Enlargement Factor Research Articles

Correlation between Transabdominal Sonographic Prostate Volume and Anthropometric Parameters.

Prostate diseases commonly present with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) resulting from prostatic enlargement. Prostate volume (PV) can be evaluated using transabdominal ultrasonography. Focus is currently on relative factors of prostatic enlargement which includes obesity and central adiposity. The aim of this study is to correlate transabdominal sonographic PV and anthropometric parameters in patients with LUTS in Port Harcourt. This was a prospective cross-sectional study carried out at the Radiology Department, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, between September 2020 and January 2021. One hundred and twenty (120) males from 40 years and above who presented with LUTS were recruited. Transabdominal PV estimation was done and body mass index (BMI) as well as WC was assessed. Data were analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences; appropriate statistical tests were applied and P < 0.05 was considered significant. The mean PV was 69.8 ± 63.5 cm3, 79.2% of the subjects had enlarged prostate with volume ≥30 cm3. PV was found to increase with age. The correlation between PV and anthropometric measures of obesity (BMI and WC) was statistically not significant. The work established that there is no correlation between PV and anthropometric measures of obesity - BMI and WC in negro population as opposed to nonblack population where there is correlation. Obesity may not be a considerable risk factor of prostatic enlargement in the studied population. Thus, anthropometrics may not be useful in predicting prostate size.

ЕЛЕКТРИЧНІ ТА ПРУЖНІ ВЛАСТИВОСТІ ГЛИБОКОЗАНУРЕНИХ УЩІЛЬНЕНИХ ПОРІД КАРБОНУ ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОГО ГРАБЕНА ДДЗ

Paper concerned the research of elastic and electric properties of deep-seated consolidated terrigenous rocks of Carboniferous period of the Central graben of the Dnieper-Donetsk depression (DDD). The purpose of the research was to study the petrophysical parameters of the consolidated reservoir rocks, as the basis of the integrated analysis of their physical properties. Such electric and elastic parameters of rock samples as resistivity and formation resistivity factor, formation resistivity enlargement factor, velocities of the P-waves and interval (transit) time have been studied. The correlation analysis has allowed establishing a series of empirical relationships between resistivity and formation resistivity factor, and between porosity and formation resistivity factor in atmospheric and reservoir conditions. The correlation relationships of the resistivity with formation resistivity factor manifest itself in linear function. Physical modeling of reservoir conditions allows adapting the values of electrical parameters obtained in atmospheric conditions to parameters of rocks in reservoir conditions. Laboratory acoustic study of siltstones and sandstones managed to establish correlation relationships of: velocities of the P-waves and interval (transit) time with density and porosity in atmospheric conditions; velocities of the P-waves in atmospheric and reservoir conditions; velocities with porosity in reservoir conditions. The dependence of the velocities of the P-waves in atmospheric and reservoir conditions for the studied rocks manifest itself in linear function. Physical modeling of reservoir conditions allows adapting the values of elastic parameters obtained in atmospheric conditions, to parameters of rocks in reservoir conditions. The correlation relationships of the electric and elastic properties with reservoir properties of siltstones and consolidated sandstones which were obtained in laboratory petrophysical research should be at the basis of preliminary interpretation of geophysical data on new areas of the Central graben of DDD.

Production calculation of the second and tertiary recovery combination reservoirs under chemical flooding

Based on the analysis of the production composition of reservoirs developed by the second & tertiary recovery combination (STRC), the relationship between the overall output of the STRC project and the production level during the blank water flooding stage is proposed. According to the basic principle of reservoir engineering that the “recovery factor is equal to sweeping coefficient multiplied by oil displacement efficiency”, the formula for calculating the ultimate oil recovery factor of chemical combination flooding reservoir was established. By dividing the reservoir into a series of grids according to differential calculus thinking, the relationship between the ultimate recovery factor of a certain number of grids and the recovery degree of the reservoir was established, and then the variation law of oil production rate of the STRC reservoir was obtained. The concept of “oil rate enlargement factor of chemical combination flooding” was defined, and a production calculation method of reservoir developed by STRC was put forward based on practical oilfield development experience. The study shows that the oil production enhancing effect of STRC increases evenly with the increase of the ratio of STRC displacement efficiency to water displacement efficiency, and increases rapidly with the increase of the ratio of recovery degree at flooding mode conversion to the water displacement efficiency. STRC is more effective in increasing oil production of reservoir with high recovery degree. Through practical tests of the alkali free binary flooding (polymer/surfactant) projects, the relative error of the oil production calculation method of STRC reservoir is about ±10%, which meets the requirements of reservoir engineering.

