Microstructure and Tribological Properties of Nanoparticulate WC/AL Metal Matrix Composites

The tribological property of Al metal matrix composites, reinforced with WC Nanoparticles is presented. Sliding tests were performed on a pin-on-disk apparatus under different contact loads. It was found that the reinforced Nano-WC particles could effectively reduce the frictional coefficient and wear rate, especially under higher normal loading conditions. In order to further understand the wear mechanisms, the worn surfaces were examined under the scanning electron microscope. A positive rolling effect of the nanoparticles between the material pairs was proposed which contributes to the remarkable improvement of the load carrying capacity of metal matrix nanocomposites

Evaluating serum C-reactive protein level in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – A cross-sectional study

Abstract Patients with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have ongoing systemic inflammation, which can be assessed by measuring serum  C- reactive protein. Objective: To explore whether CRP could be used as an independent predictor of disease outcome in COPD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 COPD patients attending Respiratory Medicine outpatient services in the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal from January 2015 to September 2016. Patients aged 18-67 were included in the study after obtaining Ethical approval from the Research Ethics Board, RIMS, Imphal. Computerized Spirometer Helios 401 was the instrument used to measure lung volumes and capacities. BeneSpheraTM CRP Latex Slide test kit was used to estimate serum c-reactive protein. Results and observation: The present study was conducted on fifty COPD patients in which serum CRP level showed positive correlation with COPD (p=0.002) but serum CRP level with spirometric parameters showed significant negative correlation;FEV1 (r=-0.451, p=0.001), FEV1/FVC (r=-0.617, p<0.001) and PEFR (r=-0.398, p=0.004). Conclusion: In our study, we found an association between serum CRP level and severity of COPD and Plasma CRP may be used as a marker of prognosis in COPD as the small increase is associated with poorer prognosis in COPD. Keywords: CRP; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); Imphal

Evaluating serum C-reactive protein level in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – A cross-sectional study

Abstract Patients with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have ongoing systemic inflammation, which can be assessed by measuring serum  C- reactive protein. Objective: To explore whether CRP could be used as an independent predictor of disease outcome in COPD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 COPD patients attending Respiratory Medicine outpatient services in the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal from January 2015 to September 2016. Patients aged 18-67 were included in the study after obtaining Ethical approval from the Research Ethics Board, RIMS, Imphal. Computerized Spirometer Helios 401 was the instrument used to measure lung volumes and capacities. BeneSpheraTM CRP Latex Slide test kit was used to estimate serum c-reactive protein. Results and observation: The present study was conducted on fifty COPD patients in which serum CRP level showed positive correlation with COPD (p=0.002) but serum CRP level with spirometric parameters showed significant negative correlation;FEV1 (r=-0.451, p=0.001), FEV1/FVC (r=-0.617, p<0.001) and PEFR (r=-0.398, p=0.004). Conclusion: In our study, we found an association between serum CRP level and severity of COPD and Plasma CRP may be used as a marker of prognosis in COPD as the small increase is associated with poorer prognosis in COPD. Keywords: CRP; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); Imphal

Magnetic Resonance (MR) Patterns of Brain Metastasis in Lung Cancer Patients: Correlation of Imaging Findings with Symptom

IntroductionAsymptomatic brain metastasis in lung cancer patients, if detected early have been reported to show survival benefit with treatment. These asymptomatic metastasis have been found to be smaller and less in number than those with symptoms. We however observed that many lung cancer patients bear a significant metastatic load in the brain irrespective of the stage or neurologic symptoms at the time of initial presentation.Material and MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 175 patients of proven non-small cell lung cancer to assess the patterns of brain metastasis in the two groups of patients, with and without neurologic symptoms. All patients had undergone screening magnetic resonance imaging for brain metastasis as an initial staging protocol. The patients with brain metastasis were divided into two groups: asymptomatic (group I) and symptomatic (group II). The lesions were studied with regards to the number, size, site, nature (solid with and without necrosis), and presence of perilesional edema and intralesional hemorrhage in both the groups in various stages of disease.ResultsBrain metastasis was seen in 62 (31.3%) patients of whom 46.7% were neurologically asymptomatic. Patients (90.3%) with brain metastasis were in stage IV at the time of presentation. No statistically significant correlation was found between the two groups regarding the number of lesions (p = 0.554), size of lesion (p = 0.282), site of lesion (p = 0.344), nature of lesion (p = 0.280), presence of perilesional edema (p = 0.404), and presence or absence of intralesional hemorrhage (p = 0.09). In our study, brain metastases were present only in stages III and IV disease with no statistically significant difference in the lesion patterns.ConclusionThe study reveals almost equal number of patients with brain metastasis in the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups with no significant difference in lesion patterns. We therefore conclude that although imaging surveillance of the brain for metastasis will detect asymptomatic metastasis early for early institution of appropriate therapy the prognosis in these patients would not solely depend on the presence or absence of symptoms and the pattern of lesion may have an influence on the patients’ response to therapy and survival benefit specially for those asymptomatic patients with equally large metastatic load

