Learning curve analysis of applying Seprafilm hyaluronic acid/carboxymethylcellulose membrane during laparoscopic hysterectomy

This study was designed to evaluate the learning curve of applying Seprafilm (modified hyaluronic acid and carboxymethylcellulose; Genzyme, Cambridge, MA, USA) during laparoscopic hysterectomy or subtotal hysterectomy with or without adnexectomy. In this retrospective cohort study, 35 patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy or subtotal hysterectomy with or without adnexectomy were enrolled. The Seprafilm was cut into 4 pieces, rolled up with a trimmed plastic sleeve and delivered through an incision wound made for the 5-mm ancillary trocar. The membrane was unrolled and placed on the rough surface after hysterectomy or subtotal hysterectomy with or without adnexectomy. The time from the insertion of the first piece of membrane into the abdominal cavity to the complete removal of the trimmed plastic sleeve was recorded. The median time for Seprafilm placement was 3 min. The learning curve was analyzed using the power-law method and suggested that 10 cases were required to achieve proficiency in the procedure. The presence of adnexectomy was significantly associated with the time required for Seprafilm placement (P < 0.001). Although Seprafilm placement is more complicated compared to the liquid and gel forms of anti-adhesion barriers, surgical proficiency seemed to be attained after 10 cases for an experienced surgeon.

Repeatability of Freehand Implantations Supported with Universal Plastic Sleeves—In Vitro Study

Repeatability and precision are major factors which have an influence on final implant treatment results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the repeatability of freehand implant procedures assisted with special plastic sleeves which are placed on the drill to guarantee the proper mesiodistal distance from the landmark’s surface. Patient data required for implant treatment, including images of mandibles from CBCT scans and virtual models of soft tissues and teeth, were used to prepare complete virtual models of patient clinical conditions. The models were saved as STL files and 3D printed in five copies. Drilling procedures were done at positions 37, 46 and 47. Each model was scanned with pins in the osteotomies and compared using digital aligning of the models’ surfaces. The average deviation was −1.38 ± 1.4 mm. Average deviations on guide pins placed at position 37 were −0.46 ± 0.59 mm, at position 46 were −1.46 ± 0.88 mm (landmark’s surface of both: distal tooth’s surface), and at position 47 were the highest: −2.69 ± 1.62 mm (landmark’s surface: surface of plastic sleeve). The following conclusion was drawn: Using universal plastic sleeves could improve implant procedure precision especially in the case of partially edentulous patients.

Smart elastomeric hydrogel of polyacrylamide containing nanosized barium ferrite and graphene oxide

Smart elastomeric hydrogels based on polyacrylamide containing ferrimagnetic nanoparticles of BaFe12O19 alone or a combination of BaFe12O19 and graphene oxide were synthesized. An improvised sample preparation technique was evolved to design actuators, where the hydrogel samples in rolls form were inserted into cut pieces of hard plastic sleeve in order to fabricate a lab-level actuator. The magneto-responsive actuation behaviour was measured by applying an external magnetic field with the help of a hand-held square type of NdFeB magnet. While the sample containing only 20 wt% BaFe12O19 exhibited only 15 mm deflection at threshold magnetic field of 28 mT, the deflection was significantly enhanced up to 23 mm for the sample containing 1 wt% GO and 20 wt% BaFe12O19 at a threshold magnetic field of 36.7 mT. Up to 20 wt% BaFe12O19, the hydrogels showed a heterogeneous dispersion of large-sized BaFe12O19 clusters and addition of a small percentage, e.g. 1% of GO resulted in significant improvement in the homogeneity of dispersion as well as reduction of the scale of the BaFe12O19 clusters. The saturation magnetization value of the hydrogels was also improved by 50–75% due to the addition of 1 wt% GO with 20 wt% BaFe12O19.

