149 DIFFERENCES IN TRANSABDOMINAL ULTRASONOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS AMONG PATIENTS COMPLAINING OF ESOPHAGEAL DYSPHAGIA

Dysphagia is a symptom suggestive of severe underlying pathology, although its causes include organic and non-organic disorders. A balance must be struck between the potential complications of any invasive investigation and its diagnostic utility, especially for elderly patients with dysphagia. The aim of this study was to investigate whether transabdominal ultrasonography (TUS) can differentiate among patients complaining of esophageal dysphagia including achalasia, distal esophageal spasms (DES), neoplasms involving the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) and healthy controls. Methods All patients complained of esophageal dysphagia, while healthy controls had no symptoms originating from esophagus. TUS was performed in 50 patients with achalasia, 17 DES patients, 10 patients with neoplasms, and 39 sex- and age-matched controls. All studies were performed with a 3.5 MHz real time curved array scanner and using an electronic caliper to measure esophageal wall thickness and the maximum esophageal diameter at 3 cm from EGJ. Manometric diagnoses were made based on the Chicago classification ver.3. The cutoff value of each TUS parameter was then calculated. Specificity and sensitivity in making a diagnosis of each disease were determined. Results There were significantly differences in the TUS parameters among four groups (Fig). The cutoff value of diameter of esophageal lumen to differentiate achalasia from other 3 groups was calculated as 13.1 mm (sensitivity, 0.96; specificity, 0.93), with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.99, and that of esophageal wall thickness to differentiate both the tumor and DES groups from the other two groups was 3.5 mm (sensitivity, 0.64; specificity, 0.62), respectively. Using these parameters, sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis was 0.56 and 0.95 in achalasia, 1.00 and 0.24 in DES, and 1.00 and 0.21 in tumors. Conclusion TUS is a useful, non-invasive diagnostic aid in differentiating patients with primary achalasia from those with other causes of dysphagia.

Accuracy and dimensional reproducibility by model scanning, intraoral scanning, and CBCT imaging for digital implant dentistry

Background Recently, it has become possible to analyze implant placement position using the digital matching data of optical impression data of the oral cavity or plaster models with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data, and create a highly accurate surgical guide. It has been reported that CBCT measurements were smaller than the actual values, termed shrinkage. Matching of digital data is reliable when the plaster model or intraoral impression values show shrinkage at the same rate as the CBCT data. However, if the shrinkage rate is significantly different, the obtained digital data become unreliable. To clarify digital matching reliability, we examined dimensional reproducibility and shrinkage in measurements obtained with a model scanner, intra-oral scanner (iOS), and CBCT. Materials and methods Three implants that were arranged in a triangle were fixed in an acrylic plate. The distance between each implants were measured using model scanner, iOS, and CBCT. The actual size measured by electronic caliper was regarded as control. Results All values measured with CBCT were significantly smaller than that of model scanner, iOS, and control (p<0.001). The model scanner shrinkage was 0.37-0.39%, iOS shrinkage was 0.9-1.4%, and CBCT shrinkage was 1.8-6.9%. There were statistically significant differences among the shrinkage with iOS, CBCT, and model scanner (p<0.001). Conclusion Our findings showed that all measurements obtained with those modalities showed shrinkage as compared to the actual values. In addition, CBCT shrinkage was largest among three different measuring methods. They indicated that data matching between CBCT and scanner measurements requires attention in regard to the reliability of values obtained with those devices.

