Assessment of municipal solid waste from households in Khulna city of Bangladesh.

Waste management is a major concern for both developed and developing countries, with a particular focus on household waste because it makes up a significant proportion of municipal waste. The aim of this study is to assess the state of solid waste management practice in Khulna, as well as to characterize and quantify municipal solid waste as a step toward effective management. To collect information on the existing waste management methods, structured questionnaires were used to conduct surveys of household residents. In this study, whole wards (31 wards) of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) were clustered in 9 groups and selected one ward from each group. To analyze household waste, 75 households from each ward were selected and collected waste for 7 days. The selected household was categorized into five different socioeconomic strata such as low-income, lower-middle-income, middle-income, higher-middle-income and higher-income families. Besides, the assessment was carried out on the production and characterization of household waste that was produced in KCC. The waste samples were quantified, separated and characterized in the laboratory. Results reveal that biodegradable waste is the most prominent type and its percentage is about 81 %. The amount of waste production is positively correlated with income level. The waste generation rate of households for high-income families was 0.652 kg/cap/day while this rate got almost half for a low-income family and its value is o.312 kg/cap/day. Source separation of waste plays a vital role to reduce plastic leakage to the SDP. The result shows the proportion of plastic in mixed waste and source-separated waste after sorting by the waste collector was 4.04 % and 2.99 %, respectively. Survey results show that 42.96 % of respondents think that the source-separated waste should be collected during the period of 12pm to 02pm. A proposed management process was developed for household waste based on the output of this study.

Liquid-state carbon-13 hyperpolarization generated in an MRI system for fast imaging.

Hyperpolarized (HP) tracers dramatically increase the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor metabolism non-invasively and in vivo. Their production, however, requires an extra polarizing device (polarizer) whose complexity, operation and cost can exceed that of an MRI system itself. Furthermore, the lifetime of HP tracers is short and some of the enhancement is lost during transfer to the application site. Here, we present the production of HP tracers in water without an external polarizer: by Synthesis Amid the Magnet Bore, A Dramatically Enhanced Nuclear Alignment (SAMBADENA) is achieved within seconds, corresponding to a hyperpolarization of ∼20%. As transfer of the tracer is no longer required, SAMBADENA may permit a higher polarization at the time of detection at a fraction of the cost and complexity of external polarizers. This development is particularly promising in light of the recently extended portfolio of biomedically relevant para-hydrogen-tracers and may lead to new diagnostic applications.

Toward optimizing dental implant performance: Surface characterization of Ti and TiZr implant materials.

OBJECTIVE: Targeting understanding enhanced osseointegration kinetics, the goal of this study was to characterize the surface morphology and composition of Ti and TiZr dental implant substrates subjected to one of two surface treatments developed by Straumann. These two treatments are typically known as SLA and SLActive, with the latter resulting in more rapid osseointegration. METHODS: A range of techniques was applied to characterize four different substrate/surface treatment combinations (TiSLA, TiSLActive, TiZrSLA, and TiZrSLActive). Contact angle measurements established their hydrophilic/hydrophobic nature. Surface morphology was probed with scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction, Raman µ-spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to elucidate the composition of the near-surface region. RESULTS: Consistent with previous work, surface morphology was found to differ only at the nanoscale, with both SLActive substrates displaying nano-protrusions. Spectroscopic data indicate that all substrates exhibit surface films of titanium oxide displaying near TiO2 stoichiometry. Raman µ-spectroscopy reveals that amorphous TiO2 is most likely the only phase present on TiSLA, whilst rutile-TiO2 is also evidenced on TiSLActive, TiZrSLA, and TiZrSLActive. For TiZr alloy substrates, there is no evidence of discrete phases of oxidized Zr. X-ray photoelectron spectra demonstrate that all samples are terminated by adventitious carbon, with it being somewhat thicker (∼1nm) on TiSLA and TiZrSLA. SIGNIFICANCE: Given previous in vivo studies, acquired data suggest that both nanoscale protrusions, and a thinner layer of adventitious carbon contribute to the more rapid osseointegration of SLActive dental implants. Composition of the surface oxide layer is apparently less important in determining osseointegration kinetics.

First metacarpal resurfacing with polyvinyl alcohol implant in osteoarthritis: preliminary study.

Osteoarthritis of first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint is a condition that is frequently encountered in hand surgery. If conservative treatment fails, several surgical procedures are available ranging from arthroscopic debridement to total joint arthroplasty. This study focuses on a new resurfacing technique for the base of the first metacarpal using a polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel implant. Our preliminary study found good clinical outcomes and no inflammatory reaction after a follow-up of 30 months. However prospective studies with a longer follow-up and more patient are needed to confirm these results.

