localization of the bleeding sources always provided a reasonable support to perform an optimal small bowel resection.

Mutation analysis of Korean patients with citrullinemia.

Citrullinemia is an autosomal recessive disease due to the mutations in the argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) gene. Mutation analysis was performed on three Korean patients with citrullinemia. All of the three patients had the splicing mutation previously reported as IVS6-2A>G mutation. Two had Gly324Ser mutation and the other patient had a 67-bp insertion mutation in exon 15. The IVS6-2A>G mutation was reported to be found frequently in Japanese patients with citrullinemia, but Caucasian patients showed the extreme mutational heterogeneity. Although a limited number of Korean patients were studied, the IVS6-2A>G mutation appears to be one of the most frequent mutant alleles in Korean patients with citrullinemia. The Gly324Ser mutation identified in two patients also suggests the possible high frequency of this mutation in Korean patients as well.

Rediscovering mycophenolic acid: a review of its mechanism, side effects, and potential uses.

Oral mycophenolic acid (MPA) therapy has been investigated in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis since the early 1970s and has been found to be both safe and effective. By inhibiting de novo purine biosynthesis, it functions as an antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and immunosuppressive agent. The recent availability of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a morpholinoester of MPA, has created renewed interest in the antipsoriatic properties of MPA. MMF is currently indicated for the prevention of organ rejection in transplant recipients and is used concomitantly with cyclosporine and corticosteroids. This review focuses on the pharmacology of MPA and MMF, studies of MPA in the treatment of psoriasis, and therapy with MMF. There is a potential application of MMF in the treatment of severe psoriasis and other inflammatory dermatoses, as well as topical MPA for the treatment of psoriasis.

[Successful surgical management of spontaneous multiple free ileum perforation caused by regional enteritis (Crohn disease)]. / Spontán, szabad, multiplex, többszakaszos ileumperforatiót okozó regionalis enteritis (morbus Crohn) sikerrel operált esete.

Spontaneous free perforation of the small intestine is a rare early (first) complication of the Crohn's disease. Case reports have not exceeded the hundred. The authors report the case history of a 40 years old male patient who was successfully operated on double, multiple free perforation of ileum as first sign of the Crohn's disease. First the suture of the perforated small bowel and second the resection of reperforated ileum was carried out. The base on the macroscopic and microscopic appearance of the resected bowel, the diagnosis was supposed by pathologists too. Presented paper based on the very rare clinical finding.

Rediscovering thalidomide: a review of its mechanism of action, side effects, and potential uses.

Thalidomide, a hypnosedative drug introduced in the 1950s, has been used in a variety of dermatologic conditions during the past few decades. Although originally withdrawn from the world market on discovery of its teratogenic effect, it has since been selectively reintroduced for use in various disorders thought to have an autoimmune or inflammatory basis. A review of the literature focused on clinical uses of thalidomide in the treatment of dermatologic diseases was performed. Diseases for which thalidomide has been found effective include erythema nodosum leprosum, prurigo nodularis, actinic prurigo, discoid lupus erythematosus, aphthous stomatitis, Behçet's syndrome, and graft-versus-host disease. Side effects such as teratogenicity and peripheral neuropathy remain its limiting factor. Thalidomide is a useful addition to the therapeutic armamentarium for treatment-resistant dermatoses as long as proper vigilance for adverse effects is maintained.

Elevation of fasting serum lipids in patients treated with low-dose cyclosporine for severe plaque-type psoriasis. An assessment of clinical significance when viewed as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia has received little attention as a side effect of cyclosporine therapy for severe psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: We report changes in fasting serum lipids in patients treated with low-dose oral cyclosporine for psoriasis and discuss their significance. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with severe, recalcitrant, plaque-type psoriasis were treated with cyclosporine, 5 mg/kg/day, for 12 to 16 weeks. Fasting serum lipid levels (triglycerides, cholesterol, and high-density lipoproteins) were measured at 2-week intervals. RESULTS: The mean serum triglyceride level increased from 117.8 +/- 11.7 mg/dl before initiation of therapy to 183.9 +/- 31.4 mg/dl after 2 weeks of treatment, without further significant change during the remainder of the study (p less than 0.007). A significant elevation of serum cholesterol from 207.1 +/- 8.1 mg/dl initially to 247.4 +/- 10.2 mg/dl after 2 weeks of treatment occurred (p less than 0.001) and persisted with continued cyclosporine therapy. No consistent alteration in high-density lipoprotein was noted (p less than 0.42). CONCLUSION: Serum lipids should be closely monitored in psoriasis patients receiving intermediate or long-term therapy with cyclosporine, especially in the presence of elevated baseline values.

