Dynamics of quantum coherence and nonlocality of a two-spin system in the chemical compass.

In this paper a system consisting of two electron spins has been prepared initially in a singlet state using the chemical compass model is considered. It is assumed that each electron spin interacts symmetrically and/or asymmetrically with its respective private nuclear environment in the presence of an external magnetic field. We discussed the effect of the interaction parameters and the external magnetic field on some quantifiers of quantum correlations as entanglement, coherence, Bell inequality, as well as the steerability inequality. It is shown that within a certain range of external magnetic fields, the quantum coherence and entanglement behave similarly. The Bell and the steerable inequalities predicted a similar behavior for symmetric and asymmetric interactions. Moreover, as one increases the external magnetic field, the lower bounds of both inequalities have improved. The usefulness of using the spin state as quantum channel to teleport a two-qubit system has examined where the Bell inequality could be above its classical bounds by controlling the interaction parameters. It is shown that by tuning the coupling parameters the fidelity of the teleported state exceeds the classical bounds, as well as the long-lived stationary fidelity could be achieved during the interaction time.

Histologic comparison of formocresol, platelet-rich fibrin, and hesperidin in pulpotomy: A randomized trial in dogs.

Aims: To histologically assess and compare formocresol (FC), platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), and hesperidin (HPN) as pulpotomy agents in dogs. Materials and Methods: Pulpotomy was attempted from the buccal surface (class V) of 48 teeth in three mongrel dogs (Canis Lupus). Cavities were randomly allocated for three groups (n = 16) according to the pulpotomy agent used; (group I: FC (control), group II: PRF, and group III: HPN). All cavities were then sealed with zinc oxide eugenol followed by resin-modified glass ionomer restoration. Two months later, dogs were euthanized; the specimens were obtained and prepared for histological assessment followed by statistical analysis. Results: HPN specimens showed the best dentin bridge formation and the least inflammatory signs and pulp disorganization. Followed without statistically significant difference by PRF (P ≥ 0.05). Both of HPN and PRF, however, showed a significant difference statistically (P ≤ 0.05) to FC that showed no dentin bridging with more pronounced inflammation, necrosis, and pulp disorganization. Conclusions: For pulpotomy, HPN and PRF seemed histologically to be good substitutes for FC in the dog model.

Bombax ceiba flowers extract ameliorates hepatosteatosis induced by ethanol and relatively moderate fat diet in rats.

Chronic excessive alcohol consumption could induce serious liver injury. In this study, therapeutic effect of aqueous methanol extract of Bombax ceiba L. flowers (BCE) (Family: Bombacaceae) was investigated against hepatic steatosis. This study included seven groups, and the research period was eight weeks. The first group served as control. The six remaining groups were divided into two categories, three groups in each. The first category was fed fat diet. The second category was fed fat diet and orally administrated ethanol, which was given in graduate doses from 2 g/kg/d to 6 g/kg/d. Then, one group from each category was orally treated with the standard drug fluvastatin (2 mg/Kg/d). Another group was orally treated with BCE (200 mg/kg/d). The third group left untreated. The results revealed that BCE significantly decrease both the body and liver weight. The treatment with BCE extract also ameliorates the effect of alcohol induced increase of liver enzyme activities. In addition, the extract was significantly increased hepatic liver antioxidants and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Also, serum lipid profiles: triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly decreased after BCE treatment. Histopathological study showed fatty changes induced by alcohol which were improved by BCE treatment. These data suggest that the BCE has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-steatosis potential properties against alcohol induced liver damage. This may be due to the presence of flavonoids and other phenol compounds.

Quantum Fisher information of atomic system interacting with a single cavity mode in the presence of Kerr medium.

The quantum Fisher information of an atomic system interacting with a single cavity mode in the presence of Kerr medium is discussed. It is shown that quantum Fisher information for an initial separable atomic system is larger than that depicted for the initial entangled atomic system. For initial vacuum state of the cavity mode, the quantum Fisher information with respect to the Kerr medium and the phase decoherence parameter is larger than that displayed for the detuning parameter. Both phase decoherence and Kerr medium have the same effect on the decay of quantum Fisher information, while they have an opposite effect on its maximum values.