Mecanismos de tumorogénesis hipofisaria: Estudio de factores angiogénicos y de proliferación / Mechanisms of Pituitary Tumorigenesis: Study of Angiogenic and Proliferation factors

Introducción y Objetivos: La angiogénesis es un proceso fundamental en el desarrollo tumoral. Sin embargo, se han encontrado discrepancias en el patrón angiogénico de los tumores hipofisarios. Nos propusimos estudiar la expresión de VEGF y FGF2 y su importancia en la vascularización de los adenomas hipofisarios, cuantificar los vasos con los marcadores CD31 y CD34 y determinar el índice de proliferación con PCNA y Ki67. Materiales y Métodos: Se estudiaron 76 macroadenomas hipofisarios que fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente. Los adenomas se clasificaron según su secreción hormonal. A partir de cortes histológicos se realizó inmunohistoquímica para los marcadores de endotelio CD31 y CD34; y Ki-67 para estudio de proliferación celular. Por western blot se midieron VEGF, CD31 y PCNA. Se efectuaron comparaciones con glándulas normales. Resultados: El nivel de expresión de VEGF, hallado en todas las muestras analizadas, resultó mayor en los prolactinomas resistentes respecto a los demás tipos de adenomas hipofisarios. Esta proteína localizó en las células endoteliales de los vasos como así también en citoplasmas y núcleos de células tumorales. El 56 % de las muestras resultaron positivas para FGF2, mostrando localización citoplasmática y en matriz extracelular. Obtuvimos una fuerte correlación positiva entre VEGF y CD31 en las muestras tumorales, sin encontrar correlación lineal entre PCNA y VEGF, ni Ki-67 y VEGF en las muestras estudiadas. El área vascular resultó mayor en los tejidos normales que en los tumores utilizando CD34 como marcador de vasos. Conclusión: La importancia del estudio de la angiogénesis en los adenomas hipofisarios radica en la necesidad de hallar marcadores moleculares que predigan el comportamiento tumoral. Pudimos demostrar la expresión de los factores angiogénicos VEGF y FGF2 en estos adenomas, y la existencia de correlación lineal entre VEGF y CD31. Nuestros resultados son indicativos de existencia de angiogénesis en los adenomas hipofisarios por lo que su bloqueo podría plantearse como una estrategia alternativa para los casos resistentes a las terapias convencionales.

Introduction and objectives: Angiogenesis is an essential process in tumor development. Nevertheless, discrepancies in the angiogenic pattern of pituitary tumors, in terms of hormonal phenotype, size or invasiveness have been found. Our aim was to study the expression of VEGF and FGF2 growth factors, and their importance in the vascularization of pituitary adenomas. We also quantified blood vessels with the endothelial cell markers CD31 and CD34 determining the vascular area, and the proliferation rate through PCNA and Ki67 index. Materials and Methods: We studied 76 pituitary macroadenomas that were surgically resected in the period between 2006 and 2010 from a total of 276 patients with this pathology. Adenomas were classified into prolactinomas (PRL), somatotropinomas (GH), corticotropinomas (ACTH), non-functioning (NF) and plurihormonal (Ph) according to their hormonal secretion. Samples were collected in formalin, embedded in paraffin, and immunohistochemistry was performed from histological sections for endothelial markers CD31 and CD34; and for Ki-67 to study cell proliferation. VEGF, CD31 and PCNA were measured by Western blot. We compared results with normal glands (N=6). Results: VEGF expression levels, found in all of the samples analyzed, were higher in resistant prolactinomas than in other pituitary adenomas. This protein was detected in endothelial cells of blood vessels and in tumor cells cytoplasms and nuclei. Fifty-six percent of samples were positive for FGF2, the other potent angiogenic factor studied, showing cytoplasmatic and extracellular matrix localization. We obtained a strong positive correlation between VEGF and CD31 in tumor samples, but we did not find lineal correlation between PCNA and VEGF, or between Ki-67 and VEGF in the samples studied. The vascular area was higher in normal tissues than in tumors when CD34 was used as endothelial cell marker. Conclussion: The importance of studying angiogenesis in pituitary adenomas lies in the need to find molecular markers that can predict tumor behavior. We could demonstrate the expression of VEGF and FGF2, two potent angiogenic factors, and the existence of linear correlation between VEGF and CD31. Our results are indicative of the existence of angiogenesis in pituitary adenomas; therefore the blockage of angiogenesis might be proposed as an alternative strategy for cases of resistance to standard therapy.