Clinical Strategies Against Early Hematoma Expansion Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Hematoma volume is the strongest predictor of morbidity and mortality after intracerebral hemorrhage. Protection against early hematoma growth is therefore the mainstay of therapeutic intervention for acute intracerebral hemorrhage, but the current armamentarium is restricted to early blood pressure lowering and emergent reversal for anticoagulant agents. Although intensive lowering of systolic blood pressure to <140 mmHg appears likely to prevent hematoma growth, two recent randomized trials, INTERACT-2 and ATACH-2, demonstrated non-significant trends of reduced hematoma enlargement by intensive blood pressure control, with only a small magnitude of benefit or no benefit for clinical outcomes. While oral anticoagulants can be immediately reversed by prothrombin complex concentrate, or the newly developed idarucizumab for direct thrombin inhibitor or andexanet for factor Xa inhibitors, the situation regarding reversal of antiplatelet agents is not yet quite as advanced. However, considering at most the approximately 10% rate of anticoagulant use among patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, what is most essential for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage in general is early hemostatic therapy. Tranexamic acid may safely reduce hematoma expansion, but its hemostatic effect was insufficient to be translated into improved functional outcomes in the TICH-2 randomized trial with 2,325 participants. In this context, recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is a candidate to be added to the armory against hematoma enlargement. The FAST, a phase 3 trial that compared doses of 80 and 20 μg/kg rFVIIa with placebo in 841 patients within 4 h after the stroke onset, showed a significant reduction in hematoma growth with rFVIIa treatment, but demonstrated no significant difference in the proportion of patients with severe disability or death. However, a post hoc analysis of the FAST trial suggested a benefit of rFVIIa in a target subgroup of younger patients without extensive bleeding at baseline when treated earlier after stroke onset. The FASTEST trial is now being prepared to determine this potential benefit of rFVIIa, reflecting the pressing need to develop therapeutic strategies against hematoma enlargement, a powerful but modifiable prognostic factor in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Risk Analysis of Aneurysm Sac Enlargement Caused by Type II Endoleak after Endovascular Aortic Repair

Although the preoperative risk factors associated with the occurrence of type II endoleak (ETII) after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) have gradually become more evident, the preoperative risk factors associated with aneurysm sac enlargement caused by ETII remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the preoperative risk factors associated with aneurysm sac enlargement caused by ETII after EVAR. This retrospective cohort study reviewed 519 EVARs performed for true abdominal aortic aneurysm between January 2006 and December 2018 at our institution. EVARs using commercially available bifurcated devices with no type I or III endoleaks during follow-up and with ≥12 months follow-up were included. A total of 320 patients were enrolled in the study. To identify the preoperative risk factors of sac enlargement after EVAR, Cox regression analysis was used to assess preoperative data. The median follow-up period was 60.8 months. Overall, 135 of 320 patients (42%) had ETII during follow-up, and 47 of 135 patients (35%) developed aneurysm sac enlargement. Multivariate analysis revealed that chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage ≥4 (hazard ratio [HR], 4.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.13-10.15; P=0.001), patent inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) (HR, 17.85; 95% CI, 2.46-129.73; P< 0.001), and number of patent lumbar arteries (LAs) (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.13-1.68; P= 0.002) were risk factors of aneurysm sac enlargement caused by ETII. CKD stage ≥4, patent IMA, and number of patent LAs were independent risk factors for aneurysm sac enlargement after EVAR. In particular, patent IMA had the highest HR and seemed to have the greatest impact on long-term aneurysm sac enlargement. Hence, taking preoperative measures to address a patent IMA appears to be important in reducing the incidence of sac enlargement.