Single Centre Experience - Clinical Presentation and Frequency of Paediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) At Diagnosis over a 5-Year Period.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) symptoms are subtle and easily overlooked. Delayed diagnosis can result in Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life threatening complication with lasting consequences. We sought to define the presenting features of T1D and DKA frequency, in children <15 years diagnosed in a single national tertiary centre, and identify predictive factors for DKA. A review of T1D incident cases was undertaken from 2008-2012 using the National Diabetes Register (ICDNR) and clinical case notes. Data were compared with a 1997/8 national study. We found DKA at presentation in 28.7 % of children and 15.5% had moderate/severe DKA. Commonest symptoms were polydipsia, polyuria, weight loss, and lethargy. Median symptom duration was 17 days. Clinical presentation was similar and frequency of DKA at T1D diagnosis remains high. The proportion with moderate/severe DKA is lower than the 25% previously reported (p=0.038). National monitoring and targeted action to reduce DKA at diagnosis is required.

Rats' urinary metabolomes reveal the potential roles of functional foods and exercise in obesity management.

The complexity of the metabolic changes in obese individuals still presents a challenge for the understanding of obesity-related metabolic disruptions and for obesity management. In this study, a gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) based metabolomics approach targeting urine metabolism has been applied to assess the potential roles of functional foods and exercise for obesity management in rats. Male albino rats diagnosed as obese via histopathology and biochemical assays were administered functional foods in common use for obesity management including pomegranate, grapefruit, and red cabbage juice extracts in parallel with swimming exercise. Urine samples were collected from these rats, and likewise from healthy control animals, for metabolite analysis using (GC-MS) coupled to multivariate data analysis. The results revealed a significant elevation in oxalate and phosphate levels in obese rat urine concurrent with lower lactate levels as compared to the control group. Furthermore, and to pinpoint the bioactive agents in the administered functional foods, ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) was employed for secondary metabolite profiling. The different phenolic classes found in the examined functional foods, viz. ellagitannins in pomegranate, flavanones in grapefruit and flavonols in red cabbage, are likely to mediate their anti-obesity effects. The results indicate that these functional foods and exercise were quite effective in reverting obesity-related metabolic disruptions back to normal status, as revealed by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA).

Prevalence of spinal cord disorders in Al-Quseir City, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt.

The knowledge of the prevalence of spinal cord disorders (SCD) is important to understand specific causes in each part of the worldand to allow to potentially adapt health care and public policy including law enforcement to the main causes. SCD have important personal, biopsychological, socio-economic, short-term and long-term consequences. An SCD is the underlying cause for 1 of every 40 patients admitted to a major trauma centre. The affected population consists primarily of young male adults. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and cause of SCD in Al-Quseir City, using a door-to-door method. The total of inhabitants was 33,285 in Al-Quseir City screened by 3 specialists of neurology. Suspected cases were subjected to full clinical assessment and MRI or CT of the spine. The prevalence rate of SCD was 63/100,000 for the total population. Traumatic spinal cord injury had a prevalence of 18/100,000, while non-traumatic SCD was found in 45/100,000. Degenerative cervical disc prolapse was the most common aetiology of SCD with a prevalence rate of 27/100,000.

The protective effects of fish oil and artichoke on hepatocellular carcinoma in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of fish oil and Artichoke (Cynara scolymus I.) against diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were divided into 8 groups. Group 1, control rats. Group 2: rats injected with single dose of DEN (100 mg/kg body weight). Groups 3-8 supplemented with different concentrations of either fish oil or artichoke for 25 days before DEN injection. RESULTS: DEN treatment revealed a significant decrease in tissue xanthine oxidase (XO), glutathione, glutathione-s-transferase (GST), and a marked increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and ferritin levels showed a significant increase. A significant increase in serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin levels were found. A significant decrease in tissue total proteins and serum albumin was observed. The administration of DEN affected the liver cell through occurrence of hepatic cellular degeneration and necrosis. Treatment with fish oil (5%, 10%) or artichoke heads or leaves (0.5, 1 g) for 25 days led to significant amelioration of DEN-induced changes in the biochemical parameters. An almost normal histological architecture of the liver, in treated groups, was showed as compared to the controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results pointed that 10% fish oil and 1 g% leaves of artichoke succeeded to protect from hepatocellular carcinoma to a certain degree. In addition, they may be considered as protective foods against angiogenesis.

