Hypertrophy of the Muscularis Propria of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter and the Body lf the Esophagus in Patients With Primary Motility Disorders of the Esophagus

Mittal, Ravinder K.,Kassab, Ghassan,Puckett, James L.,Liu, Jianmin 대한소화관운동학회 2003 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.9 No.3

Objectives: Patients with diffuse esophageal spasm (DES) and nutcracker esophagus/high amplitude esophageal contraction (HAEC) have a thicker esophageal muscularis propria than do healthy subjects. The goals of this study were to determine the esophageal muscle cross-sectional area (MCSA), a measure of muscle mass, in patients with achalasia of the esophagus; and to compare it with that in patients with DES, patients with HAEC, and normal subjects. Methods: Using a high-frequency ultrasound probe catheter, concurrent manometry and ultrasound images of the esophagus were recorded in four subject groups: normal volunteers, patients with HAEC, patients with DES, and patients with achalasia of the esophagus. Recordings were obtained from the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and multiple sites in the esophagus 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 cm above the LES. Results: The LES and esophageal muscle thickness as well as esophageal MCSA were greater in all three patient groups than in the normal subject group. Muscle thickness and MCSA were observed to be greatest in patients with achalasia, which were greater than in patients with DES, which were greater than in those with HAEC, which in turn were greater than in normal subjects. Conclusions: We propose that an increase in the MCSA is an important feature of patients with primary motility disorders of the esophagus. The degree of increase in muscle mass may be an important determinant of the type and the severity of esophageal motor dysfunction. (Am J Gastroenterol 2003;98:17051712. 2003 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology)

A review on carbon nanotubes and graphene as fillers in reinforced polymer nanocomposites

Mittal, Garima,Dhand, Vivek,Rhee, Kyong Yop,Park, Soo-Jin,Lee, Wi Ro Elsevier 2015 Journal of industrial and engineering chemistry Vol.21 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Recently, carbonaceous nanofillers such as graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) play a promising role due to their better structural, functional properties and broad range of applications in every field. This paper reviews the synthesis and properties of CNTs along with the use of graphene as a novel substitution to the nanotubes as fillers. This review also focuses on the issues related to the processing, dispersion and alignment of CNT within nanocomposites. Furthermore a comparative analysis has been carried out between the importance of graphene and carbon nanotubes as fillers and their substantial changes in mechanical and electrical properties of matrix.</P>

Study for improvement of grounds subjected to cyclic loads

Mittal, Satyendra,Meyase, Kenisevi Techno-Press 2012 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.4 No.3

Due to rapid industrialisation, large scale infrastructure development is taking place worldwide. This includes railways, high speed highways, elevated roads etc. To meet the demands of society and industry, many innovative techniques and materials are being developed. In developed nations like USA, Japan etc. for railways applications, new material like geocells, geogrids are being used successfully to enable fast movement of vehicles. The present research work was aimed to develop design methodologies for improvement of grounds subjected to cyclic loads caused by moving vehicles on roads, rail tracks etc. Deformation behavior of ballast under static and cyclic load tests was studied based on square footing test. The paper presents a study of the effect of geo-synthetic reinforcement on the (cumulative) plastic settlement, of point loaded square footing on a thick layer of granular base overlying different compressible bases. The research findings showed that inclusion of geo-synthetics significantly improves the performance of ballasted tracks and reduces the foundation area. If the area is kept same, higher speed trains can be allowed to pass through the same track with insertion of geosynthetics. Similarly, area of machine foundation may also be reduced where geosynthetics is provided in foundation. The model tests results have been validated by numerical modeling, using $FLAC^{3D}$.

Hierarchical structures of CNT@basalt fabric for tribological and electrical applications: Impact of growth temperature and time during synthesis

Mittal, Garima,Rhee, Kyong Y. Elsevier 2018 Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufactur Vol.115 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Hierarchical structures are continuously drawing the attention of researchers to replace traditional polymeric structures. Here, hierarchical structures of basalt fabric coated with CNTs (BF-CNTs) were prepared using chemical vapor deposition (CVD). To understand the effects of growth temperature and growth time during chemical vapor deposition on grafting of CNTs on basalt fabric, two cases were considered i.e., grafting at 600, 650, and 700 °C for 30 min and at 650 °C for 30, 60, and 120 min. BF-CNTs were characterized using XRD, HR-Raman, FE-SEM, and DSC. Further, BF-CNTs were sandwiched with epoxy via a hand lay-up method and their effects on the tribological and electrical properties of epoxy composites were analyzed. The results show the composites with BF-CNT prepared at higher growth temperature and for longer time possessed a lower coefficient of friction (CoF), lower wear loss, lower volume resistivity, and improved electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE).</P>

