Single-shot Injection Research Articles

Intra-articular, single-shot co-injection of hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids in knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the co-injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) and corticosteroids (CS) was superior to HA alone in the treatment of knee OA. A total of 120 participants with symptomatic knee OA were recruited and formed the intention-to-treat population for a 6-month follow-up. In the HA group, patients received a single-shot injection of 4 ml HA. In the HA&CS group, patients received a co-injection of 3 ml compound betamethasone solution and 4 ml HA. Visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and knee flexion motion were assessed as primary outcomes. Patients in the HA&CS group exhibited better pain relief and knee function at the time points of week 1, month 1 and month 3 (P<0.05). For the last follow-up at month 6, the values did not differ significantly between these two groups. Patients in both groups exhibited improvement in pain, knee function, and range of motion following injection. For the final follow-up at month 6, the mean VAS score, WOMAC score and knee flexion motion were still superior to that prior to treatment, but the values did not differ significantly. The co-injection of HA and CS provided a rapid improvement in pain relief, knee function, and range of motion, but did not differ significantly from that of HA alone in the long term effect.

Comparison of Continuous Adductor Canal Catheters and Single-shot Peripheral Nerve Blocks Providing Analgesia After Unicondylar Knee Replacement, as Part of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program

With the current trend toward ambulatory joint replacements, it is important to identify the approach to postoperative analgesia which best balances comfort and mobility. Adductor canal blocks provide analgesia after unicondylar knee replacement and can be performed with either an infusion catheter [adductor canal block catheter (ACB-C)] or as a single-shot injection [adductor canal block single-shot injection (ACB-SS)]. We conducted a retrospective analysis comparing the perceived quality of analgesia achieved by the 2 techniques, hypothesizing that patients receiving ACB-Cs would have less opioid consumption and lower pain scores than those who received ACB-SSs. After Institutional Review Board approval, we identified patients who underwent unicondylar knee arthroplasty between August and December 2015. Patients designated American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 to 3 were included. Those discharged home on postoperative day (POD) 0 or provided an alternative nerve block were excluded. The primary outcome was opioid consumption over POD 1. Morning and afternoon pain scores were also evaluated. Of the 125 patients identified, there were 17 exclusions. Of those remaining, 69 received an ACB-C and 38 received an ACB-SS. The median amount of opioid use was lower in the ACB-C group than in the ACB-SS group [12 mg (8, 16) vs. 26 mg (20, 31.5), P&lt;0.0001]. Patients treated with ACB-Cs had lower pain scores in the morning [0 (0, 1) vs. 3.5 (0, 5), P&lt;0.0001] and afternoon [0 (0, 0) vs. 4 (0, 5), P&lt;0.0001] on POD 1. Our data suggest an association between adductor canal catheters and both lower opioid consumption and pain scores. A prospective randomized trial is required to confirm this finding and help determine the optimal intervention.

Environmental impact monitoring of household vinegar-injections to cull crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster spp.

Large-scale population outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS, Acanthaster spp.) have occurred in every nation with substantial coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific during the past few decades. While a multitude of control efforts have been trialed to combat the outbreaks, an efficient solution has remained elusive. Recent developments have however introduced single-shot injection methods using bovine derivatives (bile salts) and household products (vinegar) that have proven effective at culling COTS. In this study we use a Multiple-Before-After-Control-Impact (MBACI) experimental design to conduct an assessment of the environmental impact of using household vinegar as a chemical for culling COTS. During our six-week assessment we found no changes in coral cover or coral disease. Furthermore, while video recordings documented a number of fish species consuming decaying COTS, we found no evidence of changes in fish abundance or the presence of fish disease, despite densities of injected COTS far exceeding those recorded during natural outbreaks. The efficiency of scavenging fish ensured that few traces of decaying COTS were visible 72 h post-injection. The lack of any observed environmental impact supports our conclusion that vinegar is a low-risk chemical for use in COTS control. Because vinegar is highly accessible, low in cost, and effective at killing COTS without harm to non-target organisms, it has the potential to become a powerful new tool to defend the reef against COTS outbreaks.

