Electrochemical and corrosion behavior of electrodeposited Zn, Zn-Ni alloy and Zn-Ni-TiO₂

Corrosion is one of the main causes of structural deterioration in process industries. It often causes process equipment failure and ruptures, which lead to severe safety problems, such as environmental pollution or even fatalities. To address this problem, one approach is to provide a preventive barrier-coating. This thesis investigates the electrochemical and corrosion behavior of the electrodeposited zinc, zinc-nickel alloys, and zinc-nickel-oxide composites. The negative reduction potential of Zn/Zn²⁺ electrode offer significant challenge to be electroplated. It also has high propensity liberate hydrogen gas. The complexation of zinc and nickel ions by complexing agent (ammonium citrate, potassium citrate and ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA)) stabilized the bath, which can extend the pH of nickel hydroxide and zinc oxide for electroplating purposes. The systematic design of the Zn-Ni alloy electroplating has been conducted using a five-variable experimental plan comprised of four steps: (1) a two-level fractional factorial design (FFD), (2) a response surface design the steepest ascent analysis, (3) a central composite design (CCD), and (4) corrosion behaviour test to optimize the factors in Zn-Ni deposition. After design of experiment, the optimum conditions were found to be a Zn/Ni molar concentration ratio 0.66, a plating temperature of 28ᴼC, an electroplating current density of 60mA/cm², an electroplating time of 13 minutes, and a citrate concentration of 0.062 mol/l. From the corrosion behaviour test of step-4 was found that the films with higher intensity of γ-NiZn₃, γ-Ni₂Zn₁₁, and γ-Ni3Zn₂₂ phases exhibited better corrosion resistance. The pure Zn, Zn-Ni alloy and Zn-Ni-nanoTiO₂ composite electroplated samples were deposited from citrate and non-citrate bath under the various level of deposition conditions from baths containing potassium and ammonium citrate were studied. Zn-Ni deposit obtained at 60mA/cm² from citrate bath exhibited lower corrosion current (Icorr), and less negative corrosion potential (Ecorr) compared to pure Zn and Zn-Ni alloy coatings from the non-citrate bath. Crystallite size of Zn-Ni coating deposited from citrate bath is 35.40 nm, and Ni content of the coating is 8.3 wt%. Zn-Ni films with smaller grain size with uniform coating had increased impedance modulus and improved corrosion resistance. The electrochemical behavior of samples shown that Zn-Ni alloy with the incorporation of 0.003 mol/l of Titania (TiO2) nanoparticles exhibited noble Ecorr and less Icorr values led to increasing impedance modulus with a less coarse, compact and stronger uniform coating of 25.84 nm grain size. The chemical composition result showed that the Zn-Ni-0.003 mol/l of TiO₂ coating electrodeposited from citrate bath at various immersion tests reduced dezincification in the coating. The most significant anticorrosion products for Zn-Ni alloy electroplating are simonkolleite, hydrozincite, zincite, and wulfingite. Additionally, Zn-Ni alloy deposited from a chloride bath containing EDTA was also investigated in this study. Polarization tests demonstrated that the Zn-Ni alloy deposited from 0.119 mol/l of EDTA bath at 20mA/cm² current density exhibited lower Icorr and more positive Ecorr values. At 24 hours of immersion time, the samples exhibit higher corrosion resistance leads to the formation of stronger anticorrosion layers. Finally, the pitting corrosion behavior of Zn-Ni alloy coatings in NaCl solutions with different chloride concentrations and pH were investigated. The pitting behavior in acidic solution with low chloride concentration was found to be significantly different from that in the neutral solution with high chloride concentration. Electrochemical analysis indicates that the corrosion behavior of the samples immersed at 0.35 mol/l of NaCl and pH = 3.0 have low impedance values in comparison to the samples immersed at 0.35 mol/l of NaCl and pH = 7.0 samples. Exclusive large pit morphology due to corrosion in acidic (pH 3.0) and low chloride concentration (0.35 mol/l) was observed. The comprehensive experimental study developed the processes for enhancing the corrosion resistant and mechanical properties of the Zn, Zn-Ni alloy and Zn-Ni-TiO2 composite coatings and investigate the stability of the electroplating baths

The Fundamental Role of BARD1 Mutations and Their Applications as a Prognostic Biomarker for Cancer Treatment