Fallopian Tube Recanalization (F.T.R): application of Interventional Radiology (I.R) post hysterosalpingography in management of female infertility at rural hospital

Background: Infertility is defined as inability to conceive even after 1 year of unprotected intercourse. Tubal blockage is one of the common causes of primary as well as secondary infertility in females. Fallopian tube recanalization (FTR) an interventional radiological procedure is one of the most promising, effective, minimally invasive and cost-effective technique in patients having infertility owing to tubal blockage. The aim is to study the cause, hysterosalpingography findings, and outcome of fallopian tube recanalization by interventional radiological procedure in patients with tubal-blockage presenting with infertility.Methods: This was a prospective observational study of women with primary or secondary infertility presenting to interventional radiology department. The patients either had already undergone hysterosalpingography (HSG) or came for HSG. Fallopian tube recanalization was done as per institutional protocol. Hysterosalpingography abnormalities, outcome and complications of fallopian tube recanalization procedure were studied.Results: In this study of 87 patients unilateral or bilateral tubal blockages were seen in 16 and 24 patients respectively. Majority of the patients had Segment I proximal block. Bilateral recanalization could be successfully done in 12 patients (24 tubes) with bilateral Proximal Tubal Blockage (PTO). Unilateral recanalization was possible in 12 patients (tubes) with unilateral proximal block and 8 tubes with bilateral proximal tubal block. 10 tubes with PTO could not be recanalized. 5 cases diagnosed with bilateral Distal Tubal Block (DTO), recanalization was not attempted and were referred for appropriate gynecological management. Minor complications were noted in 8 patients while no major procedure related complications were observed.Conclusions: Fallopian tube recanalization (by interventional radiology procedure) in patients with fallopian tube blockage diagnosed on HSG is found to be cost effective, minimally invasive and have low complication rate. It is associated with excellent outcome in terms of technical success and improved conception rate

Bone mineral density and its correlation with Vitamin D status in healthy adults of Manipur – A cross-sectional study

The levels of vitamin D have an important effect on bone mass in young and old. Hypovitaminosis D adversely affects calcium metabolism, osteoblastic activity, matrix ossification, bone remodeling, and hence bone density. Objective: The present study was conducted to determine the status of serum 25(OH)D and BMD of healthy adult men in Manipur and also to find out the relationship of 25(OH)D level with BMD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Physiology in collaboration with the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal from October 2014 to September 2016. 100 Healthy adult males in Manipur in the age group 18-35years and ≥50years were included in the study after obtaining Ethical approval from the Research Ethics Board, RIMS, Imphal. The serum 25-OH vitamin D level was estimated by using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit (IDS immunodiagnostic systems, United Kingdom). The BMD of lumbar spine was determined using enCORE – based X-ray bone densitometer (Lunar Prodigy advance, GE Medical Systems, USA) which is based on DEXA scan. Results: The present study revealed that the majority of subjects with insufficiency of 25(OH)D had low bone mass, whereas all the subjects with 25(OH)D deficiency had BMD readings consistent with osteopenia or osteoporosis in both the age groups. This study also showed a positive correlation between BMD and 25(OH)D in most subjects, particularly in the groups with insufficiency or deficiency of 25(OH)D.Conclusion: In conclusion, the study shows a positive relationship between the serum 25 (OH) D concentrations and BMD. Keywords: Serum 25(OH)D; Bone mineral density (BMD); Enzyme immunoassay (EIA)

Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences Silent Myocardial Infarction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Prevention Is Prudent Than Diagnosis and Management

