On the characterisation and detection of rolling contact fatigue (RCF) type cracks in railway vehicle wheels using an alternating current field measurement (ACFM) technique

The development of the alternating current field measurement (ACFM) technique for high-speed inspection of railway wheels/track is important to ensure the integrity of railway assets. The stress and conditions at the wheel/rail contact patch, severity of rolling contact fatigue (RCF) damage and changes in microstructure and hardness with tread depth for railway wheels are investigated. This study employs experimental measurement of RCF defects in railway wheels to understand ACFM sensor signal - RCF defect relationships. The influence of sensor frequency and speed, sensor angle relative to crack angle, lift-off distance, crack propagation angle and inter-crack spacing distance are investigated. Low rather than high frequency sensors are better suited at sizing cracks in railway wheels and track. The optimum signal is obtained when the sensor is oriented parallel to the crack angle. The signal is reduced at higher speeds. The maximum change in the normalised Bx signal component of the sensor’s magnetic field is greater for closely spaced cracks (<5 mm) and thus overestimates the defect. Inter-crack spacing distances of 15-20 mm yield estimates for crack pocket depths that are oversized by 20-36%. The inner cracks in a cluster with four defects yields higher B$_x$ values than expected and thus significantly over sizes the defects at 15-20 mm inter-crack spacing distances, whereas, the sensor provides reasonable depth estimates for the outer cracks. Crack propagation angle affects the signal. Scans conducted with the probe oriented at 90$^o$ to the cluster of cracks consisting of a deep central crack surrounded by shallow cracks results in a distinct central sensor B$_x$ signal that consists of a peak due to a flux leakage effect, thus, identifying the critical defect

Frequency of ALK rearrangement by FISH testing and its correlation with ALK-IHC in adenocarcinoma of primary lung origin

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene can be oncogenic either by forming fusion with other genes, amplification of the gene or by having mutations. ALK rearrangement can either be detected by standard “fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)” or “immunohistochemistry (IHC)”. Objective of this study was to record the prevalence of ALK rearrangement in adenocarcinoma of Primary Lung origin and compare it with ALK-IHC staining. Data of 64 patients of lung adenocarcinoma from 2015-2017 was analyzed. All of the FFPE biopsies were tested for EGFR (qPCR) followed by ALK rearrangement (by FISH and IHC) on EGFR negative samples. Out of 64 samples, 21.8% (14) showed EGFR mutations and 14% (7/50) were positive for ALK rearrangement when checked by FISH. In IHC testing for ALK (FISH positive) 8% (4/50) showed positivity. In conclusion ALK-FISH positive cases are higher than other studies likely due to the relatively small sample size. FISH testing was found to be more sensitive than IHC; one reason may be the low level of ALK. Our study warrants that currently FISH remains the gold standard for screening of ALK gene rearrangements

PHYSICAL FITNESS PARAMETERS OF SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN OF KHYBER PUKHTUNKHWA-PAKISTAN

The aim of the study was to measure and evaluate the physical fitness of school going children aged 11 to 15 years through cross-sectional survey in Khyber Pukhtukhwa. Seven universally accepted field-based tests having known reliability were used to assessthe anthropometric status, balance, body muscle strength, flexibility, speed and agility, cardiovascular endurance and muscular endurance. Boys showed gradual increase in their performance from 11 to 14 years while it tends to decrease at the age of 15 years. The correlation coefficient among tests is significant however relationship is weak reflecting fitness as multidimensional concept.Multiple Regression analysis predicts that all tests are independently related to the performance. The analysis reveals that about 40% of school going children falls in the categories of “Very Poor” and “Poor” level of abilities. The evaluated physical fitness parameters of children if used as bench marks instead of compulsive division into norms would be more reliable developmental characteristics for comparison with their counterparts elsewhere and determining national norms and policies related to youth as way forward

PHYSICAL FITNESS PARAMETERS OF SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN OF KHYBER PUKHTUNKHWA-PAKISTAN

The aim of the study was to measure and evaluate the physical fitness of school going children aged 11 to 15 years through cross-sectional survey in Khyber Pukhtukhwa. Seven universally accepted field-based tests having known reliability were used to assessthe anthropometric status, balance, body muscle strength, flexibility, speed and agility, cardiovascular endurance and muscular endurance. Boys showed gradual increase in their performance from 11 to 14 years while it tends to decrease at the age of 15 years. The correlation coefficient among tests is significant however relationship is weak reflecting fitness as multidimensional concept.Multiple Regression analysis predicts that all tests are independently related to the performance. The analysis reveals that about 40% of school going children falls in the categories of “Very Poor†and “Poor†level of abilities. The evaluated physical fitness parameters of children if used as bench marks instead of compulsive division into norms would be more reliable developmental characteristics for comparison with their counterparts elsewhere and determining national norms and policies related to youth as way forward

