This paper makes an investigation on the synthesis of tantalum carbide (TaCx) based chromel composites and their tribological behaviour using pin on disc under various load conditions. The reinforced chromel alloy with TaCx was prepared at the rate of 0, 3 and 6 wt.% of TaC using stir casting route. The wear resistance of composites was found to improve with the increase in weight percentage of TaC. The wear properties of Chromel-TaCx composite were enhanced due to the presence of 6% TaC. The wear worn out surface of chromel composite was studied through microstructures. The optimal process factors and their effect on responses have been analyzed through Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).

Resumo No presente estudo, os autores descrevem um caso raro de tumor estromal gastrointestinal no reto em um homem de 57 anos que se apresentou com neoplasia de células fusiformes, com provável tumor estromal gastrointestinal. A tomografia computadorizada demonstrou tumor na parede anterior do reto e foi sugerida sua ressecção abdominoperineal. O paciente iniciou tratamento com imatinibe e apresentou uma redução significativa nos sintomas. O paciente foi reavaliado por tomografia computadorizada, que evidenciou redução do tamanho do tumor; portanto, foi indicada cirurgia transanal minimamente invasiva. O tumor era ressecável e foi necessário um extenso acompanhamento para romper o órgão, de forma a alcançar a ressecção máxima; caso contrário, o tumor estromal gastrointestinal também seria irressecável. O uso de imatinibe antes da ressecção cirúrgica para reduzir o tamanho do tumor dentro do limite de ressecção é uma abordagem interessante. Como o tumor pode se crescer rapidamente após ser substancialmente reduzido, a literatura ainda apresenta controvérsias quanto ao melhor momento para operar e quanto ao melhor desfecho terapêutico.

Abstract Here we describe an infrequent case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the rectum in a 57 year-old man with spindle cell neoplasm probably gastrointestinal stromal tumor and CT scan showed tumor from the anterior rectal wall and offered abdominoperineal resection for the same. The patient was started on imatinib and had a significant reduction in symptoms. The patient was reassessed with the CT scan, which showed a reduction in tumor size and Transanal minimally invasive surgery was planned for the patient. Use of imatinib prior to surgical resection to attain the reduced size of the tumor within the limit of resection is an attractive approach. Since tumor development can happen rapidly again after substantial tumor shrinkage, the best time to operate depending on resectability and the maximum therapeutic outcome remains divisive.

Resumo Justificativa Este estudo define o perfil da doença na população do sul da Índia e determina os aspectos clínicos e patológicos dos tumores estromais gastrointestinais. Método Neste estudo prospectivo, os pacientes diagnosticados com tumor estromal gastrointestinl foram submetidos a um exame clínico completo, e uma série de dados dos pacientes, incluindo detalhes antropométricos e clínicos, foram analisados. Os dados patológicos incluíram tamanho do tumor, presença ou ausência de necrose, contagem mitótica e imuno-histoquímica para CD-117, CD-34. Resultados Havia 44 pacientes com diagnóstico confirmado de tumor estromal gastrointestinal. A maior incidência foi encontrada na 6ª década de vida. Os sintomas mais comuns foram dor abdominal e sangramento gastrointestinal. O estômago foi o local mais frequente para tumores estromais gastrointestinais. A imuno-histoquímica para CD-117 foi positiva em 93,18% dos casos. A maioria dos tumores (79,5%) apresentava morfologia pura de células fusiformes e a atividade mitótica mostrou que 34% dos GISTs pertenciam ao grupo de alto risco. Quarenta e dois pacientes receberam indicação para cirurgia como tratamento primário após a apresentação. Conclusão A dor abdominal foi a queixa mais comum. A maioria dos tumores afetava o estômago, apresentava morfologia pura de células fusiformes e 93% eram CD-117 positivos. Foi observada uma relação significativa entre o tamanho do tumor, a necrose tumoral e a atividade mitótica, com os tumores grandes apresentando necrose e alta taxa mitótica com alto risco de malignidade. A ressecção cirúrgica é considerada o principal tratamento do tumor estromal gastrointestinal. A terapia com imatinibe deve ser administrada a pacientes em categoria de risco de moderadas a grave.