Synthesis, spectral characterization and eukaryotic DNA degradation of thiosemicarbazones and their platinum(IV) complexes.

The condensation products of acetophenone (or its derivatives), salicylaldehyde and o-hydroxy-p-methoxybenzophenone with thiosemicarbazide and ethyl- or phenyl-thiosemicarbazide are the investigated thiosemicarbazones. Their reactions with H(2)PtCl(6) produced Pt(IV) complexes characterized by elemental, thermal, mass, IR and electronic spectral studies. The coordination modes were found mononegative bidentate in the acetophenone derivatives and binegative tridentate in the salicylaldehyde derivatives. The complexes were analyzed thermogravimetrically and found highly stable. Some ligands and their complexes were screened against Sarcina sp. and E. coli using the cup-diffusion technique. [Pt(oHAT)(OH)Cl] shows higher activity against E. coli than the other compounds. The degradation power of the tested compounds on the calf thymus DNA supports their selectivity against bacteria and not against the human or related eukaryotic organisms.

Physical and spectroscopic studies on novel vanadyl complexes of some substituted thiosemicarbazides.

Complexes of V(IV)O with N(4) ethyl and/or phenyl thiosemicarbazides have been prepared to study the role of substituents, on the two sides of thiosemicarbazide moiety, on the behavior of the complex formation. The study of ligands in solution reflected the dependence of their ionization values on the nature of the function groups neighboring the active sites. Two main (octahedral and square-pyramid) structures have been characterized for the solid complexes by the well known methods. There is some similarity between the structure and the color of the obtained complexes. Three modes of chelation were suggested for the investigated complexes. Complete disappearance of the nitrile group during the complex formation with cyano ligands is attributed to the promotion of water molecules to the cyano group. The intensity and position of the VO band in the IR spectra reflect not only the nature of the ligand but also the geometry of the complex formed. Some complexes were isolated as binuclear and confirmed by ESR spectra. The end product on thermal degradation of most complexes was VO(2).

Synthesis and anti-HIV activity of different novel nonclassical nucleosides.

A series of different novel nonclassical nucleosides have been synthesised and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication in MT-4 cells.

Effect of aging on the secondary esophageal peristalsis: presbyesophagus revisited.

In this study we determined the effect of aging on the capability of the human esophagus to generate secondary peristalsis. We studied nine healthy young (35 +/- 2 yr, 25-45 yr) and nine healthy elderly (74 +/- 3 yr, 70-83 yr) volunteers. We stimulated secondary peristalsis by intraesophageal air injection and balloon distension. All young volunteers exhibited secondary esophageal peristalsis. In four elderly volunteers, secondary peristalsis could not be elicited with injection of any of the tested air volumes. Frequency of stimulation of secondary peristalsis and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation in response to intraesophageal air distension in the elderly was significantly lower than that in the young (P < 0.01). Stimulation of secondary peristalsis by balloon distension was less consistent compared with the air injection. In conclusion, 1) in the elderly, compared with the young, secondary esophageal peristalsis is either absent or is evoked less frequently after esophageal distension, and complete LES relaxation in response to esophageal air distension is less frequent, and 2) in both young and elderly, secondary esophageal peristalsis is induced more frequently after generalized esophageal distension by air than its segmental distension by a balloon.

Physiologic and pathologic evaluation of chronic extra-aortic counterpulsation with latissimus dorsi flap. Preliminary results.

