The relationship between bioelectrical impedance phase angle and subjective global assessment in advanced colorectal cancer

Background  

Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA) derived phase angle is increasingly being used as an objective indicator of nutritional status in advanced cancer. Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) is a subjective method of nutritional status. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between BIA derived phase angle and SGA in advanced colorectal cancer.     

Effect of type of processing on the microstructural features and mechanical properties of Al-Cu/SiC metal matrix composites

In this study, an aluminum based metallic matrix (Al-2wt.% Cu) was reinforced with SiC particulates using a conventional casting technique and a new disintegrated melt deposition technique. Microstructural characterization studies conducted on the samples taken from disintegrated melt deposition technique revealed a more uniform distribution of SiC particulates and good interfacial integrity between SiC particulates and metallic matrix when compared to the conventionally cast composite samples. Results of ambient temperature mechanical tests demonstrate an increase in 0.2% YS and ultimate tensile strength of samples taken from disintegrated melt deposition technique when compared with the unreinforced and conventionally cast composite samples. The results of microstructural characterization and mechanical testing were finally rationalized in terms of the nature of processing technique employed to reinforce Al-2wt.% Cu metallic matrix with SiC particulates.     

Quantitation of Cefaclor in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography

A stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography for the quantitation of cefaclor in pharmaceutical dosage forms has been developed. The method is accurate and precise with a percent relative standard deviation of 1.2 based on 5 readings. A number of inactive ingredients present in the capsules and suspensions did not interfere with the assay procedure. The extraction procedure from the dosage forms is very simple. The recovery from the synthetic mixtures was quantitative. The capsules which had expired 3 years ago lost only 3% of the potency. The drug appears to be very sensitive to strong acids or bases since a 5 minute boiling caused 100% degradation of drug in both the solutions.     

Radiation-Induced graft copolymerization of methacrylic acid onto polypropylene fibers. V. Mechanical properties

Mechanical properties of polypropylene-g-poly(methacrylic acid) fibers, prepared by graft copolymerization of methacrylic acid onto polypropylene fiber using simultaneous gamma ray irradiation technique, were evaluated. In general, an improvement in the mechanical behavior of the polypropylene fiber by grafting was observed. Denier and initial modulus of the fiber showed a linear increase with the percent graft, and elongation showed an opposite trend. The results have been explained in terms of reinforcing effect of poly(methacrylic acid) grafts and reduction in the segmental mobility of the polymeric chains. Tenacity also increases up to certain graft level, beyond which a sharp decrease occurs, probably due to the influence on the compactness of the macromolecular chains with the further grafting.     

Human papillomavirus investigation of patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3, some of whom progressed to invasive cancer

Unstable expansion of the CTG repeats in the 3' untranslated region encoding a member of the protein kinase family in the q13.3 band on chromosome 19 is a mutation specific for myotonic dystrophy. To examine the correlation between clinical expression and CTG trinucleotide repeat length, we carried out Southern blot analysis in a family with myotonic dystrophy. In this pedigree, the expanded CTG repeats were transmitted maternally. The mother had three female children. The mother had about 200 CTG repeats, and the number of repeats for each child was about 800, 1500 and 1600 in birth order. The mother and the patient with 800 repeats were unaware of muscle weakness or myotonia. Symptoms were present from age 3 years in the patient with 1500 repeats and from birth in the one with 1600 repeats. Although the mother menstruated regularly, the patients with 800 and 1500 repeats both menstruated irregularly, and the one with 1600 repeats has never menstruated. The age of onset and severity of the disease were correlated with the size of the expanded repeats. Endocrinological studies revealed that the basal levels of the gonadotropins, PRL and E2 were within normal range, and a pituitary response to LHRH was observed. These data suggest that the amenorrhea and menstrual irregularities were caused by a suprahypophyseal dysfunction. When expanded CTG repeats are transmitted maternally, abnormal products resulting from the metabolic disturbance in the affected mother may harm the fetus in utero. A heterozygous fetus, who has more CTG repeats, may be unable to metabolize the pathologic products sufficiently and therefore may become more severely affected. This may explain the exclusive maternal transmission of congenital myotonic dystrophy.     

Fine needle aspiration cytodiagnosis of subcutaneous fat necrosis of newborn. A case report

We recently diagnosed subcutaneous fat necrosis in a newborn female infant using fine needle aspiration cytology. The neonate had perinatal asphyxia and her mother a difficult labor, but otherwise the neonate was well developed and healthy and within a few days developed well-defined areas of subcutaneous induration all over. On cytologic examination of the aspirated material, many necrotizing fat cells were found with refractile, needle-shaped crystals arranged in a sheaflike or starburst pattern. Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is uncommon today, and although the histologic findings from excised tissue are known, this appears to be the first case in which the diagnosis was possible from a sample of fine needle aspirate.     

Quantitation of Sulfacetamide, Sulfadiazine, Sulfamerazine and Sulfame Thazine in Various Cominations Dsing High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

A reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography method for the quantitation of sulfacetamide, sulfadiazine, sulfamerazine, and sulfamethazine in various combinations has been developed. The method is simple, accurate, precise and reproducible. The percent relative standard deviations based on 6 injections were 2.1, 0.6, 1.9, and 1.6 for sulfacetamide, sulfadiazine, sulfamerazine, and sulfamethazine, respectively. The ratio of peak heights (drug/internal standard) wer closely related (r value 0.99 or better) to concentrations (± 20% of the standard solution concentrations). The results of synthetic mixtures showed quantitative recovery and method was successfully applied to commercial dosage forms (tablets and suspension). Extraction of sulfa drugs from the dosage forms required a very simple procedure.