Manometric asymmetry of the anal sphincter: anatomic evidence and clinical application

Background Manometric pressure asymmetry of the anal sphincter exists in the anal canal. There are reports about the anatomy of the anal sphincter, but the relationship between the configuration and the pressure asymmetry of the anal sphincter is not clear. This study is to investigate the anatomic evidence and clinical application of anal sphincter pressure asymmetry. Methods PC polygram HR at the state of relaxing and squeezing was used in 27 normal children and 12 abnormal ones with fecal incontinence. Results In normal children, longitudinal pressure gradients existed at eight channels in the anal canal, and the maximal pressure I cm from the anal verge. Longitudinal pressure asymmetry changes of eight channels also existed in the anal canal, from 3 cm to 2 cm to I cm from the anal verge. The high pressure distribution changed from the posterior to the anterior anal canal. Anteriorly, 1 cm from the anal verge, the maximal pressure was formed in the anal canal. However, neither longitudinal pressure gradients nor longitudinal pressure asymmetry changes were seen in patients with fecal incontinence. Conclusion The configuration and function of the striated muscle complex possibly contribute to the formation of the pressure asymmetry of the anal sphincter, which is essential to anal control.

Diagnosis of chest pain with foregut symptoms in Chinese patients

AIM:To evaluate the diagnosis of chest pain with foregut symptoms in Chinese patients. METHODS:Esophageal manometric studies, 24-h introesophageal pH monitoring and 24-h electrocardiograms(Holter electrocardiography)were performed in 61 patients with chest pain. RESULTS:Thirty-nine patients were diagnosed with non-specific esophageal motility disorders(29 patients with abnormal gastroesophageal reflux and eight patients with myocardial ischemia).Five patients had diffuse spasm of the esophagus plus abnormal gastroesophageal reflux(two patients had concomitant myocardial ischemia),and one patient was diagnosed with nutcracker esophagus. CONCLUSION:The esophageal manometric studies, 24-h intra-esophageal pH monitoring and Holter electrocardiography are significant for the differential diagnosis of chest pain,particularly in patients with foregut symptoms.In cases of esophageal motility disorders,pathological gastroesophageal reflux may be a major cause of chest pain with non-specific esophageal motility disorders.Spasm of the esophageal smooth muscle might affect the heart-coronary smooth muscle,leading to myocardial ischemia.

Material-Efficient Utilization of Waste Oils—Biodegradability and Other Chemical Properties of Vegetable Recycling Oils

Material efficiency is nowadays an essential topic to promote the sustainable use of natural resources, waste materials and industrial by-products, in agreement with the principle of sustainable development and LCA (life cycle assessment). In this research it was determined the biodegradation of used vegetable oil based products and their important physico- chemical properties for their suitability in different applications such as chain oil in the forestry equipment and mold oil in concrete casting etc. Biodegradability is a measure of the ecological nature of products, and thus from an environ- mental point of view, is the most important evaluated property in this research. As a result, all measured properties of the studied recycled vegetable oils show that the products are environmentally friendly. Two types of vegetable oil were studied;three chain oils and two mold oils. The degree of biodegradation (BOD28) of the mold oils, was about 77 % and the biodegradation of chain oils was about 60% - 62%. In addition, this paper also presents a process outline for manu- facturing recycling vegetable oils.