Rapid Injection Research Articles

Effects of cooling channel layout on the cooling performance of rapid injection mold

Conformal cooling channels (CCCs) are a cooling passageway which follows the profile of the mold cavity or core to perform uniform cooling process effectively in the injection molding process. The production cost is closely related to productivity. To further improve productivity, the injection mold was equipped with CCCs to shorten the cooling time of the injection molded part. To investigate the relationship between the cooling channel layout and cooling efficiency of the CCCs, silicone rubber molds (SRMs) with different layouts of cooling systems were designed and constructed in this study. Simulation software was utilized to study the cooling performance. To verify the results of the simulation, SRM with different cooling systems were fabricated for low-pressure wax injection molding. It was found that the cooling time of the injection molded part is indeed affected by the total surface area of the heat exchange between the coolant and the SRM. The cooling system with four inlets and four outlets seems to be the optimum layout of the SRM in the case study in terms of the difficulty of mold making, total surface area of the heat exchange between the coolant and the SRM, and total cooling flow length of each segment. The saving in the cooling time about 2796 s and improvement of cooling efficiency about 76% can be obtained when the SRM with four inlets and four outlets was used for injection molding. The findings in this study can be used as a reference to design CCCs of injection mold built with AM technology.

The effect of injection time on rates of epileptogenic zone localization using SISCOM and STATISCOM

BackgroundThe identification of hyperperfusion on ictal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan is a technique for the localization of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) in patients with focal epilepsy undergoing presurgical evaluation. The accuracy of this technique has been improved by subtraction from an interictal image and coregistration with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (subtraction ictal SPECT coregistered to MRI (SISCOM)), and subsequently by the development of Statistical Ictal SPECT Co-registered to MRI (STATISCOM) which is reported to further improve localization accuracy by statistically accounting for random variation between images. However, the use of ictal SPECT is limited by the necessity for rapid injection of the radiotracer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of tracer injection time on EZ localization rates using both STATISCOM and SISCOM. MethodsConsecutive patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy who had an ictal SPECT scan while admitted to the video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia, and a subsequent interictal scan, between 2009 and 2017 were included. The information collected included age, sex, seizure type, epilepsy diagnosis, and injection time. Statistical Ictal SPECT Co-registered to MRI and SISCOM images were generated and reviewed by two blinded reviewers. The rates of potential localization of the EZ, and the agreement with the EEG, were determined for each scan. Localization rates were compared between ictal scans with different radiotracer injection time windows (<30 s, 30–45 s, 45–60 s, 60–90 s, 90–120 s, >120 s). ResultsSeventy patients (male = 32, 16–67 years) were included in the study. Overall agreement between the primary raters was moderate for STATISCOM (k = 0.44) and SISCOM (k = 0.57). The ability of SPECT to localize the potential EZ was 69% (48/70) for STATISCOM and 59% (41/70) for SISCOM. Injection time was not associated with the rate of localizing the potential EZ for STATISCOM (p = 0.64), whereas for SISCOM there was a trend that shorter injection times were associated with better ability to localize the potential EZ (p = 0.06).Agreement between SPECT and video-EEG data was 54% (38/70) for STATISCOM and 39% (27/70) for SISCOM. Statistical Ictal SPECT Co-registered to MRI did not show any difference of agreement across injection time groups (p = 0.42) whereas SISCOM showed better agreement with video-EEG data in the earlier injection time groups (p = 0.02). No differences in agreement between SPECT and video-EEG data were seen between patients with and without MRI lesions for either STATISCOM or SISCOM. Statistical Ictal SPECT Co-registered to MRI showed significantly better agreement for temporal than extratemporal seizures, with no difference of agreement between early (<45 s) and late (>45 s) injections. ConclusionStatistical Ictal SPECT Co-registered to MRI showed overall higher agreement rates with EZ localization by video-EEG than SISCOM, which was not affected by the injection times. Statistical Ictal SPECT Co-registered to MRI may provide localizing information for “late” injections where visual reads and SISCOM are inconclusive.

