Irregular Thickness Research Articles

Precise activity measurements of medical radionuclides using an ionization chamber: a case study with Terbium-161

Background161Tb draws an increasing interest in nuclear medicine for therapeutic applications. More than 99% of the emitted gamma and X-rays of 161Tb have an energy below 100 keV. Consequently, precise activity measurement of 161Tb becomes inaccurate with radionuclide dose calibrators when using inappropriate containers or calibration factors to account for the attenuation of this low energy radiation. To evaluate the ionization chamber response, the sample activity must be well known. This can be performed using standards traceable to the Système International de Référence, which is briefly described as well as the method to standardize the radionuclides.MethodsIn this study, the response of an ionization chamber using different container types and volumes was assessed using 161Tb. The containers were filled with a standardized activity solution of 161Tb and measured with a dedicated ionization chamber, providing an accurate response. The results were compared with standardized solutions of high-energy gamma-emitting radionuclides such as 137Cs, 60Co, 133Ba and 57Co.ResultsFor the glass vial type with an irregular glass thickness, the 161Tb measurements gave a deviation of 4.5% between two vials of the same type. The other glass vial types have a much more regular thickness and no discrepancy was observed in the response of the ionization chamber for these type of vials. Measurements with a plastic Eppendorf tube showed stable response, with greater sensitivity than the glass vials.ConclusionIonization chamber measurements for low-energy gamma emitters (< 100 keV), show deviation depending on the container type used. Therefore, a careful selection of the container type must be done for activity assessment of 161Tb using radionuclide dose calibrators. In conclusion, it was highlighted that appropriate calibration factors must be used for each container geometry when measuring 161Tb and, more generally, for low-energy gamma emitters.

Evaluation of non-uniform water film behavior on the performance of an axial aeroengine compressor

Abstract Two-phase flow CFD simulations are conducted to investigate the performance characteristics of an axial flow compressor operating under an excessive amount of water intrusion exposed to a rainy atmosphere. In order to obtain a certain compressor behavior under the water film irregularities, the blade surfaces are divided into a small number of regions depending on the film thickness. In addition, to examine the droplets interaction with rotating blades and splashing process, a self-compiled FORTRAN code has been used. The results showed that uneven roughening of blade surfaces is the effective technique to identify the deterioration in performance with irregular wall film thickness. The overall adiabatic efficiency and pressure ratio are decreased by 6% and 0.88 at a 5% water injection rate using an irregular rough wall model. Moreover, the increased wall film has adversely influenced the internal flow mechanism, which resulted the increase of passage shock intensity, entropy level within the main flow zone as well as the blade surface temperature.

Influence of Chronic Ethanol Intoxication on Hemodynamics in Testicles and Spermatogenesis in Middle-Aged Males

Diseases of testicles are an important social problem because according to WHO data, the male factor is about 45% in the structure of sterile marriage. Among many pathogenic factors distorting spermatogenic and endocrine function of testicles, acute and chronic circulatory disorders in them play a great role. Recent studies showed that one of the causes of male infertility is chronic ethanol intoxication causing distorted hemomicrocirculation in testicles, so determining the character of cytologic changes in them in these circumstances remains relevant.&#x0D; Objects and methods. In the study, we used 14 histological micropreparations from testicular biopsy specimens from middle-aged infertile males (22-35 years) with chronic alcoholism in anamnesis,. In some biopsy specimens, ultrastructural changes in testicles were studied under the electronic microscope, testicular hemodynamics in infertile males was examined with ultrasound.&#x0D; Results. In middle-aged infertile males with chronic alcoholism, the volume of testicles decreases compared to normal. The arterial blood flow rate in them decreases significantly. The diameter of tortuous looped seminiferous tubules decreases compared to normal. Their membrane is thickened; the layers of spermatogenic epithelial cells are reduced. The volume of interstitial endocrinocytes decreases compared to normal. Testosterone level in blood decreases too.&#x0D; Ultrastructural changes in testicles are manifested with irregular thickness and curving of spermatogenic epithelial basal membrane, vacuolization of myoid cellular, supporting epitheliocytes, and interstitial endocrinocyte cytoplasm with reduced mitochondrial cristae and tubules in the endoplasmic reticulum. In ejaculate of infertile males, sperm concentration decreases to (30.65±1.70) million/ml compared to (75.80±4.20) million/ml, the number of pathologic forms of spermatozoids increases twice, the number of spermatozoids with progressive movement decreases.

