BackgroundHyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is used as part of treatment in a variety of clinical conditions. Its use in the treatment of ulcerative colitis has been reported in few clinical reports.ObjectiveWe report the effect of HBO on refractory ulcerative colitis exploring one potential mechanism of action.DesignA review of records of patients with refractory ulcerative colitis who received HBO was conducted. Clinical and histopathological scoring was utilised to evaluate the response to HBO therapy (HBOT).ResultsAll patients manifested clinical improvement by the 40th cycle of HBOT. The median number of stool frequency dropped from seven motions/day (range=3–20) to 1/day (range=0.5–3), which was significant (z=−4.6, p<0.001). None of the patients manifested persistent blood passage after HBOT (z=−3.2, p=0.002). The severity index significantly improved after HBOT (z=−4.97, p<0.001). Histologically, a significant reduction of the scores of activity was recorded accompanied by a significant increase in the proliferating cell nuclear antigen labelling index of the CD44 cells of the colonic mucosa (p=0.001).ConclusionsHBOT is effective in the setting of refractory ulcerative colitis. The described protocol is necessary for successful treatment. HBOT stimulates colonic stem cells to promote healing.

Friction stir processing (FSP) is a novel solid-state technique based on the principle of friction stir welding. It is used for material processing in order to modify the microstructures and mechanical properties and to fabricate metal matrix composites. FSP has been successfully employed for fabrication of AA6082/ (6, 10, 14, and 18 vol. % / WC) composite materials. Tungsten carbide nanoparticles with an average diameter of 50 nm were added as a reinforcement material. Tungsten carbide particles packed in a groove of width (0.4, 0.7, 1, and 1.3 mm) and depth 5 mm to result in four different volume fractions. FSP experiment parameters like tool rotational/traverse speed, groove width, tool geometry, and number of passes were studied. The mechanical and wear behavior of composite material fabricated by FSP were investigated. The process parameters were optimized using the Taguchi analysis, at last, optimum values of corresponding tests are determined. The results were confirmed by further experiments. The results reveal that ultimate tensile strength, hardness and wear resistance of WC/A6082 nanocomposite are enhanced, compared to those of the AA6082 matrix, and Wear rate significantly decreased after a multi-pass.

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predicted risk for mortality. [1,2] Pneumonia severity index (PSI) is a well-validated scoring system that assesses the risk of death in a two-step algorithm and was developed to identify patient at low risk for mortality. [3] However, it is complex and strongly dependent on age, limiting its general implementation in routine care. The less complex CURB65 (confusion, urea >7 mmol•L −1 , respiratory frequency ≥30 breaths•min −1 , low blood pressure (systolic value <90 mmHg or diastolic value ≤60 mmHg) and age ≥65 yrs) score, focuses on five predictors. [4] This score is easier to calculate, but has a slightly inferior prognostic accuracy. Both risk scores were validated for the prediction of mortality only, and their ability to predict other CAPassociated adverse outcomes is not validated. Both scores have limitations for clinical use, including practicability, risk of miscalibration, and only moderate sensitivity and specificity, which leads to hospitalization of patients where outpatient treatment would have been preferable. [5] Thus, additional risk factors and prognostic biomarkers potentially

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