Numerical visualization and optimization on the core penetration in multi-cavity co-injection molding with a bifurcation runner structure

Co-injection molding and multi-cavity molding are common processes for plastic products manufacturing. These two systems are sometimes combined and applied in the manufacture of bifurcation-structure products. However, how the influential factors truly affect the core penetration behavior and the detailed mechanism of core penetration behavior has not yet been fully understood. In this study, it has focused on studying the multi-cavity co-injection system with a bifurcation runner structure. The results showed that when the skin-to-core ratio is fixed (say 72/28), the melt flow behavior of a co-injection system, utilizing the same material for both skin and core, is very similar to that of a single shot injection molding. Specifically, the non-symmetrical bifurcation runner structure will influence the flow behavior greatly and cause the core distribution imbalance between different cavities. However, it is observed that when the flow rate is increased, the core material will occupy more volume space in the upstream portion of the runner and the core penetration distance will be reduced in the flow direction downstream. This feature is very useful to further manipulate the skin/core interface in a multi-cavity system. Moreover, regarding how to improve a poor inter-cavity balance of core material distribution, using a suitable adjustment of the skin-to-core ratio will be greatly helpful. However, the core break-through defect can be a common problem in co-injection molding when an unsuitable skin-to-core ratio is used. To prevent the core break-through defect, increasing the flow rate properly can be one of the good options that we can use. Hence, it is concluded that a suitable adjustment of the skin-to-core ratio and a proper flow rate control can be used to optimize the core material distribution in multi-cavity co-injection molding with a bifurcation runner structure. Lastly, in order to validate the inference and the effectiveness of this proposal to improve the inter-cavity imbalance and core break-through problem, a series of experimental studies were performed. And, all experimental results are in good agreement with those of our numerical predictions to further validate the feasibility of our proposed method to gain a better control of the core material distribution with a bifurcation runner structure in multi-cavity co-injection molding.

Fuel efficiency analysis and peak pressure rise rate improvement for neat n-butanol injection strategies

Engine tests were conducted to investigate the efficiency and the peak pressure rise rate performance of different fuel injection strategies for the direct injection of neat n-butanol in a compression ignition engine. Three different strategies were tested: a single-shot injection; a pilot injection; a post-injection. A single-shot injection timing sweep revealed that early injections had the highest indicated efficiency while late injections reduced the peak pressure rise rate at the cost of a slightly reduced thermal efficiency. Delayed single-shot injections also had increased emissions of nitrogen oxides, total hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide. Addition of a pilot injection had a negative effect on the peak pressure rise rate. Because of the low cetane number of butanol and the relatively lean and well-premixed air–fuel mixture, the pilot injection failed to autoignite and instead ignited simultaneously with the main injection. This resulted in slightly increased peak pressure rise rates and significantly increased unburned butanol hydrocarbon emissions. Conversely, the use of an early post-injection produced a noticeable engine power output and allowed the main injection to be shortened and the peak pressure rise rate to be substantially reduced. However, relatively early post-injections slightly reduced the indicated efficiency and increased the nitrogen oxide emissions and the carbon monoxide emissions compared with the single-shot injection strategy. These results recommended the use of a single-shot injection for low loads and medium loads owing to a superior thermal efficiency and suggested that the application of a post-injection may be more suited to high-load conditions because of the substantially reduced peak pressure rise rates.