Focal neuroendocrine carcinoma mixed with adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder with aggressive lymph node metastasis in a patient who did not meet the mixed neuroendocrine\u2013non-neuroendocrine neoplasm criteria

A 70-year-old Japanese woman who was treated for interstitial pneumonia (IP) with steroid therapy developed cholecystitis. A serial computed-tomography (CT) imaging showed irregular thickness of the fundus wall of the gallbladder and two rapidly enlarged lymph nodes (LNs): number (no.) 12 and no. 8a. Positron-emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scan showed an abnormal uptake at the site of the gallbladder tumor and those LNs. We subsequently performed open radical cholecystectomy and LN dissection of the no. 12 and 8a LNs, following complete remission of IP. The histology showed gallbladder adenocarcinoma, with a single focus of neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) component of less than 30%; Ki-67 index > 80%, synaptophysin (Syn) (+), chromogranin A (CgA) (+), and clusters of differentiation (CD) 56 (+) (T2bN1M0, Stage IIIB). LN no. 8a was diffusely metastatic with NEC components. LN no. 12c, which was adjacent to the cystic duct, revealed necrosis without apparent tumor cells, but was highly suspicious for tumor necrosis. The final diagnosis was adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder with focal NEC (< 30%), which did not meet the criteria for mixed neuroendocrine–non-neuroendocrine neoplasm (MiNEN). Postoperatively, she completed 4 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy for NEC (Cisplatin plus Etoposide), and no recurrence was observed after 12 months.

Petrology of the Fire Clay coal, Bear Branch, Perry County, Kentucky

The Middle Pennsylvanian Duckmantian-age Fire Clay coal has traditionally been a valuable, high-quality coal resource and, owing the synchronous deposition of a lanthanide-rich volcanic ash fall, is one of the premier coal-based, rare earth resources in the World. While much of the coal is composed of high-vitrinite bright lithotypes, the Bear Branch sections of the coal stand out as having liptinite- and inertinite-rich lithologies, particularly in the split below the ash-fall tonstein. The liptinite and inertinite macerals were concentrated, in part, due to the poor and non-preservation of small lycopod-, tree fern-, calamites-, and cordaites-derived humic material. Regionally, the sub-tonstein part of the Fire Clay coal has an irregular thickness, ranging from no coal to about 60-cm thick at Bear Branch, one of the thicker sections in the region.

Enhanced fiber mounting and etching technique for optimized optical power transmission at critical cladding thickness for fiber-sensing application

Optical fibers offer various applications to cater to industrial needs, from power and data transmission to environmental sensing. Different sensing mechanisms of optical fibers depend on modifications made to the fiber itself primarily in the cladding and core sections. Different types of optical fiber sensors may require thinning of the cladding to allow propagated light to interact closer to the environmental stimuli. Chemical etching is commonly used for the de-cladding of a fiber, and there are many ways to execute this method. A conventional method of chemical etching is typically used for cladding removal. This paper reports and discusses the effectiveness of enhanced techniques for improvement towards conventional chemical etching methods with the assistance of a makeshift fiber holder. The fiber holder allows the fiber to be oriented well, allowing for smoother etching and thus conserving its mechanical structure. Thickness reduction is seen to be more consistent when the enhanced technique is employed, and the fiber takes a longer time (∼45 min) to break. This allows etching of the cladding close to the core, which is more manageable for the user if very thin cladding is required. A fiber etched without any holder tends to break earlier (∼35 min) than expected with a rather wide error margin. The lower coefficient of determination, R 2 values (95%) of the thickness reduction from conventional etching shows irregular thickness along the fibers. Optical power also fluctuates between 30–35 dBm for the conventional method, while the mounted fiber technique maintains stable optical power at 50 dBm during etching. Therefore, it is concluded that proper fiber horizontal fiber orientation during etching has a significant effect on the fiber strength due to the smooth cladding removal around the corecore while minimizing any permanent power loss to or the occurrence of fluctuations in the fiber. This smooth and efficient etching technique allows the production of enhanced fiber sensors with minimal structural or power defects.