BRCA1-associated RING domain 1 (BARD1) constitutes a heterodimeric complex with BRAC1 that triggers several essential biological functions that regulate gene transcription and DNA double-stranded break repair mechanism. BARD1 gene was discovered in 1996 to interact with BRCA1 directly and encodes a 777-aa protein. Interestingly, the BARD1 has a dual role in breast cancer development and progression. It acts as a tumor suppressor and oncogene; therefore, it is included on panels of clinical genes as a prognostic marker. Structurally, BARD1 has homologous domains to BRCA1 that aid their heterodimer interaction to inhibit the progression of different cancers, including breast and ovarian cancers. In addition to the BRCA1-independent pathway, other pathways are involved in tumor suppression, such as the TP53-dependent apoptotic signaling pathway. However, there are abundant BARD1 isoforms that are different from full-length BARD1 due to nonsense and frameshift mutations and deletions associated with susceptibility to cancer, such as neuroblastoma, lung cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer. In the current chapter, we shed light on the spectrum of BARD1 full-length genes and isoform mutations and their associated risk with breast cancer. The chapter also highlights the role of BARD1 as an oncogene in breast cancer patients and its uses as a prognostic biomarker for cancer susceptibility testing and treatmen

Presenting features of locally advanced breast cancer : a crosssectional study

Worldwide, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed life-threatening cancer in women. This cross sectional study was done to assess the presenting features of locally advanced breast cancer. The mean age was 42.6 years with standard deviation 9.56, 86% were house wife, 53.5% were illiterate, 16% were postmenopausal and 75.8% had BMI of 20Kg/m2. Ninety one point five percent had menarche at or above 12 years of age and 26.6 % had history of using hormonal contraceptives. Tobacco user and positive family history were found in 21.2% and 5.35% of the cases. 84% were presented with only lump and 16% with both lump and ulceration. Right breast was involved in 51.1%. About 37% cases presented on 3rd month of their symptoms. Around 71.2% patients presented with lump >5cm in diameter, axillary lymph nodes were palpable in 81% and fixed in 31% of patients. Around Sixty three percent of patients were in stage IIIA. Still a large fraction of patients present with advanced stage with varied presentation, sometimes surgeons face difficulties to offer the treatment. Proper awareness, early presentation and early detection give them the opportunity to receive the best treatment. BSMMU J 2021; 14(4): 148-15

Molecular Subtyping: status of the molecular factors in the locally advanced breast cancer and its correlation with risk factors

Molecular factors play an important role in the management and treatment outcome of breast cancer. Molecular subtyping has been developed depending upon estrogen and progesterone receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 and ki76 level. This cross-sectional study was done to assess the molecular subtypes of locally advanced breast cancer and its associated risk factors. Total 94 patients with locally advanced breast cancer were included in the study. The mean age was 42.6 years with a standard deviation of 9.56. In total, 91.5 percent of respondents had menarche at or after the age of 12, and 26.6 % had used hormonal contra- ception in the past. Tobacco users and positive family history were found in 21.2% and 5.35% of the cases. Among the patients, 3.4 % of cases had their first childbirth after the age of 30 and 95.5% of patients feed their babies from their both breasts. Among 94 cases 5 did not have any child. Estrogen receptor was found positive in 35% of cases, progesterone receptor-positive patient was 33% and HER-2 was found positive in 39.4% of cases. Ki-67 level was found high in 66% of cases. Among the 94 cases, the Luminal A subtype was found in 18% and the Lumi- nal B subtype was found in 27.7% cases. The human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 subtype was found relatively less frequent than Luminal type B (24.5% vs. 27.7%). Triple-neg- ative breast cancer was most commonly diagnosed among the patients (almost 30%). The increased number of triple-negative variants signifies poor prognostic outcomes. The risk factor of breast cancer did not show any statistical correlation with molecular subtypes. BSMMU J 2021; 14(3): 57-6

Evaluation of Lumber Spine Stenosis on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Correlating with Its Clinical Manifestation

Lumber spine stenosis (LSS) is one of the major reasons of spinal surgery all over the globe. Despite using standard Diagnostic tools for LSS, the clinical and imaging findings often do not correlate. Over past years, the central spinal canal stenosis is assumed to be the diagnoses of lower back pain, while other anatomical stenosis (i.e lateral recess stenosis) not gaining as much attention. This fact assumed to be the reason for failed back surgery. In this context numerous studies in past have done. The aim of this study is to verify the clinical manifestation of LSS correlation to its Diagnostic find. To evaluate the lumbar spine stenosis on magnetic resonance imaging & correlating with its clinical manifestations. The duration of study was three months. Study was done at Lahore General Hospital, Pakistan. A cross-sectional analytical study included 120 patients. According our study the patients comes with lumber spine stenosis at different levels. At L4L5 presents 39 (32.5%) patients, 47(39.2%) patients reveal at the level of L5S1, 14 (11.7%) patients at L2L3, and only 3 (2.5%) patients appear at the level of L1L2, 19 (15.8%) patients show stenosis at L3L4 Then we correlate the pain intensity with all lumber spine levels and the results are 35 (29.2%) patients are absent and 85 (70.8%) presents at the level of L4L5. On the level of L5S1 pain intensity is absent in 81 (67.5%) patients, & present in 39 (32.5) patients. On the level of L2L3 106 (83.5%) absent and 14 (11.7%) patients are present pain intensity.  On the level of L1L2 117 (97.5%) absent of pain intensity and only 3 (2.5%) patients are present with pain intensity. The study concluded that the clinical manifestation of lumber spine stenosis to devise the management plan for the patient for better diagnoses in magnetic resonance imaging in LSS. Keywords: Lumber spine stenosis, manifestation, MRI DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/90-10 Publication date:June 30th 202