Comparison of Outcomes in Patients with Obesity Between Two Administration Routes of Omeprazole After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: An Open-Label Randomized Clinical Trial

BackgroundThe effect of different administration routes of omeprazole remains unclear on the recovery in patients with obesity after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).MethodsWe designed a randomized clinical trial enrolling 120 patients with a BMI≥32.5 kg/m2 after LSG. They were randomized into two groups to be administered with omeprazole by rapid intravenous injection (group A) or by continuous micropump infusion (group B). The plasma concentration of omeprazole was monitored upon initiating administration. Change in intragastric pH and gastrointestinal symptoms during follow-up served as indicators for therapeutic evaluation.ResultsPatients in the two groups showed no difference in the AUC curves (P=0.25), but group A had significantly higher peak concentration (P<0.001), and shorter time to reach peak concentration after administration (P<0.001), compared to group B. Before and after the administration of omeprazole, the average change in intragastric pH was much lower in group A (0.031 ± 0.61) than in group B (0.48 ± 0.74) (P=0.004). The incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms was similar between the two groups (P=0.85); however, the average duration of remaining symptoms was longer in group A (3.97 months; 95% CI, 2.90–5.04) than in group B (2.82 months; 95% CI, 2.01–3.63) (P=0.04).ConclusionContinuous micropump infusion of omeprazole may improve the outcomes in patients with obesity after LSG.Trial registrationChina Clinical Trial Registration Center (ChiCTR), ChiCTR-IPR-17013365. Registered 13 November 2017. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=22892.

Protective Effects of 3,4-Seco-Lupane Triterpenes from Food Raw Materials of the Leaves of Eleutherococcus Senticosus and Eleutherococcus Sessiliflorus on Arrhythmia Induced by Barium Chloride.

As a traditional wild vegetable and food raw material, the leaves of Eleutherococcus senticosus and Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus are rich in 3,4-seco-lupane triterpenes, including chiisanoside (CSS), divaroside (DVS), sessiloside-A (SSA), and chiisanogenin (CSG). This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-arrhythmic effects of these 3,4-seco-lupane triterpenes. Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of compounds was performed by measuring cell viability and apoptosis with the CCK-8 assay. In vivo, arrhythmia was induced by rapid injection of BaCl2 via rat caudal vein. The occurrence time and duration of arrhythmias in rats were studied. The levels of SOD and MDA in serum, and Na+ -K+ -ATPase and Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase in myocardial homogenate were detected by ELISA. The histopathological changes of rats myocardial were observed by HE staining. Changes in the expression of PKA and related proteins were detected by Western blot. The 3,4-seco-lupane triterpenes interactions with protein kinase A were analyzed by molecular docking. In the present study, we found that 3,4-seco-lupane triterpenes exhibited powerful anti-arrhythmic activity, especially DVS completely relieved the ventricular arrhythmia induced by BaCl2 . This study suggests that the leaves of E. senticosus and E. sessiliflorus might be used as functional food materials to prevent arrhythmia, and DVS can potentially be further developed as an anti-arrhythmic drug.

The Efficacy of Combined Medication With Methylprednisolone and Erythropoietin in the Treatment of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury to the Spinal Cord in Patients With Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