Abstract Background This study defines the disease profile in south Indian population and determine the clinic-pathological aspects of Gastro-Intestinal Stromal Tumors. Method In this prospective study patients diagnosed of gastrointestinal stromal tumors were taken thorough clinical examination and a database of Anthropometric details and clinical details were analyzed. Pathological data included tumor size, presence or absence necrosis, mitotic counts, immunohistochemistry for CD-117, CD-34. Results There were 44 patients with confirmed diagnosis of gastro-intestinal stromal tumor. The highest incidence was found in the 6th decade. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleed. Stomach was most frequent site for gastro-intestinal stromal tumors. Immunochemistry for CD-117 was positive in 93.18% cases. Majority of tumors (79.5%) had pure spindle cell morphology and mitotic activity showed that 34% of the GISTs were of the high risk group. Forty two patients were suggestive of surgery as the primary treatment after presentation. Conclusion Abdominal pain was the most common presenting complaint. Majority of the tumors aroused from the stomach. The majority of the tumors had pure spindle cell morphology and 93% of the tumors were CD-117 positive. A significant relationship between tumor size, tumor necrosis and mitotic activity with large tumors having necrosis and high mitotic rate having high risk of malignancy, was observed. Surgical resection is considered mainstay of treatment of gastro-intestinal stromal tumor. Imatinib therapy should be given to patients in moderate to severe risk categories.

Ethanol extract of whole plant of Trichosanthes cucumerina L. var. cucumerina was evaluated for antiovulatory activity in adult rats. The ethanol extract at the doses 200 and 400mg/kg body weight (orally) affected the normal estrous cycle showing a significant increase in estrus and metestrus phases and decrease in diestras and proestrus phases. The extract also significantly reduced the number of healthy follicles (Class I-Class VI) and corpora lutea and increased the number of regressing follicles (Stage IA, Stage IB, Stage IIA, and Stage IIB). The protein and glycogen content in the ovaries were significantly reduced in treated rats. The cholesterol level was significantly increased, whereas, the enzyme activities like 3b-HSD and 17b-HSD were significantly inhibited in the ovary of treated rats. Serum FSH and LH levels were significantly reduced in the treated groups were measured by RIA. In acute toxicity test, neither mortality nor change in the behavior or any other physiological activities in mice were observed in the treated groups. In chronic toxicity studies, no mortality was recorded and there were no significant differences in the body and organ weights were observed between controls and treated rats. Hematological analysis showed no significant differences in any of the parameters examined (RBC, WBC count and Hemoglobin estimation). These observations showed the antiovulatory activity of ethanol extract of whole plant of Trichosanthes cucumerina L. var. cucumerina in female albino rats.

El extracto de etanol de toda la planta de Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina (L.) se evaluó en cuanto a su actividad antiovulatoria en ratas adultas. El extracto de etanol en dosis de 200 y 400mg/kg de peso corporal (oral) afectó el ciclo normal estral, mostrando un aumentó significativo en las fases de estro y metaestro y la disminución de las fases de diestro y proestro. El extracto también redujo significativamente el número de folículos sanos (Clase I=Clase VI) y cuerpo lúteo y aumentó el número de folículos en regresión (etapa I, etapa IB, etapa II y etapa IIB). La proteína y el contenido de glucógeno en los ovarios se redujeron significativamente en las ratas tratadas. El nivel de colesterol aumentó significativamente, mientras que, actividad de las enzimas 3b-HSD y 17b-HSD se inhibió significativamente en el ovario de ratas tratadas. FSH sérico y los niveles de LH se redujeron significativamente en los grupos tratados y medidos por RÍA. En la prueba de toxicidad aguda, no hubo mortalidad ni cambio en el comportamiento fisiológico o de cualquier otra actividad en los grupos tratados de ratas. En estudios de toxicidad crónica, no se registró mortalidad y no hubo diferencias significativas en el peso corporal o el peso de los órganos entre los controles y las ratas tratadas. Los análisis hematológicos no mostraron diferencias significativas en ninguno de los parámetros examinados (eritrocitos, recuento de glóbulos blancos y estimación de hemoglobina). Estas observaciones mostraron la actividad antiovulatoria del extracto de etanol de toda la planta de Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina en ratas albinas hembras.

