Sponge Gourd (Luffa Cylindrica) Reinforced Polyester Composites: Preparation and Properties

Increasing environmental concern along with the drive to find substitutes for synthetic fibers and value added applications for low cost and renewable plant fibers have led to the development of composites based on biomaterials. One of the drawbacks encountered in such exercise is the lack of adhesion between the incorporated plant fibers and synthetic polymeric matrices. Such drawback can be reduced by appropriate treatment of fibers. This paper describes the chemical treatments used on sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) fibers of Brazil to prepare their composites with polyester resin. Production of short fiber-polymer composite as well as mat-polyester composites is presented here. Characterization of the composites in respect of evaluation of density, water absorption, thermalstability, tensile properties and impact strength were made and the results are discussed. Observed impact strengthand tensile properties are discussed based on the fractographic studies of the composites.Defence Science Journal, Vol. 64, No. 3, May 2014, pp. 273-280, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/ 10.14429/dsj.64.732

Short-term outcomes after long inverted versus short standard biliopancreatic limb in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Background: Obesity is a public health issue that affects the entire world and it is rising. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is one of the most common bariatric procedures and it can reach a significant and sustained excess weight loss and efficient comorbidity control. The main objective was to compare short-term outcomes between standard versus long biliopancreatic limb gastric bypass patients.Methods: it was a retrospective, comparative, descriptive, single-center study. We evaluated obese patients that underwent a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with standard or long biliopancreatic limb in Centro Medico ABC, Mexico City, and compared general demographics, weight loss, excess weight loss, comorbidities and quality of life.Results: Of 50 patients analyzed, 24 were in the standard gastric bypass (S-GB) and 26 in the long biliopancreatic limb (LBPL-GB). Mean weight loss in the S-GB group was 33.1±12.1 kg and in the LBPL-GB was 40.2±12.6 kg with a difference of 7.1 kg. The percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) was 72.5±14% in S-GB and 72.9±19% in LBPL-GB, with a difference of 0.4% in the 12 months of follow-up. There was a complete reduction of hypoglycemic drugs in 80% in the S-GB group and 100% in the LBPL-GB group.Conclusions: With this modification of the technique, we achieved important outcomes in regard of comorbidities, without affecting drastically weight loss or the EWL. This procedure is safe and feasible

Q Fever Endocarditis in HIV-Infected Patient

We describe a case of Q fever endocarditis in an HIV-infected patient. The case was treated successfully with valvular replacement and a combination of doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine. We review the current literature on Q fever endocarditis, with an emphasis on the co-infection of HIV and Coxiella burnetii

Regulation of Human Formyl Peptide Receptor 1 Synthesis: Role of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, Transcription Factors, and Inflammatory Mediators

The gene encoding the human formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) is heterogeneous, containing numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Here, we examine the effect of these SNPs on gene transcription and protein translation. We also identify gene promoter sequences and putative FPR1 transcription factors. To test the effect of codon bias and codon pair bias on FPR1 expression, four FPR1 genetic variants were expressed in human myeloid U937 cells fused to a reporter gene encoding firefly luciferase. No significant differences in luciferase activity were detected, suggesting that the translational regulation and protein stability of FPR1 are modulated by factors other than the SNP codon bias and the variant amino acid properties. Deletion and mutagenesis analysis of the FPR1 promoter showed that a CCAAT box is not required for gene transcription. A −88/41 promoter construct resulted in the strongest transcriptional activity, whereas a −72/41 construct showed large reduction in activity. The region between −88 and −72 contains a consensus binding site for the transcription factor PU.1. Mutagenesis of this site caused significant reduction in reporter gene expression. The PU.1 binding was confirmed in vivo by chromatin immunoprecipitation, and the binding to nucleotides −84 to −76 (TTCCTATTT) was confirmed in vitro by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Thus, similar to many other myeloid genes, FPR1 promoter activity requires PU.1. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms at −56 and −54 did not significantly affect FPR1 gene expression, despite differences in binding of transcription factor IRF1 in vitro. Inflammatory mediators such as interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, and lipopolysaccharide did not increase FPR1 promoter activity in myeloid cells, whereas differentiation induced by DMSO and retinoic acid enhanced the activity. This implies that the expression of FPR1 in myeloid cells is developmentally regulated, and that the differentiated cells are equipped for immediate response to microbial infections

Severity of Giardia infection associated with post-infectious fatigue and abdominal symptoms two years after

