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Background: Gastric adenocarcinoma in Indian patients’ is on the rise. A high level of plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) is associated not only with the development of cancerassociated thrombosis but also with the degree of malignancy, the rate of metastasis, and cancer prognosis. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to study the association of vWF with tumor location, TNM staging, and grades of tumor differentiation in gastric adenocarcinoma and to assess the usefulness of circulating vWF levels as a potential biomarker for gastric adenocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: This study is a prospective observational study done in the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Madurai Medical College, Madurai, over a period of 2 years between September 2020 and August 2022. Fifty cases of gastric cancer and 50 controls were recruited and vWF levels were analyzed. Results: Among the 50 gastric cancer patients, 8% belonged to Stage II, 62% belonged to Stage III, and 30% belonged to Stage IV. vWF was elevated in Gastric Cancer patients compared to control group. Mean value of vWF in Cases and Control population was 3.68 ng/ml and 0.58 ng/ml respectively (p value 0.0005). Pertaining to Stage, the vWF value was, Stage II – 4.7, Stage III – 3.3, and Stage IV – 4.1 ng/mL. With respect to tumor differentiation, the vWF values were, poorly differentiated – 4.7, moderately differentiated – 3.0, and well differentiated – 3.9 ng/mL. Conclusion: vWF values were significantly elevated in gastric cancer patients. Based on the results, vWF can be used as a surrogate marker to predict the tumor differentiation in patients, thereby prognosticating the disease. Stage-wise, there was no significant difference in the vWF values.

Anna Taylor,1 Andrew Cushing,2 Morgan Dow,2 Jacqueline Anderson,1 Grace McDowell,1 Stephanie Lua,1 Maureen Manthe,1 Sandosh Padmanabhan,3 Shane Burns,2 Paul McGinness,2 David J Lowe,1,4 Christopher Carlin1 1Departments of Respiratory and Emergency Medicine, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland; 2Lenus Health Ltd, Edinburgh, Scotland; 3Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland; 4Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, ScotlandCorrespondence: Christopher Carlin, Department of Respiratory and Emergency Medicine, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 4TF, Scotland, Tel + 44 141 451 6088, Email christopher.carlin@ggc.scot.nhs.ukPurpose: Digital tools may improve chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management, but further evidence of significant, persisting benefits are required. The RECEIVER trial was devised to evaluate the Lenus COPD support service by determining if people with severe COPD would continue to utilize the co-designed patient web application throughout study follow-up and to explore the impact of this digital service on clinical outcomes with its adoption alongside routine care.Patients and Methods: The prospective observational cohort hybrid implementation-effectiveness study began in September 2019 and included 83 participants. Recruitment stopped in March 2020 due to COVID-19, but follow-up continued as planned. A contemporary matched control cohort was identified to compare participant clinical outcomes with and minimize biases associated with wider COVID-19 impacts. Utilization was determined by daily COPD assessment test (CAT) completion through the application. Survival metrics and post-index date changes in annual hospitalizations were compared between the RECEIVER and control cohorts. Longitudinal quality of life and symptom burden data and community-managed exacerbation events were also captured through the application.Results: High and sustained application utilization was noted across the RECEIVER cohort with a mean follow-up of 78 weeks (64/83 participants completed at least one CAT entry on ≥ 50% of possible follow-up weeks). Subgroup analysis of participants resident in more socioeconomically deprived postcode areas revealed equivalent utilization. Median time to death or a COPD or respiratory-related admission was higher in the RECEIVER cohort compared to control (335 days vs 155 days). Mean reduction in annual occupied bed days was 8.12 days vs 3.38 days in the control cohort. Quality of life and symptom burden remained stable despite the progressive nature of COPD.Conclusion: The sustained utilization of the co-designed patient application and improvements in participant outcomes observed in the RECEIVER trial support scale-up implementation with continued evaluation of this digital service.Keywords: COPD, self-management, remote monitoring, patient-reported outcomes