Morphological evaluation of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells treated with DMEM extract of Turkish propolis

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of DMEM extract of Turkish propolis (TP) on the morphology of metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells. Methods: The cells were incubated with DMEM extract of TP (collected from Trabzon in Turkey) at a dose of 2.5 mg/mL for 72 h. The effect of DMEM extract on proliferation and cytotoxicity of the cells was determined using 3-[4,5-dimethyltiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and trypan blue exclusion assay. MDA-MB-231 cells incubated with or without extracts were randomly photographed with a camera-coupled inverted microscope. Treated and control MDA-MB-231 cells were classified as monopolar, bipolar or multipolar, and their dimensions measured with an electronic caliper. Results: Although the extract reduced the proliferation of the cells, the effect was not statistically significant (p < 0.05). Moreover, no cytotoxic effect was observed. Field diameters, process length and cell body diameters of the treated cells were increased by DMEM extract treatment in bipolar and multipolar cell types, but these parameters were decreased in monopolar cell type, although insignificantly (p < 0.05). In addition, the process thickness of treated MDA-MB-231 cells increased insignificantly in all cell types (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that DMEM extract of TP at a dose of 2.5 mg/mL morphologically suppresses monopolar MDA-MB-231 cells. Future studies would examine the morphological effects of different concentrations of the propolis extract in anti-proliferation, cytotoxicity and morphological investigations in MDA-MB-231 cells.

551 The Relationship Between Canal Diameter and the DORR Classification - Presented by Dr John Vincent and Dr Ryan Doherty of NIMDTA, formerly Queen's University Belfast

Background Particularly in broach-only uncemented total hip arthroplasty, a narrow femoral canal presents a technical challenge. Traditionally such femurs have been considered to be Dorr A. To our knowledge, however, no study has reported on the relationship between isthmus width and the Dorr classification. Method We reviewed 500 high-quality, hard copy radiographs. Dorr classification and isthmus canal width were measured using an electronic caliper by 5 independent observers with intraobserver and interobserver error calculated. For this study, we defined a narrow canal as being 10 mm at its narrowest point (isthmus). Results Eight percent (40) were Dorr A, 85% (424) Dorr B, and 7% (36) Dorr C. With respect to isthmus width for Dorr A, 63% (25) were 10 mm compared to just 13% (55) of Dorr B. However, overall because there were more Dorr B femurs, 69% of those with an isthmus of 10 mm were Dorr B. Conclusions In this population, almost 70% of patients with an isthmus 10 mm were Dorr B, with only 30% being Dorr A. When using a broach-only technique, isthmus width should be routinely measured on the preoperative anteroposterior radiographs so as to alert the surgeon to potential problems.

COVID-19 and a novel initiative to improve safety by 3D printing personal protective equipment parts from computed tomography

Background Powered air-purifying respirators are in short supply and can break down with extended use. Replacement parts can become hard to acquire. The aim of this study was to create an innovative quality improvement proof of concept using rapid prototyping. Methods Here we report three cases of 3D printed powered air-purifying respirator parts. 3D printing was performed on all parts using fused deposition modeling with standard polylactic acid, in the same way that presurgical models would be created. Measurements using an electronic caliper as well as CT scans were used to compare an original part to its corresponding 3D printed parts for accuracy. Results Electronic caliper and computed tomography measurements both showed accuracy consistant with current published norms. Conclusions Ultimately, there will be questions surrounding intellectual property, effectiveness and potential long-term safety for these types of 3D printed parts. Future research should look into the addition of specific nanoparticles from the position of cost, efficacy, safety and improved accuracy.

COVID-19 and a novel initiative to improve safety by 3D printing personal protective equipment parts from computed tomography

Background Powered air-purifying respirators are in short supply and can break down with extended use. Replacement parts can become hard to acquire. The aim of this study was to create an innovative quality improvement proof of concept using rapid prototyping. Methods Here we report three cases of 3D printed powered air-purifying respirator parts. 3D printing was performed on all parts using fused deposition modeling with standard polylactic acid, in the same way that presurgical models would be created. Measurements using an electronic caliper as well as CT scans were used to compare an original part to its corresponding 3D printed parts for accuracy. Results Electronic caliper and computed tomography measurements both showed accuracy consistant with current published norms. Conclusions Ultimately, there will be questions surrounding intellectual property, effectiveness and potential long-term safety for these types of 3D printed parts. Future research should look into the addition of specific nanoparticles from the position of cost, efficacy, safety and improved accuracy.