Efficacy, Tolerability and Adverse Events of Single-Shot Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid Injection in Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective: The clinical experience with single intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection in knee OA is limited. The aim was to assess the therapeutic efficacy, tolerability and adverse events of single-shot intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection in knee OA.Method: Between February 2008 and December 2010, forty eight (48) patients (Males=21, Females=27) with OA knees were enrolled in this prospective study. These patients had failed to respond adequately to conservative treatment including analgesics and rehabilitative modalities. The inclusion criteria were (1) Resting visual analog scale pain of &gt;50 mm and (2) Radiographic evidence for osteoarthritis and at least one of the following three characteristics; Age ≥50yrs, Morning stiffness ≤ 30 min in duration and coarse crepitus on motion (as per American College of Rheumatology guidelines 1986). Functional scoring as per WOMAC and VAS for pain at rest and during walking was documented. Patient satisfaction was documented as per Linkert scale. Patients received a single injection of Synvisc-One (consisting of 6 ml hylan G-F 20). The patients were reviewed at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months post- injection with final analysis at 1 year. Use of only paracetamol, when required was allowed for concomitant analgesia.Results: The mean age of the patients was 65 ± 5 years; mean duration of symptoms 5.4 ± 1.5 years and mean body mass index (BMI) 29.1 2 kg/m . Bilateral knees were involved in 69% of patients. Knee swelling and effusion was present in 70% and 31.5 % patients, respectively. All the patients were available at final follow-up. The resting and walking VAS pain significantly improved from baseline after the injection (45 from 70 and 50 from 82, respectively). There was significant improvement of pain and disability based on the WOMAC scores. Adverse events were recorded and included local pain and swelling, mild redness, and/or effusion in the knee. Based on “Knee Society Score” the overall efficacy was judged as excellent in 55%, satisfactory in 43%, and poor in 2 %. The beneficial effects stayed till 6 months but returned to baseline at last follow up at 1 year.Conclusions: This study confirmed the therapeutic efficacy and safety of single-shot intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. The pain relief and functional improvement lasts for up to 6 months. The procedure is tolerated well and associated with very few local adverse events. The need for concomitant analgesia is reduced. JMS 2015; 18(2):128-133

Neuregulin-1 released by biodegradable gelatin hydrogels can accelerate facial nerve regeneration and functional recovery of traumatic facial nerve palsy

Neuregulin-1 is an essential axoglial signal required for peripheral nerve development, and evidence that neuregulin-1 is also required for effective nerve repair is growing. In this study, the effects of neuregulin-1-impregnated gelatin hydrogels on nerve regeneration and functional recovery after anastomosis of the facial nerve were investigated in a rat model of traumatic facial nerve paralysis. Twenty-four adult male rats underwent complete resection of thefacial nerve trunk, followed by end-to-end anastomosis with epineural sutures. The animals were then randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups (eight rats/group): no additional intervention (Group I), single-shot injection of neuregulin-1 into the epineurium of the facial nerve at the suture sites (Group II), or implantation of a hydrogel impregnated with neuregulin-1 at the injury site (Group III). After surgery, mimetic muscle movements were evaluated weekly. Eight weeks after surgery, the mimetic muscles were injected witha neural tracer (1,10-dioctadecyl-3,3,30,30-tetramethylindocarbocyanin perchlorate, DiI). Retrograde-labeled neurons were counted in the facial nuclei, and facial nerve specimens were stained with toluidine blue for histological examination of axon density. Group III exhibited significantly faster recovery of mimetic muscle function, a higher density of large-diameter axons (>5μm) in the facial nerve, and greater numbers of retrogradely labeled neurons in the ipsilateral facial nucleus compared with Groups I and II. Continuous release of neuregulin-1 from impregnated gelatin hydrogels can accelerate facial nerve regeneration.

Caudal bupivacaine and morphine provides effective postoperative analgesia but does not prevent hemodynamic response to pneumoperitoneum for major laparoscopic surgeries in children.

The use of a caudal block in laparoscopic surgery in children is limited to minor procedures like inguinal hernia repair, and intravenous opioids remain the analgesic modality of choice in major laparoscopic surgery. However, a caudal block is frequently performed at our institute even for laparoscopic surgery. Therefore, we planned to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of caudal bupivacaine and morphine in major laparoscopic surgery as compared to intravenous opioids. Our hypothesis was that a single-shot caudal block would increase the duration of analgesia and minimize the hemodynamic response to pneumoperitoneum. After institutional ethics committee clearance, data were collected for 65 ASA I-II children aged 6 months to 12 years who underwent laparoscopic surgery in the last 14 months. Demographic, surgical, and perioperative anesthetic and analgesic data were noted and analyzed. Twenty-four children received a caudal block with 0.25 % bupivacaine (1-1.25 ml/kg) with morphine (30-50 mcg/kg). In the caudal group, the time to first analgesic request was increased (165 vs. 45 min; p = 0.00) and tachycardia response to port site incision was less observed (33 vs. 63 % children; p = 0.019). Hemodynamic response to pneumoperitoneum was equal in both of the groups. Single-shot caudal injection of local anesthetic with morphine reduces port site skin incision response and increases the duration of postoperative analgesia but fails to prevent hemodynamic response to pneumoperitoneum.