ABSTRACT About 21% of diabetic patients develop Silent Myocardial Infarction (SMI). A long term survival rate after SMI is poor over the next 6-7 years. In view of lack of symptoms like chest pain, it is not easy to diagnose SMI. Presence of Q wave in Electro cardio graphy (ECG) alone may suggest a SMI and in many cases Q wave disappears after sometime. ECG is considered as poor investigation technique for diagnosis of SMI. SMI is diagnosed objectively using very expensive investigations such as thallium perfusion imaging. Hence, to prevent the disastrous consequences of SMI it is prudent to assume that all type 2 diabetic patients above the age of 50 years as suffers of Coronary artery disease (CAD) and they should be started with established cardioprotective pharmacological regimen comprising antiplatelet agents, lipid lowering agents and ACE inhibitors. In addition it has been shown that patients with diabetic retinopathy are more prone for CAD and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) offers them better survival rate. Further, oral hypoglycemic drugs such as acarbose and glimepiride which have been shown to have favorable effect on CAD, should be liberally used. In addition, advice to patients on the importance of fiber rich, low glycemic, vegetable protein diet and exercise should be part and parcel of management of diabetes

Real world, multicentre patterns of treatment and survival in metastatic renal cell carcinoma with the UK Renal Oncology Collaborative ( UK ROC ): Is it time to look favourably on first‐line immunotherapy containing combinations in all IMDC groups?

Introduction: Clinical trials show improved progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in first‐line metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients with immunotherapy containing systemic anti‐cancer therapies (SACT). However, in the favourable international metastatic renal cell cancer database consortium (IMDC) group there is no trial evidence for OS benefit despite clear PFS improvement when comparing anti‐VEGF tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) monotherapy and (immunotherapy and TKI) IO/TKI combinations. Objective: To assess the impact of first‐line SACT choice on the clinical outcomes of PFS and OS in mRCC. To evaluate this impact of initial SACT for allcomers and the favourable IMDC group. Methods: A multicentre retrospective review of patients who started SACT for mRCC (01/01/2018–30/06/2021) at 17 UK NHS trusts. Patient demographics and IMDC group were analysed. Survival data were compared using Kaplan–Meier curves, and the statistical significance of differences in outcome between the groups was assessed with the log‐rank test. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard modelling estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) for survival outcomes associated with IMDC and treatment subtype. Results: One thousand three hundred and nineteen patients were identified with a median age of 64. 294 (22.3%), 695 (52.7%) and 321 (24.3%) were IMDC group favourable, intermediate and poor, respectively. 311 (23.6%), 197 (14.9%) and 778 (59%) patients received checkpoint inhibitor and anti‐CTLA4 monoclonal antibody (IO/IO), IO/TKI and TKI first‐line SACT across all IMDC groups. Significant PFS improvement favouring IO/TKI versus TKI was demonstrated in allcomers HR = 0.61. In the favourable risk group, Log rank testing demonstrated a significant benefit for IO/TKI over TKI for PFS (HR = 0.60, 95% CI [0.39, 0.91]) and OS (HR = 0.42, 95% CI [0.18, 0.99]). Conclusion: In this real‐world evidence cohort, we have shown OS and PFS benefit with IO/TKI versus TKI in the favourable IMDC risk group. This has not been previously reported from trial outcomes and would support use of front‐line IO/TKI in mRCC favourable risk patients

Preparation and characterization of polypyrrole/graphene nanocomposite films and their electrochemical performance

A one-step electrochemical process had been employed to synthesize nanocomposite films of polypyrrole/graphene (PPy/GR) by electrochemical polymerisation on indium tin oxide (ITO) from an aqueous solution containing pyrrole monomer, graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets and sodium p-toluenesulfonate (NapTS). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that the typical peak of GO at 9.9o was missing from the nanocomposite’s diffraction pattern, suggesting that the GO had been stripped off of its oxygenous groups after the reaction. We postulated that a nanocomposite film was produced through a layer-by-layer deposition based on field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images. The Raman spectroscopy profiles exhibited that the D/G intensity ratio (ID/IG) of PPy was not altered by the inclusion of GO due to the low concentration of the material used. However, the concentration was sufficient to increase the specific capacitance of the nanocomposite by 20 times compared to that of pure PPy, reflecting a synergistic effect between PPy and GR, as analysed by a three-electrode electrochemical cell. The electrochemical performance of the nanocomposites was affected by varying the deposition parameters such as concentrations of pyrrole and GO, scan rate, deposition time and deposition potential