Alcohol Injection Research Articles

Effect of high mobility group box 1 pathway inhibition on gene expression in the prefrontal cortex of mice exposed to alcohol

The high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) pathway plays a pivotal role in the development of alcohol-induced brain injury. Glycyrrhizinic acid (GlyA) is widely regarded as an inhibitor of HMGB1. The objective is to investigate the impact on gene expression in the prefrontal cortex,we sequenced the transcriptome in control, alcohol-exposed, and HMGB1-inhibited groups of mice. We verified our findings by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). An alcohol exposure model was established in mice by intraperitoneal injection of alcohol. Transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were performed on prefrontal cortex tissue. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis was performed to identify pivotal pathways of differentially expressed genes. The role of relevant genes was verified by qRT-PCR. Expression of genes involved in the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway exhibited an increase in mice from the alcohol-exposed group.However, there were no significant differences observed in the expression of these genes between control and those receiving an intraperitoneal injection of alcohol along with a HMGB1 inhibitor. Mice in the alcohol-exposed group showed increased gene expression of Cysltr2, Chrna6, Chrna3, Chrnb4, and Pmch. Expression of these genes was decreased in mice injected with HMGB1 inhibitor. Our study demonstrates that alcohol primarily influences gene expression in the prefrontal cortex of mice through the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway. HMGB1 inhibitor effectively inhibited the expression of this pathway. This study provides a novel route for drug development in alcohol-induced brain injury.

Targeting the CSF1/CSF1R signaling pathway: an innovative strategy for ultrasound combined with macrophage exhaustion in pancreatic cancer therapy.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive and lethal malignancy characterized by a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) and immunosuppressive features that limit the efficacy of existing treatments. This paper reviews the potential of combining ultrasound with macrophage exhaustion in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Macrophages, particularly tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), are crucial in pancreatic cancer progression and immune escape. Prolonged exposure to the immunosuppressive TME leads to macrophage exhaustion, reducing their anti-tumor ability and instead promoting tumor growth. The CSF1/CSF1R signaling pathway is key in macrophage recruitment and functional regulation, making it an effective target for combating macrophage exhaustion. Ultrasound technology not only plays a significant role in diagnosis and staging but also enhances therapeutic efficacy by guiding radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and percutaneous alcohol injection (PEI) in combination with immunomodulators. Additionally, ultrasound imaging can monitor the number and functional status of TAMs in real-time, providing a basis for optimizing treatment strategies. Future studies should further investigate the combined use of ultrasound and immunomodulators to refine treatment regimens, address challenges such as individual variability and long-term effects, and offer new hope for pancreatic cancer patients.

The Diagnosis and Treatment of a Post-traumatic Iris Cyst Referred as an Iris Tumor

Purpose: We report the diagnosis and treatment of a secondary iris cyst in a patient referred for an iris tumor.Case summary: A 29-year-old man diagnosed with an anterior chamber mass of the left eye was referred to our center for further evaluation and management. Twenty years previously, he suffered a penetrating ocular injury of his left eye and underwent primary closure. He had no underlying systemic disease. At his initial visit, the best corrected visual acuity of his left eye was 0.5. A whitish-gray mass was observed within the anterior chamber from 1 o'clock to 5 o'clock, obscuring the pupil. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography revealed a cystic mass touching the retrocorneal surface. No other lesions were seen on orbital imaging or ocular ultrasonography. Ultimately, it was diagnosed as an iris cyst that occurred secondary to ocular trauma. After needle aspiration and intracystic injection of 99% ethanol, the cyst collapsed fully. However, a cataract developed within a few months, and phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation were performed. Seven months after cyst aspiration, the uncorrected visual acuity of the left eye had recovered to 0.5. The cyst still adhered to the corneal endothelium, remaining in its collapsed state. The current corneal endothelial cell density is 871 cells/mm<sup>2</sup>.Conclusions: A secondary iris cyst was diagnosed in a patient with a history of penetrating eye trauma and surgery. It was treated successfully with needle aspiration and intracystic alcohol injection.