Risk factors of Prostate Enlargement among Patients with History of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Background: Prostate enlargement is defined as increase in size of prostate gland. The diseasemay bepresented clinically as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The disease is increasing with age. There aremany risk factors as age, genetic, geographical, obesity, physical activity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension.Subjects and Method: A descriptive study was conducted on patients with lower urinary tract symptomswho were attending Tikrit teaching hospital outpatient’s clinic during the period from 1st July -1stOctober2018. The demographic characterestics of patients were obtained according to a questionnaire andthe patients were examined clinically to determine if there was enlargement of prostate or not. The diagnoseswas confirmed by PR and ultrasound examination.Results: The frequency of among sample study was(83%). The cases were more prevalent among the followings:age group 60 years and more(94.3%), positivefamily history(89.7%),low physical activity (93.4%%) ,hypertensives (87.4%) and with those with erectiledysfunction (94.9%).

The prenatal causes of slight lateral ventricular enlargement in infants treated in a neonatal intensive care unit

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the prenatal causes of slight lateral ventricular enlargement in infants treated in a neonatal intensive care unit. Methods We examined 318 infants with a gestational age of at least 28 weeks who were treated in a neonatal intensive care unit. We investigated the relationships between slight lateral ventricular enlargement and prenatal factors. Also, we investigated the relationships between the laterality of lateral ventricular enlargement and arm growth to verify our proposed mechanism of lateral ventricular enlargement. Results Slight lateral ventricular enlargement was observed in 97 (30.5%) infants. Slight lateral ventricular enlargement was related to gestational age (p < .001), maternal anemia (p = .025), diabetes mellitus (p = .048), threatened premature labor (p = .027), and premature rupture of the membrane (p = .049). In 97 infants with ventricular enlargement, the numbers of infants with left-side dominant, equivalent, and right-side dominant laterality were 60 (61.9%), 27 (27.8%), and 10 (10.3%), respectively. Maternal anemia and diabetes mellitus were related to left-side dominant ventricular enlargement. Threatened premature labor and premature rupture of the membrane were related to right-side dominance. The laterality of lateral ventricular enlargement was not relate to that of the arm growth. Conclusions We propose that the main cause of slight lateral ventricular enlargement may not be malnutrition but instead may be hypoxic stress in utero.

Outcomes of Preventive Embolization of the Inferior Mesenteric Artery during Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

PurposeTo evaluate the impact of preemptive inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) embolization on outcomes of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair (EVAR). Materials and MethodsFrom January 2015 to July 2017, all patients undergoing elective EVAR or fenestrated EVAR (F-EVAR) for asymptomatic AAA in a single tertiary hospital were retrospectively included. Three groups of patients were defined: patients with a patent IMA who underwent embolization during EVAR/F-EVAR (group 1), those with a patent IMA who did not undergo embolization during EVAR/F-EVAR (group 2), and those with a chronically occluded IMA (group 3). Preoperative aortic morphology, demographics, and procedural details were recorded. Aneurysmal growth (≥5 mm), reintervention, and overall mortality rates were analyzed using multivariate proportional hazard multivariate modeling. Propensity scores were constructed, and inverse probability weighting was applied to a new set of multivariate analyses to perform a sensitivity analysis. ResultsA total of 266 patients (male, 95% [n = 249]) with a median age of 70 (65–77) years were included, with F-EVAR procedures comprising 87 (32.7%) of the interventions. There were 52, 142, and 72 patients in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Changes in aneurysmal sac size did not differ between groups, nor did overall survival or reintervention rates at 24 months. IMA embolization was not identified as an independently protective factor for aneurysmal growth during follow-up (relative risk [RR] = 2.82/mm [0.96–8.28], P = .060), whereas accessory renal arteries (RR = 5.07/mm [1.72–14.96], P = .003) and a larger preoperative aneurysmal diameter (RR = 1.09/mm [1.03–1.15], P = .004) were independent risk factors for sac enlargement. ConclusionsPreventive embolization of the IMA during EVAR or F-EVAR did not promote aneurysmal sac shrinking or decrease the reintervention rate at 2-year follow-up.

Prognostic value of splenic volume in hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving transarterial chemoembolization.

