RESUMEN
Obelisks presented an important element in the architecture of ancient Egypt. This research is concerned with the re-erection of an obelisk that belongs to the famous Pharoah Ramses II. It was found broken and was transported to the Grand Egyptian Museum for restoration and display. An observation of Ramses II Cartouche at the bottom side of the obelisk base inspired the authorities to provide an innovative architectural design to display the obelisk elevated. The supporting structure was designed to allow the visitors to walk underneath the obelisk and observe Ramses II's signature. The idea of elevating the obelisk presented several challenges including evaluating the obelisk's current condition, restoration and fixation methodology, structural stability, and uncertainties of material characteristics, amongst others. To control the obelisk deformations under lateral loading, state-of-the-art base isolators were introduced. For the task to be achieved, a multidisciplinary team including historians, conservators, archaeologists, architects, and engineers with different specialties was appointed. The team performed the task successfully and currently, the obelisk stands at the entrance piazza of the Grand Egyptian Museum representing the world's first elevated obelisk.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Using laryngeal mask airways (LMAs) in laparoscopic surgery is still controversial because of the risk of insufficient ventilation and gastric overinflation. We investigated the use of BASKA LMA as an alternative to endotracheal intubation in low-risk females undergoing short-term gynecologic laparoscopic surgeries in Trendelenburg position under general anesthesia and positive pressure ventilation. METHODS: Sixty-five females (19-43 years), ASA (I-II) were scheduled to receive endotracheal tube (ETT group, N.=32) or BASKA mask (BASKA group, N.=33) for airway management. Assessments included insertion time and score, intraoperative lung mechanics, oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP), ventilatory score, leak fraction, perioperative lung spirometry, and adverse effects. Timepoints were after device insertion, pneumoperitoneum inflation, Trendelenburg position, at 15, 30, 45 minutes intraoperatively and at end of surgery. RESULTS: The median insertion time was shorter in BASKA group (21.0 [18-38] s), compared with ETT group (27.0 [24-33] s, P=0.000). First-time success rate for insertion of BASKA mask was 87.9% (29 patients). The peak inflation pressure, calculated dynamic compliance, ventilatory score and lung spirometry data showed no significant difference between the two groups. The median leak fraction was higher in BASKA group after insertion (P=0.012) and after Trendelenburg position (P=0.032), with no significant differences afterwards. The median OLP after insertion was 32.0 (29-35) cmH2O which decreased after pneumoperitoneum inflation (31.0 [27-33] cmH2O, P=0.000), and after Trendelenburg position (30.0 [27-32] cmH2O, P=0.000) and remained stable at this range. CONCLUSIONS: BASKA mask can be considered as a safe alternative to ETT with comparable ventilatory performance in low-risk females undergoing short-term gynecologic laparoscopic surgeries.
Asunto(s)
Laparoscopía , Máscaras Laríngeas , Neumoperitoneo , Humanos , Femenino , Estudios Prospectivos , Máscaras Laríngeas/efectos adversos , Intubación IntratraquealRESUMEN
Piribedil (PD) ion-selective electrodes have been constructed from poly(vinyl chloride) matrix membrane containing piribedil-tetraphenylborate (PD-TPB) as the electroactive component with dibutylphthalate or dioctylphthalate as the plasticizing solvent mediator. The electrodes displayed a linear response over the concentration range 2.0 x 10(-5) to 10(-2) M PD. The working pH ranges of the electrodes were 3.5-6.4 and 3.0-6.0, and the isothermal coefficients of the cells were 0.00129 and 0.00096 V/degrees C respectively. The electrodes were used for the determination of the diprotonated PD species, the most successful being that based on dioctylphthalate solvent mediator. The electrodes show a linear response over the concentration range of 8.0 x 10(-6) to 10(-2) M PD, with Nernstain slope 30 mV/PD concentration decade when preconditioned by soaking in distilled water for 30 min. The electrodes exhibit good selectivity for the PD with respect to a large number of inorganic cations and organic substances of biological fluids. Piribedil is determined successfully in pure solutions and in tablets or in biological fluids using the standard additions and potentiometric titration methods. The membrane withstood soaking in distilled water for more than 5 months.
Asunto(s)
Electrodos , Piribedil/análisis , Cloruro de Polivinilo/química , Potenciometría/instrumentación , Calibración , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , TemperaturaRESUMEN
In vitro activation of murine peritoneal macrophages by TNF and IL-I cytokines resulted in significant elevation of respiratory burst (toxic oxygen metabolites) in comparison to inactivated cells when challenged with Toxoplasma gondii. These oxygen metabolites have been known to have microbicidal activity and so, they may be the direct cause of intracellular killing of T. gondii tachyzoites. The level of these oxygen metabolites was measured by chemiluminescence index. A possible biotherapeutic role for TNF and IL-1, through this mechanism, was also emphasized.