Age and size characteristics of alien mollusks Viviparus viviparus L. in the coastal thanatocoenosis of Novosibirsk reservoir

Viviparus viviparus L. is the most numerous alien species of the Novosibirsk reservoir. In some parts of the reservoir V. viviparus creates settlements with a very high density. After the death of mollusks in the bottom sediments and on the banks of the reservoir, large areas of accumulation of empty shells are formed. Due to their strong structure, the shells are poorly decomposed and can serve as a generalized indicator of the state of the mollusk population over a long time. We analyzed the size and age characteristics of the V. viviparus shells in thanatocenoses of the Novosibirsk reservoir coast. Empty shells of river snails were collected on the shores of the middle (near the village of Chingis, Ordynskoye and in the Karakansky Bay) and the lower (near the village of Borovoye, Bystrovka, Leninsky and in the Berdsky Bay) parts of the Novosibirsk Reservoir in May, 24–26, 2018. Shells height and width were measured with an electronic caliper with an accuracy of 0.1 mm. Age of mollusks was determined by the marks of a winter growth stop on the shell. It is shown that in the thanatocenoses of the middle part and in the bays of the reservoir, shells of young mollusks (the second and third years of life) prevailed. In the lower part of the reservoir, the coastal thanatocoenosis contained larger shells of adult mollusks (fourth and fifth years of life). In general, the most of V. viviparus individuals in the Novosibirsk reservoir die before they reach the age limit. It is suggested that the premature death of most river snails can be caused by significant seasonal fluctuations in the water level of the reservoir, during which the littoral is drained.

Numerical Modeling of the Shape of Agricultural Products on the Example of Cucumber Fruits

The aim of the study was to build numerical models of cucumbers cv. Śremski with the use of a 3D scanner and to analyze selected geometric parameters of cucumber fruits based on the developed models. The basic dimensions of cucumber fruits–length, width and thickness—were measured with an electronic caliper with an accuracy of d = 0.01 mm, and the surface area and volume of fruits were determined by 3D scanning. Cucumber fruits were scanned with an accuracy of d = 0.13 mm. Six models approximating the shape of cucumber fruits were developed with the use of six geometric figures and their combinations to calculate the surface area and volume of the analyzed agricultural products were identified. The surface area and volume of cucumber fruits calculated by 3D scanning and mathematical formulas were compared. The surface area calculated with the model combining two truncated cones and two hemispheres with different diameters, joined base-to-base, was characterized by the smallest relative error of 3%. Fruit volume should be determined with the use of mathematical formulas derived for a model composed of an ellipsoid and a spheroid. The proposed geometric models can be used in research and design.

Effects of tramadol and acepromazine on intraocular pressure and pupil diameter in young healthy cats

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to investigate the effects of the systemic administration of acepromazine, tramadol and the association of both on intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil diameter (PD) in young healthy cats. Cats were randomly allocated into three groups (n=10/each) and intramuscular acepromazine (AG), tramadol (TG) or acepromazine combined with tramadol (ATG) were injected. PD (electronic caliper) and IOP (applanation tonometry) were assessed before (baseline) and following 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes of treatments. It was verified that in AG, PD decreased significantly from time point 30 to 120 (P=0.002), but such reduction did not differ significantly from baseline (P=0.89). In TG, PD increased significantly from the first 15 minutes, until the last time point of evaluation (P<0.001). In ATG, PD increased significantly from time point 30 to 120 when compared to baseline (P<0.001); but significant differences from time point 30 to 120 were not seen (P=0.71). Comparisons among groups showed that PD values of TG and ATG were significantly higher than that of AG (P<0.05). IOP values, on the other hand, did not change significantly among time points and groups (P>0.05). It can be concluded that tramadol alone or in association with acepromazine produced significant mydriasis for up to 120 minutes, without changing IOP values in normal cats. Results of this study suggested that tramadol alone or in association with acepromazine caused significant mydriasis and did not change IOP values in normal cats. Therefore, it may be considered a satisfactory pre-anesthetic combination for ophthalmic surgery in cats. However, further studies are warranted on the use of such protocols in cats with ophthalmic diseases undergoing ocular or intraocular surgery.