The Relationship between Highly Sensitive C-Reactive Protein and Prognostic Factors in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background and Objectives Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world and is the fourth leading cause of death it represents an important public health challenge that is both preventable and treatable. The objective of this study is to correlate the levels of serum hsCRP with severity of COPD pulmonary function tests PFTs and other clinical parameters.Methods A cross sectional study was conducted over a period of one year. A minimum of 60 patients of both genders with COPD who fulfilled the inclusionexclusion criteria were evaluated with detailed history Pack years BMI FEV1 and hsCRP.Results Forty nine patients had raised hsCRP values i.e gt0.3mgdl. Of them 46 patients were in GOLD stage IIIV suggesting that marked limitation of air flow was related to raised hsCRP levels. HsCRP had a significant negative correlation with age and a significant positive correlation with pack years duration of illness BMIampGOLD Stages.Interpretation and Conclusion This study illustrates that hsCRP is an early systemic inflammatory marker that determines outcomes of COPD patients. Age BMIamppack years tobacco chewing have a significant correlation with hsCRP. It can be inferred that hsCRP is a useful marker which reflects the systemic inflammation that occurs in COPD. This marker can be useful as an auxiliary marker other than Pulmonary Function Test in assessing patients status.nbsp</jats:p

Experimental Investigation on Shear and Hardness of Abaca based Hybrid Composites

Present technology development in the area of materials replaces the conventional materials used in automobile and aerospace sector by composite materials due their less weight and bio degradability. This paper aims to fabricate and investigate the mechanical properties of abaca-raffia hybrid composite fabricated by hand layup process. Since, abaca fiber has more strength than other fibers like kenaf, banana and sisal, the composite with this fiber can be suitable replacement material for automotive applications.The properties like double shear and hardnessare evaluated andthe result shows that the double shear properties and hardness of the hybrid composites [GFRP+Abaca+Raffia] is higher than other two combinations. The internal microstructure of the hybrid composites were analysed using Scanning electron microscope (SEM)

Experimental Investigation on Shear and Hardness of Abaca based Hybrid Composites

Present technology development in the area of materials replaces the conventional materials used in automobile and aerospace sector by composite materials due their less weight and bio degradability. This paper aims to fabricate and investigate the mechanical properties of abaca-raffia hybrid composite fabricated by hand layup process. Since, abaca fiber has more strength than other fibers like kenaf, banana and sisal, the composite with this fiber can be suitable replacement material for automotive applications.The properties like double shear and hardnessare evaluated andthe result shows that the double shear properties and hardness of the hybrid composites [GFRP+Abaca+Raffia] is higher than other two combinations. The internal microstructure of the hybrid composites were analysed using Scanning electron microscope (SEM)

Abstract 17172: Pre Ablation Voltage Mapping Can Alter VT Inducibility

Introduction: VT inducibility is often used to assess the efficacy of VT ablation. Sinus rhythm voltage maps (VMs) are used to guide ablation of VT substrate, but catheter manipulation may mechanically traumatize critical sites, altering VT inducibility. We prospectively evaluated the effect of VM on VT inducibility. Methods: Twenty-nine patients (mean age 62, 70% ischemic cardiomyopathy) with planned VT ablation underwent initial programmed electric stimulation (PES). Fifteen patients then underwent VM followed by repeat PES and 14 patients underwent a waiting period with ICE imaging and transseptal puncture but no VM (imaging group) before repeat PES. Responses to repeat PES were categorized as type I if the same VT was induced, type II if a different VT was induced, and type III if no VT was inducible. Results: In the VM group, the same VT was inducible in 3 patients, a different VT in 9, and no VT in 3 patients (figure). In contrast, those in the imaging group had the same VT induced in 10 patients, a different VT in 3 and no VT in 1 patient. There was no difference in the number of extrastimuli needed to induce VT between the two PES in either group. VT cycle length in the VM group was shorter after mapping (295 vs 331ms), although this was not statistically significant. There was no difference between the groups in anesthesia method, time between initial and second PES, type of cardiomyopathy, or ejection fraction. Conclusions: The mechanical effects of VM can alter inducibility of VT independent of ablation. This may contribute to late recurrences of VT by preventing mapping of clinically relevant VT circuits, or falsely indicating effective ablation when PES is repeated only after ablation. </jats:p

The factors affecting the development of the musical performance : A study on the musical performance in Shanghai

The development of musical theatre in china is still in its initial stage, only a few big theatres have the ability of operating musical performance, and at this time, musical theatre is only performed in few big cities in China, like Shanghai and Beijing. The the-sis focuses on the development of musical theatre in Shanghai. As an entertainment ac-tivity and also one of the performing arts, the demand for musical theatre could be affect by many factors like educational background, income and competition from other forms of entertainment activities. There were many previous studies about the performing arts which also focused on the factors like education and income, however, the level of con-tributions of these factors to the development of different forms of performing arts are different. By reviewing related previous literatures and analyzing the data collected from Shanghai Grand Theatre which bases on a meta analysis of previous studies of performing arts, the thesis explores the current situation of the development of the mus-ical performance in Shanghai and studies various factors that affect the demand for musical theatre, as a result, a deeper understanding of how factors like educational background, income, competition among forms of entertainment activities etc. affect the development of musical theatre in Shanghai wish to be provided