Eosinophilic cystitis: a rare case which presented as an invasive bladder tumor

Eosinophilic cystitis is a rare inflammatory lesion of the bladder of unknown etiology. It can be confused clinically and cytoscopically with invasive bladder cancer. We report a case in which the lesion presented as an invasive bladder tumor and we discuss the literature in brief.     

The Strength of the Spatially Interconnected Eutectic Network in HPDC Mg-La,Mg-Nd,and Mg-La-Nd Alloys

3D numerical images of the intergranular percolating eutectic of two binary alloys, Mg-0.62 at. pctLa and Mg-0.60 at. pctNd, created using dual beam FIB tomography, were incorporated into an FEM code to model their tensile behavior. Due to its high volume fraction (29.9 pct), the behavior of the Mg-La network was akin to that of a stretch-dominated micro-truss structure, whereas the Mg-Nd’s, with a relatively low volume fraction (7.5 pct), mimicked that of a bending-dominated structure. The 3D network contributed some 37 MPa to the strength of the Mg-La alloy casting, whereas it only added about 1.4 MPa to the Mg-Nd’s. The model predictions based on the binary alloys were verified using cast-to-shape specimens of the Mg-La and two ternary Mg-La-Nd alloys, subjected to a flash-annealing aiming at breaking up the continuity of the 3D network, while preserving the rest of the microstructure unchanged. The flash-annealed specimens exhibited a decrease in strength that matched closely the computed values. Implications regarding alloy design involving the eutectic network and solid solution hardening of more complex alloys are discussed.     

SELFNET 5G mobile edge computing infrastructure: Design and prototyping

This paper presents the design and prototype implementation of the SELFNET fifth-generation (5G) mobile edge infrastructure. In line with the current and emerging 5G architectural principles, visions, and standards, the proposed infrastructure is established primarily based on a mobile edge computing paradigm. It leverages cloud computing, software-defined networking, and network function virtualization as core enabling technologies. Several technical solutions and options have been analyzed. As a result, a novel portable 5G infrastructure testbed has been prototyped to enable the preliminary testing of the integrated key technologies and to provide a realistic execution platform for further investigating and evaluating software-defined networking– and network function virtualization–based application scenarios in 5G networks.     

Composite zinc-fly ash coating on mild steel

Zinc-fly ash composite coatings were deposited on mild steel substrates with the help of electrodeposition technique. Metallographic and chemical characterization of the produced composite coatings was performed with the aid of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Electron Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX). The corrosion behaviour of the composite coated mild steel substrate was studied in a 0.3 M NaCl solution (pH = 5.5) by means of anodic polarization curves. The wear of the zinc-fly ash coating was also investigated by using a pin-on-disk apparatus. The composite coating exhibited increased wear resistance, compared to the pure zinc coating and the mild steel substrate. The adhesion strength between the zinc-fly ash coating and the mild steel substrate was examined with a scratch testing apparatus. The adhesion strength between zinc-fly ash composite coating and the mild steel substrate was found to be higher than that of the pure zinc coating to mild steel.     

Corrosion and wear of 6082 aluminum alloy

The corrosion and corrosive wear resistance of 6082 wrought aluminum alloy against 410 stainless steel counterface in 0.01 M NaCl solution with different concentrations of sodium molybdate dihydrate solution (0, 0.01, 0.1 and 0.5 M), were studied. The experimental results indicated that the increase in sodium molybdate dihydrate acted as an inhibitor in the 0.01 M NaCl solution resulting in a significant decrease in the corrosion current, meaning improved corrosion resistance. During the corrosive wear under free corrosion conditions of 6082 aluminum alloy specimens against 410 stainless steel counterface, the addition of sodium molybdate dihydrate inhibitor, leads to a decrease in friction coefficient of the examined pair of materials. The dominant wear mechanisms of the aluminum alloy were mainly observed to be plastic deformation and abrasion. These wear mechanisms coexisted with pitting corrosion phenomena, on the surface of this alloy.     

Reciprocal relation between renin dependency and sodium dependency in essential hypertension

To investigate the roles of angiotensin II and sodium in essential high-renin, normal-renin and low-renin hypertension, 14 patients received the competitive antagonist of angiotensin II, saralasin, during periods of sodium depletion and repletion. Blood-pressure response to saralasin was determined by the state of sodium balance. Patients from all three renin subgroups exhibited a fall in blood pressure when sufficiently sodium depleted, and an elevation in blood pressure when sodium replete or insufficiently depleted. However, those with low renin required loss of substantially more sodium (sufficient to elicit compensatory stimulation of renin) before depletion could be achieved. In patients with essential hypertension of all three renin subgroups, sodium balance determines the degree of participation of the renin-angiotensin system in sustaining high blood pressure. Even the low-renin type can become renin dependent with sufficient sodium depletion.     

Clinical utility of long-term enalapril/diltiazem ER in stage 3-4 essential hypertension. Long-term Use of Enalapril/Diltiazem ER in Stage 3-4 Hypertension Group

The use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers, as monotherapies and in combination, is common in the management of hypertension. Clinical studies have documented the augmentation of blood pressure reduction when these agents are combined compared with the individual agents, in short-term studies. In the present investigation, 93 patients with stage 3-4 essential hypertension, who successfully completed a short-term double-blind study, participated in a 40-week open-label treatment phase. The patients were maintained on their previous doses of enalapril/diltiazem ER (E/D) with or without additional antihypertensive medications. Doses of medication could be adjusted as necessary for blood pressure control. Of the 93 patients, 68% were male and 82% were white; they averaged 52.7 years of age and had a baseline mean sitting blood pressure (SiBP) of 167/111 mmHg. The use of E/D alone (n = 14) reduced mean SiBP by 14.5/14.4 mmHg from baseline, whereas the use of E/ D with other agents (n = 79) decreased it by 27/20.5 mmHg from baseline. E/D alone or in combination with other drugs was well-tolerated, and no serious adverse events were noted. This long-term open-label study demonstrated that the E/D combination alone or with the addition of other antihypertensive drugs was effective, safe, and well-tolerated after prolonged administration.