A multiscale phenomenological constitutive model for strain rate dependent tensile ductility in nanocrystalline metals

Acknowledgments No external funding was received for this project.Peer reviewedPostprin

Invasive mole of the uterus: A description of two cases managed by hysterectomy

AbstractGestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a term used for a group of pregnancy-related tumors. Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN), is recognized as the most curable gynecologic malignancy. However, many cases are resistant to first line chemotherapy. We present cases of invasive mole. They were diagnosed as a vesicular mole on ultrasonography and underwent suction and evacuation but vaginal bleeding recurred with plateau and rising B-hcg with intramyometrial vascular lesion. Hysterectomy was done that indicated invasive mole. Patients were cured of their symptoms. Surgical therapy (hysterectomy) with chemotherapy has shown to achieve remission in these cases especially with resistance to chemotherapy and in perimenopause

Role of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

AbstractObjectivesAcute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is a major public health problem. Recognition of comorbid heart dysfunction in such patients is often difficult. The aim of this work is to evaluate the role of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (Nt-pro BNP) in AECOPD with respiratory failure.Patients and methodsThis study was conducted on 20 patients with AECOPD and respiratory failure. All patients were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, routine laboratory investigations, arterial blood gases analysis, echocardiography and estimation of plasma level of NT-pro BNP.ResultsPatients were classified into 3 groups: Group I: those without heart dysfunction (40%), Group II: those with diastolic heart failure (40%), and Group III: those with systolic heart failure (20%). NT-pro BNP mean±SD in group I was 673.38±416.02, in group II 1962±847.88, and in group III 6776.75±1433.59pg/ml. There was a statistically significant difference between the three groups (p=0.001). NT-pro BNP showed a statistically significant inverse correlation with pH (p=0.005), ejection fraction (p=0.007) and a direct one with both left ventricular systolic (p=0.008) and diastolic (p=0.016) dimensions and E/A (p=0.016). The NT-pro BNP significantly decreased after recovery from AECOPD (p=0.030). The receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated a ruling out of LV dysfunction in AECOPD of a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 60%; and a ruling in of a sensitivity of 48% and a specificity of 67%.ConclusionPlasma BNP is usually elevated in AECOPD and is related to right or left ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction

Viral Hepatitis A to E in South Mediterranean Countries

Viral hepatitis represents an important health problem in the South Mediterranean countries, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. Emerging natural history and epidemiological information reveal differences in the overall epidemiology, risk factors and modes of transmission of viral hepatitis A, B, C, D, E infections in the South Mediterranean region. The differences in the in incidence and prevalence of viral hepatitis across North African countries is attributed to variations in health care and sanitation standards, risk factors and immunization strategies. The active continuous population movement through travel, tourism and migration from and to the South Mediterranean countries contribute to the spread of infections due to hepatitis viruses across borders leading to outbreaks and emergence of new patterns of infection or introduction of uncommon genotypes in other countries, particularly in Europe

Microwave-assisted Synthesis Of Palladium Nanoparticles Supported On Copper Oxide In Aqueous Medium As An Efficient Catalyst For Suzuki Cross-coupling Reaction

We report here a reliable green method for the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles supported on copper oxide as a highly active and efficient catalyst for Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. The experimental synthetic approach is based on microwave-assisted chemical reduction of an aqueous mixture of palladium and copper salt simultaneously using hydrazine hydrate as reducing agent. The catalyst was fully characterized using various techniques showing well-dispersed palladium nanoparticles. The catalytic activity and recyclability of the prepared catalyst were experimentally explored in the ligand-free Suzuki cross-coupling reaction with a diverse series of functionalized substrates. The synthesized Pd/CuO catalyst shows many advantages beside its high catalytic efficiency such as the recyclability of up to five times with negligible loss of catalytic activity, short reaction times, use of environmentally benign solvent systems, and mild reaction conditions

Facile Synthesis Of Reduced Graphene Oxide-supported Pd/Cuo Nanoparticles As An Efficient Catalyst For Cross-coupling Reactions

The present communication reports a scientific investigation of a simple and versatile synthetic route for the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles decorated with copper oxide and supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO). They are used as a highly active catalyst of Suzuki, Heck, and Sonogashira cross coupling reactions with a remarkable turnover number of 7000 and a turnover frequency of 85000 h-1. The Pd-CuO nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (Pd-CuO/rGO) exhibit an outstanding performance through a high catalytic activity towards cross coupling reactions. A simple, reproducible, and reliable method is used to prepare this efficient catalyst using microwave irradiation synthetic conditions. The synthesis approach requires a simultaneous reduction of palladium and copper nitrates in presence of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets using hydrazine hydrate as a strong reducing agent. The highly active and recyclable catalyst has many advantages including mild reaction conditions and short reaction durations in an environmentally benign solvent system. Moreover, the catalyst prepared can be recycled for up to five times with nearly identical high catalytic activity. Furthermore, the high catalytic activity and the recyclability of the catalyst prepared are due to the strong catalyst-support interaction. The defect sites of the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) act as nucleation centers that enable anchoring of both Pd and CuO nanoparticles and hence, minimize the possibility of agglomeration which leads to a severe decrease of the catalytic activity