Serum oncostatin M in multiple myeloma: association with prognostic factors

Strongyloides stercoralis infection is of low prevalence in Malaysia. We report an unusual case presenting primarily with gastric symptoms. The patient was a 72 years old Chinese male admitted for progressive weight loss and abdominal bloating. Gastroscopic examination revealed mucosal prepyloric elevations in the gastric mucosa. Gastric strongyloidiasis was confirmed by the presence of adult forms, as well as ova and larval rhabditiform stages of the worm in the gastric mucosal crypts. We believe that this is the first histologically documented case of gastric strongyloidiasis in Malaysia.     

Combination amoxycillin and metronidazole with famotidine in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori--a randomized, double-blind comparison of a three times daily and twice daily regimen

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of a three times daily (t.i.d.) versus a twice daily (b.i.d.) regimen of combination amoxycillin and metronidazole and famotidine in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori and the influence of metronidazole resistance on the outcome of treatment. PATIENTS: Patients selected had unequivocal evidence of H. pylori infection based on the urease test, culture and histology and had either peptic ulcer disease or non-ulcer dyspepsia. DESIGN: The study was a comparative and double-blind study and patients were randomized to receive either amoxycillin 750 mg t.i.d. and metronidazole 500 mg t.i.d. for 12 days or amoxycillin 1000 mg b.i.d. and metronidazole 500 mg b.i.d. for 12 days. Both groups also received famotidine 40 mg for 6 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Patients were assessed for successful eradication, defined as absence of bacteria in all tests, at least 4 weeks after completion of antibiotic therapy by repeat gastroscopy. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-nine patients were recruited for the study. Two patients defaulted follow-up, two patients were withdrawn from the study and six patients were found to be non-compliant with medications. The eradication rates of the t.i.d. regimen was higher than the b.i.d. regimen (per protocol (PP) analysis: 83.3% (50/60) vs. 76.3% (45/59), P=0.337; intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis: 78.5% (51/65) vs. 75.0% (48/64), P=0.642). Seventy-five patients had pre-treatment cultures checked for metronidazole resistance, 33 (44.0%) were found to be resistant. Acquired resistance occurred in 3/40 (7.5%) patients. Eradication rates of metronidazole-sensitive and metronidazole-resistant patients: t.i.d. regimen - 100% (17/17) and 88.2% (15/17), b.i.d. regimen - 19/21 (90.5%) and 11/15 (73.3%). Side effects were reported in up to 70% of patients but were mild and tolerable in the majority. Two patients were withdrawn from the study because of a fixed drug eruption in one and generalized macular rash in the other. CONCLUSION: Combination amoxycillin and metronidazole is effective in eradicating H. pylori. There was a tendency for the t.i.d. regimen to be better than the b.i.d. regimen and for metronidazole-resistant infections to be associated with a lower eradication rate but these differences did not reach statistical significance.     

Expression of c-erbB3 protein in primary breast carcinomas

Expression of c-erbB3 protein was investigated in 104 primary breast carcinomas comprising nine comedo ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 91 invasive ductal carcinomas and four invasive lobular carcinomas using two monoclonal antibodies, RTJ1 and RTJ2. Of the 91 invasive ductal carcinomas, seven contained the comedo DCIS component adjacent to the invasive component. An immunohistochemical technique was used to evaluate the association between expression of c-erbB3 and clinical parameters and tumour markers such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-erbB2, cathepsin-D and p53 in archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour tissues. Our results indicated that RTJ1 and RTJ2 gave identical staining patterns and concordant results. It was found that the overexpression of c-erbB3 protein was observed in 67% (6/9) of comedo DCIS, 52% (44/84) of invasive ductal carcinomas, 71% (5/7) of carcinomas containing both the in situ and invasive lesions and 25% (1/4) of invasive lobular carcinomas. A significant relationship (P < 0.05) was observed between strong immunoreactivity of c-erbB3 protein and histological grade, EGFR and cathepsin-D, but not with expression of c-erbB2, p53, oestrogen receptor status, lymph node metastases or age of patient. However, we noted that a high percentage of oestrogen receptor-negative tumours (59%), lymph node-positive tumours (63%) and c-erbB2 (63%) were strongly positive for c-erbB3 protein. We have also documented that a high percentage of EGFR (67%), c-erbB2 (67%), p53 (75%) and cathepsin-D-positive DCIS (60%) were strongly positive for c-erbB3. These observations suggest that overexpression of c-erbB3 protein could play an important role in tumour progression from non-invasive to invasive and, also, that it may have the potential to be used as a marker for poor prognosis of breast cancer.     