The Role of Alcohol Ablation Therapy in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy Management

Objectives: The following study aims to investigate alcohol septal ablation’s (ASA) role in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) management, focusing on in-hospital outcomes, efficacy in reducing left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction, and safety profiles. Methods: The study, conducted at the Institute of Cardiology, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, included a total of nine HOCM patients. Participants with exercise-induced symptoms, dyspnea/angina, and specific ventricular gradients were included; unidentified septal branches led to exclusion. Diagnostic assessments, including electrocardiogram, contrast echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization, confirmed HOCM. ASA procedures involved careful target septal branch selection, alcohol injection, and post-procedure care with temporary pacemaker monitoring. Results: The study population (N=9) comprised seven males and two females, with a mean age of 40. Pre- and post-ablation measurements showed 78% reduction in LVOT gradient. Immediate complications included chest pain (100%), while 22.2% developed complete heart block. Notably, no mortality occurred during the study. Conclusion: ASA proved safe and effective in managing HOCM, with significant mean reduction in post-ablation LVOT gradient (78%). Complications were generally minor, emphasizing ASA’s viability for symptomatic HOCM patients. While acknowledging the absence of randomized controlled trials comparing ASA with alternative techniques, this study contributes valuable insights to guide collaborative treatment decisions by specialists.

Exploring the Prospects of Antenatal Microcoil Embolization of Giant Placental Chorioangioma: Case Report and Review of Literature

AbstractGiant placental chorioangiomas, which measure more than 4 cm, are associated with adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes, with an estimated perinatal mortality of 30 to 40%. Early diagnosis, close prenatal surveillance, intrauterine intervention, and timely delivery would play a vital role in improving pregnancy outcomes. Using conventional treatment options like amniodrainage to reduce intrauterine pressure and intrauterine blood transfusion to correct fetal anemia fails to tackle the underlying pathophysiology. Interventions aimed at devascularizing the tumor, such as injection of alcohol or surgical glue, use of bipolar cautery, placement of vascular clips, interstitial laser, and radiofrequency ablation, have had mixed results due to their invasive nature and associated complications. In this case report, we discuss a minimally invasive, percutaneous, extraamniotic method of focal occlusion accomplished by microcoil embolization of the feeding vessel. The combination of slow blood flow and endothelial vessel damage due to the presence of coils stimulates thrombogenic mechanisms, contributing to the formation of a clot and leading to the cessation of blood flow to the chorioangioma, thereby treating the primary pathology.

Treadmill Exercise Reshapes Cortical Astrocytic and Neuronal Activity to Improve Motor Learning Deficits Under Chronic Alcohol Exposure

Alcohol abuse induces various neurological disorders including motor learning deficits, possibly by affecting neuronal and astrocytic activity. Physical exercise is one effective approach to remediate synaptic loss and motor deficits as shown by our previous works. In this study, we unrevealed the role of exercise training in the recovery of cortical neuronal and astrocytic functions. Using a chronic alcohol injection mouse model, we found the hyperreactivity of astrocytes along with dendritic spine loss plus lower neuronal activity in the primary motor cortex. Persistent treadmill exercise training, on the other hand, improved neural spine formation and inhibited reactive astrocytes, alleviating motor learning deficits induced by alcohol exposure. These data collectively support the potency of endurance exercise in the rehabilitation of motor functions under alcohol abuse.