IntroductionCervical myelopathy (CM) is caused by degenerative or congenital changes in the discs and soft tissues of the cervical spine, leading to chronic compression of the spinal cord. The current treatment for moderate-to-severe CM is surgical decompression, which is effective in most cases; however, it can cause inflammation of the nervous system and spinal cord reperfusion injury, resulting in perioperative neurological complications and suboptimal neurological recovery. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of the combination of erythropoietin and methylprednisolone in the treatment of ischemia-reperfusion injury to the spinal cord and to analyze its effects on the levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), and interleukin-8 (IL-8).Materials and methodsThis study included 110 patients admitted to the hospital due to cervical spondylotic myelopathy. They were randomized into two groups of 55 patients each: a control and an observation group. In both groups of patients, fusion internal fixation and anterior cervical discectomy were performed. The difference, however, was that the control group received a rapid intravenous injection of 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone 30 minutes prior to spinal cord decompression, while the observation group received an intravenous injection of 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone and 3,000 U/kg erythropoietin 30 minutes before spinal cord decompression. The study was approved by the Hospital Ethical Committee of the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. The neurological function of both groups of patients was assessed before the procedure and three months after the treatment using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) method of assessing spinal cord function (40-point rating method). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S-100β, IL-1RA, IL-1β, and IL-8 in both groups. The quality of life of patients in both groups was assessed three months after the treatment with the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument (WHOQOL-100).ResultsBefore the treatment, there was no significant variance between the two groups in the JOA score and the 40-point rating method. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the levels of IL-1β, IL-1RA, and IL-8 between the two groups (p-value = 0.262, 0.387, and 0.154 respectively) prior to the treatment. Three months after the treatment, the levels of IL-1β and IL-8 in the observation group were 21.83 ±3.65 ng/l and 357.07 ±32.36 ng/l respectively, both lower than the control group value (p-value = 0.026, 0.028 respectively). The level of IL-1RA in follow-up was 21.59 ±1.15 ng/l, which was higher than that in the control group. Three months after the treatment, all the WHOQOL-100 parameters of the observation group for psychology, physiology, social relations, independence, spirituality, environment, and general quality of life were higher than those of the control group; the variance among the groups was statistically significant (p-value: <0.001).ConclusionsThe combination therapy with erythropoietin and methylprednisolone is effective for ischemia-reperfusion injuries of the spinal cord. It also reduces S-100β and NSE, inhibits IL-1β, and increases IL-8 and IL-1RA. Therefore, it preserves and improves spinal nerve function and the quality of life of patients.

Effectiveness and Safety of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injection Regarding Anatomical Landmarks: A Cadaveric Study.

Background Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injections can be applied using anatomical landmarks or under the guide of ultrasound (US). US is not always available, and the physician may rely on the anatomical landmarks. Objective The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TFCC injection with anatomic landmarks. Methods Forty wrist specimens from cadavers were randomly assigned to four rapid blue stain injection groups as follows: Group A: perpendicular to skin with 5 mm depth; Group B: perpendicular to skin with 10 mm depth; Group C: 45-degree angulation to skin surface, oriented from proximal to distal with 10 mm depth; and Group D: 45-degree angulation to skin surface, oriented from distal to proximal with 10 mm depth. TFCC specimens were excised and evaluated with microscopy, and adjacent neurovascular structures were checked for any injury. Results Injections in group A were more accurate than others, in which 8/10 injections were successful. Group C injections were least accurate in that only 4/10 were successful. The other remaining groups (groups B and D) revealed similar results (5/10 were successful). However, statistical analyses did not show any significant difference ( p -value = 0.35). No injury to neurovascular structures was seen. Conclusion Needle placement perpendicular to skin with 5 mm depth and just medial to ulnar styloid can be used as an accurate method of palpation-guided technique for TFCC injections.

Two-dimensional Radiation-hydrodynamic Simulations of Supernova Ejecta with a Central Power Source

Abstract We present the results of two-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic simulations of expanding supernova ejecta with a central energy source. As suggested in previous multidimensional hydrodynamic simulations, a sufficiently powerful central energy source can blow away the expanding supernova ejecta, leading to efficient mixing of stratified layers in the ejecta. We assume that the energy injection is realized in the form of nonthermal radiation from the wind nebula embedded at the center of the ejecta. We found that the multidimensional mixing in the ejecta assists the injected nonthermal radiation escaping from the ejecta. When the nonthermal radiation is absorbed by the ejecta, it is converted into bright thermal radiation or is consumed as the kinetic energy of the supernova ejecta. We found that central energy sources with injection timescale similar to the photon diffusion timescale realize an efficient conversion of the injected energy into thermal radiation. On the other hand, rapid energy injection ends up accelerating the ejecta rather than giving rise to bright thermal emission. This remarkable difference potentially explains the diversity of energetic supernovae including broad-lined Ic and superluminous supernovae.

