INTRODUCTION Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy is a dynamic and non-invasive system for improving wound healing. This novel therapy is based on applying air suction at a controlled sub-atmospheric pressure. The most important benefits of this therapy include, a reduction in the wound area together with induction of new granulation tissue formation, effective wound cleansing (removal of smal...

BACKGROUND Open abdominal management with negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is increasingly used for critically ill trauma and surgery patients. We sought to determine the comparative efficacy and safety of NPWT versus alternate temporary abdominal closure (TAC) techniques in critically ill adults with open abdominal wounds. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of published and unpub...

This paper describes a method for measuring the temperatures of all regions of an intact leaf by using an infrared scanning thermometer at wavelengths between 8 and 14 micrometers combined with a digital image processing system. Pictures obtained every 2 minutes from leaves of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv Large Russian) plants subjected to increasing water stress showed that water deficit...

Cable interference in cable-driven mechanisms (CDM) is a major challenge in their applications. The wrench closure workspace (WCW) in a fully constrained mechanism may not be realized unless cable interference is considered. This paper classifies all possible types of cable interferences for planar cable-driven mechanisms and presents an analytical solution to find the boundaries of the constan...

In spite of modern advances in medical care, the operative mortality of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm remains high at 40%-50%. Multiple organ failure is one of the reasons for the high mortality rates. An acute increase in intra-abdominal pressure and abdominal compartment syndrome are common causes of multiple organ failure.It is important to prevent abdominal compartment syndrome to impr...

The distribution of photosynthetic activity over the area of a leaf and its change with time was determined (at low partial pressure of O(2)) by recording images of chlorophyll fluorescence during saturating light flashes. Simultaneously, the gas exchange was being measured. Reductions of local fluorescence intensity quantitatively displayed the extent of nonphotochemical quenching; quench coef...

Because of its superior bursting strength, a continuous closure of the linea alba may offer greater wound security in horses undergoing abdominal surgery. Compared with the inverted cruciate pattern, this method of closure leaves less foreign material in the wound, potentially decreasing inflammation and lessening the potential for postoperative wound infection. Authors’ address: Dept. of Surgi...

Portulacaria afra (L.) Jacq., a perennial facultative Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) species, was studied under natural photoperiods and temperatures in San Diego, California. The plants were irrigated every fourth day throughout the study period. Measurements of (14)CO(2) uptake, stomatal resistance, and titratable acidity were made periodically from July 1981 through May 1982. P. afra mai...

Although lumbar discectomy is an effective treatment for lumbar disc herniation, complications exist, including postoperative disc height loss, facet joint degeneration, and recurrent disc herniation. To solve these problems, annular closure devices have been utilized in other countries, producing satisfactory results, but there has been no report of annular closure device use in our country. H...

This article provides the overview of Process Analytical Technology (PAT) methodology application to an automated equipment developed for 100% Container Closure Integrity Testing (CCIT) of pharmaceutical items. PAT is a scientific approach which is designed to facilitate continuous process improvement in terms of reliability, effectiveness and efficiency. PAT is based on process understanding a...