One Shot Six Centres: A New Strategy in Ultrasound Guided Paravertebral Block

The paravertebral block (PVB) is the technique of injecting local anaesthetic alongside the vertebral body close to where the spinal nerves emerge from the intervertebral foramen. This produces unilateral, segmental, somatic, and sympathetic nerve blockade in multiple contiguous thoracic dermatomes which is effective for managing acute and chronic pain. Recently PVB has also been used for surgical anaesthesia in patients undergoing several surgical procedures with improved postoperative outcomes. Unfortunately the spread of local anaesthetic and the anaesthetic effect is sometime unpredictable, even with a standardized ultrasound-guided technique. The aim of this study is to show a new approach for the Paravertebral block ultrasound-guided and confirmed by ENS using a single injection. This new approach allows an easy visualization and accurate puncture of the paravertebral space, ensuring good anaesthesia of reproducibility, productivity and effectiveness. In this study we obtained six dermatomes anaesthesia, with a single shot injection in all patients.

Direct injection of neat n-butanol for enabling clean low temperature combustion in a modern diesel engine

This study investigates the effects of neat n-butanol replacing conventional diesel fuels to enable clean combustion on a modern common-rail diesel engine. Systematic engine experiments are conducted to examine the combustion characteristics and exhaust emissions in correlation to n-butanol’s relatively high oxygen content and high volatility but low ignitability, and control strategies are thereafter developed for enabling clean and efficient combustion of neat n-butanol. Compared to its diesel counterpart, the single-shot injection of neat n-butanol offers substantially reduced NOx emissions without the use of EGR and near-zero soot emissions, but the applicable injection timing window is narrower for n-butanol limited by high maximum rates of pressure rise and/or unstable combustion. EGR is effective to reduce the combustion roughness, but it further narrows the applicable injection timing window and deteriorates the HC and CO emissions. A control strategy that deploys multi-shot injections combined with moderate use of EGR is developed and applied to improve the combustion controllability and exhaust emissions while minimizing the penalties in the engine efficiency.

Ultrasensitive proteome analysis using paramagnetic bead technology.

In order to obtain a systems-level understanding of a complex biological system, detailed proteome information is essential. Despite great progress in proteomics technologies, thorough interrogation of the proteome from quantity-limited biological samples is hampered by inefficiencies during processing. To address these challenges, here we introduce a novel protocol using paramagnetic beads, termed Single-Pot Solid-Phase-enhanced Sample Preparation (SP3). SP3 provides a rapid and unbiased means of proteomic sample preparation in a single tube that facilitates ultrasensitive analysis by outperforming existing protocols in terms of efficiency, scalability, speed, throughput, and flexibility. To illustrate these benefits, characterization of 1,000 HeLa cells and single Drosophila embryos is used to establish that SP3 provides an enhanced platform for profiling proteomes derived from sub-microgram amounts of material. These data present a first view of developmental stage-specific proteome dynamics in Drosophila at a single-embryo resolution, permitting characterization of inter-individual expression variation. Together, the findings of this work position SP3 as a superior protocol that facilitates exciting new directions in multiple areas of proteomics ranging from developmental biology to clinical applications.

