The Myth of Median Nerve in Forearm and Its Role in Double Crush Syndrome: A Cadaveric Study

Purpose: This study aims to histologically compare the median nerve in the arm, forearm, and wrist, to help understand how cervical radiculopathy in a double crush phenomenon causes distal nerve dysfunction at the carpal tunnel and median nerve with concurrent absence of symptoms at the forearm.Methods: The study was performed on 12 fresh cadaveric upper limbs free from any injury or operation. Male cadavers in the age range of 35–40 years were used. The dissection of the median nerve and the histological examination of the specimens from the arm, forearm, and wrist were conducted to evaluate variations in the epineurium thickness (μm), perineurium thickness (μm), number of fascicles per nerve trunk, area percent of myelin covering, and area percent of neurolemmal sheath.Results: Morphometric and statistical results of the cadaveric median nerve trunk revealed that the mean epineurium and perineurium thickness measured in H&E-stained sections in the forearm were significantly greater than those in the arm and wrist specimens. Further, the mean percent area of the myelin covering in the forearm was significantly lower than that in the arm and wrist specimens in the sections stained with osmium oxide (p < 0.001). There were, however, no significant differences in the neurolemmal sheath among the arm, forearm, and wrist specimens in the silver-stained sections.Conclusion: The histological differences explained the high concomitant occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and cervical radiculopathy and the concurrent absence of symptoms at the forearm. Hence, we suggest cautious evaluation of patients with upper limb symptoms, since the management of these conditions requires a different approach.

Chronic exposure to diesel exhaust may cause small airway wall thickening without lumen narrowing: a quantitative computerized tomography study in Chinese diesel engine testers

Background Diesel exhaust (DE) is a major source of ultrafine particulate matters (PM) in ambient air and contaminates many occupational settings. Airway remodeling assessed using computerized tomography (CT) correlates well with spirometry in patients with obstructive lung diseases. Structural changes of small airways caused by chronic DE exposure is unknown. Wall and lumen areas of 6th and 9th generations of four candidate airways were quantified using end-inhalation CT scans in 78 diesel engine testers (DET) and 76 non-DETs. Carbon content in airway macrophage (CCAM) in sputum was quantified to assess the dose-response relationship. Results Environmental monitoring and CCAM showed a much higher PM exposure in DETs, which was associated with higher wall area and wall area percent for 6th generation of airways. However, no reduction in lumen area was identified. No study subjects met spirometry diagnosis of airway obstruction. This suggested that small airway wall thickening without lumen narrowing may be an early feature of airway remodeling in DETs. The effect of DE exposure status on wall area percent did not differ by lobes or smoking status. Although the trend test was of borderline significance between categorized CCAM and wall area percent, subjects in the highest CCAM category has a 14% increase in wall area percent for the 6th generation of airways compared to subjects in the lowest category. The impact of DE exposure on FEV1 can be partially explained by the wall area percent with mediation effect size equal to 20%, Pperm = 0.028). Conclusions Small airway wall thickening without lumen narrowing may be an early image feature detected by CT and underlie the pathology of lung injury in DETs. The pattern of changes in small airway dimensions, i.e., thicker airway wall without lumen narrowing caused by occupational DE exposure was different to that (i.e., thicker airway wall with lumen narrowing) seen in our previous study of workers exposed to nano-scale carbon black aerosol, suggesting constituents other than carbon cores may contribute to such differences. Our study provides some imaging indications of the understanding of the pulmonary toxicity of combustion derived airborne particulate matters in humans.

Grape Seed and Physalis Extracts as Anti- Inflammatory Agents in Cetuximab Induced Tongue Mucositis in Rats

<strong>Background:</strong> Oral mucositis induced by cancer therapy alters cancer patient’s life. Nutraceuticals these days is for their various activities which could neutralize the toxicity induced by cancer treatment. <strong>Purpose:</strong> Comparision between the effect of grape seed and fruits of <em>Physalis peruviana</em> methanol extract in reduction of mucositis induced by Cetuximab drug. <strong>Study Design:</strong> Animal study. <strong>Methods:</strong> 60 male rats divided into 6 groups as 10 in each group. Control group of rats with no intervention given. The other 5 groups were given Cetuximab drug alone or with grape seed extract (simultaneously or 1 week before Cetuximab drug) or <em>Physalis </em>extract (simultanously or 1 week before Cetuximab drug). After sacrifice, tongue was dissected and tissue preparation was done for all samples. Digital counting was done by image analyzer computer system for (a) filliform papillae in H&amp;E stained sections, (b) mast cells in mast cell tryptase stained sections to assess inflammation. The area percent for bax immune-expression in other immune stained sections were also measured done to assess apoptosis. <strong>Results:</strong> The difference between the groups was assessed for statistical significance (P&lt;0.0001) by ANOVA test. The greatest mean number of filiform papillae was recorded in control group I. Greatest mean number of mast cells and the greatest mean area percent of bax immune expression were recorded in group II. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Grape seed extract and <em>Physalis extract</em> could neutralize the harmful effect of cancer therapy. <em>Physalis extract</em> had more potent effect in reducing the inflammation induced by Cetuximab drug.