Aplikasi biokaolin untuk perlindungan buah kakao dari serangan PBK, Helopeltis spp. dan Phytophthora palmivora Application of biokaolin in protecting cocoa pod from cocoa pod borer, Helopeltis spp. and Phytophthora palmivora infestation

Main constraints of cacao cultivation are infestations of cocoa pod borer (Conopomorpha cramerella (Snellen), Helopeltis spp., and cocoa pod rot disease (palmivora). So far there is no technology that could efficiently controlthese important pests. This research was aimed to develop environmentally friendly new technology to protect pod surfaces of cacao. The experiment was performed in heavily infested cacao plantation in Konawe, South-East Sulawesi.The use of kaolin particle film enriched with entomopathogenic microbe was contrasted againts the use of currently recommended plastic sleeve. Cacao pods were sprayed at one week and two week intervals. The observed parameters were the number of pods infested with cocoa pod borer, pod rot and Helopeltis spp. at 4th - 14th weeks after first spray. From the observation, weekly biokaolin application showed the highest amount pods free from cocoa pod borer (33.97 %), followed by biweekly application (27.96 %), and plastic sleeving (19 %). Ten weeks after first spray, cocoa pod borer incidence was significantly reduced especially in weekly application. The percentage of pods free from pod rot were 81.92 %, 62.96 %, and 72.20 % for weekly spray, biweekly spray, and plastic sleeving, respectively. Pods being kept for 12 weeks in plastic sleeve endured the highest intensity of pod rot incidence. Biweekly biokaolin treatment was better in handling Helopeltis spp. attack. Besides reducing infestation of the main pests and diseases, biokaolin application also reduced the incidence of cherelle wilt to almost 40%. Those results gave the great expectation that biokaolin usage would significantly increase cacao yield, resulting in the increase of cacao farmer income. AbstrakKendala utama dalam upaya budidaya kakao adalah adanya serangan hama penggerek buah kakao (PBK), Conopomorpha cramerella (Snellen) dan hama kepik Helopeltis spp., serta serangan patogen penyebab busuk buah (Phythophtora palmivora). Sampai saat ini belum tersedia teknologi yang secara efisien mengendalikan ketiga-tiganya sekaligus. Peneltian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan teknologi yang ramah lingkungan untuk melindungi permukaan buah kakao. Percobaan dilakukan pada perkebunan kakao dengan tingkat serangan yang berat di Konawe, Sulawesi Tenggara. Dalam penelitian ini, penggunaan lapisan partikel kaolin yang diperkaya dengan mikroba entomopatogenik dibandingkan efektifitasnya dengan penyarungan menggunakan kantung plastik yang direkomendasikan selama ini. Buah kakao disemprot setiap interval satu minggu dan dua minggu sekali. Parameter yang diamati adalah jumlah buah terserang PBK, jumlah serangan busuk buah dan jumlah serangan Helopeltis spp. pada minggu keempat sampai dengan minggu ke-14 setelah penyemprotan pertama. Hasil pengamatan menunjukkan bahwa persentase tertinggi (33,97 %) buah kakao yang terbebas dari serangan PBK diperoleh pada plot dengan penyemprotan biokaolin setiap minggu, diikuti dengan penyemprotan setiap dua minggu (27,96 %), dan penyelubungan dengan kantung plastik (19,00 %). Pada minggu ke- 10 setelah penyemprotan pertama terjadi penurunan intensitas serangan PBK secara signifikan khususnya pada perlakuan setiap minggu. Persentase buah kakao yang terbebas dari penyakit busuk buah 81,92 %, 62,96 %, dan 72,20 %, secara berturutan untuk perlakuan penyemprotan setiap satu minggu,setiap dua minggu, dan penyarungan plastik. Pada minggu ke-12 buah kakao yang diberi perlakuan penyarungan mengalami peningkatan serangan busuk buah paling tinggi dibandingkan dengan perlakuan lainnya. Perlakuan penyemprotan setiap dua minggu memberikan perlindungan terbaik dari serangan Helopeltis spp. Hasil ini memberikan harapan besar bahwa aplikasi biokaolin sangat berpotensi meningkatan hasil panen petani kakao sehingga akan meningkatkan pendapatan petani.

Aplikasi biokaolin untuk perlindungan buah kakao dari serangan PBK, Helopeltis spp. dan Phytophthora palmivora Application of biokaolin in protecting cocoa pod from cocoa pod borer, Helopeltis spp. and Phytophthora palmivora infestation