Efficacy, Tolerability and Adverse Events of Single-Shot Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid Injection in Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective: The clinical experience with single intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection in knee OA is limited. The aim was to assess the therapeutic efficacy, tolerability and adverse events of single-shot intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection in knee OA. Method: Between February 2008 and December 2010, forty eight (48) patients (Males=21, Females=27) with OA knees were enrolled in this prospective study. These patients had failed to respond adequately to conservative treatment including analgesics and rehabilitative modalities. The inclusion criteria were: 1) Resting visual analog scale pain of >50 mm and 2) Radiographic evidence for osteoarthritis and at least one of the following three characteristics; Age ≥50 yrs, Morning stiffness ≤ 30 min in duration and coarse crepitus on motion (as per American College of Rheumatology guidelines 1986). Functional scoring as per WOMAC and VAS for pain at rest and during walking was documented. Patient satisfaction was documented as per Linkert scale. Objective analysis included measurement of knee flexion-extension, circumference at the level of suprapatellar pouch and change in joint space width (Tibiofemoral joint). Patients received a single injection of Synvisc-One (consisting of 6 ml hylan G-F 20). The patients were reviewed at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months post-injection with final analysis at 1 year. Use of only paracetamol, when required was allowed for concomitant analgesia but disallowed around the time of clinical evaluation. Results: The mean age of the patients was 65 ± 5 years; mean duration of symptoms 5.4 ± 1.5 years and mean body mass index (BMI) 29.1 kg/m2. Bilateral knees were involved in 69% of patients. Knee swelling and effusion was present in 70% and 31.5% patients, respectively. All the patients were available at final follow-up. The resting and walking VAS pain significantly improved from baseline after the injection (45 from 70 and 50 from 82, respectively). There was significant improvement of pain and disability based on the WOMAC scores. Adverse events were recorded and included local pain and swelling, mild redness, and/or effusion in the knee. Based on “Knee Society Score” the overall efficacy was judged as excellent in 55%, satisfactory in 43%, and poor in 2%. The beneficial effects stayed till 6 months but returned to baseline at last follow up at 1 year. Substantial improvement was noted in knee flexionextension and knee swelling (p<0.05) but no change was observed in joint space width. Conclusions: This study confirmed the therapeutic efficacy and safety of single-shot intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. The pain relief and functional improvement lasts for up to 6 months. The procedure is tolerated well and associated with very few local adverse events. The need for concomitant analgesia is reduced.

Effect of pre-emptive epidural low-dose magnesium sulfate on postoperative analgesic requirement after open abdominal hysterectomy Ramadan Shabana

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of single-shot epidural injection of combined low-dose magnesium sulfate with levobupivacaine as a pre-emptive analgesic to decrease the postoperative analgesic requirement in female patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Patients and Methods The study included 90 ASA I-II adult female patients assigned for open abdominal hysterectomy. Patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups: group L received single-shot epidural plain levobupivacaine 0.25% and group M received single-shot epidural levobupivacaine 0.25% mixed with 50 mg MgSO 4 . The intensity of postoperative pain was measured with 0-100 point visual analog scale (VAS). Rescue analgesia was given if patients had VAS scores of 40 or more and the duration of analgesia was determined. The degree of sedation was assessed 30 and 120 min after admission to the recovery room using the four-point Brussels Sedation Scale. Results Cumulative pain VAS until the end of first postoperative 24 h was significantly lower in patients who received combined epidural therapy compared with those who received local anesthetic alone. Moreover, pain-free duration was significantly longer in group M compared with group L. Throughout 24 h after surgery, 31 patients requested rescue analgesia only once, 37 patients requested it twice, 16 patients requested it three times, and only six patients required rescue analgesia for more than three times. Patients who received combined therapy requested rescue analgesia at significantly lower frequency compared with those who received local anesthetic alone. Patients enrolled in group M showed a significantly lower mean sedation score at 30 min; however, at 120 min postoperatively, the score was nonsignificantly lower in comparison with group L. Conclusion Pre-emptive epidural bolus of magnesium sulfate and levobupivacaine provides postoperative analgesia superior to epidural levobupivacaine alone for patients undergoing open abdominal hysterectomy.

Effects of internal flow in a diesel nozzle on spray combustion

A common rail injection system for diesel engines has a potential to realize low emission and low fuel consumption diesel combustion. The core technology of this system is accumulated on spray characteristics such as mean droplet diameter, spray cone angle and tip penetration. And these characteristics are greatly influenced by internal flow in a diesel nozzle. In order to clarify the internal flow phenomenon such as cavitation, a real-size transparent nozzle had been developed, which can realize simultaneous cavitation visualization during a single-shot injection under high-density and room temperature condition using a high-speed camera. In this article, relationship between internal flow in the nozzle and spray combustion had been investigated. A high pressure and temperature environment in which the spray ignites were achieved in a rapid compression machine, and internal flow in the nozzle and the spray combustion were visualized. Regarding the evaluation of the spray combustion, the formation of the luminous flame triggered by the spray ignition was observed. Two cases of inlet radius of the nozzle hole ( R = 0.016 and 0.033 mm) were prepared for this analysis. Under the case of larger inlet radius hole ( R = 0.033 mm), probability of the string-type cavitation was greater, spray cone angle was larger and ignition delay was shorter.