S2084 Acquiring the Diagnosis of an Acquired Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Introduction: Tracheoesophageal fistulas (TEFs) can be congenital or acquired. Congenital causes are rare and accompanied by tracheal atresia or stenosis. More recently, greater than 50% of acquired TEFs have been caused by malignancies in the mediastinum. We present a unique case in which an acquired TEF was diagnosed in an unconventional way. Case Description/Methods: A 57-year-old male with history of hypertension, alcohol misuse & ongoing tobacco use (40 pack years) presented to primary care with complaints of progressive dysphagia, initially to solids then later to liquids as well, over the course of 2.5 years. He also had a sensation of a “lump” in his throat but denied reflux symptoms. Vitals, physical exam, & blood work at the time did not reveal anything concerning. He was thought to have oropharyngeal dysphagia. Laryngoscopy showed normal pharynx & significant erythema in the arytenoid and esophageal inlet without any mass. He was lost to follow-up due to the SARS-CoV2 pandemic. Several months later, he came to the Emergency Department with complaints of vomiting, productive cough, 20-pound weight loss and fatigue. CT imaging revealed irregular thickness of the upper thoracic esophagus with enlarged subcarinal lymph nodes, and a 1.5-cm pulmonary nodule in the middle lobe. Due to suspicion for esophageal cancer he underwent esophagoscopy with ultrasonography. Patient was found to have a hypoechoic mass with irregular borders in the middle third of the esophagus, involving 100% of the lumen circumference, measuring up to 15 mm in thickness. Evaluation was limited due to obstruction. Biopsies were obtained. The proximal portion of the esophageal mass was noted to be invading adventitia, making it at least T3 lesion. During the procedure minimal CO2 was used for insufflation, but when attempts were made to traverse the obstruction, capnography revealed an end-tidal CO2 estimating 90 mmHg – indicating a high likelihood of TEF. Cardiothoracic surgery recommended esophageal stenting with gastrostomy tube placement. Pathology revealed squamous cell carcinoma. The patient followed up with Oncology for staging and treatment. Discussion: Identification of TEFs can be challenging. Esophagoscopy, the gold standard for diagnosis, may miss small or subtle TEFs even with fluoroscopy. Recent studies have shown potential of using capnography as a novel method in diagnosing TEFs with the benefit of reducing the need for radiation. Our unique case highlights application of such diagnostic modality to identify a TEF.

Heterogenous late Miocene extension in the northern Walker Lane (California-Nevada, USA) demonstrates vertically decoupled crustal extension

AbstractThe spatial distribution and kinematics of intracontinental deformation provide insight into the dominant mode of continental tectonics: rigid-body motion versus continuum flow. The discrete San Andreas fault defines the western North America plate boundary, but transtensional deformation is distributed hundreds of kilometers eastward across the Walker Lane–Basin and Range provinces. In particular, distributed Basin and Range extension has been encroaching westward onto the relatively stable Sierra Nevada block since the Miocene, but the timing and style of distributed deformation overprinting the stable Sierra Nevada crust remains poorly resolved. Here we bracket the timing, magnitude, and kinematics of overprinting Walker Lane and Basin and Range deformation in the Pine Nut Mountains, Nevada (USA), which are the westernmost structural and topographic expression of the Basin and Range, with new geologic mapping and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology. Structural mapping suggests that north-striking normal faults developed during the initiation of Basin and Range extension and were later reactivated as northeast-striking oblique-slip faults following the onset of Walker Lane transtensional deformation. Conformable volcanic and sedimentary rocks, with new ages spanning ca. 14.2 Ma to 6.8 Ma, were tilted 30°–36° northwest by east-dipping normal faults. This relationship demonstrates that dip-slip deformation initiated after ca. 6.8 Ma. A retrodeformed cross section across the range suggests that the range experienced 14% extension. Subsequently, Walker Lane transtension initiated, and clockwise rotation of the Carson domain may have been accommodated by northeast-striking left-slip faults. Our work better defines strain patterns at the western extent of the Basin and Range province across an approximately 150-km-long east-west transect that reveals domains of low strain (∼15%) in the Carson Range–Pine Nut Mountains and Gillis Range surrounding high-magnitude extension (∼150%–180%) in the Singatse and Wassuk Ranges. There is no evidence for irregular crustal thickness variations across this same transect—either in the Mesozoic, prior to extension, or today—which suggests that strain must be accommodated differently at decoupled crustal levels to result in smooth, homogenous crustal thickness values despite the significantly heterogeneous extensional evolution. This example across an ∼150 km transect demonstrates that the use of upper-crust extension estimates to constrain pre-extension crustal thickness, assuming pure shear as commonly done for the Mesozoic Nevadaplano orogenic plateau, may not be reliable.