Liver function is a key determinant for the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). However, establishing robust prognostic indicators for liver insufficiencies and patient survival remains an unmet demand. This retrospective study evaluated the prognostic value of splenic volume (SV) in HCC patients undergoing TACE. A total of 67 HCC patients who underwent at least two consecutive TACE procedures were retrospectively included in this study. Comprehensive clinical information and follow-up data were collected, and the SV was measured based on dynamic contrast enhanced images. Risk factors of SV enlargement were assessed. The prognostic value of SV on survival was analyzed and compared with Child-Pugh (CP) classification and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade. The baseline SV was 299.74±143.63 cm3, and showed a moderate and statistically significant correlation with CP classification (R=0.31, P<0.05). The SV increased remarkably after the first and second TACE procedures (330.16±155.38 cm3, P<0.01, and 355.63±164.26 cm3, P<0.01, respectively). In survival analysis, the optimal cut-off value of SV was determined as 373 cm3 using X-tile software, and the patients were divided into the small SV group and the large SV groups accordingly. Based on the pre-TACE SV, the median overall survival (mOS) for patients in the small SV group and the large SV group was 458 days and 249 days, respectively (P<0.05). After the first and second TACE, the mOS in the small SV group and the large SV group were 454 vs. 266 days (P<0.05) and 526 vs. 266 days (P<0.05), respectively. No prognostic value of CP classification and ALBI grade was identified for these patients. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between the small and large SV groups in age, tumor stage, and ALBI grade, except for CP classification (P<0.05). SV was correlated with CP classification and was a robust predictor for HCC patients undergoing TACE treatment.

Prediction of Distal Aortic Enlargement after Proximal Repair of Aortic Dissection Using Machine Learning

This study aimed to construct a risk prediction model for distal aortic enlargement in patients with type B aortic dissection (TBAD) treated with proximal thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). From June 2010 to June 2016, patients with TBAD who underwent proximal TEVAR were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 38 clinical and imaging variables were collected. Univariable logistic regression was conducted to explore potential risk factors associated with distal aortic enlargement. Elastic net regression was employed to select significantly influential variables. Then, machine learning algorithms (logistic regression (LR), artificial neutral network (ANN), random forest and support vector machine) were applied to build risk prediction models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity were used to evaluate the performance of these models. A total of 503 patients were enrolled in this study. During the follow-up, 105 (20.9%) patients were identified as having distal aortic enlargement, and 69 (13.7%) patients were found to have distal aortic aneurysm formation. Five patients were identified with aortic rupture. True lumen collapse and multi-false lumens were two potential risk factors for distal aortic enlargement after proximal repair of TBAD. The LR model performed the best in predicting distal aortic enlargement, with the highest sensitivity (96.7%) and an AUC of 0.773. The best model for predicting distal aneurysm formation was the ANN model, which yielded the highest AUC (0.876) and a specificity of 79.1%. Machine learning approaches can produce accurate predictions of distal aortic enlargement after proximal repair of TBAD, which potentially benefits subsequent management.

Physical characteristics of forestomach contents from two nondomestic small ruminants, the blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) and the Arabian sand gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa marica)

Rumen content stratification and the degree of dissociation of particle and fluid retention in the reticulorumen differ between ‘moose-type’ and ‘cattle-type’ ruminant species. These differences are not strictly linked to diet, except for a seeming limitation of ‘moose-type’ ruminants to a browsing niche. Nevertheless, these differences can be plausibly linked to other observed differences in ruminants, such as the intraruminal papillation pattern, or the size of the omasum. However, many of the corresponding measures are still only available for a restricted number of species. Here, we investigated the dry matter (i.e., the inverse of the moisture) concentration in forestomach contents of 10 blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) and 7 Arabian sand gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa marica), and quantified the rumen papillation pattern. The blackbucks had distinct rumen contents stratification, with more moisture in ventral than in dorsal contents (difference 3.6% units, P < 0.001), whereas this difference was much less pronounced in the sand gazelles (0.6% units, P = 0.227). While reticulum contents were particularly moist in both species, omasum contents were particularly dry in sand gazelles, but did not differ in moisture from rumen contents in the blackbuck. This species is an outlier among ruminants due to its extremely small omasum. The intraruminal papillation pattern did not differ between blackbucks and sand gazelles and showed a surface enlargement factor (SEF) in the dorsal rumen of 27–28% of the SEF in the Atrium ruminis. Compared to data on digesta retention in the same species, the findings are in line with the overall concept of a high fluid throughput causing a distinct stratification of rumen contents and intraruminal papillation, and necessitating a large omasum for fluid re-absorption. However, the data also show that individual species may not correspond to all the assumptions of the concept, suggesting taxon-specific differences between species. Reasons for these differences cannot be linked to a dietary grass-browse spectrum, but may lie in evolutionary contingency.