Mecanismos de tumorogénesis hipofisaria: Estudio de factores angiogénicos y de proliferación / Mechanisms of Pituitary Tumorigenesis: Study of Angiogenic and Proliferation factors

Introducción y Objetivos: La angiogénesis es un proceso fundamental en el desarrollo tumoral. Sin embargo, se han encontrado discrepancias en el patrón angiogénico de los tumores hipofisarios. Nos propusimos estudiar la expresión de VEGF y FGF2 y su importancia en la vascularización de los adenomas hipofisarios, cuantificar los vasos con los marcadores CD31 y CD34 y determinar el índice de proliferación con PCNA y Ki67. Materiales y Métodos: Se estudiaron 76 macroadenomas hipofisarios que fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente. Los adenomas se clasificaron según su secreción hormonal. A partir de cortes histológicos se realizó inmunohistoquímica para los marcadores de endotelio CD31 y CD34; y Ki-67 para estudio de proliferación celular. Por western blot se midieron VEGF, CD31 y PCNA. Se efectuaron comparaciones con glándulas normales. Resultados: El nivel de expresión de VEGF, hallado en todas las muestras analizadas, resultó mayor en los prolactinomas resistentes respecto a los demás tipos de adenomas hipofisarios. Esta proteína localizó en las células endoteliales de los vasos como así también en citoplasmas y núcleos de células tumorales. El 56 % de las muestras resultaron positivas para FGF2, mostrando localización citoplasmática y en matriz extracelular. Obtuvimos una fuerte correlación positiva entre VEGF y CD31 en las muestras tumorales, sin encontrar correlación lineal entre PCNA y VEGF, ni Ki-67 y VEGF en las muestras estudiadas. El área vascular resultó mayor en los tejidos normales que en los tumores utilizando CD34 como marcador de vasos. Conclusión: La importancia del estudio de la angiogénesis en los adenomas hipofisarios radica en la necesidad de hallar marcadores moleculares que predigan el comportamiento tumoral. Pudimos demostrar la expresión de los factores angiogénicos VEGF y FGF2 en estos adenomas, y la existencia de correlación lineal entre VEGF y CD31. Nuestros resultados son indicativos de existencia de angiogénesis en los adenomas hipofisarios por lo que su bloqueo podría plantearse como una estrategia alternativa para los casos resistentes a las terapias convencionales.(AU)

Introduction and objectives: Angiogenesis is an essential process in tumor development. Nevertheless, discrepancies in the angiogenic pattern of pituitary tumors, in terms of hormonal phenotype, size or invasiveness have been found. Our aim was to study the expression of VEGF and FGF2 growth factors, and their importance in the vascularization of pituitary adenomas. We also quantified blood vessels with the endothelial cell markers CD31 and CD34 determining the vascular area, and the proliferation rate through PCNA and Ki67 index. Materials and Methods: We studied 76 pituitary macroadenomas that were surgically resected in the period between 2006 and 2010 from a total of 276 patients with this pathology. Adenomas were classified into prolactinomas (PRL), somatotropinomas (GH), corticotropinomas (ACTH), non-functioning (NF) and plurihormonal (Ph) according to their hormonal secretion. Samples were collected in formalin, embedded in paraffin, and immunohistochemistry was performed from histological sections for endothelial markers CD31 and CD34; and for Ki-67 to study cell proliferation. VEGF, CD31 and PCNA were measured by Western blot. We compared results with normal glands (N=6). Results: VEGF expression levels, found in all of the samples analyzed, were higher in resistant prolactinomas than in other pituitary adenomas. This protein was detected in endothelial cells of blood vessels and in tumor cells cytoplasms and nuclei. Fifty-six percent of samples were positive for FGF2, the other potent angiogenic factor studied, showing cytoplasmatic and extracellular matrix localization. We obtained a strong positive correlation between VEGF and CD31 in tumor samples, but we did not find lineal correlation between PCNA and VEGF, or between Ki-67 and VEGF in the samples studied. The vascular area was higher in normal tissues than in tumors when CD34 was used as endothelial cell marker. Conclussion: The importance of studying angiogenesis in pituitary adenomas lies in the need to find molecular markers that can predict tumor behavior. We could demonstrate the expression of VEGF and FGF2, two potent angiogenic factors, and the existence of linear correlation between VEGF and CD31. Our results are indicative of the existence of angiogenesis in pituitary adenomas; therefore the blockage of angiogenesis might be proposed as an alternative strategy for cases of resistance to standard therapy.(AU)

Bone apposition to a titanium-zirconium alloy implant, as compared to two other titanium-containing implants.

