Physicomechanical Properties of Rice Husk/Coco Peat Reinforced Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Blend Composites.

Utilizing agro-waste material such as rice husk (RH) and coco peat (CP) reinforced with thermoplastic resin to produce low-cost green composites is a fascinating discovery. In this study, the effectiveness of these blended biocomposites was evaluated for their physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Initially, the samples were fabricated by using a combination of melt blend internal mixer and injection molding techniques. Increasing in RH content increased the coupons density. However, it reduced the water vapor kinetics sorption of the biocomposite. Moisture absorption studies disclosed that water uptake was significantly increased with the increase of coco peat (CP) filler. It showed that the mechanical properties, including tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and impact strength of the 15% RH-5% CP reinforced acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), gave the highest value. Results also revealed that all RH/CP filled composites exhibited a brittle fracture manner. Observation on the tensile morphology surfaces by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) affirmed the above finding to be satisfactory. Therefore, it can be concluded that blend-agriculture waste reinforced ABS biocomposite can be exploited as a biodegradable material for short life engineering application where good mechanical and thermal properties are paramount.

Anal skin tag - An unusual presenting feature of food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis in a neonate.

BACKGROUND: Anal skin tags are commonly seen with anal fissures, haemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease and their association have been extensively studied. However the presence of anal skin tag in food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis has rarely been reported in literature. We report a neonate with food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis who presented with blood in stool and anal skin tag. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 26-day-old baby presented with history of passing intermittent blood in stools for two days. The baby was exclusively breast-fed and was well-appearing with no failure to thrive. Two anal skin tags were present but there was no evidence of anal fissures or haemorrhoids. The biopsy of anal skin tag showed fibroepithelial polyp. Colonoscopy was suggestive of food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis. In view of poor response to elimination diet in the mother and extensively hydrolysed formula, the baby was started on amino acid formula with complete recovery. CONCLUSION: Through this case we wish to highlight that clinicians should consider food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis in their differential diagnosis in a neonate presenting with blood in stools and anal skin tag.

Detection of human parvovirus B19 in cancer patients using ELISA and real-time PCR.

PURPOSE: Parvovirus B19 (B19) is associated with a wide range of diseases in humans, whose severity depends on the immunological and haematological status of the host. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of B19 DNA and specific IgM and IgG frequency among patients suffering from different haematological malignancies and to determine the viral load using real-time PCR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 70 patients were included in the study, in addition to a control group consisting of 20 apparently healthy volunteers. B19 DNA quantitative analysis was performed using real-time PCR while screening for IgM and IgG anti-B19 antibodies was performed using ELISA. RESULTS: B19 DNA was detected in 26 patients (36.14%) and 3 controls (15%) using real-time PCR. Anti-parvovirus B19 IgM antibodies were detected in 9 patients (12.6%) and 2 controls (10%). Anti-parvovirus B19 IgG antibodies were detected in 32 patients (45.71%) and 5 controls (25%). The difference between the patient and control groups was found to be statistically non-significant in all of the three tests (P < 0.05). The difference in B19 incidence among patients receiving multiple transfusions and non-transfused patients was also found to be statistically non-significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We found a high incidence of B19 infection among patients diagnosed with different types of haematological malignancies. We recommend that all cases of haematological disorders should be examined for specific antibodies and tested for the presence of B19 DNA in serum by PCR technique.

Gunshot wound with asphalt related pseudo-soot, pseudo-tattooing, and pseudo-scorching.

Artifacts which mimic the tattooing and soot deposition of close range gunshot wounds have been described as "pseudo-soot" and "pseudo-tattooing." The origin of such findings includes glass, intermediate targets, insect bites, medical manipulation, graphite, and sutures. The authors present a case of pseudo-soot and pseudo-tattooing as a result of asphalt pavement, and describe the associated entity of pseudo-scorching.

Relation of cytohistopathology of genital herpesvirus infection to cervical anaplasia.

PIP: Cytological changes resulting from herpes simplex virus (HSV) were detected in 673 (.26%) of 279,589 cervicovaginal smears from an indigent hospital population. Histopathological features of HSV infection were observed in 45 of 126 biopsies taken from the group of 673. Most of the lesions were multifocal and were located on the squamocolumnar junction; diagnostic cells were found at the base of normal squamous epithelium or at the surface of anaplastic epithelium. The cytological and histological changes and diagnostic procedures for HSV infection are given in detail; cytological detection is 2/3 as sensitive as viral isolation. The presence of anaplasia in about 2/3 of the 673 HSV cases either before or at the same time as the detection of HSV suggests that anaplastic tissue is more susceptible to HSV infection. However, serological evidence showing HSV antibodies before the onset of cervical anaplasia, the recurring nature of HSV, and epidemiological evidence showing the age of acquisition of HSV to be 5-30 years before diagnosis of cervical cancer are all compatible with the view that HSV causes cervical cancer.^ieng