An experimental study of alcohol injection to mitigate water blockage in commingled layered reservoirs

This study explores the effectiveness of alcohol injection as a stimulation treatment to mitigate water blockage in the vicinity of the wellbore. Over the years, water blockage has emerged as a recurring challenge within the oil and gas industry, leading to diminished well productivity.In a commingled reservoir with multiple layers, when a producing well is shut-in for well intervention or workover, water may encroach from water zones into the oil-bearing formations through the wellbore due to pressure differences between the layers. Water encroachment can have a significant impact on the production of a well. It can reduce the oil production rate, increase the water cut, and shorten the well's lifespan. Therefore, it is essential to take steps to mitigate the water encroachment effect in commingled reservoirs. This study explores the use of alcohol injection to reduce transition time and remediate formation damage in commingled oil reservoirs. Limited studies have shown that alcohol has the potential to enhance fluid relative Permeability in gas condensate reservoirs and reduce condensate banking near the wellbore. However, this approach has not yet been tested in commingled oil reservoirs.A series of core flooding tests were conducted using Berea sandstone cores and a Texan light crude oil sample. The core flood setup was designed to represent the water blockage condition in the formation. Two different alcohols were tested: isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and Methanol. Experimental results showed that mutual solvents significantly reduce water blockage and shorten the transition period. However, asphaltene precipitation may become a problem with increasing the molecular weight of injected alcohol.

Increased anxiolytic effect in aged female rats and increased motoric behavior in aged male rats to acute alcohol administration: Comparison to younger animals

The population of most countries in the world is increasing and understanding risk factors that can influence the health of the older population is critical. Older adults consume alcohol often in a risky, binge manner. Previous work has demonstrated that aged rats are more sensitive to many of the effects of acute ethanol. In the current project aged, adult, and adolescent female and male rats were tested on the elevated plus maze and open field following either a 1.0 g/kg alcohol injection or a saline injection. We report sex- and age-dependent effects whereas aged female rats, but not aged male rats, showed an increased anxiolytic effect of alcohol in the elevated plus maze while aged male rats, but not aged female rats, showed increased stimulatory movement in the open field. In addition, significant age effects were found for both female and male rats. It is proposed that the sex- and age-dependent effects reported in the current studies may be due to differential levels of alcohol-induced allopregnanolone for the anxiolytic effects and differential levels of alcohol-induced dopamine for the stimulatory effects. The current work provides insights into factors influencing alcohol consumption in older adults.

Effectiveness and complication of low-dose trigeminal nerve block with alcohol in idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia

Background: Trigeminal nerve block with alcohol was introduced long ago as a treatment method for trigeminal neuralgia. However, very little information is available in the literature regarding trigeminal nerve block with alcohol, and therefore, we evaluated the efficacy and related complications of an alcohol block of the trigeminal nerve for the treatment of indiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.Subjects and methods: Longitudinal and retrospective study in 38 idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia patients with low-dose trigeminal nerve block with alcohol from January 2019 to July 2022. Results: 38 patients were analyzed who received absolute alcohol injections in the management of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) from January 2019 to July 2022. There are 30 cases were injected with 0,3 ml of absolute alcohol and 8 cases with a greater 0,3 ml dose. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for pain improved with moderate level (18 cases) and severe level (12 cases) before, 24 patients had marked improvement of pain with mild level or free from pain. 30 patients (100%) who initially became free from pain experienced a recurrence of pain at least 1 year. Using the Barrow Neurologic Institude pain scale (BNI-PS), after 2 weeks there were only 2 patients (6,7%) experienced recurrent pain with BNI-PS IV, 2 patients (6,7%) with BNI-PS IV after 12 months and 5 patient (17,2%) with BNI-PS IV, 1 patient with BNI-PS V (3,4%) after more than 12 months. No serious complications were reported. Facial numbness was reported in 16 cases (53,3%) with 0,3 ml of absolute alcohol and 8 cases (87,5%) with a greater 0,3 ml dose. Other complications included: keratitis in 4 cases (13,3%) with 0,3 ml of absolute alcohol and 1 cases (25%) with a greater 0,3 ml dose, masseter muscle weakness in 7 cases (23,3,%) with 0,3 ml of absolute alcohol and 2 cases (25,5%) with a greater 0,3 ml dose.