Implants made of commercially pure titanium (cpTi) are widely and successfully used in dentistry. For certain indications, diameter-reduced Ti alloy implants with improved mechanical strength are highly desirable. The aim was to compare the osseointegration of titanium-zirconium (TiZr) and cpTi implants with a modified sandblasted and acid-etched (SLActive) surface and with a Ti6Al4V alloy that was sand-blasted and acid-washed. Cylindrical implants with two, 0.75 mm deep, circumferential grooves were placed in the maxilla of miniature pigs and allowed to heal for 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Undecalcified toluidine blue-stained ground sections were produced. Surface topography, area fraction of tissue components, and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) were determined. All materials showed significantly different surface roughness parameters. The amount of new bone within the implant grooves increased over time, without significant differences between materials. However, BIC values were significantly related to the implant material and the healing period. For TiZr and cpTi implants, the BIC increased over time, reaching values of 59.38 % and 76.15 % after 2 weeks, and 74.50 % and 84.67 % after 8 weeks, respectively. In contrast, the BIC for Ti6Al4V implants peaked with 42.29 % after 2 weeks followed by a decline to 28.60 % at 8 weeks. Significantly more surface was covered by multinucleated giant cells on Ti6Al4V implants after 4 and 8 weeks. In conclusion, TiZr and cpTi implants showed faster osseointegration than Ti6Al4V implants. Both chemistry and surface topography might have influenced the results. The use of diameter-reduced TiZr implants in more challenging clinical situations warrants further documentation in long-term clinical studies.

Estradiol stimulates vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-6 in human lactotroph and lactosomatotroph pituitary adenomas.

Estrogens are considered to be critically involved in lactotroph and lactosomatotroph pituitary tumor development. In addition to direct effects, estradiol-induced tumor formation may involve alterations in growth factor and cytokine production. We have studied whether estradiol stimulates the production of the angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor and the potential tumor progression factor interleukin-6 in 5 lactotroph (LA) and 5 lactosomatotroph (LSA) human pituitary adenoma cell cultures. All tumors secreted heterogenous basal amounts of VEGF (18.0 +/- 1.4 to 425 +/- 26 pg/ml per 24 h) and IL-6 (18.1 +/- 1.5 to 604 +/- 17 pg/ml per 24 h). Estradiol (100 nM) significantly enhanced VEGF release in all LA and LSA cell cultures (47 to 168 % above basal). IL-6 secretion was stimulated in 3 out of 5 LA and in all LSA cell cultures (31 to 287 % above basal). In cell cultures obtained from tumors from which sufficient cells could be isolated, a dose-dependent effect of estradiol (1 to 100 nM) on VEGF and IL-6 production was observed. Stimulation of IL-6 and/or VEGF secretion by estradiol in the majority of human lactotroph and lactosomatotroph adenoma cell cultures studied, suggests that estrogens may contribute to adenoma expansion through the stimulation of these auto-/paracrine-acting adenoma progression factors.

Molecular assembly and self-assembly: molecular nanoscience for future technologies.

In this review the emerging science of single molecules is discussed in the perspective of nanoscale molecular functions and devices. New methods for the controlled assembly of well-defined molecular nanostructures are presented: self assembly and single molecular positioning. The observation and selective modification of conformation, electronics, and molecular mechanics of individual molecules and molecular assemblies by scanning probes is demonstrated. To complement this scientific review, some of the possible consequences and visions for future developments are discussed, as far as they derive from the presented systems. The prospects of nanoscale science to stimulate technological evolution are exemplified.

Interleukin-6 is inhibited by glucocorticoids and stimulates ACTH secretion and POMC expression in human corticotroph pituitary adenomas.

Interleukins and their receptors are expressed intrinsically in the anterior pituitary and regulate hormone production and cell proliferation. It has previously been shown that interleukin-6 (IL-6) regulates hormone secretion in normal pituitary cells and cell lines. Here we examined the effects of IL-6 on propiomelanocortin (POMC) expression and ACTH production in corticotroph adenoma cells in vitro. We found that IL-6 stimulates both ACTH secretion and POMC gene expression in corticotroph adenoma cell cultures. This first demonstration of the stimulatory action of IL-6 on human corticotroph adenoma cell function provides further evidence for a direct action of IL-6 on corticotroph pituitary cells. We have confirmed previous reports of IL-6 production by corticotroph adenoma cells and in addition, demonstrated for the first time that the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone is a potent suppressor of intratumoral IL-6 production. This intratumoral produced IL-6 may be in part responsible, in an autocrine manner, for the stimulation of ACTH synthesis and secretion. Our results suggest that IL-6 might play a role in the pathogenesis of Cushing's disease. However, elevated glucocorticoid levels in patients with Cushing's disease may prevent excessive action of IL-6 on ACTH production and tumor progression of corticotroph adenomas in vivo.