Shell Measurements and Mold Thermal Mapping Approach to Characterize Steel Shell Formation in Peritectic Grade Steels

Herein, the prospects of detecting peritectic behavior in carbon steels (Fe–C) using solidified shell thickness measurements and real‐time mold thermal maps are investigated. Irregular steel shell thickness and localized shell thinning are negative conditions associated with the peritectic transformation in many steel grades. Detailed three dimensional (3D) thickness maps are generated to directly contrast peritectic from nonperitectic solidification features using a laboratory dip test. Characterization of the steel shell also includes measurement of 3D shell surface deviations from a nominally flat surface. The unevenness parameter, which is calculated using the coefficient of variation in shell thickness as a function of the carbon content in the steel, clearly peaks around 0.14%C. A distributed fiber‐optic sensor, embedded 1 mm from the working face of a 100 × 55 × 12 mm3 thick copper chill block, has been used to obtain real‐time mold thermal maps of the solidification event during immersion of the block into molten steel. A programmable drive is used to control the motion of the chill block during immersion into a steel bath to minimize variability in immersion speed, position, and time. The thermal mapping measurements are well correlated with the shell profile measurements.

MHD Williamson Nanofluid Flow over a Slender Elastic Sheet of Irregular Thickness in the Presence of Bioconvection.

Bioconvection phenomena for MHD Williamson nanofluid flow over an extending sheet of irregular thickness are investigated theoretically, and non-uniform viscosity and thermal conductivity depending on temperature are taken into account. The magnetic field of uniform strength creates a magnetohydrodynamics effect. The basic formulation of the model developed in partial differential equations which are later transmuted into ordinary differential equations by employing similarity variables. To elucidate the influences of controlling parameters on dependent quantities of physical significance, a computational procedure based on the Runge–Kutta method along shooting technique is coded in MATLAB platform. This is a widely used procedure for the solution of such problems because it is efficient with fifth-order accuracy and cost-effectiveness. The enumeration of the results reveals that Williamson fluid parameter , variable viscosity parameter and wall thickness parameter impart reciprocally decreasing effect on fluid velocity whereas these parameters directly enhance the fluid temperature. The fluid temperature is also improved with Brownian motion parameter and thermophoresis parameter . The boosted value of Brownian motion and Lewis number reduce the concentration of nanoparticles. The higher inputs of Peclet number and bioconvection Lewis number decline the bioconvection distribution. The velocity of non-Newtonian (Williamson nanofluid) is less than the viscous nanofluid but temperature behaves oppositely.

MHD Williamson nanofluid across a permeable medium past an extended sheet with constant and irregular thickness

AbstractThe main resource of this paper is to establish over fluid flows sheet using mathematical modeling for constant and variable thickness by including magnetic fields, electric fields, porous medium, heat propagation/immersion, and radiative heat relocation. The Implicit Finite Difference Method (IFDM) is applied to simplify using similarity conversions to implicate partial differential equations to convert into ordinary differential equations. IFDM has been implemented in MATLAB to tabulate numerical observations of the local parameters. Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are analyzed and measured for different parameters in different constant and variable thickness conditions of fluid properties. The influence of various parameters is explained through temperature, velocity, concentration, and nanoparticle volume fraction graphical representations. The coefficient of the skin friction for irregular fluid properties is shown to have a greater influence than that compared for constant fluid properties. Nevertheless, there is a reverse case in the local Nusselt number that is lower for the fluctuating fluid properties than with constant fluid properties. The results showed high‐exactness computational outcomes are attained from the IFDM.

Irregular Astigmatism Induced by Irregular Epithelial Remodeling After Conductive Keratoplasty and Transepithelial CXL

