Investigation of flow dynamics of primary coolant in a delay tank of a swimming pool-type nuclear reactor using radiotracer technique.

Radiotracer investigations were carried out for tracing primary coolant in a delay tank of a swimming pool type nuclear reactor. The delay tank was designed to provide a certain delay or residence time to the primary coolant so that the short-lived radioisotopes such as (nitrogen-16 and oxygen-19) decay to a safer level before exiting from the delay tank. However, soon after commissioning of the reactor, the radiation levels at the exit of the reactor core and delay tank, in the working area were found to be higher than the permissible levels. Therefore, the main objectives of the investigations were to measure breakthrough and residence times and, to investigate flow dynamics of the coolant within the tank. Residence time distributions (RTDs) of the coolant were measured in the delay tank using technetium-99m as sodium pertechnatate as a radiotracer. The breakthrough time (BTT) and mean residence time (MRT) were determined from the measured RTD and the same were found to be inadequate to allow the decay of short-lived radioisotopes to the permissible levels. Axial dispersion model with two parallel flow streams was used to simulate the measured RTD curves. Results of the model simulation indicated bypassing of the coolant. Based on the results of the radiotracer investigations, necessary modifications were carried out in the design of the tank. After implementing the modifications, the radiotracer experiments were repeated and, the BTT and the MRT were found to increase sufficient enough to allow decay of the produced radioisotopes and thus to reduce the radiation levels at the exit of the delay tank and in the working area to the safer and permissible levels.

Spontaneous Rupture of an Ovarian Artery Aneurysm: A Rare Postpartum Complication.

Background. Spontaneous rupture of an ovarian artery aneurysm is a rare but usually life-threatening event. It is most often associated with pregnancy or fibroids. Our case followed a normal vaginal delivery and then a delayed presentation with features similar to other less life-threatening postpartum conditions. The diagnosis could have been missed but for the meticulous and timely interventions which avoided catastrophic outcome. Case. This is a case of a multiparous woman with rupture of a left ovarian artery aneurysm, causing massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage and hematoma that required a combination of arterial embolization, percutaneous CT scan guided drainage, and surgical evacuation of the hematoma. Conclusion. Spontaneous rupture of ovarian artery should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses in the immediate postpartum period especially when the clinical symptoms do not correlate with the amount of blood loss. A high index of suspicion, prompt diagnosis, intervention, and a multidisciplinary approach in the management were the elements of a successful outcome in this case.

Profile of liver enzymes in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and newly detected untreated type 2 diabetes.

CONTEXT: The perception of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as an uncommon and benign condition is rapidly changing. Approximately, 70% type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients have a fatty liver, which may follow an aggressive course with necroinflammation and fibrosis. AIMS: To assess the profile of liver enzymes in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), new onset treatment naive T2DM and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) with and without NAFLD. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional clinic-based study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 152 IGT and 158 recently detected T2DM subjects aged between 30 and 69 years, along with 160 age and gender matched controls with NGT. An ultrasonography scan of the upper abdomen was done in all patients in order to examine presence of fatty liver. Anthropometry, lipid profile, liver enzymes were also analyzed in all patients. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Unpaired t-test, Chi-square/Fisher Exact test (for categorical variables), Pearson/Spearmen correlation test to find significant difference, association and correlation between two or more groups respectively. RESULTS: NAFLD was significantly associated with higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) but not ALP levels in IGT and T2DM patients. ALT, GGT significant correlated with waist circumference, body mass index, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment- insulin resistance, fasting blood glucose, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride. 57% of NAFLD patients had normal ALT between 25 and 40 U/L, 53% of NAFLD subjects had normal GGT between 15 and 30 U/L. ALT <25 U/L and GGT <15 U/L had highest negative predictivity whereas ALT >40 U/L and GGT > 30 U/L had highest positive predictivity for presence of NAFLD in our study sample. CONCLUSIONS: Mild elevations of liver enzymes in the upper normal range are associated with features of metabolic syndrome and NAFLD even in IGT and recently detected T2DM patients. Novel cut-offs for liver enzymes are warranted in order to prevent unnecessary diagnostic work-ups and early detection of NAFLD to reduce the risk of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and classical cardiovascular disease in T2DM and IGT patients.

Dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and liver enzymes in impaired glucose tolerance and new onset untreated, type 2 diabetes Indian subjects.

UNLABELLED: This cross-sectional clinic-based study assessed and compared lipid profile, presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), and liver enzymes in subjects with IGT, new onset treatment naïve T2DM, and normal glucose tolerance (NGT). INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and IGT patients have increased dyslipidemia, MetS, and alterations in liver enzymes. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare lipid profile, presence of MetS, and liver enzymes in subjects with IGT, new onset treatment naïve T2DM, and NGT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional clinic-based study examined 152 IGT and 158 recently detected T2D subjects aged between 30 and 69 years, never treated with any anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypertensive, and lipid lowering drugs. One hundred and sixty age- and gender-matched controls with NGT were also selected. Anthropometry, lipid profile, dyslipidemia (ADA criteria), presence of MetS (NCEP, IDF), liver enzymes, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR and QUICKI), and ß-cell function (HOMA ß) were analyzed in all subjects. RESULTS: T2D and IGT subjects had significantly higher BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure (BP), HOMA-IR, QUICKI, fasting insulin, HOMA-ß, MetS, triglyceride, LDL-C, SGPT, GGT, and lower HDL-C compared to NGT (control). High LDL-C (>100 mg/dl) was the commonest dyslipidemia followed by low HDL-C and hypertriglyceridemia in IGT and T2D. We found no significant differences in BMI, waist circumference, insulin resistance, total/LDL-C/HDL-C, and presence of MetS between T2D and IGT subjects. Diabetics exhibited significantly higher BP, triglyceride, SGPT, GGT, lower fasting insulin, and HOMA-ß-cell function compared to IGT. CONCLUSIONS: IGT and recent onset T2D individuals had similar increased cardiovascular risk markers, liver enzymes, and prevalence of MetS. High LDL-C was the commonest dyslipidemia in IGT and T2D. T2D subjects had higher triglyceride, BP, SGPT, GGT compared to IGT.