Peak expiratory flow rate; the effect of smoking on younger & middle aged males

A total of 80 male subjects in age group of 20-50 years were selected for the purpose of the study. They were divided in two groups, smokers and non smokers. Each group subdivided into age groups of 20-35 and 36-50 yrs. The criteria for smoking was about 5-10 cigarettes per day since 6-12 months. Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (P.E.F.R.) was determined by using Wright’s peak flow meter. The results showed that in Non-Smoker of age group 20-35 years, (n= 30) the mean PEFR value was 535±50 L/min, whereas in age group 36-50 years, (n=15) the mean P.E.F.R value was 515±50 L/min. In Smokers of age group 20-35 years, (n=10) mean P.E.F.R. value was 374±128 L/min whereas in age group 36-50 years, (n=25) mean P.E.F.R. value was 357±86 L/min. This shows that in smokers P.E.F.R. value is lower compared to Non-smokers in both age groups and that P.E.F.R. is lower in the elder age group in comparison to younger age group

Dokaz vrsta B. canis vogeli, B. gibsoni i E. canis višestrukim PCR-om u prirodno inficiranih pasa u Južnoj Indiji

Tick borne haemoparasites and haemorickettsiales pose a major health risk to animals worldwide. The present study reports the development and validation of multiplex PCR to simultaneously detect the most prevalent tick borne pathogens infecting dogs in Kerala, South India. The assay targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA genes of the organisms could amplify well demarcated amplicons of B. canis vogeli, B. gibsoni and E. canis. In the study population, which included both healthy dogs as well as those with clinical symptoms suggestive of the three infections under study, 46.6% animals were infected with one of the three pathogens, amongst which the occurrence of B. gibsoni was significantly the highest. Natural co-infections were also detected in nine dogs, which suggests the suitability of the assay to assist in the selection of pathogen specific treatment protocols.Krvni paraziti i rikecije podrijetlom iz krpelja glavna su opasnost za zdravlje životinja diljem svijeta. U ovom je istraživanju razvijen i validiran višestruki PCR za istodobno dokazivanje najčešćih uzročnika koje na pse prenose krpelji u Kerali u Južnoj Indiji. Malim ciljnim subjediničnim ribosomskim RNA mogli su proizvesti jasno razlučivi produkti specifični za B. canis vogeli, B. gibsoni i E. canis. U pretraživanoj populaciji koja je obuhvaćala zdrave pse i one s kliničkim znakovima, koji su upućivali na infekciju uzrokovanu jednim od spomenutih uzročnika, 46,6 % životinja bilo je inficirano jednim od njih triju. Infekcija vrstom B. gibsoni bila je znatno češća. Prirodna je koinfekcija dokazana u devet pasa, što potvrđuje prikladnost testa za dijagnostiku i njegovo značenje pri poduzimanju odgovarajućeg liječenja

Evaluation of Direct Diode Laser Deposited Stainless Steel 316L on 4340 Steel Substrate for Aircraft Landing Gear Application

300M steel is used extensively for aircraft landing gears because of its high strength, ductility and toughness. However, like other high-strength steels, 300M steel is vulnerable to corrosion fatigue and stress corrosion cracking, which can lead to catastrophic consequences in the landing gear. Stainless steels offer a combination of corrosion, wear, and fatigue properties. But for an aircraft landing gear application a higher surface hardness is required. A laser cladding process with fast heating and cooling rates can improve the surface hardness. AISI 4340 steel is used as a lower cost alternative to 300M due to its similar composition. In this study, the influence of laser cladding process parameters, shield gas, and composition of the deposition and dilution zone has been investigated. The microstructures and composition analysis were evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Optical Microscopy. The deposition hardness varies from 330HV to 600HV.Mechanical Engineerin

Microstructural Characterization of Diode Laser Deposited Ti-6Al-4V

Laser Direct Metal Deposition (DMD) is an effective approach to manufacturing or repairing a range of metal components. The process is a layer-by-layer approach to building up a three dimensional solid object. The microstructure influences mechanical properties of the deposited parts. Thus, it is important to understand the microstructural features of diode laser deposited parts. This paper presents a microstructure analysis of a diode laser deposited Ti-6Al-4V onto a Ti-6Al-4V substrate. laser deposited parts. This paper presents a microstructure analysis of a diode laser deposited Ti-6Al-4V onto a Ti-6Al-4V substrate

Evaluation of Direct Diode Laser Deposited Stainless Steel 316L on 4340 Steel Substrate for Aircraft Landing Gear Application

300M steel is used extensively for aircraft landing gears because of its high strength, ductility and toughness. However, like other high-strength steels, 300M steel is vulnerable to corrosion fatigue and stress corrosion cracking, which can lead to catastrophic consequences in the landing gear. Stainless steels offer a combination of corrosion, wear, and fatigue properties. But for an aircraft landing gear application a higher surface hardness is required. A laser cladding process with fast heating and cooling rates can improve the surface hardness. AISI 4340 steel is used as a lower cost alternative to 300M due to its similar composition. In this study, the influence of laser cladding process parameters, shield gas, and composition of the deposition and dilution zone has been investigated. The microstructures and composition analysis were evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Optical Microscopy. The deposition hardness varies from 330HV to 600HV

Occurrence of cystoisosporosis among domestic cats in Thrissur district, Kerala

This study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of cystoisosporosis among domestic cats in Thrissur district, Kerala. A total of 155 cats were included in this study. Faecal samples collected from all the cats were subjected examination by direct smear method and floatation by Sheather’s sugar solution. Of 155 faecal samples examined, oocysts were found in 28 cats (18.06 per cent). Among these, 12 were collected from cats with signs of gastrointestinal diseases and 16 from cats which are apparently healthy with firm faeces. Mixed infection with Cystoisospora spp and Toxocara, Ancylostoma and Cystoisospora were also detected in three (1.94 per cent) and one (0.65 per cent) cat respectively. Various risk factors associated with the infection were also studied. Prevalence was found to be higher in cats less than six months old. Gender and breed were not affected the prevalence. This study demonstrates that cystoisosporosis is common in cats

High-fat diet fuels prostate cancer progression by rewiring the metabolome and amplifying the MYC program

Systemic metabolic alterations associated with increased consumption of saturated fat and obesity are linked with increased risk of prostate cancer progression and mortality, but the molecular underpinnings of this association are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate in a murine prostate cancer model, that high-fat diet (HFD) enhances the MYC transcriptional program through metabolic alterations that favour histone H4K20 hypomethylation at the promoter regions of MYC regulated genes, leading to increased cellular proliferation and tumour burden. Saturated fat intake (SFI) is also associated with an enhanced MYC transcriptional signature in prostate cancer patients. The SFI-induced MYC signature independently predicts prostate cancer progression and death. Finally, switching from a high-fat to a low-fat diet, attenuates the MYC transcriptional program in mice. Our findings suggest that in primary prostate cancer, dietary SFI contributes to tumour progression by mimicking MYC over expression, setting the stage for therapeutic approaches involving changes to the diet

Design, Performance, and Calibration of the CMS Hadron-Outer Calorimeter

The CMS hadron calorimeter is a sampling calorimeter with brass absorber and plastic scintillator tiles with wavelength shifting fibres for carrying the light to the readout device. The barrel hadron calorimeter is complemented with an outer calorimeter to ensure high energy shower containment in the calorimeter. Fabrication, testing and calibration of the outer hadron calorimeter are carried out keeping in mind its importance in the energy measurement of jets in view of linearity and resolution. It will provide a net improvement in missing \et measurements at LHC energies. The outer hadron calorimeter will also be used for the muon trigger in coincidence with other muon chambers in CMS