Association between hyperlipidemia and prostatic enlargement: A case-control study.

A high-fat diet is associated with the development of benign prostatic enlargement (BPE), but whether hyperlipidemia is associated with BPE remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate whether hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for the development of BPE. This study included 265 BPE patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and 248 age-matched healthy individuals without LUTS. The patient and control groups included in the study were compared in terms of fasting serum glucose, serum lipid values, prostate specific antigen (PSA), and prostate size measured by abdominal ultrasonography. The prostate sizes of the patient and healthy control group were 59.4 ± 12.6 and 41.8 ± 11.1 ml, respectively (p = 0.007). It was observed that the mean PSA value of the patient group (2.33 ± 1.69) was statistically higher than that of the control group (1.21 ± 1.05) (p = 0.002). Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly higher and HDL-cholesterol was significantly lower among the patients compared to the controls. Prostate size had a negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol and a positive correlation with LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol. Additionally, LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol were independent risk factors for prostate enlargement. This study indicates that increased levels of LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol are significantly associated with the enlargement of the prostate. Hyperlipidemia may be one of the risk factors in the processes of prostatic growth and progression.

ЕЛЕКТРИЧНІ ТА ПРУЖНІ ПАРАМЕТРИ УЩІЛЬНЕНИХ ТЕРИГЕННИХ ПОРІД КАРБОНУ СХІДНОЇ ЧАСТИНИ ПІВНІЧНОЇ ПРИБОРТОВОЇ ЗОНИ ДДЗ

The main objective of this article is studying of electrical and acoustic parameters of Carbonic period terrigenous rocks of the eastern part of the northern edge of the Dnieper-Donets depression (DDD). It was determined that in atmospheric conditions the resistivity of dry extracted rocks (the specific electrical resistivity of framework of grains) varies from 6.522 kΩ×m to 2.782 MΩ×m (mean 1.033 MΩ×m), for sandstones – from 16.18 kΩ×m to 206.815 MΩ×m (mean 27.973 MΩ×m). The resistivity of rocks saturated with model of reservoir water (salinity M = 180 g/l) varies: for siltstones from 3.3 Ω×m to 26.8 Ω×m (mean 8.5 Ω×m), for sandstones from 2.9 Ω×m to 20.3 m (mean 8.2 Ω×m). In laboratory it was defined that in atmospheric conditions formation resistivity factor varies: for siltstones from 41.2 to 277.9 Ω×m (mean 96.2 Ω×m), for sandstones from 34 Ω×m to 238.5 Ω×m (mean 94.5 Ω×m). Physical modelling of reservoir conditions (temperature 94-126 °Ñ, confining stress 41-55 MPa, salinity M = 180 g/l) showed that the specific electrical resistivity varies: for siltstones from 0.4 Ω×m to 7.7 Ω×m (mean 2.1 Ω×m), and sandstones – from 0.4 Ω×m to 3.5 Ω×m (mean 1.3 Ω×m). Due to the closure of microcracks and the deformation of the pore space, the electrical resistance of rocks increases with increase of pressure. The regression dependence of the formation resistivity enlargement factor with pressure for the studied rocks manifest itself in second order polynomial. It was determined that in reservoir conditions the range of the formation resistivity factor varied: for siltstones from 132 to 2480 Ω×m (mean 562 Ω×m), for sandstones from 81 to 953 Ω×m (mean 339 Ω×m). Laboratory acoustic study of velocities of the P-waves in dry extracted rocks showed that this parameter varies: for siltstones from 2616 m/s to 4706 m/s (average 3940 m/s), for sandstones from 3660 m/s to 4971 m/s (average 4245 m/s). If rocks are saturated with model of reservoir water, velocities have higher values of P-waves: for siltstones from 3596 m/s to 5438 m/s (average 4681 m/s), for sandstones from 4302 m/s to 5463 m/s (average 4942 m/s). It was determined by physical modelling of reservoir conditions that velocities of P-waves vary: for siltstones from 3763 m/s to 6223 m/s (mean 5053 m/s), for sandstones from 4430 m/s to 5752 m/s (mean 5176 m/s). With the increase of pressure, the velocity of P-waves increases as well due to the closure of microcracks and the deformation of the pore space. The dependence of the increase in velocity from pressure is described by second order polynomial. The comprehensive analysis of electrical and acoustic parameters of condensed rocks has been resulted in a set of correlation ratios between reservoir, electric and elastic parameters of studied samples in normal and modeling conditions.

