Influence of Alkali-Treated Fibers on the Mechanical Properties and Machinability of Roselle and Sisal Fiber Hybrid Polyester Composite

In this work, the alkali-treated roselle and sisal fibers were used as reinforcement fillers for thermosetting matrix with aim of obtaining better mechanical properties and machinability of natural fiber hybrid polyester composite. However, their mechanical properties and machinability were compared with untreated fiber composites. The roselle and the sisal fibers were subjected to a 10% sodium hydroxide solution treatment at different duration of 2, 4, 6, and 8 h. Besides, the fractured surfaces of composite specimen were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Drill hole profiles were analyzed using profile projector and machine vision inspection system. An improvement in strength and stiffness combined with high toughness was achieved by treating the fibers using 10% NaOH solution. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:723–731, 2010. ª 2009 Society of Plastics Engineer

Online) An Open Access

ABSTRACT Penicillic acid (PA), a mycotoxin, was originally isolated from the cultures of Penicillium puberulum. The present study was undertaken to find out the sublethal effect of penicillic acid mycotoxicosis on haematobiochemical, liver antioxidant status and pathological changes of broiler chicken. Forty eight dayold broiler chicks were randomly allotted to four groups of 12 birds each and fed with 0, 7.5, 15 and 30 ppm of penicillic acid from 0 to 21 days of age respectively. On 21 st day of trial, the birds were sacrificed to study the haematobiochemical changes. Significant (P<0.05) decrease in the PCV in all toxin fed groups and Hb value in the 15 and 30 ppm groups were observed. The TEC value decreased significantly (P<0.05) in the 30 ppm group when compared to the other groups. Anaemia, hyperglycaemia, significant increase in the serum ALT (P<0.05), amylase (P<0.01), lipase (P<0.05), BUN (P<0.01) and uric acid (P<0.05), hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, increased LDL (P<0.01), VLDL (P<0.05) and hyponatraemia were observed in the penicillic acid fed birds. This research indicated that haematobiochemical alterations were seen even at sublethal doses of 7.5 ppm level

Effect of zoledronic acid in hepatic osteodystrophy: A double-blinded placebo-controlled trial

Purpose: Literature on the treatment of pre-transplant hepatic osteodystrophy (HOD) is limited. The general treatment measures and their timing are currently adopted from the literature on postmenopausal osteoporosis. Therefore, we conducted this randomized study to investigate the effect of zoledronic acid (ZA) on HOD. Methods: We randomized 36 male patients with cirrhosis (Child–Pugh class A and B) into 19 to the ZA arm and 17 to the placebo arm, respectively. Patients in the ZA arm received a single infusion of 4 mg ZA dissolved in 100 mL of normal saline at baseline, while patients in the placebo arm received a similar infusion of normal saline at baseline. The primary outcome of the study was the change in lumbar spine bone mineral density (LS-BMD) at 12 months. Results: Of 36 patients, 28 completed the study (15 in the ZA arm and 13 in the placebo arm). The mean increase in LS-BMD (g/cm2) in the ZA and placebo arms was 5.11% (3.50) and 0.72% (4.63) [P = 0.008], respectively. The trabecular bone score (TBS) did not improve significantly in either arm. The incidence of vertebral fractures (VFs) was similar in both arms. There was a significant decrease in plasma beta-C-terminal telopeptide (β-CTX) levels in the ZA arm compared to the placebo arm, while the change in plasma levels of procollagen 1 intact N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) was similar in both arms. Six patients (31.6%) in the ZA arm experienced adverse reactions such as fever and myalgia. Conclusion: ZA improved LS-BMD in male patients with HOD by decreasing bone resorption. However, it may not improve trabecular microarchitecture or prevent morphometric VFs in this population