449 The Efficiency of Non-surgical Therapies for the Treatment of Mortons Neuroma: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION: Morton’s neuroma or Intermetatarsal neuroma is a benign inflammation of the peripheral nerves in the feet causing sharp, burning metatarsalgia and significant morbidity while walking, running, etc. It occurs more in females because tight shoe styles put pressure on the nerve. METHODS: Keyword search of “Morton’s Neuroma”, “treatment”, “conservative” and “non-surgical” was conducted across MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Two cohort studies and seven Randomised Controlled Trials were included for review following PRISMA guidelines. These studies were reviewed for pain relief, functionality, and limitations of each procedure. RESULTS: Methylprednisolone injections were proved to reduce the Visual Analog Scale score with >50% cases showing no difficulty in functional daily activity at 9 months post-procedure. Short-term relief was achieved by alcohol and capsaicin injections independently. Modifications in the shoe insole indicated better functionality and analgesia compared to a flat insole but combined with steroids it showed better outcomes. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy provided relief for up to 3 months compared to radiofrequency ablation which provided relief for a longer period. CONCLUSIONS: Although these procedures show statistically significant changes, they are not without limitations. Well-designed randomized controlled trials looking into the avenues for radiofrequency ablation and shockwave therapies as opposed to surgical excision of neuromas are vital.

Efficacy of Treatment of Cesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancies with Alcohol Injection to the Gestational Sac and Dilatation Curettage with or without Systemic Methotrexate: A Case-Control Study

Efficacy of Treatment of Cesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancies with Alcohol Injection to the Gestational Sac and Dilatation Curettage with or without Systemic Methotrexate: A Case-Control Study

Dexmedetomidine in Fluoroscopic Guided Splanchnic Nerve Neurolysis for Pain Control: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Splanchnic nerve neurolysis (SNN) shows beneficial effects in reducing malignancy-associated refractory abdominal pain. Using adjuvants, such as dexmedetomidine to improve the pain was studied. OBJECTIVE: To detect any role of dexmedetomidine as an additive to local anesthetics with an alcohol injection in the chemical SNN process to improve pain in patients having upper-abdominal cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Double-blinded, prospective randomized study. SETTING: Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, faculty of medicine, Minia University, Egypt. METHODS: Forty patients with upper-abdominal malignancy-associated refractory abdominal pain underwent fluoroscopic guided SNN were divided into 2 groups. The SNN was performed by using 1.5 mL lidocaine 1%, dexmedetomidine 2 mu-g/kg, and then an injection of 4.5 mL of ethanol 96% on each side in group D and without dexmedetomidine in group C is done. Patients gave the score of abdominal pain expressed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), which measures the pain intensity. Scors were recorded prior to injection, during injection, after injection by 5 min, and after 2, 6, 12, 24, 72 hours, one week (W), 2 W, one month (M), and 2 M. Also, we recorded the amount of morphine required to relieve the residual pain after injection, the effect of procedure on quality of life (QOL), and any complication after injection. RESULTS: VAS scores showed a significant increase in group C in comparison to group D during injection, after injection by 5 min, 2, 6, 12, 24 hours, one and 2 months (P < 0.0001, 0.0001, 0.029, 0.031, 0.025, 0.040, 0.020, 0.015), respectively. The morphine requirement was significantly increased at one W, one M, and 2 M in group C in comparison to Group D (P < 0.044, 0.017, 0.033) with no significant change in the QOL observed between groups. LIMITATIONS: The limitations of this study were a relatively small sample size and short period of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that using dexmedetomidine in the chemical SNN process improves the pain results from injection of alcohol and refractory cancer related pain with reduction in the consumption of morphine in patients with upper-abdominal malignancy. KEY WORDS: Splanchnic nerve neurolysis, dexmedetomidine, alcohol, chronic cancer pain

Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation for Neuropathic Pain in a Patient with a Morton Neuroma of Atypical Location