A portable pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) device to enhance healing of recalcitrant venous ulcers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre study assessed the clinical efficacy and safety of pulsed electromagnetic limb ulcer therapy (PELUT) in the healing of recalcitrant, predominantly venous leg ulcers. The portable device was used at home for 3 h daily during this 8-week clinical trial as an adjunct to a wound dressing. Wound surface area, ulcer depth and pain intensity were assessed at weeks 0, 4 and 8. At week 8 the active group had a 47.7% decrease in wound surface area vs. a 42.3% increase for placebo (P < 0.0002). Investigators' global evaluations indicated that 50% of the ulcers in the active group healed or markedly improved vs. 0% in the placebo group, and 0% of the active group worsened vs. 54% of the placebo group (P < 0.001). Significant decreases in wound depth (P < 0.04) and pain intensity (P < 0.04) favouring the active group were seen. Patients whose ulcers improved significantly after 8 weeks were permitted to continue double-blind therapy for an additional 4 weeks. Eleven active and one placebo patient continued therapy until week 12, with the active treatment group continuing to show improvement. There were no reports of adverse events attributable to this device. We conclude that the PELUT device is a safe and effective adjunct to non-surgical therapy for recalcitrant venous leg ulcers.

[Determination of thrombocyte aggregation by a modification of K. Wu and J. Hoak's method]. / Opredelenie agregatov trombotsitov modifitsitovannym metodom K. Wu i J. Hoak.

The authors review the results of estimating platelet spontaneous aggregation by Wu and Hoak's method and by its modifications. They describe a modification of the procedure that essentially improves the accuracy of investigation, is sufficiently sensitive, simple, and rapid. Its informative value was confirmed in experiments with spontaneous platelet aggregation in rabbits with cholesterolemia.

[The hemostasis system in hypoxic anoxia of varying degree]. / Sistema gemostaza v usloviiakh gipoksicheskoi gipoksii razlichnoi stepeni.

This paper presents an overview of investigations of blood coagulation of man exposed to hypoxic hypoxia or hypoxia combined with hypercapnia. Blood coagulation changes were related to the level of hypoxia and correlated with variations in blood gases and acid-base characteristics. Prognostic criteria associated with increased coagulation in response to hypoxia were formulated. It was found that hypoxia of any degree reduced significantly the stimulation effect of epinephrine on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. The paper discusses the relationship between respiratory and hemostatic functions of blood and mechanisms regulating its aggregation during hypoxia of various degree. It is recommended to add carbon dioxide in moderate concentrations to the hypoxic environment in order to prevent blood hypercoagulation and to increase its resistance to acute hypoxia and epinephrine-induced lesions. It is concluded that the functional state of the blood coagulation system is controlled by the concentration and proportion of oxygen and carbon dioxide, i. e. biologically active gases, in inhaled air and blood.

[Features of blood coagulating and fibrinolytic properties under the action of epinephrine in hypoxia and hypercapnia]. / Osobennosti svertyvaiushchikh i fibrinoliticheskikh svoistv krovi pri deistvii adrenalina v usloviiakh gipoksii i giperkapnii.

Acute experiments were carried out on 50 dogs to study the effect of epinephrine in hypoxic (N2 - 15 to 10% O2) or hypoxic-hypercapnic (N2 - 10%, O2 - 5% CO2) atmospheres. Epinephrine led to a maximum increase of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis in normoxic atmosphere. Hypoxia reduced the shift of most hemostasis parameters in response to epinephrine. However, in N2 - 10% O2 atmosphere the epinephrine-induced increase of blood coagulation was superimposed on initial hypoxic hypercoagulation and caused serious disorders in hemostasis. In hypoxic-hypercapnic atmosphere increase of blood coagulation in response to epinephrine was more than doubled when compared to that in hypoxic atmosphere, reaching control values. Nevertheless, after epinephrine administration the ratio of coagulatory, anticoagulatory and fibrinolytic activities was more beneficial in hypoxia-hypercapnia and the coagulation potential was lower than in hypoxic or normoxic atmospheres.

[Role of carbon dioxide in the correction of coagulation hemostasis during hypoxia]. / Rol' uglekisloty v korrektsii koaguliatsionnogo gemostaza pri gipoksii.

In acute animal experiments coagulation hemostasis reactions and blood acid-base state were investigated when dogs were breathing hypoxic (10% O2) or hypoxic-hypercapnic (10% O2, 5% CO2) gas mixtures. When given the hypoxic mixture, activation of blood coagulation was accompanied by depression of anti-coagulatory and fibrinolytic properties. These changes developed together with distinct hypoxemia, respiratory alkalosis and secondary metabolic acidosis. When given the hypoxic-hypercapnic mixture, no hypercoagulation occurred which can be explained by higher (than on the hypoxic mixture) paO2, lack of disorders in acid-base equilibrium and in oxygen supply. It is believed that the ability of carbon dioxide to maintain relative normocoagulation when added to the hypoxic mixture is one of the factors that increase tolerance to hypoxia.

[Properties of strains of the causative agent of plague resistant to the diagnostic phage L-413 "c"]. / Izuchenie svoistv shtammov vozbuditelia chumy, rezistentnykh k diagnosticheskomu fagu L-413 "c".

The data obtained in the comparative study of the lytic activity of two plague diagnostic phages, Pokrovskaya's phage and phage l-413 "c", with respect to 655 Y. pestis strains are presented. The study revealed the advantage of Pokrovskaya's phage which lyzed all the strains under test over phage l-413 "c", found to be inactive with respect to 27 Y. pestis strains. The properties of the strains resistant to phage l-413 "c" were typical for the causative agent of plague in the corresponding natural foci.