Long-term exposure to PM10 and NO2 in relation to lung function and imaging phenotypes in a COPD cohort

Background Ambient air pollution can contribute to the development and exacerbation of COPD. However, the influence of air pollution on objective COPD phenotypes, especially from imaging, is not well studied. We investigated the influence of long-term exposure to air pollution on lung function and quantitative imaging measurements in a Korean cohort of participants with and without COPD diagnosis. Methods Study participants (N = 457 including 296 COPD cases) were obtained from the COPD in Dusty Areas (CODA) cohort. Annual average concentrations of particulate matter less than or equal to 10 μm in diameter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were estimated at the participants’ residential addresses using a spatial air pollution prediction model. All the participants underwent volumetric computerized tomography (CT) and spirometry measurements and completed survey questionnaires. We examined the associations of PM10 and NO2 with FVC, FEV1, emphysema index, and wall area percent, using linear regression models adjusting for age, gender, education, smoking, height, weight, and COPD medication. Results The age of study participants averaged 71.7 years. An interquartile range difference in annual PM10 exposure of 4.4 μg/m3 was associated with 0.13 L lower FVC (95% confidence interval (CI), − 0.22- -0.05, p = 0.003). Emphysema index (mean = 6.36) was higher by 1.13 (95% CI, 0.25–2.02, p = 0.012) and wall area percent (mean = 68.8) was higher by 1.04 (95% CI, 0.27–1.80, p = 0.008). Associations with imaging phenotypes were not observed with NO2. Conclusions Long-term exposure to PM10 correlated with both lung function and COPD-relevant imaging phenotypes in a Korean cohort.

Volatile Organic Compounds at Early Stages of Sourdough Preparation Via Static Headspace and GC/MS Analysis

Major aroma volatile compounds from whole wheat and all-purpose sourdough and their evolution were evaluated through static headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SHS-GC/MS) analysis during 28 days of fermentation. Sourdoughs were prepared on 1:1 ratio of flour to water (mass to volume) and fermented spontaneously at room temperature. GC/MS measurements for the evolution of aroma volatile compounds were conducted at 24, 168, 336, 504, and 672 hours of fermentation. Whole wheat sourdough contained more aroma volatile compounds (62) than all-purpose sourdough (45). The major aroma volatile compounds of whole wheat sourdough were hydrocarbons, esters, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, and heterocycles. Meanwhile, aldehydes were dominant in the all-purpose sourdough. During whole wheat sourdough fermentation, a decrease in peak area percent was observed for aldehydes, ketones, and heterocycles, whereas an increase in the case of hydrocarbons. On the other hand, aldehydes dramatically increased in peak area percent for all-purpose sourdough. Aroma volatile compounds emanating from sourdough fermentation can aid consumers as well as manufacturers with regards to the quality, shelf-life, and what characteristic aromas the final bread product will possess.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oil of Mentha pulegium L, South East of Algeria

Aerial parts of Mentha pulegium L. collected from south east of Algeria (Reguiba, El-Oued) possessed an essential oil in 2.34% (v/w) yield. GC and GC-MS analysis of the oil revealed recognition of Thirty-seven compounds, representing 95.02% (area percent) of the total oil composition. Oil was rich in Oxygenated hydrocarbons, exhibited higher percentage of Pulegone (46.31%) followed by Piperitenone (23.3%), Menthone (6.2%) and Limonene (4.7%). The antioxidant activity by DPPH free radical scavenging bioassay (IC50 = 157 µl/ml).

Specifying Material Toughness to Avoid Brittle Fracture Initiation in Pipe Fittings and Components

Recently, there have been a few failures with brittle fractures occurring during hydrostatic or pneumatic proof testing in pipe fittings that rekindled the need for paying attention on how to specify the toughness for pipe fittings and other components such as valves. This paper shows how an analysis procedure called the “Master Curve of Fracture Transition Temperatures” can be used to specify a Charpy shear area percent at some target temperature so that ductile initiation behavior occurs for either a surface or through-wall cracks in fittings, components or pipe material at the minimum design temperature. Due to differences in thickness, loading rate, and constraint conditions, the Charpy test transition temperature will not be at the same temperature as the minimum design temperature. In addition to the background and summary of prior efforts, several examples of full-scale pipe and fitting/valve fracture tests on different materials will be presented to show that the methodology works well. It is also possible from this method to specify the Charpy shear area percent at some temperature to ensure that brittle fracture propagation will not occur. There are some limits on this methodology for some newer steels that have very high Charpy energy values, and those conditions are also summarized.

205 THE WASHINGTON STATE CRANBERRY VARIETY `MCFARLIN': YIELD AND COMPONENTS OF YIELD VARIATION

WA State bogs of the cultivar `McFarlin' exhibit highly variable productivity. Yield and various fruiting characteristics were sampled in 14 WA `McFarlin' bogs, representing two growing areas. Significant differences were found for yield, fruit number/area, percent fruit set, flowers/upright, fruit/upright, fruit weight and seed number/fruit. The variable, flowers/upright, accounted for 69% and 75% of the observed variation for yield and fruit number/area, respectively. A multivariate analysis model accounted for 93% of the variation for yield with 3 variables: flowers/upright (69%), fruit weight (20%), and seed number (4%). Principal component analysis identified three `groups' based on fruiting characteristics. DNA fingerprinting suggests, that variability in yield and fruiting characteristics, has a genetic component.

Florida Beggarweed (Desmodium tortuosum) Growth and Development in Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea)

Temporal changes in factors that contribute to the competitiveness of Florida beggarweed in peanuts were studied in 1986 and 1987. Florida beggarweed leaves were unifoliolate to the ninth node and trifoliolate thereafter. Peanuts grew taller than Florida beggarweed until the R-3 stage of peanuts, after which Florida beggarweed height increased logarithmically. Florida beggarweed branching was suppressed by the peanut canopy until the weed overtopped the peanuts. Florida beggarweed dry weight was reduced 80% by peanuts compared with Florida beggarweed grown alone. Peanuts reduced Florida beggarweed leaf area and canopy area. Percent light attenuation as a function of Florida beggarweed canopy area was described by the equation Y = lnX/25.5. Peanut yields in 60 cm of row on either side of a single Florida beggarweed plant were reduced 19%.