This study presents the comprehensive design and performance validation of a wind tunnel specifically developed for advanced investigations into respirable dust deposition pertinent to coal mining environments. The design integrates a constant particle delivery system engineered to maintain uniform particle dispersion, which is critical for replicating real-world conditions in coal mines. Our methodology involved using ANSYS Fluent for the design and optimization of a blowing-type wind tunnel, with a focus on controlling turbulence levels and minimizing pressure drops, which are crucial for accurate dust behaviour simulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: A novel rigidizing overtube (ROT) was developed to facilitate endoscopic removal of complex gastrointestinal polyps. We aimed to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of the device in the management of large gastrointestinal polyps.
Methods: A prospective, single-center study, conducted between May 2021 and April 2023, enrolled patients undergoing endoscopic resection of colon/duodenal polyps ≥25 mm.
Background: Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common causes of intellectual disability. Children with DS have varying intelligence quotient (IQ) that can predict their learning abilities.
Aim: To assess the brain metabolic profiles of children with DS and compare them to standard controls, using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and correlating the results with IQ.
This study investigated the effect of phytic acid (IP6) in different concentrations and application times on microtensile bond strength (µTBS) and interfacial integrity of universal adhesive to deep dentin. Flat deep dentin surfaces of 48 human molars were either etched with 37% phosphoric acid (PA) for 15 sec (control); or received no acid treatment and universal adhesive was applied directly in a self-etch mode (SE); or divided according to IP6 concentration (C) into two main groups: C1, 0.5%, and C2, 1%.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Study of inflammatory biomarkers which may aid in early detection of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in children and predicting their outcome.
Patients: Thirty-five children, aged 2 months to 13 years, needed mechanical ventilation (MV) for more than 48 hours due to causes other than pneumonia.
Methods: Measurement of serum amyloid A (SAA) protein, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), and C-reactive protein (CRP), modified clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) and performing culture of endotracheal aspirate at the start and on the third day of MV.
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate cardiac function in children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on regular hemodialysis using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and correlate results with plasma glutathione level as a marker of oxidative stress.
Methods: The study involved 30 children with ESRD and 30 healthy controls. The plasma glutathione and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured, and cardiac function was evaluated using conventional echocardiography and STE.
Unlabelled: The study aimed to evaluate the value of soluble endothelial selectin (sE-selectin) plasma level measurement in predicting acute lung injury (ALI) outcome in children.
Methods: The study was a prospective, controlled study that involved 50 children with ALI and 50 healthy children as a control. Soluble endothelial selectin and C-reactive protein plasma levels were measured at days 1 and 7 of development of ALI for the patient group and done only once for the control group.
Objective: The objective was to investigate the benefits of supplementing enteral feeding with omega-3 fatty acids in children with mild to moderate sepsis and its effects on acute-phase reactants and interleukin 6 (IL-6) level.
Methods: The study was a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study from January 2012 to June 2014, which included 2 groups of children with mild to moderate sepsis tolerating enteral feeding. Group A included 60 children supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids, whereas group B included 60 children who received enteral feeding without omega-3 supplementation.
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) measurement in plasma for the prediction of outcome of acute lung injury (ALI) in children that may allow early recognition of critical cases.
Methods: The study was performed as a prospective, controlled cohort study involving 40 children with ALI and 30 healthy children. The plasma level of sICAM-1 was measured at days 1 and 3 of development of ALI for the patient group and measured only once for the control group.