Altered expression of cell cycle and apoptotic proteins in chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are.BACKGROUND: A disrupted cell cycle progression of hepatocytes was reported in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which can contribute significantly in the associated pathogenesis. The present study aimed to further elaborate these disruptions by evaluating the expression of key cell cycle and apoptotic proteins in chronic HCV infection with particular reference to genotype 3. Archival liver biopsy specimens of chronic HCV-infection (n = 46) and normal histology (n = 5) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against proliferation marker Mcm-2, G1 phase marker Cyclin D1, S phase marker Cyclin A, cell cycle regulators p21 (CDK inhibitor) and p53 (tumor suppressor protein), apoptotic protein Caspase-3 and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. RESULTS: Elevated Mcm-2 expression was observed in hepatocytes in chronic HCV infection, indicating increased cell cycle entry. Cyclin D1 expression was higher than cyclin A, which suggests a slow progression through the G1 phase. Expression of cell cycle regulators p21 and p53 was elevated, with no concordance between their expressions. The Mcm-2 and p21 expressions were associated with the fibrosis stage (p = 0.0001 and 0.001 respectively) and that of p53 with the inflammation grade (p = 0.051). Apoptotic marker, Caspase-3, was mostly confined to sinusoidal lining cells with little expression in hepatocytes. Anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, was negligible in hepatocytes and detected principally in infiltrating lymphocytes. Expression of all these proteins was unrelated to the HCV genotype and were detected only rarely in the hepatocytes of normal liver. CONCLUSION: The results showed an arrested cell cycle state in the hepatocytes of chronic HCV infection, regardless of any association with genotype 3. Cell cycle arrest is characterized by an increased expression of p21, in relation to fibrosis, and of p53 in relation to inflammation. Furthermore, expression of p21 was independent of the p53 expression and coincided with the reduced expression of apoptotic protein Caspase-3 in hepatocytes. The altered expression of these cell cycle proteins in hepatocytes is suggestive of an impaired cell cycle progression that could limit the regenerative response of the liver to ongoing injury, leading to the progression of disease

Evaluation of Electrolyte Imbalance in Acute Stroke

Objective:&nbsp;&nbsp;Electrolyte imbalance is common in acute stroke; it may cause severe morbidity and mortality, so timely management of electrolyte imbalance may improve morbidity and mortality in cerebro-vascular accident. The purpose of this study was to evaluate electrolyte imbalance in acute stroke and its effect on the outcome of patients. Material and Methods:&nbsp;&nbsp;This study was prospective descriptive in nature and it is comprised of 106 patients of acute stroke after clinically diagnosis confirmed by CT scan brain plain admitted in Khairpur Medical College Hospital. Serum electrolyte along with the other baseline investigation was performed. Results:&nbsp;&nbsp;Hyponatremia was comparatively more common in brain infraction than spontaneous ICH. Hypokalemia is also more common in brain infarction as compared to the hemorrhagic stroke patients of this study. Conclusion:&nbsp;&nbsp;Incidence of Hyponatremia was more common than hypokalemia in patients with acute stroke. Keywords:&nbsp;&nbsp;Hemorrhage, Infraction, Hyponatremia, Hypokalemia

Oral cancer: Clinicopathological features and associated risk factors in a high risk population presenting to a major tertiary care center in Pakistan

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has the highest prevalence in head and neck cancers and is the first and second most common cancer in males and females of Pakistan respectively. Major risk factors include peculiar chewing habits like areca nut, betel quid, and tobacco. The majority of OSCC presents at an advanced stage with poor prognosis. On the face of such a high burden of this preventable cancer, there is a relative lack of recent robust data and its association with known risk factors from Pakistan. The aim of this study was to identify the socioeconomic factors and clinicopathological features that may contribute to the development of OSCC. A total of 186 patients diagnosed and treated at a tertiary care hospital, Karachi Pakistan were recruited. Clinicopathological and socioeconomic information was obtained on a structured questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was done for demographics and socioeconomic status (SES) while regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between SES and chewing habits, tumor site, and tumor stage. The majority of patients were males and the mean age of OSCC patients was 47.62±12.18 years. Most of the patients belonged to low SES (68.3%) and 77.4% were habitual of chewing. Gender (male) and SES were significantly associated with chewing habits (

3D-Bioprinting: A stepping stone towards enhanced medical approaches

In the past few decades, tissue engineering has been seen unprecedented escalation driving the field of artificial tissue and organ construct and brought metamorphosis in regenerative medicine. Prime advancement has been attained through the expansion of novel biomanufacturing approaches to devise and convene cells in three dimensions to fabricate tissue contrive. Accompaniment manufacturing differently known as 3D bioprinting is leading prime innovation in a number of applications in life sciences such as tissue and organ construct, personalized drug dosing, cancer model and heart tissue engineering. Overall, this review summarizes most prevalent bioprinting technologies; including laser-based bioprinting, extrusion bioprinting, injection bioprinting, stereolithography as well as biomaterial such as bioink. It also explores 3D industries, approaches such as Biomimicry, autonomous self-assembly, mini tissues and biomedical applications. Existing challenges that impede clinical mileage of bioprinting are also discussed along with future prospective.Keywords: Bioprinting, tissue engineering, tissue and organ construct, medicinal approac

Delivery of Analeptics via Painless Transdermal Patches

Putting into service a preliminary transdermal patch on the skin, an appropriate dosage of drug can be delivered to the site of therapeutic effect within the body. This supreme delivery system is painless and more efficacious. These patches are designed by adhering analeptic compounds over them. In conjugation to these therapeutic compounds essential oils having anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant and healing properties are also used, increasing the durability of drug. Natural and synthetic polymers comprising cellulose derivatives and polyvinyl chloride respectively are significant in their designing. There are assorted categories of transdermal drugs, depending on the layers of therapeutic compounds, inclusive of single layer, bi-layer, multilayer, matrix and reservoir. Transdermal delivery has its own wondrous aptness. It enhances bioavailability of drugs eliminating the first pass effect in gastrointestinal tract. It is efficient in treating not only extraneous skin infection, but it also holds a strong curable impact on internal disorders extending from hormonal imbalance to either neurodegenerative diseases or cardiovascular diseases. Nicotine patches are prodigiously practiced treating nicotine addicts.