Associations between CD133, CK19 and G2/M in cirrhotic HCV (genotype-4) patients with or without accompanying tumor

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-cirrhotic patients have the highest threat of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and may be at risk of extra hepatic cancer. The present study was designed to investigate CD133 and CK19 in HCV (genotype-4)-cirrhotic patients with/without HCC or extra hepatic cancer, to assess the degree of their correlation with cell cycle abnormalities and finally to assess the role of their combination as diagnostic tool for discrimination of cirrhotic patients with HCC from those with extra hepatic cancer. The study included 77 HCV-cirrhotic patients and 20 healthy non-disease control group. Patients were categorized histo-pathologically into: 24 have only liver cirrhosis, 26 with HCC, and 27 patients with extra hepatic cancer. Cell cycle abnormalities, CD133 and CK19 were determined by flow cytometry technique. CD133 and CK19 showed marked elevation in HCC and extra hepatic cancer compared with liver cirrhosis and control subjects (p<0.0001). Positive associations were noted between CK19, CD133 and G2/M. They were gradually increased with progression from liver cirrhosis to HCC. Combination of the three showed the best AUC (0.978) and accuracy (92.5%) for discrimination of HCC from extra hepatic cancer. Combined CD133 with G2/M and CK19 comprises an excellent diagnostic panel for discrimination of HCV-cirrhotic patients with HCC from those with extra hepatic cancer.     

Optimization of Mixing Parameters for α-Tocopherol Nanodispersions Prepared Using Solvent Displacement Method

A bottom-up approach based on a solvent displacement technique was used for the production of α-tocopherol nanodispersions. Response surface methodology was utilized to study the effect of the mixing conditions of organic and aqueous phases, namely, mixing speed (1 × 100–6 × 100 rpm) and mixing time (30–150 s) on the average particle size (nm), polydispersity index and α-tocopherol concentration (mg/L) of the nanodispersions. Second order regression models, with high coefficient of determination values (R ² > 0.94 and adjusted R ² > 0.79), were significantly (p < 0.05) fitted for predicting the α-tocopherol nanodispersion characteristics as functions of mixing parameters. A multiple optimization procedure presented the optimum mixing speed and time as 3.8 × 100 rpm and 70 s, respectively. The statistically insignificant differences between experimental and predicted values of studied responses, verified the satisfactoriness of the models found for explaining the variation of produced nanodispersions, as a function of mixing conditions.     

Set point trajectory and internal force control in redundant dual-arm manipulation

A nonlinear decoupling and linearizing feedback control is considered for dynamic coordination of two planar robot arms manipulating an object. A general inverse dynamics-based method is presented that assures an exact feedback linearization for simultaneous control of the object trajectory on the plane and internal efforts transmitted from the robot end-effectors to the object. The method takes the manipulator dynamics and object dynamics into consideration. A method for parameterizing the grip matrix null space is proposed, which has formed a basis for developing a new method for calculating the internal efforts. The procedure is invariant with respect to the change of the torque origin and units of length, and provides the force distribution without internal squeezing effects. A comparison between the approaches known so far and the new method is presented. No previously published method assures noninvariance and nonsqueezing properties for all possible contact configurations. Control algorithms are developed for a system of robotic arms that has more degrees of freedom than necessary for given tasks, exhibiting both actuation and kinematic redundancy. The implementation of this method is demonstrated for the case of a system of two planar three-link arms with the end-effectors manipulating an object, with different constrained task configurations. Practical aspects of discrete-time inverse dynamics control, such as influence of the computational time delay and robustness to model imperfections, are discussed. It is demonstrated that it is possible to achieve high-precision tracking of object position and internal force profiles, even if a system imperfect model is used for controller design. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Appendiceal CT in 140 cases. Diagnostic criteria for acute and necrotizing appendicitis

Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 140 patients with suspected acute appendicitis. Thin collimation (5 mm), intravenous contrast enhancement, 1-second scan times, and supplementary cecal air insufflation were emphasized. CT accuracy was 98% overall (137/140), and 99% in the 124 cases with early surgery. Necrotizing appendicitis was diagnosed by CT with 86% accuracy and 90% positive predictive value.     

Mechanical properties of new low‐nickel cobalt‐free maraging steels

To study the mechanical properties of newly developed low‐nickel cobalt‐free maraging steels, six laboratory series with varied Ti, Mo, and Cr mass contents (0.003‐ 1.65, 0.0074‐ 5 and 0.004‐ 5 %) were studied. The study showed that increasing Ti and Mo contents improve the tensile strength and yield strength without affecting ductility markedly. The chromium alloyed grades M2, M6, M8 and M12 exhibit properties comparable to those of T 250 grade. To investigate the effects of heat treatment temperature on the mechanical properties, the solution treatment was carried out at temperatures varying between 820 and 1100 °C and holding times of 15 min at different cooling rates. The ageing temperature varied from 400 to 500 °C at ageing times of 60, 120 and 240 min, respectively. The ageing response of hardness as a function of temperature at different soaking conditions was determined to optimise the heat treatment conditions. The mechanical properties of the different steels after solution treatment and ageing at optimum temperature and time were determined.     

Effect of freeze storage on the volatiles of butter

The changes in the volatile components of three butter samples were studied during freeze storage for 7.5 months. The amount of carbonyl increased and reached a maximum after 4.5 months of storage. Afterwards the carbonyl decreased. The lactons reached its maximum after storage of 3 month. The increase of the carbonyls caused by peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids was taken as indication for the deterioration of the butter samples during storage.