Parameter influence on the tensile properties of FDM printed PLA/ coconut wood

Due to its adaptability in allowing for individualized production, 3D printing technology has quickly become a viable option in the fabrication of parts. Recent years have seen a plethora of research devoted to enhancing the quality of 3D-printed components. However, the performance of the printed part depends heavily on the correct selection of process parameters for Fused deposition modelling (FDM), making it a significant task. Therefore, studying how different process parameters affect the final product's quality characteristics is essential. So, it's helpful if there's a good option for customizing the mechanical properties of 3D-printed components. This study aims to determine how factors affect the tensile properties of a composite made from PLA and coconut wood. The material in the form of a filament, such as thermoplastic polymers, was used. Coconut wood has been prized for centuries for its durability, beauty, and ecological friendliness. This research aims to create and compare the tensile properties of specimens featuring different infill patterns (concentric, cubic, gyroid, and triangle) and infill percentages (25%, 50%, 75%). Ultimate tensile strength of 37.21 MPa and elastic modulus of 1.12 GPa were achieved with the concentric infill pattern at 75% infill

Quantification of Epstein-Barr virus DNA load, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, transforming growth factor-β1 and stem cell factor in plasma of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common epithelial neoplasm among the Chinese populations in Southern China and South East Asia. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is known to be an important etiologic agent of NPC and the viral gene products are frequently detected in NPC tissues along with elevated antibody titres to the viral proteins (VCA and EA) in a majority of patients. Elevated plasma EBV DNA load is regarded as an important marker for the presence of the disease and for the monitoring of disease progression. However, other serum/plasma parameters such as the levels of certain interleukins and growth factors have also been implicated in NPC. The objectives of the present study are, 1) to investigate the correlations between plasma EBV DNA load and the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, TGF-β1 and SCF (steel factor) and 2) to relate these parameters to the stages of NPC and the effect of treatment. METHODS: A total of 78 untreated NPC patients were enrolled in this study. Of these, 51 were followed-up after treatment. The remaining patients had irregular or were lost to follow-up. Plasma EBV DNA was quantified using real-time quantitative PCR. The levels of plasma interleukins and growth factors were quantified using ELISA. RESULTS: A significant decrease in EBV DNA load was detected in plasma of untreated NPC patients (1669 ± 637 copies/mL; n = 51) following treatment (57 ± 37 copies/mL, p < 0.05); n = 51). Plasma EBV DNA load was shown to be a good prognosticator for disease progression and clinical outcome in five of the follow-up patients. A significant difference in IL-6 levels was noted between the untreated patients (164 ± 37 pg/mL; n = 51) and following treatment (58 ± 16 pg/mL, p < 0.05; n = 51). Positive correlations between EBV DNA load and IL-10 (r(49) = 0.535, p < 0.01), between IL6 and IL-10 (r(49) = 0.474, p < 0.01) and between TGF and SCF (r(49) = 0.464, p < 0.01) were observed in patients following treatment. None of the parameters tested including IgA-VCA were associated with tumour stages. CONCLUSION: We conclude that among the parameters investigated, EBV DNA load and IL-6 levels were promising markers for the presence of NPC and for the assessment of treatment outcome