Seismic swarms produced by rapid fluid injection into a low permeability laboratory fault

Fluid injection, from activities such wastewater disposal, hydraulic stimulation, or enhanced geothermal systems, decreases effective normal stress on faults and promotes slip. Earthquake nucleation models suggest the slip at low effective normal stress will be stable and aseismic—contrary to observed increases in seismicity that are often attributed to fluid injection. We conducted laboratory experiments using a biaxial loading apparatus that demonstrate how an increase in fluid pressure can induce “stick-slip” events along a preexisting saw-cut fault in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) sample. We compared slip events generated by externally squeezing the sample (shear-triggered) to those due to direct fluid injection (fluid-triggered) and studied the effects of injection rate and stress levels. Shear-triggered slip events began on a localized nucleation patch and slip smoothly accelerated from slow and aseismic to fast and seismic. Fluid-triggered slip events initiated far more abruptly and were associated with swarms of tiny foreshocks. These foreshocks were able to bypass the smooth nucleation process and jump-start a mainshock resulting in an abrupt initiation. Analysis of these foreshocks indicates that the rapid injection of fluid into a low permeability fault promotes heterogeneous stress and strength which can cause many events to initiate—some of which grow large. We conclude that while a reduction in effective normal stress stabilizes fault slip, rapid fluid injection into a low permeability fault increases multi-scale stress/strength heterogeneities which can initiate small seismic events that have the potential to grow rapidly, even into low stress regions.

Role of MRI in Evaluation of Focal Liver Lesions: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The non-invasive diagnosis of liver lesions is usually achieved with contrast material-enhanced computed tomography and Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging. Dynamic three dimensional gradient-recalled-echo MR imaging provides dynamic contrast-enhanced thin-section images with fat saturation and a high signal-to-noise ratio and is excellent for the evaluation of various focal hepatic lesions. Aim: To explore the effectiveness and hence the clinical utility of plain and contrast MR characterisation of focal hepatic lesions in patients and their correlation with the histopathological findings. Materials and Methods: The present study was a multicenteric study done on both Inpatients and Outpatients of Department of Radiology of Tertiary care hospitals in Bengaluru, from January 2020 to August 2020. A total of 42 patients diagnosed with focal liver lesions by Ultrasonography were included in this study. Plain MRI study was done by using spin echo technique and contrast MRI study was done after rapid bolus injection (0.1 mmol/kg body weight) of gadolinium dimeglumine. Pathological and post-operative histopathological findings were noted. Microsoft excel software was used for data analysis and tables were prepared for comparison of collected data. Specificity and sensitivity were calculated for diagnostic accuracy of MRI. Results: This study included forty-two patients in total, twenty-five male and seventeen female patients, in age group of 15 to 84 years with a mean age of 48 years. Metastasis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) were most common malignant lesions in liver while Hemangiomas were most common benign lesions followed by simple and complex cysts and hepatic adenoma. The present study calculated the specificity and sensitivity of MRI of focal hepatic lesions and correlated the findings clinically, pathologically and histopathologically. The specificity of MRI for characterisation of focal liver disease was high (90.4%). Specificity of MRI for HCC was found to be 96.7 % and that for metastasis was 97% while sensitivity for Haemangiomas is found to be 100%.MRI is superior compared to other modalities like ultrasound and CT in having high spatial resolution. Multiple sequences like T1, T2 and fat suppression techniques like IN PHASE, OUT OF PHASE helps in demonstrating lesion characters like architecture, margin, haemorrhage, fat component and vascular invasion of the lesions. Conclusion: MRI is valuable for the characterization of focal liver lesions detected on Ultrasonography. Basic MRI sequences along with chemical shift imaging sequences and dynamic contrast imaging has significant role in characterising the focal liver lesions. Despite that, It should be the modality choice for the lesions which are undetected or doubtful on ultrasound and CT examinations.

Rapid direct analysis of river water and machine learning assisted suspect screening of emerging contaminants in passive sampler extracts