A comparison between model and experimental hydraulic performances in a pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland

A comparison between model and experimental pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (HSFCW) located in Lecce (Apulia, South Italy) has been reported in the paper. The experiments were carried out in three constructed wetlands each with a planted area equal to 15m2 and with water depth of 0.6m. Tracer tests were conducted by single-shot injection of a dissolution of KBr into the inlet tubes of the beds. The objective of the study was to compare hydraulic performances in a pilot experiences and to evaluate the suitability of two-dimensional method for describing the hydraulic behaviour of the HSFCW. At the beginning of the experience and after 24 months the results show the variation of the hydraulic conductivity and a good correlation between model and physical data by modifying input parameters as a consequence of the clogging.

MIXING AND TRANSPORT OF SHORT-LIVED AND STABLE ISOTOPES AND REFRACTORY GRAINS IN PROTOPLANETARY DISKS

Analyses of primitive meteorites and cometary samples have shown that the solar nebula must have experienced a phase of large-scale outward transport of small refractory grains as well as homogenization of initially spatially heterogeneous short-lived isotopes. The stable oxygen isotopes, however, were able to remain spatially heterogenous at the $\sim$ 6% level. One promising mechanism for achieving these disparate goals is the mixing and transport associated with a marginally gravitationally unstable (MGU) disk, a likely cause of FU Orionis events in young low-mass stars. Several new sets of MGU models are presented that explore mixing and transport in disks with varied masses (0.016 to 0.13 $M_\odot$) around stars with varied masses (0.1 to 1 $M_\odot$) and varied initial $Q$ stability minima (1.8 to 3.1). The results show that MGU disks are able to rapidly (within $\sim 10^4$ yr) achieve large-scale transport and homogenization of initially spatially heterogeneous distributions of disk grains or gas. In addition, the models show that while single-shot injection heterogeneity is reduced to a relatively low level ($\sim$ 1%), as required for early solar system chronometry, continuous injection of the sort associated with the generation of stable oxygen isotope fractionations by UV photolysis leads to a sustained, relatively high level ($\sim$ 10%) of heterogeneity, in agreement with the oxygen isotope data. These models support the suggestion that the protosun may have experienced at least one FU Orionis-like outburst, which produced several of the signatures left behind in primitive chondrites and comets.

Poly(d,l)-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) microspheres as immunoadjuvant for Brugia malayi antigens

Recently we identified in Brugia malayi adult worm extract (BmA) a pro-inflammatory 54–68kDa SDS-PAGE resolved fraction F6 that protects the host from the parasite via Th1/Th2 type responses. We are currently investigating F6 as a potential source of vaccine candidate(s) and the present study is aimed at investigating the suitability of poly(d,l)-lactide-co-glycolide microspheres (PLGA-Ms) as immunoadjuvant for the antigen administration in a single dose. PLGA-Ms were prepared aseptically by a modified double emulsion (w/o/w) solvent evaporation technique and their size, shape, antigen adsorption efficiency, in-process stability, and antigen release were characterized. Swiss mice were immunized by a single subcutaneous administration of BmA and F6 adsorbed on PLGA-Ms (lactide:glycolide ratios 50:50 and 75:25) and the immune responses were compared with administration of 1 or 2 doses of plain BmA and F6. Specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgE levels in serum, cellular-proliferative response and release of IFN-γ, TNF-α and nitric oxide from the cells of immunized host in response to the antigens/LPS/Con A challenge and antibody-dependant cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) to parasite life stages were determined. The average size of PLGA-Ms 50:50 was smaller than the size of PLGA-Ms 75:25 and the % antigen adsorption efficiency of PLGA-Ms 50:50 was greater than PLGA-Ms 75:25. Single shot injection of PLGA-Ms 50:50/75:25-BmA/F6 produced better and stronger IgG, IgG1/IgG2a and cell-mediated immune responses than even two injections of plain BmA or F6. Further, PLGA-Ms 50:50-F6 produced stronger responses than PLGA-Ms 50:50-BmA. Anti-PLGA-Ms 50:50-F6 antibodies elicited higher ADCC response to infective larval and microfilarial stages of the parasite than anti-PLGA-Ms 75:25-F6 antibodies. The findings demonstrate that PLGA-Ms 50:50 is an excellent adjuvant for use with F6 in a single administration. This is the first ever report on PLGA as immunoadjuvant for filarial antigens.