Experimental investigation on steam/nitrogen condensation characteristics inside horizontal enhanced condensation channels

Abstract In order to investigate heat transfer characteristics of steam/nitrogen condensation inside horizontal enhanced condensation channels (HECCs), experiments have been performed, respectively, inside HECC and horizontal circular channel (HCC). HECC is formed by inserting different reinforcers into HCC including horizontal multi-start straight channels (HMSSCs) and horizontal spiral channels (HSCs). Effects of nitrogen mass fractions on average condensation heat transfer coefficients (CHTCs), average outlet condensate mass flowrates (CMFRs), and average steam-side pressure drops (SSPDs) are analyzed, respectively. The results indicate that HECC has better condensation performance than HCC under the same conditions, while average SSPDs of HECC will increase slightly. Then, HMSSC is compared against HCC, and enhancement factors of average CHTCs and average outlet CMFRs are about 1.45 and 1.12, respectively, while the enlargement factor of average SSPDs is about 1.16. Similarly, HSC is compared against HCC, and enhancement factors of average CHTCs and average outlet CMFRs are about 1.25 and 1.05, respectively, while the enlargement factor of average SSPDs is about 1.12.

Experimental study of micro-explosion and puffing of gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuel blends by suspended droplet method

In this study, a set of GTL–diesel fuel blends (G20, G50, G80, and G100, where the number represents the percentage of GTL fuel in the fuel blend) are prepared. Subsequently, using the suspended droplet method in a controlled heating chamber, the evaporation behaviour of these GTL fuel blends is visualised using a high-speed camera connected to a long-distance microscope. It is found that, among the tested fuel blends, puffing is not observable for G100, whereas micro-explosions are absent for G20. In comparison, the remaining fuel blends experience both these phenomena. In addition, the highest enlargement factor is observed for G20, followed by G50 and G80, whereas G50 has the highest micro-explosion intensity, followed by G80 and G100. Finally, the numbers and sizes of the child droplets are determined by adjusting the detection threshold, and it is found that G50 has the highest number of child droplets, followed by G80, G100, and G20. The results indicate that the presence of 50% GTL fuel in a GTL–diesel fuel blend (by volume) can lead to the best droplet micro explosions compared to the rest of the tested fuel blends.

Alterations of Small Intestinal Morphology on Villi and Crypts after Feeding Probiotic and Zinc in Pre and Post-weaned Piglets

Background: Neonatal and early post-weaned piglet mortality causes huge economic losses to the farmers. The beneficial effect of probiotic and zinc in respect to the gut health in piglets has already been established. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate age-related changes and the effect of dietary inclusion of probiotic and zinc on morphological and morphometrical characteristics on villi and crypts of the small intestine in pre and post-weaned piglets.Methods: A total of 18 Large White Yorkshire piglets, irrespective of sex were divided into three different age-groups [pre-weaning (20 days old, n = 3) and, post-weaning (30 days old, n = 3) and (60 days old, n = 3)]. The piglets were weaned at 28 days of age. They were divided into control group (C) fed with basal diet and treatment group (T) fed with combined probiotic and zinc oral supplement along with the basal diet. After sacrifice the animals, tissue samples were collected and processed for routine stain and SEM. The alterations on morphology and morphometry of villi and crypts were recorded both in the control and treatment group of piglets. Result: The villus height and width and crypt depth and width were increased, however, the villus crypt ratio was found to be lower in the treatment group of piglets. The villus and crypt enlargement factor showing higher numerical values in the piglets fed with probiotic and zinc than the control group of piglets. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a clear extrusion zone with prominent shedding of cells in the villi of jejunum and ileum in the treatment group of piglets at day 30 and 60.