A novel and rapid approach to characterise the occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in river water is presented using multi-residue targeted analysis and machine learning-assisted in silico suspect screening of passive sampler extracts. Passive samplers (Chemcatcher®) configured with hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced (HLB) sorbents were deployed in the Central London region of the tidal River Thames (UK) catchment in winter and summer campaigns in 2018 and 2019. Extracts were analysed by; (a) a rapid 5.5 min direct injection targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for 164 CECs and (b) a full-scan LC coupled to quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS) method using data-independent acquisition over 15 min. From targeted analysis of grab water samples, a total of 33 pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, drug metabolites, personal care products and pesticides (including several EU Watch-List chemicals) were identified, and mean concentrations determined at 40 ± 37 ng L-1. For targeted analysis of passive sampler extracts, 65 unique compounds were detected with differences observed between summer and winter campaigns. For suspect screening, 59 additional compounds were shortlisted based on mass spectral database matching, followed by machine learning-assisted retention time prediction. Many of these included additional pharmaceuticals and pesticides, but also new metabolites and industrial chemicals. The novelty in this approach lies in the convenience of using passive samplers together with machine learning-assisted chemical analysis methods for rapid, time-integrated catchment monitoring of CECs.

Ultra Rapid and Highly Sensitive Disperser-less Liquid-liquid Microextraction of Organophosphate Pesticides Prior to Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry Detection

Background: Organophosphates (OPPs) are toxic chemicals that can cause serious health problems through poisoning water and food. Objectives: A very simple and fast disperser-less liquid microextraction strategy before chromatographic detection was designed for the analysis of organophosphates in various water solutions. Methods: A 60 µL aliquot of chloroform, as extraction solvent (without using disperser), was introduced into the sample solution by rapid injection, and the sedimented organic phase was analyzed to assay some organophosphates. Results: Analytical characteristics, including limits of detection (0.0003 - 0.001 µg.L-1), linear dynamic ranges (0.001 - 100 µg.L-1), relative standard deviations (2.5 - 10), enrichment factors (up to 238), and extraction recoveries (84% - 108%), indicated the high efficacy of the developed method for analyzing the target analytes. Conclusions: The proposed procedure was effectively used for the analysis of the OPPs in real tap water, river water, and fruit juice samples. In the present study, the examined analytes were in the range of 0.07 - 1.56 µg.L-1.

Are single-lumen 5Fr and triple-lumen 6Fr PICCs suitable for hemodynamic assessment by trans-pulmonary thermodilution? A pilot study

BackgroundSingle-lumen 4Fr or double-lumen 5Fr power injectable peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are not accurate for trans-pulmonary thermodilution (TPTD), since they overestimate cardiac index and other TPTD-derived parameters when compared with centrally inserted central catheters (CICCs) because of the smaller size of their lumen. We hypothesize that PICCs with larger lumen size may be reliable for the cardiac index assessment using the TPTD.MethodsThis is a single-centre, prospective method–comparison study that included adult patients admitted in ICU who required a calibrated Pulse Contour hemodynamic monitoring system (VolumeView/EV1000™) for circulatory shock and had both PICC and CICC in place. We compared TPTD measurements via single-lumen 5Fr or triple-lumen 6Fr polyurethane power injectable PICCs with triple-lumen 7Fr CICC (reference standard). To rule out biases related to manual injection, measurements were repeated using an automated rapid injection system. We performed Bland–Altman analysis accounting for multiple observations per patient.ResultsA total of 320 measurements were performed in 15 patients. During the manual phase, the cardiac index measured with either single-lumen 5Fr or triple-lumen 6Fr PICCs were comparable with cardiac index measured with triple-lumen 7Fr CICC (3.2 ± 1.04 vs. 3.2 ± 1.06 L/min/m2, bias 2.2% and 3.3 ± 0.8 vs. 3.0 ± 0.7 L/min/m2, bias 8.5%, respectively). During the automated phase, triple-lumen 6Fr PICC slightly overestimated the cardiac index when compared to triple-lumen 7Fr CICC (CI 3.4 ± 0.7 vs. 3.0 ± 0.7 L/min/m2, bias 12.5%; p = 0.012). For both single-lumen 5Fr and triple-lumen 6Fr PICCs, percentage error vs. triple-lumen 7Fr CICC was below 20% (14.7% and 19% during the manual phase and 14.4% and 13.8% during the automated phase, respectively). Similar results were observed for TPTD-derived parameters.ConclusionsDuring hemodynamic monitoring with TPTD, both single-lumen 5Fr PICCs and triple-lumen 6Fr PICCs can be used for cold fluid bolus injection as an alternative to CICC (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04241926).