A study of the effect of natural radiation damage in a zircon crystal using thermoluminescence, fission track etching and X-ray diffraction

The natural radiation damage in zircon caused by the decay of uranium and thorium, present as impurities, is studied, The radiation damage is first gauged by etching the fission tracks. It is found that thermoluminescence (TL) sensitivity (defined as light output per unit test-dose) decreases as the radiation damage increases, suggesting a destruction of TL centres. The spacing d of the (112)-plane is also measured. It is also found that the d-value increases with radiation damage, suggesting the displacement of atoms from their normal lattice sites. However, as the track density increases beyond 3 × 10⁶ tracks/cm², the d-value remains at 2.52 Å. By annealing the crystal, the displaced atoms are found to return to the original lattice sites, and this is followed by a reduction in d-value as well as the recovery of TL sensitivity. The fission track density also decreases and all the tracks disappear at the annealing temperature of 800°C.     

Corrosion protection performance of nanocomposite coatings under static,UV, and dynamic conditions

Silicone-modified epoxy polymeric matrix was successfully fabricated and reinforced with 1–2 wt% SiO₂, TiO₂, and TiSiO₄ nanoparticles. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy together with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were employed to investigate different characteristics of the prepared coatings. To simulate operating conditions, all samples were characterized via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) after being subjected to different conditions. Corrosion under static conditions, in which the samples were exposed to a static electrolyte without further change in other parameters, was investigated. Furthermore, to study the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in accelerating the degradation of the coatings, samples were characterized after being subjected to UV while immersed statically in the electrolyte. Additionally, the corrosion protection performance was investigated after subjecting the coated substrates to dynamic conditions involving continuous movement of the sample in the electrolyte, simulating continuous wear of the coated surfaces. Compared with the static condition, the EIS results revealed the vital role of the silicone resin and nanoparticles in improving the stability of the coating film against corrosion degradation in the presence of UV radiation, while poor performance in dynamic condition was recorded for all the coating systems.     

Adsorption capability of heavy metals by chitosan/poly(ethylene oxide)/activated carbon electrospun nanofibrous membrane

In this study, activated carbon (AC) was synthesized by chemical activation process from rice husk, with the BET surface area of 2180 m²/g. Chitosan/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/AC nanofibrous membrane (CPANM) was synthesized by electrospinning process. The average fiber diameter was found to be 83 ± 12.5 nm. Incorporation of AC lead to increase in the surface area of CPANM than chitosan/PEO fiber (CPF) by 371 m²/g. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy survey and narrow scan analysis further proved the presence of AC in the membrane. CPANM showed higher adsorption capability than CPF. Analysis of the mechanism of heavy metals adsorption by CPANM and CPF hypothesized that, (? NH2) is the only active group in CPF, whereas both (? NH2) and (? COOH) contributed in adsorption for CPANM. Maximum adsorption capacity of CPANM for Cr(VI), Fe(III), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Pb(II) ion was found to be 261.1, 217.4, 195.3, 186.2, and 176.9 mg g^?1 respectively. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45851.     

Solid terpolymer electrolyte based on poly(vinyl butyral‐co‐vinyl alcohol‐co‐vinyl acetate) incorporated with lithium salt and tetraglyme for EDLCs

Solid terpolymer electrolytes (STEs) consist of different ratios of poly(vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) (PVBVA) and bis(trifluoromethane) sulfonamide lithium salt (LiTFSi) were prepared and the ionic conductivity of the prepared STEs was evaluated. The optimized STE (denoted as STE 20) was further doped with various amount of tetraglyme (10, 20, and 30 wt % and denoted as G10, G20, and G30, respectively). G20 enhanced the ionic conductivity from 6.22 (for STE 20) to 21.9 µS cm⁻¹. This enhancement is due to the presence of abundant oxygen-containing functional group in tetraglyme that provides more charge carrier mobility in the polymer matrix. The structure and complexation of the materials are authenticated via X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The performance of electric double layer capacitors based on activated carbon (AC) fabricated with STE 20 (AC/STE 20/AC) and G20 (AC/G 20/AC) were studied via cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. AC/G 20/AC achieved the maximum specific capacitance of 10.20 F/g [which is higher than AC/STE 20/AC (9.30 F/g)] with 75% of specific capacitance retention after 1500 cycles. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45902.     

A Review on Hybrid Fillers in Rubber Composites

This review article is aimed at reporting the recent development of hybrid fillers used in vulcanized rubber. This review will consider the synergistic effect of rubber hybrid composites that consist exclusively of conventional fillers; carbon black and/or silica as the primary filler, which are combined with secondary fillers from various sources. The discussions are mainly focused on the analyses and comparisons of the curing characteristics, morphology, and mechanical properties of the rubber composite-filled hybrid fillers. The compatibility and the existence of synergistic effects between the different types of fillers show the potential for development and application in rubber industries.     

Performance Evaluation of AOMDV on Realistic and Efficient VANet Simulations

Wireless Personal Communications - The digital transmission amongst vehicles and roadway equipment is necessary for the realization of smart transportation systems. Vehicular ad-hoc network (VANet)...