Introduction: Morton's Neuroma is a common cause of forefoot pain, often resulting from excessive force and compressive footwear, especially in highly active patients. The treatment typically begins with physical therapy and modifications in activity or footwear, progresses to corticosteroid and alcohol injections, and ultimately may involve surgical management. Bipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an emerging treatment that might delay or prevent surgery and may be more effective than its monopolar counterpart. The aim of this case report is to highlight bipolar radiofrequency ablation as a potential treatment option for Morton's neuroma (MN). Case Presentation: The author’s present a 70-year-old male with a clinical diagnosis of Morton's neuroma in an unusual location who underwent bipolar RFA on the medial side of the left great toe after conservative therapy proved unsuccessful. Following the procedure, the patient showed substantial improvement both functionally and symptomatically, with a notable reduction in pain by 70% at his 3-week check-up. Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation is increasingly being recognized as a valuable option in the pain management toolkit for Morton's Neuroma. The benefits of delaying or avoiding surgery are particularly significant for athletes and dancers. Compared to monopolar RFA, bipolar RFA may provide a more effective treatment.

Sex-Specific Impact of Fkbp5 on Hippocampal Response to Acute Alcohol Injection: Involvement in Alterations of Metabolism-Related Pathways.

High levels of alcohol intake alter brain gene expression and can produce long-lasting effects. FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51) encoded by Fkbp5 is a physical and cellular stress response gene and has been associated with alcohol consumption and withdrawal severity. Fkbp5 has been previously linked to neurite outgrowth and hippocampal morphology, sex differences in stress response, and epigenetic modification. Presently, primary cultured Fkbp5 KO and WT mouse neurons were examined for neurite outgrowth and mitochondrial signal with and without alcohol. We found neurite specification differences between KO and WT; particularly, mesh-like morphology was observed after alcohol treatment and confirmed higher MitoTracker signal in cultured neurons of Fkbp5 KO compared to WT at both naive and alcohol-treated conditions. Brain regions that express FKBP51 protein were identified, and hippocampus was confirmed to possess a high level of expression. RNA-seq profiling was performed using the hippocampus of naïve or alcohol-injected (2 mg EtOH/Kg) male and female Fkbp5 KO and WT mice. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between Fkbp5 KO and WT at baseline and following alcohol treatment, with female comparisons possessing a higher number of DEGs than male comparisons. Pathway analysis suggested that genes affecting calcium signaling, lipid metabolism, and axon guidance were differentially expressed at naïve condition between KO and WT. Alcohol treatment significantly affected pathways and enzymes involved in biosynthesis (Keto, serine, and glycine) and signaling (dopamine and insulin receptor), and neuroprotective role. Functions related to cell morphology, cell-to-cell signaling, lipid metabolism, injury response, and post-translational modification were significantly altered due to alcohol. In summary, Fkbp5 plays a critical role in the response to acute alcohol treatment by altering metabolism and signaling-related genes.

Surgical strategies in the management of aggressive spinal haemangiomas: Retrospective case series with literature review and a practical treatment algorithm

PurposeWe studied the clinico-radiological features and treatment outcomes of patients with aggressive spinal haemangiomas. MethodsWe undertook a retrospective review of 24 patients with aggressive spinal haemangiomas managed at our centre from 2004 to 2016. The cohort was divided into two groups. Group1 included patients managed from 2004 to 2009 while Group 2 was those treated between 2010 and 2016. Clinicoradiological features and treatment outcomes were studied. ResultsBack pain (24/24) and myelopathy (18/24) were the most common presenting complaints. Over 80% (20/24) of patients, had involvement of the thoracic spine and more than 50% (13/24) had severe spasticity, being Nurick grade 4&5 at presentation. The various treatment modalities used were laminectomy with or without instrumented posterior fusion (10/24), corpectomy with instrumented fusion (10/24) and alcohol injection alone (4/24). Patients who were treated with surgery had significant clinical improvement at follow-up in both groups. Patients who underwent alcohol injection did not have any improvement in symptoms at follow-up. There was a change in our strategy in the later part of the series from a two staged anterior and posterior approach to a single staged posterior-only approach to address vertebral body disease with preoperative angioembolization. ConclusionHaemangiomas are benign lesions with locally aggressive behavior in some cases. Results of conservative approaches such as alcohol injection in management of these lesions are discouraging. Aggressive surgical decompression combined with preoperative adjuncts such as angioembolization with or without stabilization reduces intra operative blood loss and results in good neurological recovery even in patients with severe myelopathy.