Where do T cell subsets stand in SARS-CoV-2 infection: An update

An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in China in December 2019 and spread so rapidly all around the globe. It\u27s continued and spreading more dangerously in India and Brazil with higher mortality rate. Understanding of the pathophysiology of COVID-19 depends on unraveling of interactional mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 and human immune response. The immune response is a complex process, which can be better understood by understanding the immunological response and pathological mechanisms of COVID-19, which will provide new treatments, increase treatment efficacy, and decrease mortality associated with the disease. In this review we present a amalgamate viewpoint based on the current available knowledge on COVID-19 which includes entry of the virus and multiplication of virus, its pathological effects on the cellular level, immunological reaction, systemic and organ presentation. T cells play a crucial role in controlling and clearing viral infections. Several studies have now shown that the severity of the COVID-19 disease is inversely correlated with the magnitude of the T cell response. Understanding SARS-CoV-2 T cell responses is of high interest because T cells are attractive vaccine targets and could help reduce COVID-19 severity. Even though there is a significant amount of literature regarding SARS-CoV-2, there are still very few studies focused on understanding the T cell response to this novel virus. Nevertheless, a majority of these studies focused on peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that were specific for viruses. The focus of this review is on different subtypes of T cell responses in COVID-19 patients, Th17, follicular helper T (TFH), regulatory T (Treg) cells, and less classical, invariant T cell populations, such as δγ T cells and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells etc that could influence disease outcome

Sonographic Correlation of Fetal Foot Length as a Reliable Parameter for Estimation of Gestational Age in 2ND and 3RD Trimester

Objective: To sonographic correlation fetal foot length as a reliable parameter for estimation of gestational age in 2nd and 3rd trimester. Study Design: An analytical cross-sectional prospective study was performed. Settings: The study was performed in Meer Children and family clinic, Tajpora Lahore. Period: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from 15 October, 2021 to 15 January, 2021. Material & Methods: The present study is conducted in the in the Meer Children and Family Clinic Tajpura Lahore .In pregnant women attending the OPD during 2nd and 3rd trimester for routine checkups. The present study done in 60 normal pregnant women who were sure about their last menstrual period, have regular menstrual cycle, not experienced any vaginal bleeding. Ultrasonographic fetal foot length measurements was done without previous knowledge of gestational age and then the gestational age confirmed by biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference and head circumference . Results: The present study is conducted in 63 pragnent women between 15 to 35 weeks  of gestational age attending the OPD for 2nd and 3rd trimester routine checkups the  in the Meer Children and Family Clinic Tajpura Lahore . Sonographically we calculated foot length from 15 to 35 weeks of gestation. In our study to Early  age at which fetal foot length could be seen and measured sonographically was found to be 15 weeks of  gestation age. In 27 weeks of gestational age and mean foot length 83.67 with std. deviation 5.718 and std. Error Mean -720 and the mean value of foot length by gestational age is 93.33 with std. deviation and std. error mean 338.740 and 42.677 respectivly.  Along with foot length bipraietal diameter(BPD),Abdominal circumference(AC),head circumference(HC) also measured for comparison. Conclusion: In the normal growing fetus the fetal foot length increases with increasing gestational age. Fetal foot length is a good parameter for gestational age especially in cases of femur achondroplasia, dolichocephaly or brachycephaly and in cases who are not sure about their L.M.P. Fetal foot length is  used as an investigational implement  to measured  of gestational age in the late second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Fetal foot length was especially useful when other parameters did not correctly estimate gestational age, e.g., in cases of short-limb dwarfism hydrocephalus or anencephaly. Keywords: Gestational age, Fetal foot length, Ultrasonographically age estimation DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/93-04 Publication date:September 30th 202

