ABSTRACT
In the restoration or rehabilitation of traditional buildings, compatible materials with known characteristics must be used. However, the existing literature lacks comprehensive studies on the characterisation of Persian mud-straw plaster, focusing primarily on Persian adobe. Moreover, previous research on Persian adobe has primarily employed XRF and XRD tests, neglecting ion chromatography, moisture sorption isotherm determination, and thermogravimetric analysis with differential scanning calorimetry. Consequently, there is a shortage of information regarding the elemental composition, mineralogical characteristics, moisture sorption behaviour, and thermal properties of Persian mud-straw plaster, as well as Persian adobe bricks. This paper aims to address this research gap by examining historical and new adobe bricks and mud-straw plaster used in Iran, utilising a comprehensive array of analytical techniques. The results from XRF analysis reveal relatively similar chemical compositions across all samples, while XRD analysis indicates predominantly similar mineral phases. Ion chromatography results demonstrate higher conductivity and chloride concentrations in the mud-straw samples than the adobe samples, with higher values for new samples than historical ones. Freshly used straw, clay, or soil may have higher chloride concentrations caused by the arid climate and soil salinisation in the area. Additionally, moisture sorption isotherm determination results show that adobe and mud-straw plaster with a higher salt load of chlorides have significantly higher moisture absorption. The increased straw quantity in the samples increases the moisture content. Furthermore, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry indicate that, at low heating, adobe and mud-straw plaster lose water due to dehydration, and at high heating, they lose carbon dioxide due to decarboxylation. The comprehensive characterisation of Persian adobe and mud-straw plaster in this study fills a significant gap in the literature and offers invaluable insights for informing restoration and rehabilitation processes, ensuring the compatibility of the materials used.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Sexual function is crucial for the quality of life and can be highly affected by preoperative therapy and surgery. The aim of this study was to identify potential risk factors for poor sexual function and quality of life. METHODS: Female patients were asked to complete the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6). Male patients were demanded to answer the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). RESULTS: In total, 79 patients filled in the questionary, yielding a response rate of 41.57%. The proportion of women was represented by 32.91%, and the median age was 76.0 years (66.0-81.0). Sexual dysfunction appeared in 88.46% of female patients. Severe erectile dysfunction occurred in 52.83% of male patients. Univariate analysis showed female patients (OR: 0.17, 95%CI: 0.05-0.64, p = 0.01), older age (OR: 0.34, 95%CI 0.11-1.01, p = 0.05), tumor localization under 6cm from the anal verge (OR: 4.43, 95%CI: 1.44-13.67, p = 0.01) and extension of operation (APR and ISR) (OR: 0.13, 95%CI: 0.03-0.59, p = 0.01) as significant risk factors for poor outcome. Female patients (OR: 0.12, 95%CI: 0.03-0.62, p = 0.01) and tumors below 6 cm from the anal verge (OR: 4.64, 95%CI: 1.18-18.29, p = 0.03) were shown to be independent risk factors for sexual dysfunction after multimodal therapy in the multivariate analysis. Quality of life was only affected in the case of extensive surgery (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Higher Age, female sex, distal tumors and extensive surgery (APR, ISR) are revealed risk factors for SD in this study. Quality of life was only affected in the case of APR or ISR.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Robotic surgery represents a novel approach for the treatment of colorectal cancers and has been established as an important and effective method over the last years. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of a robotic program on oncological findings compared to conventional laparoscopic surgery within the first three years after the introduction. METHODS: All colorectal cancer patients from two centers that either received robotic-assisted or conventional laparoscopic surgery were included in a comparative study. A propensity-score-matched analysis was used to reduce confounding differences. RESULTS: A laparoscopic resection (LR Group) was performed in 82 cases, and 93 patients were treated robotic-assisted surgery (RR Group). Patients' characteristics did not differ between groups. In right-sided resections, an intracorporeal anastomosis was significantly more often performed in the RR Group (LR Group: 5 (26.31%) vs. RR Group: 10 (76.92%), p = 0.008). Operative time was shown to be significantly shorter in the LR Group (LR Group: 200 min (150-243) vs. 204 min (174-278), p = 0.045). Conversions to open surgery did occur more often in the LR Group (LR Group: 16 (19.51%) vs. RR Group: 5 (5.38%), p = 0.004). Postoperative morbidity, the number of harvested lymph nodes, quality of resection and postoperative tumor stage did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, we could clearly demonstrate robotic-assisted colorectal cancer surgery as effective, feasible and safe regarding postoperative morbidity and oncological findings compared to conventional laparoscopy during the introduction of a robotic system.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cognitive dysfunction has been reported in acute psychiatric patients for a long time. The detection of cognitive deficits is crucial both for clinical treatment and for predicting the psychosocial functional level in the further course of the disease. The SCIP is a well-evaluated screening instrument for the examination of cognitive performance in psychiatric patients. We recently integrated the SCIP into our routine admission and discharge assessments on two inpatient wards, and we examined the cognitive profiles of patients with psychotic and affective disorders over the course of their admission. METHODS: Shortly after admission, and prior to discharge, patients were routinely referred for examination with the SCIP. A total of 529 assessments were completed on admission, and 227 returned for SCIP at the time of discharge. After standardization of the test results against a normative sample, we examined the normalized test values in terms of percentages of pathological cognitive performance based on the total SCIP score, and each of the SCIP subscale scores. We conducted cluster analysis to identify cognitive subgroups within the clinical sample. RESULTS: More than 70% of the SCIP results on admission were pathological. At discharge, improvements were observed, especially on tests with attention and speed components. Cluster analysis identified two groups. The cluster with chronic patients showed poorer results at admission, but greater improvement and reached the level of the others at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The SCIP appears to have value in routine diagnostic assessments, and in the quantification of improvements in cognitive performance during an inpatient stay. The greatest benefit was observed in chronically ill patients with many previous stays. TRIAL REGISTRATION: DRKS00019825 (retrospectively registered on 03.12.2019).