PURPOSE: To describe the evaluation and management of irregular astigmatism induced by persistent irregular epithelial remodeling in the absence of persistent underlying stromal curvature irregularity following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) re-treatment after remote myopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with subsequent conductive keratoplasty (CK) and transepithelial corneal cross-linking (CXL). METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 41-year-old woman presented for evaluation 1 year after developing blurred vision. She had irregular astigmatism in her right eye following PRK re-treatment for regression after remote myopic LASIK, with a subsequent combined CK and modified transepithelial CXL procedure 1 month after PRK. Scheimpflug tomography demonstrated a post-myopic ablation pattern with an apparent decentered optical zone. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) revealed an irregular epithelial thickness pattern, with an asymmetric focal region of epithelial thickness para-centrally temporally. Superficial keratectomy was performed. Following the procedure, the patient's uncorrected distance visual acuity improved by two lines to 20/20, and her subjective blur symptoms resolved and remained stable during 12 months of follow-up. Repeat AS-OCT demonstrated a more uniform epithelial thickness pattern. Scheimpflug tomography showed resolution of the optical zone decentration, confirming that the irregular epithelial remodeling caused the curvature irregularity, and the underlying stromal curvature was not significantly irregular at the time of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although uncommon, irregular epithelial remodeling can occur without permanent underlying stromal irregularity. The authors surmise that a temporary induced stromal curvature change from combined CK and transepithelial CXL regressed, but epithelial remodeling did not return to the anticipated regular postoperative pattern. This phenomenon would be unrecognizable in the absence of epithelial mapping and highlights the need for thorough evaluation and targeted management strategies to improve epithelial regularization. [ Journal of Refractive Surgery Case Reports . 2021;1(2):e23–e30.]

Solvent Engineering of Colloidal Quantum Dot Inks for Scalable Fabrication of Photovoltaics.

Development of colloidal quantum dot (CQD) inks enables single-step spin-coating of compact CQD films of appropriate thickness, enabling the promising performance of CQD photovoltaics (CQDPVs). Today's highest-performing CQD inks rely on volatile n-butylamine (BTA), but it is incompatible with scalable deposition methods since a rapid solvent evaporation results in irregular film thickness with an uneven surface. Here, we present a hybrid solvent system, consisting of BTA and N,N-dimethylformamide, which has a favorable acidity for colloidal stability as well as an appropriate vapor pressure, enabling a stable CQD ink that can be used to fabricate homogeneous, large-area CQD films via spray-coating. CQDPVs fabricated with the CQD ink exhibit suppressed charge recombination as well as fast charge extraction compared with conventional CQD ink-based PVs, achieving an improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.22% in spin-coated devices and the highest ever reported PCE of 8.84% among spray-coated CQDPVs.

A modified capsule network algorithm for oct corneal image segmentation

Cornea is the outmost layer of an eye helps to focuses the light rays towards the retinal layer of the eye. The irregular thickness of the corneal layer results in poor focus of light rays over the retinal layer and hence it results in blur vision. Lasik is a surgical procedure made for correcting the irregular thickness of the cornea to certain extent for making the light rays to fall exactly on the retinal layer. In order to undergo with a lasik procedure, an eye must have sufficient thickness of corneal layer to tolerate the medical procedure. Similarly, the corneal layers are can't be operated after certain extent. Therefore there is a need for pre-surgical planning by measuring the thickness availability of the corneal layer. The proposed work is engaged to identify the three major boundaries of the corneal layer using a capsule network based algorithm. The proposed work is segregated as preprocessing, classification and segmentation. A hybrid speckle noise reduction filter was employed in the preprocessing stage to minimize the noise presence in the corneal images. Then the images are moved further to train the ClassCaps algorithm to classify a better noiseless image from the group of test images. The modified SegCaps algorithm was utilized in this work to detect the three major boundaries of the cornea from the noiseless image output from the ClassCaps algorithm. The performance of the proposed algorithm was verified with the several classification and segmentation algorithm to prove its accuracy.

Geometric models of non-standard serrated end mills

Serrated end mills reduce process forces and improve chatter-free material removal rates. Improvements in cutting performance are governed mainly by the serration profile on these cutters. The geometric models of serration profiles are necessary to guide the design of improved cutters. Since these geometric models are usually not available a priori, this paper presents two methods to reconstruct geometric models from scanned measurements of eight different serrated cutter types available commercially. One representation is parametric-based, and another is NURBS-based. Reconstructed serration profiles are classified as the standard sinusoidal, circular, and trapezoidal profile types; and the non-standard semi-circular, circular-elliptical, semi-elliptical, inclined semi-circular; and the inclined circular types. For all eight profiles, the variation in local radius and irregular chip thickness distribution that are a characteristic of serrated cutters are captured by both approaches to approximate the geometry. Force models with the proposed geometric models as inputs are used to predict forces and those forces were experimentally validated. Validated forces confirm that the proposed geometric models are indeed correct. Comparing the cutting performance of all eight serrated cutters suggests that the circular and non-standard serrated end mills can preferentially reduce cutting forces as compared to the standard sinusoidal and/or trapezoidal profiles. However, in terms of the ratios of maximum to minimum peak resultant cutting force, we find that the standard sinusoidal profiled cutter outperforms the other four-fluted cutters, whereas the non-standard inclined circular profiled cutter retains its advantages over other three-fluted cutters.