Analysis of Mixture Formation and Flame Development of Diesel Combustion Using a Rapid Compression Machine and Optical Visualization Technique

Mixture formation plays as a key element on burning process that strongly affects the exhaust emissions such as nitrogen oxide (NOx) and Particulate Matter (PM). The reductions of emissions can be achieved with improvement throughout the mixing of fuel and air behavior. Measurements were made in an optically-accessible rapid compression machine (RCM) with intended to simulate the actual diesel combustion related phenomena. The diesel combustion was simulated with the RCM which is equipped with the Denso single-shot common-rail fuel injection system, capable of a maximum injection pressure up to 160MPa. Diesel engine compression process could be reproduced within the wide range of ambient temperature, ambient density, swirl velocity, equivalence ratio and fuel injection pressure. The mixture formation and combustion images were captured by the high speed camera. Analysis of combustion characteristics and observations of optical visualization of images reveal that the mixture formation exhibit influences to the ignition process and flame development. Therefore, the examination of the first stage of mixture formation is very important consideration due to the fuel-air premixing process linked with the combustion characteristics. Furthermore, the observation of a systematic control of mixture formation with experimental apparatus enables us to achieve considerable improvements of combustion process and would present the information for fundamental understanding in terms of reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

Empirical Study of Simultaneously Low NOx and Soot Combustion With Diesel and Ethanol Fuels in Diesel Engine

Diesel low temperature combustion (LTC) is capable of producing diesel-like efficiency while emitting ultra-low nitrogen oxides (NOx) and soot emissions. Previous work indicates that well-controlled single-shot injection with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is an operative way of achieving diesel LTC from low to mid engine loads. However, as the engine load is increased, demanding intake boost and injection pressure are necessary to suppress high soot emissions during the transition to LTC. The use of volatile fuels such as ethanol is deemed capable of promoting the cylinder charge homogeneity, which helps to overcome the high soot challenge and, thus, potentially expand the engine LTC load range. In this work, LTC investigations were carried out on a high compression ratio (18.2:1) engine. Engine tests were first conducted with diesel and LTC operation at 8 bar indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) was enabled by sophisticated control of the injection pressure, injection timing, intake boost, and EGR application. The engine performance was characterized as the baseline, and the challenges were identified. Further tests were aimed to improve the engine performance against these baseline results. Experiments were, hence, conducted on the same engine with secondary ethanol port fuelling (PF). Single-shot diesel direct injection (DI) was applied close to top dead center (TDC) to ignite the ethanol and control the combustion phasing. The control sensitivity was studied through injection timing sweeps and EGR sweeps. Additional tests were performed to investigate the ethanol-to-diesel ratio effects on the mixture reactivity and the engine emissions. Engine load was also raised to 16.4 bar IMEP while keeping the simultaneously low NOx and soot emissions. Significant improvement of engine control and emissions was achieved by the DI+PF strategy.

One-port (uniportal) video-assisted thoracic surgical resections—A clear advance

One-port (uniportal) video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) consists of approaching an intrathoracic target lesion through a sagittal, craniocaudal plane through 1 single-port incision. The use of articulating instruments inserted parallel to the videothoracoscope enables the surgeon to mimic inside the chest the maneuvers that are usually performed during open surgery. Through this VATS approach, several thoracic conditions can be addressed, including lung cancer in selected patients. Unlike conventional, 3-port VATS, the uniportal VATS technique enables the surgeon to bring the operative fulcrum inside the chest when the target lunge lesion is approached through a sagittal plan, thanks to articulating instruments. Uniportal wedge VATS resections of peripheral nodules can help in solving diagnostic dilemmas, be of therapeutic benefit, and provide tissue for biomolecular studies.