[Cardiovascular morbidity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea in relation to the severity of respiratory disorder]. / Kardiovaskuläre Morbidität von Patienten mit obstruktiver Schlafapnoe in Abhängigkeit vom Schweregrad der Atmungsstörung.

BASIC PROBLEM AND OBJECTIVE: Untreated patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) have an increased risk of death from cardiovascular (cv) disease. This study was undertaken to determine the disease spectrum in patients with sonographically proven OSA (apnoea-hypopnoea index > or = 5), with special reference to cv risk factors and accompanying diseases in relation to the severity of their respiratory abnormalities. The study's aim was to clarify what risk factors and accompanying diseases were associated with different degrees of OSA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A systematic recording of cv risk factors and accompanying diseases as well as their association to the severity of nocturnal respiratory disorders was made for 175 patients (165 men, 10 women, mean age 54 +/- 10.2 years) with sonographically proven OSA (mean apnoea-hypopnoea index 37 +/- 24.4). RESULTS: The body mass index (BMI) was significantly related to the severity of the respiratory disorder (apnoea-hypopnoea index, AHI, P < 0.05, odds ratio [OR]: 1.95; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-3.31). In a multivariate analysis, nocturnal breathing pause (P < 0.05; OR: 3.8; 95% CI: 1.3-11.1), left ventricular hypertrophy (P < 0.01; OR: 3.9; 95% CI: 1.5-10.3) and diabetes mellitus (P < 0.05; OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 1.2-14.7) were independently associated with a high-grade breathing disorder (AHI > or = 20). The incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy rose with an increasing severity of nocturnal OSA. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that in patients with high-grade OSA (AHI > or = 20) there is a further grouping together of cardiovascular risk factors, namely increasing body weight, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy; they explain the increased mortality rate among these patients from vascular complications.

Repair of acute ulnar collateral ligament injuries of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint with an intraosseous suture anchor.

Thirty-six consecutive patients with 37 complete tears of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint were treated with primary repair using a miniature intraosseous suture anchor. Thirty patients were evaluated by clinical examination or by questionnaire at an average of 11 months after repair. Loss of interphalangeal joint motion averaged 15 degrees on the involved side versus the other side, while loss of MP joint motion averaged 10 degrees. There was no significant difference on stress testing measurements between repaired and nonrepaired thumbs. There were no instances of nerve injury, infection, device failure, or reoperation. The authors concluded that this is a safe and effective method for repair of complete tears of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb MP joint.

Studies on the role of tetrazole in the activation of phosphoramidites.

The mechanism of the tetrazole-activated coupling step in the synthesis of oligonucleotides via phosphoramidites is studied with the help of model reactions: Treatment of diethoxydiisopropylaminophosphane with two equivalents of tetrazole resulted in a diethoxy-tetrazolophosphane, whose (31P)-NMR shift of 126 ppm is identical with the signal observed during internucleotide bond formation. A series of different related diethoxy-phosphorous-acid derivatives were also synthesized; their (31P)-NMR signals between 123.9 and 130.8 ppm are additional evidence for the intermediacy of a tetrazolide species. Further NMR investigations with more basic azoles showed that tetrazole is also active as a proton donor.

[Surgical treatment in Cushing's disease (authors' translation)]. / Traitement chirurgical de la maladie de cushing.

We are presenting a series of 23 patients with Cushing disease selected from a larger study in which the ectopic production of ACTH (paraneoplastic or tumoral), adrenal adenoma or carcinoma were discarded. Sixteen were female and seven male. Diagnosis was fundamentally realized by clinical manifestations derived from hypercortisolism (obesity, muscular atrophy, diabetes, osteoporosis or polyglubulia). The polytomography demonstrated a deformed sella in 19 patients. Endocrine exams showed an alteration in rhythm of Cortisol and elevated levels of urinary metabolites. Others exams, Liddle Test, Metopirona Test, or stimulation of exogenic ACTH did not always permit diagnosis of pituitary adenoma. Plasmatic dosage of ACTH is the best test although results did not always agree with clinical manifestations. In each case we performed clinical treatment in preparation for surgery and later selective removal of adenoma or total pituitary ablation by transphenoidal approach. Of 21 patients, we found an adenoma during surgery in 15; the other 6 on whom we performed a total hypophysectomy, the pathological study showed an adenoma in 5 and a hyperemic gland with thick capillaries in 1. Another type of treatment was used on 2 due to their age. Nine patients were given post-operative radiotherapy. We conclude that microsurgery by transphenoidal approach offers the best possibilities for patients with Cushing disease.