Helically Grooved Gold Nanoarrows: Controlled Fabrication, Superhelix, and Transcribed Chiroptical Switching

Plasmonic chiroptical materials, coupled by chirality and surface plasmons, have been attracting great interest due to their potential applications, such as photonics, chiral recognition, asymmetri...

Effect of Coolant Water Temperature of Emergency Core Cooling System on Failure Probability of Reactor Pressure Vessel

Abstract Structural integrity assessment of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) is important for the safe operation of nuclear power plant. For an RPV in a pressurized water reactor (PWR), pressurized thermal shock (PTS) resulted from rapid coolant water injection due to a loss-of-coolant accident is an issue of particular concern. The coolant water temperature in the emergency core cooling system (ECCS) can influence the integrity of RPV subjected to PTS events; thus, this paper is focused on investigating the effect of coolant water temperature of ECCS on failure probability of an RPV. First, thermal-hydraulic (TH) analyses were conducted for a Japanese PWR model plant by using RELAP5, and different coolant water temperatures in ECCS were considered to investigate the effect of coolant water temperature on TH behaviors during a PTS event. Using the TH analysis results, probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) analyses were performed for the RPV of the Japanese model plant. Based on the PFM analysis results, the effect of coolant water temperature on failure probability of the RPV was quantified.

Clinical applications of receptor-binding radiopharmaceutical 99mTc-Tilmanocept: sentinel node biopsy and beyond

99mTc-tilmanocept is the first mannose-containing, receptor-directed, radiopharmaceutical for molecular imaging and mapping of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in solid tumor staging. This review focuses on the approved and innovative clinical application of 99mTc-tilmanocept. 99mTc-Tilmanocept is a new-generation radiotracer designed to overcome certain limitations of the conventionally used radiocolloids. The superior efficacy profile of 99mTc-tilmanocept has been demonstrated in several preclinical and clinical studies based on its specific properties like rapid injection site clearance, high uptake in the first node, and low distal node accumulation. The capability of 99mTc-tilmanocept for selective molecular imaging of the CD206 receptor may be used for diagnosis and treatment of several macrophage mediated diseases, including autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases (HIV and tuberculosis), neurodegenerative disorders (dementias) and cardiovascular disease (vulnerable plaque and atherosclerosis).

Impact of ineffective esophageal motility on secondary peristalsis: Studies with high-resolution manometry.

The aim was to investigate whether there is a difference in secondary peristalsis on high-resolution manometry (HRM) among gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients with and without ineffective esophageal motility (IEM), and healthy individuals. Twenty-eight GERD patients and seventeen healthy controls were included. Secondary peristalsis was stimulated by a rapid injection of 20ml air in mid-esophagus. We compared HRM metrics and the response and effective rate of triggering secondary peristalsis between patients with and without IEM and healthy controls. Sixteen patients had IEM, and the remaining 12 had normal manometry. By triggering of secondary peristalsis, patients without IEM and healthy controls had significantly higher distal contractile integral (DCI) values than IEM patients (p=0.006). A successful secondary peristalsis was triggered more frequently in healthy controls than in GERD patients with normal peristalsis or IEM (56.9% vs. 20.2% vs. 9.1%, all p<0.001). The effective rate which determined as DCI>450mmHg.cm.s was higher in healthy controls compared to patients with normal peristalsis (36.5% vs. 19.4%, p<0.001) and IEM (36.5% vs. 6.3%, p<0.001). Patients with IEM had lower successful triggering response (9.1% vs. 20.2%) and effective secondary peristalsis (6.3% vs. 19.4%) compared with patients without IEM (p<0.001). Our work has demonstrated that GERD patients, in particular those with IEM, have significant defects in the triggering of secondary peristalsis on HRM. HRM helps characterize esophageal secondary peristalsis which exhibits differently in patients with and without IEM.

Effect of prucalopride on sildenafil-induced inhibition of esophageal peristalsis in healthy adults.