Un perfil puede ser definido como un conjunto de datos bidimensional donde las distancias horizontales son representadas en el eje x, y la profundidad en el eje y. Un perfil es una ventana al subsuelo. Este trabajo presenta la construcción de perfiles con la ayuda de 'Vigat 2005' - aplicación basada en Visual C++. Su propósito principal es proveer perfiles mostrando características geo-científicas que permitan interpretar la variación de las mismas dentro del área de estudio. En un contexto geológico, los perfiles son una exposición del suelo mostrando rocas sedimentarias. Estos perfiles son muy útiles para determinar las geometrías de los cuerpos. Ellos son representaciones gráficas planares, usualmente verticales, de la Tierra mostrando sucesiones estratigráficas, la edad, estructura y tipos de rocas presentes en el subsuelo. Los perfiles geológicos permiten una mejor conceptualización de la geometría tridimensional de las estructuras. Al usar 'Vigat 2005', un perfil puede ser mostrado por medio de un simple clic del ratón por parte del usuario. Este provee una mejor funcionalidad para completar las tareas deseadas. Las condiciones límites específicas para representar el movimiento de un bloque de rocas sobre una falla pueden ser mostradas usando la interfaz gráfica del programa. También puede ser mostrado el relieve o las variaciones de la pendiente el área de estudio. Un mapa topográfico permite ver vistas aéreas del terreno. Es posible crear una representación más gráfica del terreno al hacer un perfil topográfico de la región. Un perfil topográfico muestra elevaciones y pendientes a lo largo de una línea determinada. Un método preciso para determinar las variaciones de la pendiente es construir un perfil a través de la topografía. La mayor ventaja de 'Vigat 2005' es que los usuarios no necesitan digitalizar contornos. Este trabajo se enfoca en el diseño e implementación de un ambiente interpretativo optimizado que se construyo con las herramientas de Visual C++. Las fuertes capacidades de programación de C++ han sido utilizadas completamente para la construcción de 'Vigat 2005'.

Cross-section can be described as a two dimensional dataset where the horizontal distances are represented on the x-axis and the depth on the y-axis. A cross-section is a window into the subsurface. This work presents the construction of cross sections with the help of 'Vigat 2005' - a Visual C ++ based software application. Its main purpose is to provide cross section views of geoscientific features and to interpret their variation within the area of study. In geological context, profile or cross section is an exposure of the ground showing depositional strata. Geological cross sections are very powerful means of conveying structural geometries. They are planar, usually vertical, graphical representations of earth sections showing stratigraphical successions, age, structure, and rock types present in the subsurface. Geological cross sections allow a better conceptualization of the 3-D geometry of the structures. By using 'Vigat 2005', a cross section graphic can be displayed by the user with a simple click of the mouse. It offers much easy to use functionality to facilitate the completion of desired tasks. Specific boundary conditions to represent the movement of rock block over the fault can be displayed using the graphical user interface. Relief or slope variation of the study area can also be viewed. A topographical map provides an aerial (overhead) view of a landscape. It is possible to create a more pictorial representation of the landscape by making a topographic profile of the region. A topographic profile is a cross section showing elevations and slopes along a given line. A precise method to determine slope variations is to construct a profile or cross section through the topography. The most important advantage of 'Vigat 2005' is that users do not need to digitize contours. This work focuses on the design and implementation of an optimized interpretive environment that have been built using Visual C++ tools. Strong programming capabilities of Visual C++ have been utilized, at its full extent, for the development of 'Vigat 2005'.