The glow curve in TLD-100 was compared by applying long preheat time, short preheat time
techniques and without preheat technique before the TLD readout. Fading effect of the TLD signal
upon certain storage time with long preheat time (100°C, 10 minutes using the oven) and short
preheat time techniques (100°C, 10 seconds using the reader) were also studied. 15 TLD-100 chips
were used with 3 of the TLD chips were used for measuring background radiation. 12 TLD chips
were annealed, irradiated, preheated long and short preheat time techniques) and analyzed. The TL
signals output from TLD chips of without preheated were used as the control. Two sets of data were
taken using TLD chips irradiated with 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams. TL signal output was
recorded the highest for short preheat time, followed by long preheat time and no preheating. The
TL signal loss upon certain storage time was also reduced when short preheat time technique was
applied. By applying long preheat time technique the low temperature peak in the glow curve was
completely removed for both energies. Whereas, TLD chips exposed to 6 MV and with short preheat
time technique the low temperature peak did not disappear completely but decreased in intensity as
compared to the control data by 19.80%, 37.69%, 48.19% and 100% at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours
after exposure prior to readout, respectively. Meanwhile, for 10 MV photon beam with short
preheat time, the small peak intensity was reduced by 19.58% for readout at 24 hours after
irradiation and 100% for 48,72 and 96 hours delayed time prior to readout. It was observed that
the TLD-100 was highly dependent on preheat heating time before readout. Short preheat time
technique was able to reduce post irradiation fading of TLD-100 dosimeters
Food insecurity, the inability to have sufficient, safe and nutritious food for an active and healthy life, was found to be closely associated with adverse health outcomes. However, limited studies can be found that clearly explains lipid profile and inflammatory events among food secure and insecure individuals, especially among young adults in university, thus creating the need for further research. This study investigated both groups including their gender distribution to determine lipid profile such as total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and inflammatory marker, high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP), with waist circumference (WC), fat mass index (FMI) and waist-to-height-ratio (WHTR). A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out among participants aged between 18 to 25 years old (N=124) who were selected through the Adults Food Security Survey Module (AFSSM) and participated in blood draw procedures. Well-established blood markers of lipid profile and inflammatory marker were measured. Percentage of food secure individuals (56.5%) was slightly higher than food insecure (43.5%). Although mean (M) of Hs-CRP for male and female (M=1.000, M=0.645) was higher in food secure group, all other variables showed higher measurements among the food insecure groups. Lipid profiles, TC (M=5.175, M=5.062) and LDL (M=3.100, M=2.914) were high for both male and female respectively, while TG is high for male (M=0.817) (p=0.037) and HDL for female (M=1.826). For body composition such as FMI (M=4.494, M=5.452), WC (M=77.46, M=76.82) and WHtR (M=0.471, M=0.497), male and female respectively, in food insecure group showed higher results but only FMI showed a significant difference (p = 0.016). Statistics showed an association between food security status and lipid profile (TG) and with FMI. However, no significant association was found with inflammatory marker. This study will continue further in depth in gene expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR-y) and endothelial dysfunction to better understand this issue. Regardless, current data provides knowledge and understanding of food insecurity experienced by young adults in university campus and may help them in making healthier food choices and be appreciative of the risk of chronic illnesses.
Hydroxyapatite (HA) has been earmarked as suitable for implantation within the human of its chemical makeup to human bone. In this paper, HA powders were synthesized via the precipitation method where phosphoric acid (H3PO4) was titrated into calcium hydroxide solution [Ca(OH)2]. Two parameters such as temperature and stirring rate were identified as factors that influenced the amount and purity of HA powder. Phase identification of the synthesized powder was done using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The results show that HA phase can be synthesized from this titration process of Ca(OH)2 and H3PO4 with yield amount of HA powder around 45 - 61 grams but with less than hundred percent purity. In order to study the effect of heat treatment to HA crystals structure, HA powder was calcined at 850 degrees C for 2 hours. It's found that the degree of crystallinity increases after calcination because of lattice expansion when the materials were heated at higher temperature
Open fracture Gustilo-Anderson grade IIIC is associated with higher risk of infection and problems with soft tissue coverage. Various methods have been used for soft tissue coverage in open fractures with large skin defect. We report a case of a patient who had grade IIIC open fracture of the tibia with posterior tibial artery injury. The patient underwent external fixation and reduction. Because of potential compartment syndrome after vascular repair, fasciotomy of the posterior compartment was performed. This wound, however, became infected and because of further debridement, gave rise to a large skin defect. A tissue engineered skin construct, MyDermTM was employed to cover this large defect. Complete wound closure was achieved 35 days postimplantation. The patient then underwent plating of the tibia for nonunion with no adverse effect to the grafted site. The tibia eventually healed 5 months postplating, and the cosmetic appearance of the newly formed skin was satisfactory.