Prucalopride, a high-affinity 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptor agonist, promotes esophageal peristalsis, while phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor sildenafil inhibits esophageal peristalsis. The present study was aimed to evaluate whether prucalopride would augment esophageal peristalsis subsequent to the application of sildenafil. Seventeen healthy adults underwent high-resolution manometry by a catheter with one injection port located in the mid-esophagus. Secondary peristalsis was assessed by rapid air injections after water swallows. Two sessions were randomly performed including acute administration of sildenafil 50mg after pretreatment with prucalopride or the placebo. The frequency of primary peristalsis subsequent to the administration of sildenafil was significantly increased by prucalopride (P=0.02). Prucalopride also significantly increased distal contractile integral of primary peristalsis subsequent to the administration of sildenafil (P=0.03). No difference in the frequency of secondary peristalsis subsequent to the administration of sildenafil for air injects of 10mL (P=0.14) or 20mL (P=0.21) was found between prucalopride and placebo. Prucalopride did not change distal contractile integral of secondary peristalsis subsequent to the administration of sildenafil for air injections of 10mL (P=0.09) or 20mL (P=0.12). Prucalopride modulates sildenafil-induced inhibition of primary peristalsis by increasing its effectiveness and peristaltic wave amplitude. Our findings suggest that activation of 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptors plays a role in mediating sildenafil-induced inhibition of esophageal primary peristalsis rather than secondary peristalsis.

El derecho humano al agua en España en el contexto europeo (2010-2020). Implicaciones para las políticas y los modelos de gestión del ciclo urbano

El derecho humano al abastecimiento y al saneamiento (DHAS) constituye hoy en España y en Europa la bandera de un movimiento que se articula en torno al concepto del agua como bien común y que se orienta al objetivo de construir un modelo de gestión pública participativa y transparente. La materialización efectiva del DHAS se relaciona discursivamente con la titularidad pública o privada de los operadores de los servicios urbanos de agua, lo que ha contribuido a la reactivación de los debates sobre la necesidad de conservar o recuperar el carácter público de estos servicios, y sobre la necesidad de generar marcos jurídicos que garanticen políticas de democracia local efectiva. A esta dimensión sociopolítica, se añade otra característica: el movimiento del DHAS en España sintoniza en discurso y articulación organizativa con las perspectivas socio-eco-integradoras de la gestión del agua como recurso natural, de los ecosistemas acuáticos. Ésta es una cualidad importante y en cierta manera distintiva de la experiencia española, que contrasta con los desencuentros y conflictos que frecuentemente caracterizan a las perspectivas social y ambiental en los movimientos de defensa del agua, y en general de los recursos naturales. Complementariamente a lo anterior, este artículo presenta un nuevo enfoque de la tipología de pobrezas hídricas. La reciente recepción del DHAS en los países europeos se ha focalizado especialmente en la asequibilidad (prohibición de cortes, garantía del mínimo vital, tarifas sociales) y en las implicaciones para la gobernanza (transparencia, rendición de cuentas) y el modelo de gestión (publico versus privado). No obstante, a lo largo de la investigación que se presenta, se ha constatado que la accesibilidad sigue siendo un problema significativo en ciertas regiones europeas, relacionado especialmente con la existencia de asentamientos marginales, chabolismo, personas sin hogar o trabajadores temporeros inmigrantes en áreas rurales. Finalmente, este artículo aborda la cuestión de la regulación legal del derecho humano al agua en España, analizando las claves de este proceso y presentando las últimas propuestas del movimiento del DHAS en el que sus autores conceptualmente se sitúan. Desde un punto de vista teórico (ecología política urbana) y metodológico (investigación-acción participativa transdisciplinar), el artículo se ha desarrollado en el doble marco en el que los autores se desenvuelven. Por una parte, el grupo de trabajo de ciclo urbano del agua de la Fundación Nueva Cultura de Agua (https://fnca.eu/oppa/ciclo-urbano-del-agua); y, por otra, la Red de Excelencia de la Agencia Estatal de Investigación sobre pobreza hídrica (WAPONET, CSO2017-90702-REDT, https://waponet.org/approach/).