Basal Accretion Along the South Central Chilean Margin and Its Relationship to Great Earthquakes

AbstractThe south central Chilean margin regularly produces many of the world's largest earthquakes and tsunami, including the 2010 Mw 8.8 Maule and 1960 Mw 9.5 Valdivia events. In 2017, we acquired seismic reflection data along ~1,000 km of the margin using the R/V Langseth's 15 km long receiver array and 108.2 l (6,600 in3) seismic source to image structures associated with these ruptures. We focus on the Valdivia segment with the largest coseismic slip (~40 m). The outer 40 km of the forearc is an accretionary wedge constructed primarily of stacked sedimentary packages with irregular lengths and thicknesses and little along‐strike continuity. Forearc structures indicate that the accretionary wedge grows primarily through basal accretion of the downgoing trench fill. The décollement propagates along a weak boundary near the top of the trench fill but occasionally branches downward into the underthrust sediment along bedding horizons, peeling off slices that are underplated to the forearc. The shallow décollement level and the rarity of underplating events allow most of the trench sediment to subduct. As a result, only ~30% of the incoming sediment has been accreted since the Early Pliocene. This implies that, on average, ~1 km of sediment must subduct beyond the outer forearc, an inference that is supported by our seismic images. We propose that the thickness and great downdip and along‐strike extent of the underthrust layer, which separates the megathrust from the underlying roughness of the igneous ocean crust, ensures a smooth broad zone of strong coupling that generates the world's largest earthquakes and tsunami.

Using the Thickness Map from Macular Ganglion Cell Analysis to Differentiate Retinal Vein Occlusion from Glaucoma.

Purpose: We hypothesized that the thickness map from macular ganglion cell analysis (GCA) acquired from spectral-domain optical coherence tomography can be used to differentiate retinal vein occlusion (RVO) from glaucoma. Methods: In this retrospective case control study, 37 patients with resolved RVO and 74 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) were enrolled. Two independent examiners diagnosed patients with RVO or POAG based on the topographic pattern in the GCA thickness map. Inter-observer agreement for a decision between RVO and POAG was assessed using kappa statistics. Diagnostic specificity and accuracy were calculated. Results: Inter-observer agreement was good, with a kappa value of 0.765 (95% confidence interval, 0.634–0.896, p < 0.001). The diagnostic specificity of RVO from POAG using the GCA thickness map was 93.2% and diagnosis accuracy was 80.4%. Conclusions: An irregular GCA thickness map represents a simple and convenient differential diagnostic clue to distinguish RVO from POAG.

Assessment of Corneal Epithelium Thickness in Glaucomatous Patients Undergoing Medical Treatment.

Patients with glaucoma have reduced and irregular corneal epithelial thickness (CET) even if they do not report symptoms of dry eyes. The reduction of corneal epithelium affects equally the superior and inferior areas of the cornea. To evaluate CET parameters by means of anterior segment optical coherence tomography in glaucomatous patients undergoing medical treatment and compare them with CET parameters of controls. This was a cross-sectional study of 62 patients with primary open-angle or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (study group) and 62 age-matched controls. Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (RTVue) with a corneal adaptor module was used in the present study. Τhe pachymetry scan pattern was used to map the cornea and the software generated corneal thickness parameters were recorded. Simple comparisons between groups were performed and the correlations of CET parameters with parameters associated with medication use (treatment duration, number of medications and number of instillations) were assessed. Mean age of the patients was 68±11.9 years in the glaucoma group and 65.5±8.5, years in the control group (P=0.17). Median number of instillations of medication was 2 (range, 1 to 6) for the glaucoma group. Central corneal thickness was 537.6±33.3 in the glaucoma group and 550.8±33.7 in the control group, respectively (P=0.028). The central CET was 48.8.±3.7 μm in the glaucoma group and 53.5±3.7 μm in the control group (P<0.001). Similarly, the average superior (2 to 7 mm) CET and the average inferior (2 to 7 mm) CET were almost equally reduced in the glaucoma group (45±4 vs. 49.6±3.3 μm, P<0.001 and 49±3.9 vs 53.5±3.7, P<0.001, respectively). No CET parameter was correlated with any of the treatment parameters. Patients treated for glaucoma have uniformly reduced corneal epithelial thickness.