Incidence and Predictive Factors of Chronic Vessel Enlargement After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Severely Stenotic and Occluded Lesions

BackgroundChronic vessel enlargement (CVE) of the coronary artery is observed in patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for severely stenotic or occluded lesions. Recently, the presence of a peri-medial high-echoic band (PHB) identified by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has been reported to correlate with this phenomenon. We sought to assess the incidence, predictive factors of CVE, and association between CVE and PHB. MethodsFrom January 2017 to December 2018, 97 patients, with 101 severely stenotic and occluded lesions, who underwent IVUS-guided PCI and a 9-month follow-up angiography were enrolled. CVE was defined as more than a 10% increase of distal lumen gain at follow-up angiography. All lesions were stratified into 2 groups: CVE group and non-CVE group. Clinical outcomes were compared and predictive factors for CVE were assessed. Relationships between PHB angle and CVE were also assessed. ResultsAt follow-up angiography, CVE was observed in 27 lesions (26.7%, 27/101). PHBs were frequently observed in the CVE group (88.9%), which was significantly higher than that in the non-CVE group (40.5%). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of PHB was the only predictive factor for CVE (odds ratio, 11.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.95–43.0; p < 0.001). In addition, a linear relationship was observed between the incidence of CVE and PHB angle. The number of patients with CVE significantly increased in cases with a PHB angle more than 180 degrees. ConclusionsThe presence of PHB strongly predicts CVE after PCI for severely stenotic or occluded lesions.

From Atomic Level to Large-Scale Monte Carlo Magnetic Simulations.

This paper refers to Monte Carlo magnetic simulations for large-scale systems. We propose scaling rules to facilitate analysis of mesoscopic objects using a relatively small amount of system nodes. In our model, each node represents a volume defined by an enlargement factor. As a consequence of this approach, the parameters describing magnetic interactions on the atomic level should also be re-scaled, taking into account the detailed thermodynamic balance as well as energetic equivalence between the real and re-scaled systems. Accuracy and efficiency of the model have been depicted through analysis of the size effects of magnetic moment configuration for various characteristic objects. As shown, the proposed scaling rules, applied to the disorder-based cluster Monte Carlo algorithm, can be considered suitable tools for designing new magnetic materials and a way to include low-level or first principle calculations in finite element Monte Carlo magnetic simulations.

Correlation of Left Atrial Enlargement and Metabolic Syndrom Risk Factors in Echocardiography

Correlation of Left Atrial Enlargement and Metabolic Syndrom Risk Factors in Echocardiography

Risk Factors for Left Ventricle Enlargement in Children With Frequent Ventricular Premature Complexes

We aimed to assess the risk factors for left ventricle (LV) enlargement in children with idiopathic frequent ventricular premature complexes (VPC) and discuss the clinical features and treatment strategies. Children diagnosed with idiopathic frequent VPC at Xinhua Hospital affiliated to the Shanghai Jiao Tong University during 2013 to 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. Gender, age, body mass index, weight, number and sources of frequent VPC, and changes in the LV structure were analyzed and compared. A total of 29 patient showed changes in LV enlargement at diagnosis [age 7.3 ± 4.0 years, 8 (24.1%) had symptoms such as syncope, palpitations, fatigue, and dizziness], whereas 220 showed a normal LV structure [age 7.2 ± 4.5 years, 77 (32.3%) with symptoms]. Patients with LV enlargement showed a higher percentage of VPC on Holter recordings (30.2 ± 10.7 versus 9.4 ± 6.9, p < 0.05), higher prevalence of ventricular tachycardia [22 (75.9%) vs 36 (16.4%), p < 0.0001], higher number of couplets [26 (96.7%) vs 132 (60.0%), p = 0.002], higher number of trigeminy[27 (97.8%) vs 133 (83.2%), p < 0.001], higher QRS wave width [80.0 ± 5.9 vs 77.8 ± 6.8, p = 0.021], and higher incidence of right bundle branch block [11 (37.9%) vs 2 (0.9%), p < 0.001]. Multivariate analysis suggested that right bundle branch block (Odds Ratio = 143.9 p <0.001) and VPC burden (>20%) (Odds Ratio = 132.6, p <0.001) were the risk factors for LV enlargement in children with idiopathic frequent VPC. In conclusion, frequent VPC can induce prominent enlargement or LV dysfunction in children. LV enlargement are reversible after catheter ablation or medication.