Rapid heating injection moulding: An experimental surface temperature study

Rapid heat cycle moulding (RHCM) is a recent set of injection technologies that allow a full temperature control in a mould.Between all technologies available in terms of heating and cooling, electrical resistance heating and water cooling were chosen for this study.The mould design has a capital importance in terms of process efficiency. Thermal and mechanical key points must be addressed together. Temperature distribution in moulding cavity and quality part run together.Before mould machining, a full mechanical, thermal and rheological simulation was carried out. Due to transient thermal complexity, thermal simulation was validated using infrared thermography on a dummy tool fitted with both heating and cooling devices.All this previous work is usual for each new tool. When a new process is suggested for new part requirements, it is necessary to understand injection physical bases in order to prevent unexpected failures. This work introduces the mould temperature curve to realize how RHCM works, and compare its results with conventional moulding.The influence of cavity temperature map was studied with a cavity pressure and temperature sensor helped with near infrared thermography. At the same time, the relationship with parameters which control both heating and cooling periods was considering.Simulation and experimental results are compared, and RHCM process highlights could be well understood to improve future new injection parts development.

Advances in on-line enzyme assays by sequence analysis-based capillary electrophoresis

Due to unique advantages such as short analysis time, high separation efficiency and sensitivity, easy automation, extremely low sample and reagent volume requirements, and the ability to utilize several detection methods, capillary electrophoresis (CE) is used as a high-efficiency separation technique, and has been developed as a powerful tool for on-line enzyme assays. On-line enzyme assays based on CE have been applied to almost all aspects of enzyme assays over the past two decades, including the evaluation of enzyme activities and kinetics, identification and characterization of enzyme inhibitors and activators, detection of enzyme substrates, investigation of enzyme-mediated metabolic pathways, and proteome analysis. One potential use of enzyme assays is in tracing enzymatic reactions from beginning to the end at high temporal resolution. Measurements of enzyme reactions at high temporal resolution can result in more accurate estimates of reaction mechanisms and reaction rate constants, which is vitally important for improving understanding of the functions of enzymes in metabolism and for identifying the potential use of enzymes in clinical diagnostics. Furthermore, high-throughput online enzyme analysis is of great importance for the analysis of enzyme reactions and enzyme inhibition reactions. The development of accurate, rapid and high-throughput enzyme inhibition screening methods is especially important for accelerating the development of new drugs. Electrophoretically mediated microanalysis (EMMA) and CE-integrated immobilized enzyme microreactor (IMER) are the two most used techniques for online CE enzyme assays. The EMMA technique utilizes different electrophoretic mobilities of enzymes and substrates to initiate reactions within the capillary and to separate the components of the reaction mixture for the final in-capillary quantification. In a CE-integrated IMER, the enzyme is bound to the capillary surface or to a suitable carrier attached to the capillary through physical adsorption, cross-linking, covalent bonding or other methods. The enzyme reactor is usually located at one end of the capillary; the enzyme-catalyzed reaction occurs when the substrates pass through the enzyme reactor and the substrates/products of the enzymatic reaction are separated and online detected by CE at the downstream end of the capillary. In both either techniques, the samples are usually introduced into the capillary by electrokinetic injection or by hydrodynamic injection. Because both injection methods require that the capillary inlet be physically moved from the sample container to the running buffer for CE analysis after each sample injection, it is unlikely that EMMA or microreactor techniques can be successfully used to perform sequential online analysis. Therefore, a CE sequence analysis technique based on rapid sequential injection has been developed as another powerful method for online enzyme analysis. Compared with the widely used electrokinetic and hydrodynamic injection methods used in traditional CE online enzyme analysis methods, rapid sequence injection methods can achieve sequential injection without any physical disturbance of the capillary inlet, allowing for the successful performance of online enzyme assays with high temporal resolution and at high throughput. A rapid, sequential, and automatic sample introduction system is an important part of online enzyme analysis based on CE sequence analysis. Several sequential injection methods such as optical-gating injection, flow-gated injection, two-dimension diffusion injection, flow injection and droplet microfluidics combined with CE have been developed to successfully perform online enzyme assays with high temporal resolution and high throughput. In this paper, we will review recently developed CE online enzyme assays and inhibition studies based on rapid sequential injection. We review the progress and applications of various sequential sample injection approaches that have been developed for sequential on-line CE analysis of enzyme reactions at high temporal resolution and high-throughput screening of enzyme inhibitors, including optical-gating injection, flow gated injection, two-dimension diffusion injection, flow injection and droplet microfluidics.