Morphological Study of Fossa Ovalis in Formalin-Fixed Human Hearts and Its Clinical Importance

Background and Objectives: Our study aimed to investigate the gross anatomy aspects of the fossa ovalis (FO) and the presence of some anatomical variation resulting from the incomplete fusion of septum primum and septum secundum, such as an atrial septal pouch (SP) and left atrial septal ridge. Materials and Methods: Thirty-one adult human hearts removed from formalin-fixed specimens were examined to provide information about the morphology of the FO. The organs were free of any gross anatomically visible pathological conditions. Results: The most common variants were the FO located in the inferior part of the interatrial septum (64.51%), circular (61.3%), with a net-like structure (51.62%), prominent limbus (93.55%), and patent foramen ovale (PFO) (25.8%). The right SP was observed in 9.67% of specimens, the left SP was observed in 29.03% of cases, and in 51.61% of cases, a double SP was observed. One sample presented a right SP and a double left SP, and one case showed a triple left SP, which was not reported previously to our knowledge. Conclusions: Knowledge of the interatrial septal anatomy becomes important for interventional cardiologists and should be documented before transeptal puncture.

Hydroxyapatite/collagen composite graft for posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a comparison with local bone graft

Background Autologous bone has been used for posterior lumbar intervertebral fusion (PLIF). However, harvesting autologous bone graft is associated with donor site complications. We previously developed a hydroxyapatite/collagen (HAp/Col) composite as an osteoconductive artificial bone, characterized by having a highly porous structure with sponge‐like elasticity. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of HAp/Col composite with bone marrow aspirate (BMA) as a graft substitute in PLIF for the treatment of lumbar spinal diseases. Methods This study prospectively investigated patients who received one-level PLIF. For the interbody fusion, two titanium cages were inserted. On the one side of interbody space, HAp/Col composite incorporated with BMA filling the titanium cage was grafted. On the other side, local bone graft (LBG) harvested during decompressive laminotomy was grafted and then one-level instrumentation using pedicle screws was performed. The target levels were at L2/3 in 2 cases, L3/4 in 3 cases, L4/5 in 36 cases, and L5/S in 5 cases. We evaluated clinical symptoms and radiological outcomes of 46 patients and compared the fusion status of HAp/Col composite with that of LBG. Results The 1-year postoperative CT evaluation demonstrated that, in the HAp/Col, a complete fusion was observed in 38 patients (82.6%), whereas in the LBG, a complete fusion was observed in 35 patients (76.1%). There were no statistical differences between the HAp/Col and LBG. In the HAp/Col, incomplete fusion was observed in five patients (10.9%) and non-fusion in two patients (4.3%), and in the LBG, incomplete fusion was observed in nine patients (19.6%) and non-fusion in two patients (4.3%). At 2 years after the surgery, complete fusion increased to 44 patients (95.7%) in the HAp/Col and 41 patients (89.1%) in the LBG. There were no significant differences in the clinical scores for lumbar spine between patients with fusion and non-fusion. Conclusions The HAp/Col composite with BMA in the titanium cage can be effectively used as an alternative to conventional autologous LBG for intervertebral spinal fusion. Trial registration University hospital Medical Information Network, UMIN000045010, July 30th, 2021, Retrospectively registered, https://www.umin.ac.jp/english/.

Effect of longitudinal magnetic field on grain growth of hollow stud welded joint

Aiming at the defects of large diameter hollow stud welding such as arc blow and incomplete fusion,drawn arc stud welding with the longitudinal magnetic field was used to 30CrNi3MoV steel and Q235 stud. The grain growth process of joint was studied. With the assistance of longitudinal magnetic field, the arc action area on the end face of the hollow stud was increased, and the end face of stud was melted evenly. The solidification and crystallization process of molten pool was changed due to magnetic field stirring. Within a certain range, the microstructure of the joint is gradually refined and the size is homogeneous with the increase of magnetic field. But too large current can be attributed to the very coarse grain structure. Besides, the proportion of small angle grain boundary was decreased during appropriate magnetic field current, while the proportion of large angle grain boundary was increased. Meanwhile, preferred orientation of grains of the joints was changed due to the magnetic stirring.

Failures Related to Welding

This article describes some of the welding discontinuities and flaws characterized by nondestructive examinations. It focuses on nondestructive inspection methods used in the welding industry. The sources of weld discontinuities and defects as they relate to service failures or rejection in new construction inspection are also discussed. The article discusses the types of base metal cracks and metallurgical weld cracking. The article discusses the processes involved in the analysis of in-service weld failures. It briefly reviews the general types of process-related discontinuities of arc welds. Mechanical and environmental failure origins related to other types of welding processes are also described. The article explains the cause and effects of process-related discontinuities including weld porosity, inclusions, incomplete fusion, and incomplete penetration. Different fitness-for-service assessment methodologies for calculating allowable or critical flaw sizes are also discussed.

IDENTIFIKASI CACAT LASAN FCAW PADA FONDASI MESIN KAPAL MENGGUNAKAN METODE ULTRASONIC TESTING

Ultrasonic testing is one of the non-destructive inspection methods for welding results. The ultrasonic testing method has several advantages, namely it can be used to analyze the position of the defect in the object, both the depth of the defect and the dimensions of the defect, and it is an environmentally friendly method. Physical defects that are in solid objects of course cannot be known from direct vision so it is necessary to carry out an inspection of an object to see whether or not there are defects that occur in solid objects. Ultrasonic testing of the results of FCAW welding on the foundation of the ship's engine. FCAW welding is applied to the foundation with two types of welding positions, namely the overhead position coded P1 and the horizontal position coded P2. The test was carried out using a wave frequency of 4 MHz and using a 0° probe for analysis of defects in the area around the weld metal and a 70° probe for analysis of the weld metal. The tests were carried out using the ASME section V and ASTM E164 standards as the standard for determining defects. The test results at the P1 welding position found two types of defects, namely incomplete fusion defects with five welding points with the longest defect length of 40mm and porosity defects with two points with the longest defect length of 30mm. While the results of ultrasonic testing at the P2 welding position found two types of defects, namely slag inclusion defects with a defect length of 35mm and incomplete penetration defects with a defect length of 20 mm. The conclusion of ultrasonic testing is that the difference in welding positions is that the welding position greatly affects the quality of the welding results. The defects resulting from the welding position also vary.

A case report on ruptured rudimentary horn ectopic pregnancy

Unicornuate uterus with noncommunicating rudimentary horn occurs due to incomplete fusion of mullerian ducts. This malformation results from the defective fusion of the duct with the contra-lateral side. This rudimentary horn may or may not have functional cavity. Pregnancy in this horn is a rare phenomenon usually resulting in rupture during second trimester of pregnancy. IT is a rare condition that can lead to a catastrophic outcome when it rupture. Prerupture diagnosis of pregnancy in rudimentary horn with ultrasonography is technically difficult, with sensitivity of 30%. Pregnant rudimentary horn can present with wide range of symptoms that may be similar to ectopic pregnancy or may remain silent with features of normal pregnancy.1-2 We report a case of ruptured non-communicating rudimentary horn at 19 weeks in pregnant lady. In our opinion, routine excision of rudimentary horn should be undertaken during non-pregnant state laparoscopically. However, those women who refuse should be adequately counselled regarding potential complications and if pregnancy occurs in rudimentary horn, first trimester laparoscopic excision should be done.