A Study of Erosion–Corrosion Behaviour of Friction Stir-Processed Chromium-Reinforced NiAl Bronze Composite

Corrosion is frequently viewed as a catastrophic and unavoidable disaster in marine applications. Every year, a huge cost is incurred on the maintenance and repair of corrosion-affected equipment and machinery. In the marine environment, as-cast nickel–aluminium bronze (NAB) is susceptible to selective phase corrosion. To solve this problem, chromium-reinforced nickel–aluminium bronze was fabricated using the friction stir process (FSP) with improved microstructures and surface properties. A slurry erosion–corrosion test on as-cast and FSPed composites demonstrated that the developed surfaced composite has lower erosion and corrosion rates than the as-cast NAB alloy. The erosion–corrosion rate increased with a decrease in the impact angle from 90° to 30° for both as-cast NAB and prepared composites, exhibiting a shear mode of erosion. The specimens at impact angle 30° experienced more pitting action and higher mass loss compared with those at impact angle 90°. Due to increases in the mechanical properties, the FS-processed composite showed higher erosion resistance than the as-cast NAB alloy. Furthermore, corrosion behaviour was also studied via the static immersion corrosion test and electrochemical measurements under 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. In a static immersion corrosion test, the FSPed composite outperformed the as-cast NAB composite by a wide margin. The FSPed composite also demonstrated a reduced electrochemical corrosion rate, as revealed by the polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) data. This reduced rate is attributed to the formation of a Cr oxide film over its surface in the corrosive environment.     

Vitamin B12 malabsorption and omeprazole therapy.

The media is the most popular vehicle through which consumers receive nutrition information, and is powerful in influencing food selection and health behaviors. Unfortunately, media messages surrounding nutrition are often inconsistent, confusing, and do not enable the public to make positive changes in health behaviors. The process to improve this scenario begins with communication between scientists and journalists. Scientists can take several steps to insure the results of their research are reported to the public accurately and, thereby, contribute to the achievement of the nation's public health goals.     

Changes in sputum cytology,airway inflammation and oxidative stress due to chronic inhalation of biomass smoke during cooking in premenopausal rural Indian women

To perform sputum analysis for verification of pulmonary changes in premenopausal rural Indian women chronically exposed to biomass smoke during cooking.Three consecutive morning sputum samples were collected from 196 women (median age 34 years) cooking with biomass and 149 age-matched control women cooking with cleaner fuel liquefied petroleum gas. Smears made on slides were stained with Papanicolaou and Perl's Prussian blue. Airway oxidative stress was estimated as reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation (by flow cytometry) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level (by spectrophotometry) in sputum cells. Airway inflammation was measured as sputum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, -8 and tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α). Particulate matter of diameter less than 10 (PM₁₀) was measured using laser photometer while benzene exposure was monitored by measuring trans, trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) in urine by HPLC-UV. Compared with control, sputum of biomass users contained more neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, alveolar macrophages, and showed presence of ciliocytophthoria, Charcot-Leyden crystals, Curschmann's spiral. ROS generation was increased by 2-fold while SOD was depleted by 31% in biomass users. They also had higher sputum levels of IL-6, -8 and TNF-α. Levels of PM₁₀ and t,t-MA were 2.9- and 5.8-times higher in biomass-using women. PM₁₀ and t,t-MA levels were positively associated with cellular changes in the sputum, markers of airway inflammation, and oxidative stress. Cooking with biomass alters sputum cytology, and increases airway inflammation and oxidative stress that might result in further amplification of the tissue damaging cascade in women chronically exposed to biomass smoke.     

Comparison of the Prognostic Value of Tumour- and Patient-Related Factors in Patients Undergoing Potentially Curative Resection of Oesophageal Cancer

Background

Evidence is increasing that elevated systemic inflammation is associated with poor survival in patients with oesophageal carcinoma. However, it is not yet established if any specific component of systemic inflammatory response is a better predictor of cancer survival. The aim of the present study was to compare the predictive value of selected markers of systemic inflammation in patients who undergo surgical resection of oesophageal cancer.

Methods

One hundred twelve patients who underwent potentially curative resection for oesophageal carcinoma, including type I and type II tumours of the gastro-oesophageal junction (Siewert and Stein in Dis Esophagus 9:173?C182, 1996), between 1996 and 2008 were included in the study. Patients had laboratory measurement of white cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelet counts, albumin, and C-reactive protein. Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and metastatic lymph node ratio (LNR) were calculated.

Results

On multivariate analysis, only the LNR (HR 2.87, 95% CI 1.99-4.15, p?p?p?p?=?0.001).

Conclusion

The present study indicates that the mGPS, an acute-phase protein-based prognostic score, better predicts cancer survival compared with the cellular components of systemic inflammation in patients with oesophageal carcinoma.     

Vector Databank in the Indian Armed Forces

Background

Medical intelligence of disease vectors deals with understanding vector distribution and control.

Methods

An entomological baseline survey using standard vector sampling techniques was done as a pilot study to map the vectors of defence importance in two cantonments of Pune with a view to establish a vector databank and impart training to armed forces personnel in vector surveillance.

Result

The project trained 142 armed forces personnel in surveillance techniques in three years. Seventeen species of mosquitoes comprising of eight vector species were collected. Three other vectors viz. Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Xenopsylla cheopis and Leptotrombidium deliense are reported.

Conclusion

The study emphasizes the need for vector mapping /surveillance in each area for preventing morbidity and mortality amongst troops. It also focuses on indigenous fabrication of vector sampling tools and training of personnel for capacity building which in turn will enable such surveys to be undertaken in other units and deployment areas.Key Words: Leptotrombidium, Mosquitoes, Rhipicephalus, Surveillance, Xenopsylla     

Hormone Receptors,Her-2/Neu and Chromosomal Aberrations in Breast Cancer

Background

There is a great deal of disparity in the incidence of breast cancer in rural and urban India on one hand and between India and Western population on the other.

Methods

We analysed steroid receptor status in cases of breast cancer in a small sample of patients in armed forces. Infiltrating duct carcinomas of breast recorded histologically in mastectomy specimens in last two years were accessioned in the present study with reference to patient and tumour characteristics.

Result

In contrast to the higher rates reported in western literature, only 33 % of the tumours expressed estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR), of which 24% were ER positive and 30% PR positive. Negative steroid receptor status did not correlate with presence or absence of metastatic nodes, however it was predominant amongst the high grade infiltrating duct carcinomas in this study. Necrosis and lymphovascular invasion demonstrated an inverse relationship with the ER/ PR reactivity. 70% of the node positive cases expressed Her –2/ Neu, reflecting a higher immunoreactivity in this subset of patients. Aneusomy for chromosomes 1, 11 and 17 was common in node positive cases.

Conclusion

Evaluation of chromosomal aberrations by Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) technique correlates well with traditional histological parameters.Key Words: Breast carcinoma, Hormone receptors, Her –2/ Neu