This study attempted to evaluate the efficacy of chronic extra-aortic counterpulsation with a latissimus dorsi neuro vascular flap. Five dogs had a preliminary procedure consisting of the creation of a latissimus dorsi flap and a thoracotomy in which the flap was wrapped around the descending aorta just distal to the left subclavian artery. An epicardial lead was placed on the left ventricle and a nerve stimulating lead placed around the thoraco-dorsal nerve. Three weeks later, both leads were connected to a cardiomyostimulator programmed to function in a counterpulsation mode with a 1:2 assist frequency. Hemodynamic measurements were made at 6 and 8 and 10 and 12 weeks and the dogs were sacrificed. Three dogs had all sets of hemodynamic measurements made. Two of the three dogs demonstrated diastolic augmentation at 6 and 8 and 10 and 12 weeks average 20 to 25 mmHg. The third dog failed to demonstrate any change. All dogs were sacrificed at 12 weeks and specimens were submitted for histologic evaluation. The muscle flap was preserved in all animals. The aorta subjacent to the flap showed, (1) normal intima with no evidence of disruption or thrombus in all animals, (2) in the animals in whom counterpulsation was observed, there appeared to be thinning of the media in the aorta subjacent to the muscle flap, and (3) no evidence of distal emboli. This study demonstrated that chronic counterpulsation can be obtained with a latissimus dorsi flap. The actual hemodynamic benefits are not determined from this study. The medial thinning in the aortic wall may limit the long-term benefit of this procedure.

[Partial splenectomy using a stapler and the role of regeneration of the residual splenic stump]. / Splenectomie parziali con stapler e ruolo della rigenerazione del moncone splenico residuo.

Current evidence indicates that only complete or partial intact spleen can protect the organism against pneumococcal sepsis. What is not clear is the amount of minimal splenic tissue needed to protect the organism against such infection. This study has been carried out on 20 dogs which underwent partial or total splenectomy with stapler. Animals were divided into 8 groups according to the quantity of the remnant splenic tissue: 0% (4 dogs); 5% (4); 15% (1); 25% (1); 35% (2); 50% (2); 75% (2); 100% (4), and were followed up for 6 and 12 months. No mortality or bleeding was registered. Results showed a splenic regeneration, histologically demonstrated as an increased number of germinal follicles, in 12 out of 16 dogs, more evident in the animals sacrificed at one year. In conclusion, even a small amount (5%) of splenic tissue preserved with its blood supply can regenerate and acquire with time enough immunological function to protect the organism against post-splenectomy sepsis.

The importance of intraluminal anastomotic fecal contact and peritonitis in colonic anastomotic leakages. An experimental study.

An experimental, randomized, prospective study was performed in 64 dogs to evaluate the effect of fecal loading, solely, or in combination with induced peritonitis, on colonic anastomosis. The animals, none of which had bowel preparations, were randomized into four groups. Group I underwent sigmoid resection and standard open end-to-end anastomosis; Group II underwent sigmoid resection and an intracolonic bypass procedure; Group III underwent experimentally induced fecal peritonitis, sigmoid resection, and anastomosis; Group IV underwent induction of fecal peritonitis, sigmoid resection and an intracolonic bypass procedure. Using Fisher's exact test, results indicate a more statistically significant increased leak rate in Group III than in Group II (P = .04), and Group III than in Group IV (P = .03), but no statistically significant anastomotic leak rate between the peritonitis (III and IV) and the nonperitonitis (I and II) groups. A very significant statistical increase in leak rate (P = .002) was observed when comparing the 25 percent leak rate of Groups I and III (anastomosis subjected to fecal contact) with the 0 percent leak rate of Groups II and IV (anastomosis excluded from fecal contact) regardless of the peritonitis. This study suggests that the intraluminal contact of fecal loading at the colonic anastomosis is a more significant factor in anastomotic complications due to dehiscences than peritonitis per se. It follows, therefore, that if feces can be excluded from intraluminal contact with an anastomotic site, an anastomosis can be safely performed even in the presence of treated peritonitis.

Developmental retroperitoneal cysts of the pelvis. A review.

Retroperitoneal cysts have been classified into traumatic, infective, degenerative, neoplastic, and developmental, according to their origin. This paper focuses on the developmental variety of retroperitoneal pelvic cysts, particularly those of mesothelial, mesonephric, or paramesonephric origin. Their clinical presentations depend on their location; they may be mesenteric, parovarian, or vaginal. The pathogenesis and embryologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects are reviewed and a case report is presented.