Reliability of classification of ring and little finger carpometacarpal joint fracture subluxations: a comparison between two-dimensional computed tomography and three-dimensional computed tomography classifications.

The aims of this study were to develop a classification for ring and little finger carpometacarpal joint fracture subluxations based on three-dimensional computed tomography images and evaluate the inter- and intraobserver reliability of the three-dimensional computed tomography classification. A retrospective review was performed of 30 cases of ring and little finger carpometacarpal joint fracture subluxations from 2005 to 2013. We classified ring and little finger carpometacarpal joint fracture subluxations into three types based on three-dimensional computed tomography images. An orthopaedic surgeon with 2 years of experience, a consultant hand surgeon with 8 years of experience, and a consultant radiologist with 9 years of experience, who were completely blind to the treatment algorithm, evaluated 30 cases twice at a 2-week interval using our new classification based on three-dimensional computed tomography images and the other classification based on two-dimensional computed tomography images. Our three-dimensional computed tomography classification showed almost perfect interobserver and intraobserver reliability and resulted in a better level of agreement than two-dimensional computed tomography classification.

Evaluation of the methods for first flush analysis in urban watersheds.

The general tendency between the ratio of cumulative pollutant loads and the ratio of cumulative runoff appears as a nonlinear form which can be expressed in the form of a third polynomial. In this paper third degree polynomials were applied to represent the first flush curves based on the relationship between the cumulative pollutant load ratio and cumulative runoff ratio. The quantity of stormwater runoff and quality constituents, including chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids (SS), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), ortho-phosphorus (PO4-P), total phosphorus (TP), n-hexane extracts (HEM), and iron (Fe) were analysed. The objectives of this study were (1) to characterize the quality of stormwater runoff (2) in order to analyse the cumulative curve area ratio and to calculate the first flush coefficients, (3) while also representing the first flush with a third polynomial equation.

First flush analysis of urban storm runoff.

Stormwater runoff was monitored on 13 separate urban watersheds, which were chosen to represent distinct types of residential and industrial development, along with various watershed characteristics. A total of 38 storm events were monitored to investigate the first flush phenomenon. The first flush phenomenon may be defined as the initial period of stormwater runoff during which the concentration of pollutants is substantially higher than during later stages. The magnitude of the first flush phenomenon, and if it actually occurs, was calculated using a method of data analysis which results in determining the 'event mean concentration' (EMC). The magnitude of the first flush phenomenon was found to be greater for some pollutants (e.g. suspended solids from residential areas) and less for others (e.g. chemical oxygen demand from industrial areas). No correlation was observed between the first flush phenomenon and the antecedent dry weather period, however, the first flush phenomenon was greater for smaller watershed areas.

Characterization of surface runoff in urban areas.

Water quality measurements of surface runoff have been carried out in selected residential and industrial zones in urban areas, in which yearly mean precipitation is 1,225 mm. The concentrations of constituents in the surface runoff were measured at sampling sites categorized by land use type in the residential zone, and by industry type in the industrial zone. The water quality constituents of BOD5, COD, SS, NO3-N, TKN, PO4-P, TP, n-Hexane extracts, Cr, Cu, Pb and Fe were analyzed. The event mean concentrations (EMCs) of COD, SS, TKN and TP in the residential zone were 313 mg/L, 279 mg/L, 8.45 mg/L, 1.98 mg/L, and those in the industrial zone were 80 mg/L, 106 mg/L, 5.07 mg/L, and 1.93 mg/L, respectively. Cumulative load curves were created to analyze the first-flushing effect of each pollutant related to the pollutant, the rainfall event, and the land use type. No general relationship between the cumulative load and runoff has been established. The degree of first-flushing effect by constituents was in the following order; TKN>COD>SS>HEM>TP>PO4-P. The correlations between SS and other constituents were analyzed to evaluate the efficiency of the physical treatment process to control the surface runoff in urban areas. Based on the correlation of constituents with SS, high treatment efficiency of SS, heavy metals, organic matter, and TP was expected. The unit pollutant loading rates of COD, SS, TKN, TP, Cr and Pb in the residential zone were 2,392, 2,130, 64.6, 15.1, 0.31, and 1.83 kg/ha/yr, and those in the industrial zone were 612, 812, 38.7, 14.8, 0.51 and 0.82 kg/ha/yr, respectively.

Preparation and characterization of melatonin-loaded stearyl alcohol microspheres.

A sustained release dosage form which delivers melatonin (MT), a pineal hormone, is of clinical value because of the short half-life of MT, for those who have a disordered circadian rhythm. The purpose of this study was to prepare MT-loaded microspheres by the emulsion melting/cooling method using stearyl alcohol (SA) and also dual walled chitosan and sodium alginate beads, and to evaluate the release characteristics in simulated gastric and intestinal fluid. The MT-loaded microspheres were spherical, ranging in diameter from about 250-750 microm. When polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG), as a water-soluble or aluminium tristearate (AT), as a water-insoluble additive, was incorporated, the surface roughness was further reduced resulting in a smooth matrix structure. The dual walled chitosan and sodium alginate beads entrapping small MT-loaded microspheres were not spherical in structure. As the additives incorporated into SA microspheres increased, the drug content decreased. The release profiles of the MT-loaded microspheres were independent of pH. When the melted SA solution was cooled rapidly in 10 min to 25 degrees C, the drug content increased but the release rate of MT-loaded microspheres decreased. The release rate of drug decreased as the amount of SA increased but an increase of agitation speed and amount of AT and PEG resulted in increased release rates. The release rate of drug from dual walled chitosan beads increased slightly but was retarded in the case of dual walled alginate beads when compared to MT-loaded microspheres. The emulsion melting/cooling method used to prepare MT-loaded microspheres using SA is simple and inexpensive, and may provide an alternative for the preparation of an oral sustained release dosage form of MT without using harmful organic solvents. The dual walled chitosan and sodium alginate beads may also provide a convenient way to control the release of drugs.