Combined gas well hydrate prevention and control technology and its application

The high pressure in some gas wells, such as those in the Xushen gas field in Daqing, China, makes them susceptible to freezing and hydrate blockages. Downhole throttling technology is widely used to reduce costs during well construction, however, due to the limitations of temperature, pressure and depth structure, this technology is sometime applied independently in some gas wells in which freezing and blockages are a frequent problem that can seriously affect production capacity. Moreover, artificial alcohol injection of ‘passive plugging’ to prevent hydrate formation not only consumes significant amounts of methanol but its efficiency is also dependent on factors such as weather, personnel and equipment, so it is not a continuous solution. In order to solve the above problems, the mechanism of hydrate formation was analyzed in this study, from which a combined mechanical and chemical hydrate control process was developed. OLGA software was used to design the process parameters of the novel mechanical and chemical inhibition technology for hydrate prevention and control, and also to simulate and analyze the wellhead temperature, pressure and hydrate generation once the process was implemented. Based on the results of the parameters calculation, the downhole throttle and hydrate inhibitor automatic filling device are used to realize the functions of downhole throttle depressurization and hydrate inhibitor continuous filling, reduce the wellhead pressure and hydrate generation temperature, and ensure the continuous production of gas well. This novel combination process was subsequently tested in three wells in the Daqing gas oilfield. Measurements showed that the average daily gas increase from a single well was 0.5×104m3, methanol consumption was reduced from the original maximum daily amount of 1750 kg to just 60 kg, the manual maintenance workload was reduced by 80%, and the rate of the well openings was increased from 45% to 100%. These results proved that this technology is feasible and efficient for applications in gas wells with high downhole pressure and low wellhead temperature, and, thus, provides important technical support for the prevention of gas hydrate and improvement of gas well production.

Acetaldehyde-mediated increase in glutamatergic and N-acetylaspartate neurometabolite levels in the midcingulate cortex of ALDH2*1/*2 heterozygous young adults.

To elucidate the neurobiology underlying alcohol's effect on the human brain, we examined the acute effects of moderate alcohol administration on levels of glutamatergic neurometabolites and N-acetylaspartate, an amino acid found in neurons, may reflect disordered neuronal integrity. Eighteen healthy Japanese participants (7 males/11 females) aged 20-30 years who were heterozygous for an inactive allele of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH/*1/*2) were included. Participants underwent an intravenous alcohol infusion using the clamp method at a target blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.50 mg/mL for 90 min within a range of ±0.05 mg/mL. We examined glutamate + glutamine (Glx) and N-acetylaspartate N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAA) levels in the midcingulate cortex (MCC) using 3 T 1 H-MRS PRESS at baseline, 90 min, and 180 min (i.e., 90 min after alcohol infusion was finished). A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to assess longitudinal changes in Glx and NAA levels, with time and sex as within- and between-subject factors, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated among neurometabolite levels and BAC or blood acetaldehyde concentration (BAAC). Both Glx (F(2,32) = 8.15, p = 0.004, η2 = 0.15) and NAA (F(2,32) = 5.01, p = 0.04, η2 = 0.07) levels were increased after alcohol injection. There were no sex or time × sex interaction effects observed. NAA levels were positively correlated with BAAC at 90 min (r(13) = 0.77, p = 0.01). There were no associations between neurometabolite levels and BAC. Both Glx and NAA levels in the MCC increased in response to the administration of moderate concentrations of alcohol. Given positive associations between NAA levels and BAAC and the hypothetical glutamate release via dopamine pathways, the effects of drinking on the MCC in the acute phase may be ascribed to acetaldehyde metabolized from alcohol.

Non-Thermal Liver Ablation: Existing and New Technology.

