Influence of Test Specimen Geometry on Probability of Failure of Composites Based on Weibull Weakest Link Theory

This paper presents an analytical model that quantifies the stress ratio between two test specimens for the same probability of failure based on the Weibull weakest link theory. The model takes into account the test specimen geometry, i.e., its shape and volume, and the related non-constant stress state along the specimen. The proposed model is a valuable tool for quantifying the effect of a change of specimen geometry on the probability of failure. This is essential to distinguish size scaling from the actual improvement in measured strength when specimen geometry is optimized, aiming for failure in the gauge section. For unidirectional carbon fibre composites with Weibull modulus m in the range 10–40, it can be calculated by the model that strength measured with a straight-sided specimen will be 1–2% lower than the strength measured with a specific waisted butterfly-shaped specimen solely due to the difference in test specimen shape and volume.     

Anxiety in medically III patients

Anxiety disorders and anxiety symptoms are highly prevalent in the general population and more so in the medically ill. They have a number of negative consequences for these patients and may worsen the outcome of the medical illness and increase health care utilization. In the evaluation of these patients, it is of paramount importance to identify the etiology of the anxiety and, in particular, to differentiate primary from secondary anxiety. Management includes medications (especially benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and psychotherapy (particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy).     

Benign cervical thymoma masquerading as a malignant thyroid nodule

A thymoma in the neck region is a rare diagnosis involving a solitary neck nodule that moves with deglutition and is contiguous with the thyroid gland. The authors report an unusual case of a thymoma that accumulated both Tc-99m pertechnetate and Tc-99m MIBI. This is probably the first reported case of a benign neck thymoma concentrating these two radiopharmaceuticals. Thymoma should be added to the gamut of false-positive findings in the neck for thyroidal (with Tc-99m pertechnetate) and malignant (with Tc-99m MIBI) tissue.     

Simultaneous device closure of muscular ventricular septal defect and pulmonary valve balloon dilatation.

Percutaneous closure of ventricular septal defect and pulmonary valvuloplasty appears to be an attractive modality when compared to surgical treatment for both lesions. We report successful transcatheter closure of muscular ventricular septal defect with pulmonary valve balloon dilation performed simultaneously in a 27-year-old woman. Technical considerations in such a setting are being discussed.     

Rifaximin,a pregnane X receptor (PXR) activator regulates apoptosis in a murine model of breast cancer

The present study was proposed to investigate the effect of rifaximin (RFX) on methyl nitrosourea (MNU) induced mammary gland carcinoma in albino wistar rats. Animals were randomized and divided among four groups of six animals each. Group I (control 0.9% normal saline, 3 ml kg⁻¹, p.o.); Group II (toxic control, MNU 47 mg kg⁻¹, i.v.); Group III (RFX, 25 mg kg⁻¹, p.o.); Group IV (RFX, 50 mg kg⁻¹, p.o.). Toxicity was induced by single i.v. injection of MNU. MNU treatment was evident with increased alveolar bud count, differentiation score, up-regulated inflammatory enzyme markers (COX, LOX, NO and H₂S) and oxidative stress markers (TBAR''s, protein carbonyl, SOD, catalase and Ach). The mammary gland surface architecture was studied using SEM, carmine staining and H&E staining. The treatment with RFX elicited noticeable restoration of the overall histological architecture in the experimental animals similar to the control. In the MNU treated toxic group, the levels of oxidative stress markers significantly increased in comparison to the control, which was subsequently restored after RFX treatment. Furthermore, RFX up regulated the levels of caspase 3 and caspase 8, when compared to the MNU treated animals. MNU associated toxicity was also ascertained, when determined for UCHL-1, COX, NF-κBp65, BAD, and BCL-xl expression, while RFX demonstrated modulation of the same.

The present study was proposed to investigate the effect of rifaximin (RFX) on methyl nitrosourea (MNU) induced mammary gland carcinoma in albino wistar rats.