Main constraints of cacao cultivation are infestations of cocoa pod borer (Conopomorpha cramerella (Snellen), Helopeltis spp., and cocoa pod rot disease (palmivora). So far there is no technology that could efficiently controlthese important pests. This research was aimed to develop environmentally friendly new technology to protect pod surfaces of cacao. The experiment was performed in heavily infested cacao plantation in Konawe, South-East Sulawesi.The use of kaolin particle film enriched with entomopathogenic microbe was contrasted againts the use of currently recommended plastic sleeve. Cacao pods were sprayed at one week and two week intervals. The observed parameters were the number of pods infested with cocoa pod borer, pod rot and Helopeltis spp. at 4th - 14th weeks after first spray. From the observation, weekly biokaolin application showed the highest amount pods free from cocoa pod borer (33.97 %), followed by biweekly application (27.96 %), and plastic sleeving (19 %). Ten weeks after first spray, cocoa pod borer incidence was significantly reduced especially in weekly application. The percentage of pods free from pod rot were 81.92 %, 62.96 %, and 72.20 % for weekly spray, biweekly spray, and plastic sleeving, respectively. Pods being kept for 12 weeks in plastic sleeve endured the highest intensity of pod rot incidence. Biweekly biokaolin treatment was better in handling Helopeltis spp. attack. Besides reducing infestation of the main pests and diseases, biokaolin application also reduced the incidence of cherelle wilt to almost 40%. Those results gave the great expectation that biokaolin usage would significantly increase cacao yield, resulting in the increase of cacao farmer income. AbstrakKendala utama dalam upaya budidaya kakao adalah adanya serangan hama penggerek buah kakao (PBK), Conopomorpha cramerella (Snellen) dan hama kepik Helopeltis spp., serta serangan patogen penyebab busuk buah (Phythophtora palmivora). Sampai saat ini belum tersedia teknologi yang secara efisien mengendalikan ketiga-tiganya sekaligus. Peneltian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan teknologi yang ramah lingkungan untuk melindungi permukaan buah kakao. Percobaan dilakukan pada perkebunan kakao dengan tingkat serangan yang berat di Konawe, Sulawesi Tenggara. Dalam penelitian ini, penggunaan lapisan partikel kaolin yang diperkaya dengan mikroba entomopatogenik dibandingkan efektifitasnya dengan penyarungan menggunakan kantung plastik yang direkomendasikan selama ini. Buah kakao disemprot setiap interval satu minggu dan dua minggu sekali. Parameter yang diamati adalah jumlah buah terserang PBK, jumlah serangan busuk buah dan jumlah serangan Helopeltis spp. pada minggu keempat sampai dengan minggu ke-14 setelah penyemprotan pertama. Hasil pengamatan menunjukkan bahwa persentase tertinggi (33,97 %) buah kakao yang terbebas dari serangan PBK diperoleh pada plot dengan penyemprotan biokaolin setiap minggu, diikuti dengan penyemprotan setiap dua minggu (27,96 %), dan penyelubungan dengan kantung plastik (19,00 %). Pada minggu ke- 10 setelah penyemprotan pertama terjadi penurunan intensitas serangan PBK secara signifikan khususnya pada perlakuan setiap minggu. Persentase buah kakao yang terbebas dari penyakit busuk buah 81,92 %, 62,96 %, dan 72,20 %, secara berturutan untuk perlakuan penyemprotan setiap satu minggu,setiap dua minggu, dan penyarungan plastik. Pada minggu ke-12 buah kakao yang diberi perlakuan penyarungan mengalami peningkatan serangan busuk buah paling tinggi dibandingkan dengan perlakuan lainnya. Perlakuan penyemprotan setiap dua minggu memberikan perlindungan terbaik dari serangan Helopeltis spp. Hasil ini memberikan harapan besar bahwa aplikasi biokaolin sangat berpotensi meningkatan hasil panen petani kakao sehingga akan meningkatkan pendapatan petani.

The lipid cubic phase orin mesomethod for crystallizing proteins. Bushings for better manual dispensing

The lipid cubic phase orin mesomethod can be used to set up crystallization trials of soluble and membrane proteins. The cubic phase is noted for being a sticky and viscous mesophase. Dispensing the protein-laden mesophase by hand into wells on crystallization plates has been facilitated by the use of an inexpensive repeat dispenser. However, the assembled dispensing device is prone to damage. Specifically, the delicate plunger used to dispense the viscous mesophase by positive displacement can be bent and scarred when the locking nut that fixes the plunger to the ratchet-driven dispensing mechanism is inadvertently overtightened. A defective plunger can render the device useless as a dispensing tool. More importantly, it can lead to catastrophic loss of valuable protein and lipid due to leakage when the dispensing syringe is being recharged with fresh mesophase. This note describes two types of bushings designed to protect the plunger from mechanical damage, which provide facile and reliable dispenser performance. One is a split bushing in brass and is a highly durable solution. The other is a small sleeve made from readily available plastic tubing. While it lacks durability, the plastic sleeve is simple yet highly effective, and can be replaced as the need arises.