Cancer has and continues to be a complex health crisis plaguing millions around the world. Alcohol ablation was one of the initial methods used for the treatment of liver lesions. It was surpassed by thermal ablation which has played a big role in the therapeutic arsenal for primary and metastatic liver tumors. However, thermal ablation has several shortcomings and limitations that prompted the development of alternative technologies including electroporation and histotripsy. Percutaneous alcohol injection in the liver lesion leads to dehydration and coagulative necrosis. This technology is limited to the lesion with relative sparing of the surrounding tissue, making it safe to use adjacent to sensitive structures. Electroporation utilizes short high-voltage pulses to permeabilize the cell membrane and can result in cell death dependent on the threshold reached. It can effectively target the tumor margins and has lower damage rates to surrounding structures due to the short pulse duration. Histotripsy is a novel technology, and although the first human trial was just completed, its results are encouraging, given the sharp demarcation of the targeted tissue, lack of thermal damage, and potential for immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment. Herein, we discuss these techniques, their uses, and overall clinical benefit.

Substance use, economic vulnerability, and HIV/STI risk among female sex workers in Mexico.

Economic hardship (e.g., difficulty to pay for basic needs) has been associated with increased HIV/STI risk among female sex workers (FSW), and may be exacerbated by high levels of substance use. Few studies have assessed the intersection of economic hardship, substance use, and HIV/STI risk among FSW. Quantitative data were collected via questionnaires among 469 FSW residing in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Using logistic regression, we assessed the role of economic hardship on the association between substance use (past 30-days alcohol use, drug use, or injection drugs use with clients, and past 6-months drug use) and testing positive for an STI (also an indicator of HIV risk). Drug use in the preceding six months was significantly associated with testing positive for an STI (AOR = 1.8, CI: 1.1 = 2.9, p = .02); no difference in this association was found by whether women reported economic hardship. Past 30-day drug use with clients was associated with STI infection, but only among those who did not report economic hardship (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-1.9, p < .01). Findings suggest that economic hardship influences the association between substance use and increased risk for HIV/STI among FSW; however, these associations may be more complex than previously hypothesized.

Investigating biodiesel production from Chicken fat oil using bi-functional catalysts and microbubble mediated mass transfer

Biodiesel production has been limited by slow kinetics of acid catalyzed esterification, downstream product separation before transesterification and expensive feedstock. Bi-functional catalysts can carry out esterification and transesterification simultaneously. However, an energy efficient method is still required to enhance the kinetics of esterification. Similarly, the thermodynamic equilibrium hindering the overall conversion of the esterification needs to be manipulated to increase the overall conversion of the process. The manuscript proposes a new bi-functional catalyst, 7 % Sr/ZrO2, along with microbubble mediated injection of alcohol. The conversion of free fatty acids (FFA) and Triglycerides by bi-functional catalysts was compared with three naturally occurring bi-functional catalysts- Zwitterions. Chicken fat oil was chosen as the feedstock. Preliminary experiments were conducted to select alcohol. Experiments were designed using Response Surface Methodology. The current study shows that the use of heterogeneous catalysts and CFO as a feedstock has lucrative potentials. The rate of reaction and conversion of the process are further increased by overcoming the thermodynamic equilibrium using microbubble mediated mass transfer increasing process feasibility. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to design the experiments. 7 % Sr/ZrO2 was found to give significantly higher conversion of triglycerides as compared with the Zwitterions. However, conversion of FFA using Aspartic acid was almost similar to 7 % Sr/ZrO2. For triglycerides and FFA, the conversion of CFO at optimize conditions using (Molar ratio = 1: 14, temperature 70 °C, and catalyst loading 1 %) was 75 % and 57 %, as compared with aspartic acid (61 % and 63 %), arginine (58 % and 73 %), and isoleucine (54 % and 39 %) respectively. Detailed comparison between other reported bi-functional catalysts showed that 7 %Sr/ZrO2 yielded a high conversion in significantly less time. The higher performance can be attributed to the use of microbubble mediated mass transfer. The results indicate that integration of microbubble mediated mass transfer and a bi-functional catalyst can accelerate the industrial reactive separations comprising biodiesel production.