IFSS, TG, FT-IR spectra of impregnated sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) fibres and mechanical properties of their composites.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of resin impregnation on the interfacial shear strength (IFSS), thermogravimetric (TG) and fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) fibres. In addition, the effect of resin impregnation on the mechanical properties of sugar palm fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) composites was also studied. The fibres were impregnated with UP via vacuum resin impregnation process at a pressure of 600 mmHg for 5 min. Composites of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 % fibre loadings were fabricated and tested for tensile and flexural properties. It was observed that the impregnation process caused the fibres to be enclosed by UP resin and this gave a strong influence to the increase of its interfacial bonding by the increase of its IFSS from single fibre pull-out test. It was also observed with TG and FT-IR spectra that the impregnated fibre had lower moisture uptake than the control and there was no significant increase in thermal stability of the impregnated fibre. The sequence of fibre decomposition started from the evaporation of moisture, hemicelluloses, cellulose, lignin and finally ash content and the presence of these components were proven by FT-IR spectra. For the composite specimens, due to the high interfacial bonding of the impregnated fibre and the matrix, the impregnated composites showed consistently higher tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break, flexural strength, flexural modulus and toughness than the control samples. It was also observed that 30 % fibre loading gave optimum properties

Sonographic Evaluation of Cholelithiasis and Its Correlation with Normal/Fatty Liver

Cholelithiasis and Fatty Liver disease are usually observed to coexist. Patients who have gallstones also have Fatty Liver as both of the conditions have same associated risk factors I.e., diabetes mellitus, gender, age, obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and high lipids level. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is also an independent accountable risk factor for the formation of gallstones. We aimed to determine whether there is any correlation between cholelithiasis and fatty liver disease. The study was conducted in Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. The data was collected from March 24,2021 to May 24,2021. Informed consent was taken from all the participants. We did a cohort study comprising the data of 51 patients undergoing physical checkup. The data gathered included age, gender and whether they had normal or fatty liver. Cholelithiasis was diagnosed by confirming the presence of gallstones on abdominal ultrasonography after fasting for approximately 8hrs. it was an observational study for the assessment of correlation between cholelithiasis and fatty liver in the participants. A Total of 51 patients with cholelithiasis were included in our study. Most of the patients were 29 to 70 years of age. The average age of the patients was 42.3 ± 10.1 years. Out of 51 patients, there were 60.8% (P=31) females and 39.2%(P=20) males. Out of 51 cholelithiasis patients there were 31.4%(P=16) had Normal Liver and 68.6%(P=35) were positive with Fatty liver disease. Patients with stone size ranges from 1.90mm to 4.6mm hade Grade 1 Fatty liver as shown in table-5.4, Grade 2 Fatty liver was seen in patients with stone size ranges from 4.5mm to 5.8mm. Fatty liver Grade 3 was not observed in any included patient with cholelithiasis. Results of our study showed that both cholelithiasis and Fatty Liver disease are correlated with each other. Females are at higher risk to be affected by these with diseases. Early detection of Fatty liver in patients of cholelithiasis can help patients to prevent them further complications regarded to fatty liver and cholelithiasis and can play important role in health care of society. Keywords: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Cholelithiasis, Fatty liver, Ultrasonography. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/91-07 Publication date:July 31st 202

Knowledge and involvement of husbands in maternal and newborn health in rural Bangladesh

Abstract Background Access to skilled health services during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal period for obstetric care is one of the strongest determinants of maternal and newborn health (MNH) outcomes. In many countries, husbands are key decision-makers in households, effectively determining women’s access to health services. We examined husbands’ knowledge and involvement regarding MNH issues in rural Bangladesh, and how their involvement is related to women receiving MNH services from trained providers. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in two rural sub-districts of Bangladesh in 2014 adopting a stratified cluster sampling technique. Women with a recent birth history and their husbands were interviewed separately with a structured questionnaire. A total of 317 wife-husband dyads were interviewed. The associations between husbands accompanying their wives as explanatory variables and utilization of skilled services as outcome variables were assessed using multiple logistic regression analyses. Results In terms of MNH knowledge, two-thirds of husbands were aware that women have special rights related to pregnancy and childbirth and one-quarter could mention three or more pregnancy-, birth- and postpartum-related danger signs. With regard to MNH practice, approximately three-quarters of husbands discussed birth preparedness and complication readiness with their wives. Only 12% and 21% were involved in identifying a potential blood donor and arranging transportation, respectively. Among women who attended antenatal care (ANC), 47% were accompanied by their husbands. Around half of the husbands were present at the birthplace during birth. Of the 22% women who received postpartum care (PNC), 67% were accompanied by their husbands. Husbands accompanying their wives was positively associated with women receiving ANC from a medically trained provider (AOR 4.5, p < .01), birth at a health facility (AOR 1.5, p < .05), receiving PNC from a medically trained provider (AOR 48.8, p < .01) and seeking care from medically trained providers for obstetric complications (AOR 3.0, p < 0.5). Conclusion Husbands accompanying women when receiving health services is positively correlated with women’s use of skilled MNH services. Special initiatives should be taken for encouraging husbands to accompany their wives while availing MNH services. These initiatives should aim to increase men’s awareness regarding MNH issues, but should not be limited to this