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A high rate of post-infectious fatigue and abdominal symptoms two years after a waterborne outbreak of giardiasis in Bergen, Norway in 2004 has previously been reported. The aim of this report was to identify risk factors associated with such manifestations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All laboratory confirmed cases of giardiasis (n = 1262) during the outbreak in Bergen in 2004 received a postal questionnaire two years after. Degree of post-infectious abdominal symptoms and fatigue, as well as previous abdominal problems, was recorded. In the statistical analyses number of treatment courses, treatment refractory infection, delayed education and sick leave were used as indices of protracted and severe <it>Giardia </it>infection. Age, gender, previous abdominal problems and symptoms during infection were also analysed as possible risk factors. Simple and multiple ordinal logistic regression models were used for the analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The response rate was 81% (1017/1262), 64% were women and median age was 31 years (range 3-93), compared to 61% women and 30 years (range 2-93) among all 1262 cases. Factors in multiple regression analysis significantly associated with abdominal symptoms two years after infection were: More than one treatment course, treatment refractory infection, delayed education, bloating and female gender. Abdominal problems prior to <it>Giardia </it>infection were not associated with post-infectious abdominal symptoms. More than one treatment course, delayed education, sick leave more than 2 weeks, and malaise at the time of infection, were significantly associated with fatigue in the multiple regression analysis, as were increasing age and previous abdominal problems.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Protracted and severe <it>giardiasis </it>seemed to be a risk factor for post-infectious fatigue and abdominal symptoms two years after clearing the <it>Giardia </it>infection.</p

Multilocus Genotyping of Human Giardia Isolates Suggests Limited Zoonotic Transmission and Association between Assemblage B and Flatulence in Children

Giardia intestinalis is a protozoan parasite found world-wide and it is a major cause of diarrhea in humans and other mammals. The genetic variability within G. intestinalis is high with eight distinct genotypes or assemblages (A-H). Here we performed sequence-based multilocus genotyping of around 200 human Giardia isolates. We found evidence of limited zoonotic transmission of certain A subtypes and an association between flatulence and assemblage B infection in children. This shows that it is important to investigate different assemblages and sub-assemblages of G. intestinalis in human infections in order to understand the clinical significance, zoonotic potential, sequence divergence, and transmission pathways of this parasite

Surfing the spectrum - what is on the horizon?

Diagnostic imaging techniques have evolved with technological advancements - but how far? The objective of this article was to explore the electromagnetic spectrum to find imaging techniques which may deliver diagnostic information of equal, or improved, standing to conventional radiographs and to explore any developments within radiography which may yield improved diagnostic data. A comprehensive literature search was performed using Medline, Web of Knowledge, Science Direct and PubMed Databases. Boolean Operators were used and key-terms included (not exclusively): terahertz, X-ray, ultraviolet, visible, infra-red, magnetic resonance, dental, diagnostic, caries and periodontal. Radiographic techniques are primarily used for diagnostic imaging in dentistry, and continued developments in X-ray imaging include: phase contrast, darkfield and spectral imaging. Other modalities have potential application, for example, terahertz, laser doppler and optical techniques, but require further development. In particular, infra-red imaging has regenerated interest with caries detection in vitro, due to improved quality and accessibility of cameras. Non-ionising imaging techniques, for example, infra-red, are becoming more commensurate with traditional radiographic techniques for caries detection. Nevertheless, X-rays continue to be the leading diagnostic image for dentists, with improved diagnostic potential for lower radiation dose becoming a reality

EVALUATION OF POLYPROPYLENE/SAW DUST COMPOSITES PREPARED WITH MALEATED POLYPROPYLENE (MAPP) PRODUCED BY REACTIVE EXTRUSION

ABSTRACT Considering the importance of the environment and fuel economy, the Brazilian automotive industry has focused on the development of lightweight materials based on renewable resources. Replacement of PPtalc composite by PP-saw dust composite is a promising possibility. This paper presents the preparation of maleated polypropylene (MAPP) through reactive extrusion using different amounts of peroxides and maleic anhydride as well its characterization. Using 20% of saw dust coated with different amounts of prepared MAPP, several composites were prepared including one with commercial MAPP. Injection molded samples of all these composites along with that without the compatibilizer were characterized for mechanical properties. These studies indicated fulfilling the proposed objectives: (i) finding the optimal reactive extrusion conditions to prepare MAPP samples; (ii) preparation of PP/saw dust composites with and without MAPP coating; (iii) to arrive at optimized composite to get the best performance through their characterization for various properties of all the produced composites