Validating the efficacy of interval appendectomy for acute appendicitis: representative three cases with different etiologies

BackgroundAppendectomy for acute appendicitis (AA) is considered one of the most common emergency surgeries. However, emergency appendectomy accompanied with complex lesions such as extensive abscess formation is not recommended in most cases. Therefore, non-operative management followed by interval appendectomy (IA) for AA has been tried. Herein, we present three AA cases with specific etiology that underwent interval appendectomy.Case presentationCase 1: A 68-year-old man was diagnosed AA with intestinal malrotation and intra-abdominal abscesses. He initially treated with conservative therapy and underwent laparoscopic IA after detailed preoperative examination.Case 2: A 22-year-old man had been under treatment for pancolitis-type ulcerative colitis (UC), also bothered by right-lower abdominal pain several times a year. The appendix always appeared swollen on every CT taken during symptoms. He underwent laparoscopic IA; pathological finding revealed typical UC histological features in the resected appendix. After the surgery, he never suffered from terrible right lower abdominal pain.Case 3: A 69-year-old woman complaining a right lower abdominal pain had undergone CT examination, which revealed AA with appendiceal mass, irregular wall thickness of the cecum, and mediastinal and para-aortic lymph node swelling. The operation was carried out after conservative therapy. The pathological diagnosis revealed BRAF mutated colorectal carcinoma. She had received systematic chemotherapy after the surgery, and all metastatic lesions have completely disappeared.ConclusionInterval appendectomy provided us with much clearer anatomical information and precise therapeutic strategies, avoiding technical and general operative complications, and also induced fast recovery and short length of hospital stay. Interval appendectomy is a reasonable procedure and could be recommended in case of AA with some different etiology.

Magnetic fabric data on interactive syntectonic magmas of contrasting composition in composite dikes from south Brazil

The composite dikes of the Zimbros Bay in the Porto Belo-Bombinhas region, southern Brazil, are emplaced in the late stages of post-collisional magmatism, at ca. 590 Ma as NE-striking, subvertical tabular bodies intrusive in basement orthogneisses. The composite dikes are formed by a felsic core containing a swarm of mafic microgranular enclaves, bordered on both sides by mafic material of irregular thickness, and individual mafic dikes parallel to the main intrusion. The felsic and mafic rocks contain a well-developed magmatic foliation with solid-state deformation near the contacts. Stretching lineation is horizontal to sub-horizontal and better developed in the felsic rocks. The absence of a well-developed linear fabric in the mafic rocks hinders investigation of their emplacement based on conventional structural data. In order to investigate/explore the relationship between contemporaneous mafic and felsic rocks, as well as to understand the emplacement of these intrusions in relation to the transcurrent tectonics, a study on the magnetic fabric was made using anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and rock magnetism techniques for composite and individual mafic dikes. Magnetic mineralogy of both dikes is predominantly controlled by ferromagnetic minerals (e.g. magnetite and Ti-poor tinanomagnetite), with little contribution of paramagnetic minerals. The rock magnetism study shows that the magnetite grains have varied sizes. Individual mafic dikes have small grain sizes, whilst in the mafic borders, sizes vary from small to large. Felsic cores have large grain sizes. SEM data show oxyexsolution textures in the felsic core samples and in samples of individual mafic dikes. Only Ilmenite is found in the mafic border samples, either as anhedral grains or as thin lamellae, interpreted to result from intense oxyexsolution of magnetite. Increasing oxyexsolution degrees observed in samples from individual mafic dikes to felsic cores and mafic borders suggest different degrees of interaction between the original magmas. The studied intrusions show normal magnetic fabrics, with subvertical magnetic foliation (k1-k2 plane) and subhorizontal (k1) lineation. Magnetic data are concordant with structural field measurements and indicate sub-horizontal magma flow during emplacement. The much larger volume and size of enclaves found in the southern portion of the dike is compatible with its northward directed emplacement. The obtained magnetic data are also in agreement with the syntectonic emplacement of the composite dikes relative to the transcurrent movement of the Major Gercino Shear Zone.