The increasing concern for sustainable materials and waste management has led to innovative approaches in material science. This study explores the potential benefit of aggregate waste in the production of aluminum composites practicing powder metallurgy techniques. The aim is to investigate the feasibility of incorporating bone material into aluminium matrices to enhance the composite’s mechanical properties. The research involves several key steps. Firstly, waste bone material is collected and processed to obtain a fine powder suitable for powder metallurgy. Various techniques such as grinding, milling, or pulverization are employed to achieve the desired particle size distribution. Next, the bone powder is mixed with aluminium powder in predetermined ratios to create composite blends. The composite blends are then subjected to compaction using powder metallurgy techniques, including cold pressing and sintering. The compaction process aims to consolidate the powders and facilitate the formation of a solid composite structure. The aluminum composites mechanical characteristics are then assessed. The effects of incorporating bone material are assessed using tests on tensile strength, ductility, hardness, and other relevant mechanical properties. Comparative analysis is performed between the composites with bone material and traditional aluminium composites to assess any improvements or changes in performance.

The total amount of solid trash produced in India is 160038.9 TPD, according to the Annual Report on Solid Waste Management (2020–21), CPCB, Delhi. Out of which, Tamil Nadu created 13422 TPD of solid waste, of which 9430.35 TPD was processed, and 2301.04 TPD was landfilled. The researchers have been forced to look at alternative processes and materials for the manufacturing of construction materials utilizing processed municipal solid waste ash (PMSWA) due to the increased demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable products. This research work focused on the replacement of fine aggregate by (0%, 10%, 30% and 50%) Processed Municipal Solid Waste Ash (PMSWA) in the Solid Blocks. This research enhances the sustainable material development in the construction industry. SEM study showed that specimens with CTR do not have any cracking on their fracture surfaces, unlike samples without CTR. This study examines the material’s physical characteristics, including its mechanical attributes like compressive strength and flexural strength as well as its chemical composition using XRF. It demonstrates that the substitution or addition of PMSWA to construction materials is appropriate, cost-effective, and safe.

Waste generated due to various industrial activities are dumped as landfill posing serious environmental complications. Pollution control due to industrial waste has become one of concern across the globe. This study discusses foundry sand and coconut shell, two byproducts of the manufacturing and agriculture sectors. The most efficient use of these components is to include them into the concrete itself, either as a partial substitute for fine aggregate or coarse aggregate, or both. Durability tests were conducted on concrete samples with the replacement percentages determined to be optimal on the basis of mechanical characteristics. According to the findings, foundry sand may be utilised as a fine aggregate replacement in concrete, while coconut shell can be used as a coarse aggregate replacement without impacting its strength or durability.

Mild steel is a popular material used in various applications due to its excellent machinability, strength and durability. Mild steel is one of the most affordable materials available, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious projects. Regrettably, Mild steel is not typically used in some industries due to its low strength-to-weight ratio and limited corrosion resistance. AISI 1020 steel is relatively soft and has limited wear resistance compared to other types of steel, particularly those with higher carbon content. This review paper discusses the profitable and successful approach to enhance the service life and utility of the mild steel machinery components. Various investigators have put their effort into developing different methods to improve the properties of the mild steel components. The laser cladding process is developed by the melting of the preplaced coating layer with the surface of the substrate simultaneously which is able to prevent direct contact with the environment. The present review paper discussed in detail the impact of various parameters of laser cladding process and variation of the coating materials on the surface properties and microstructure of mild steel. Some challenges and remedies are also discussed in the paper. This review paper focused on some potential uses of the laser cladding process in diverse industries.

Polycyclic heterocycles are the most common and critical structural motifs found in a variety of natural products, medicines, fertilizers, and advanced materials. Because of their widespread use in biologically active compounds and material chemistry, functionalised dibenzo heterocyclic compounds, especially dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, and carbazole derivatives, garnered much attention over time. Scientists are especially interested in elucidating more efficient techniques for developing these industrially essential compounds. Dibenzo‐fused heterocycles can rapidly be synthesised using highly efficient transition metal‐catalysed strategies as well as by economic metal‐free reaction conditions. This review includes a detailed overview of the most recent significant synthetic techniques, both metal‐catalysed and metal‐free, to produce these industrially significant and medicinally important dibenzo‐fused heterocycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]