Metabolic Changes Enhance the Cardiovascular Risk with Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma - A Case Control Study from Manipal Teaching Hospital of Nepal

Mittal, Ankush,Poudel, Bibek,Pandeya, Dipendra Raj,Gupta, Satrudhan Pd,Sathian, Brijesh,Yadav, Shambhu Kumar Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Objective: To evaluate several metabolic changes in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC ) which enhance cardiovascular risk in the western region of Nepal. Materials and Methods: This hospital based case control study was carried out using data retrieved from the register maintained in the Department of Biochemistry of the Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal between $1^{st}$ January, 2009 and $31^{st}$ December, 2011. The variables collected were age, gender, BMI, glucose, insulin, HbA1C, CRP, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL, f-T3, f-T4, TSH. One way ANOVA was used to examine statistical significance of differences between groups, along with the Post Hoc test LSD for comparison of means. Results: fT3 values were markedly raised in DTC cases ($5.7{\pm}SD1.4$) when compared to controls ($2.2{\pm}SD0.9$). Similarly, fT4 values were also moderately raised in cases of DTC ($4.9{\pm}SD1.3$ and $1.7{\pm}SD0.9$). In contrast, TSH values were lowered in DTC cases ($0.39{\pm}SD0.4$) when compared to controls ($4.2{\pm}SD1.4$). Mean blood glucose levels were decreased while insulin was increased and HDL reduced ($39.5{\pm}SD4.7$ as compared to the control $43.1{\pm}SD2.2$). Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk may be aggravated by insulin resistance, a hypercoagulable state, and an atherogenic lipid profile in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

Investigation of seawater effects on the mechanical properties of untreated and treated MMT-based glass fiber/vinylester composites

Mittal, Garima,Dhand, Vivek,Rhee, Kyong Yop,Park, Soo Jin,Kim, Hyeon-Ju,Jung, Dong Ho Elsevier 2015 Ocean engineering Vol.108 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The present investigation is focused on montmorillonite (Cloisite<SUP>®</SUP> Na<SUP>+</SUP>)-based vinylester/glass fiber composites. In the present study, two types of composites are processed by incorporating 1.0wt% untreated and treated montmorillonite into vinylester/glass fiber composites and the effect of seawater absorption on their mechanical properties was studied for marine applications. The surface treatment of MMT was performed using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. When montmorillonite clay comes into contact with water, swelling between layers occurs that consequently alters the mechanical properties of the composites. The tensile and bending strengths of the composites before and after seawater absorption were investigated using ASTM methods with a Universal Testing Machine. Chemical and physical changes were studied through X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis was performed to analyze the effect of seawater absorption on the thermal properties. The morphology of the fractured surfaces before and after seawater absorption was analyzed using FE-SEM. The results show that treated MMT-based composites show better mechanical properties in dry and seawater-absorbed conditions than the untreated MMT-based composites, but the mechanical properties of both composites decrease after seawater immersion.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> MMT was treated with 3-APTES and Untreated and treated MMT-composites were prepared. </LI> <LI> Effect of seawater absorption on mechanical properties of composites was studied. </LI> <LI> Bonding and adhesion between matrix and the fillersincrease after surface treatment. </LI> <LI> Mechanical properties of treated MMT-composites were better than the untreated ones. </LI> <LI> After seawater absorption, treated MMT-composites had better mechanical properties. </LI> </UL> </P>

Efficacy of Carcinogenic Embryonic Antigen in Differential Diagnosis of Diseases of Pancreas and Liver - A Comparative Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Western Nepal

Mittal, Ankush,Farooqui, Shamim Mohammad,Pyrtuh, Samuel,Poudel, Bibek,Sathian, Brijesh,Yadav, Shambhu Kumar Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.1

Objective: The objective of our present study was to assess the efficacy of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for differentiating and diagnosis of pancreatic and liver diseases in Pokhara valley. Materials and methods: A hospital based retrospective study was carried out using data retrieved from the register maintained in the Department of Biochemistry of the Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal between 1st January, 2011 and 31st October, 2011. Estimation of CEA was performed by ELISA reader for all cases. Approval for the study was obtained from the institutional research ethical committee. Results: Of the 771 subjects, 208 (27%), 60(7.8%), 240(31.1%), 54(7.0%), 75(9.7%), 59(7.7%), 75(9.7%) cases were of active chronic hepatitis, cryptogenic cirrhosis, alcoholic cirrhosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, hepatoma, acute or chronic pancreatitis, carcinoma of pancreas respectively. The majority of cases (104) of active chronic hepatitis had CEA levels <5ng/ml(50%). CEA levels were found to be increased in cases of alcoholic cirrhosis with maximum number of cases (106) in range of 10 to 20 ng/ml (44%). There were no cases having more than 20ng/ml of CEA in primary biliary cirrhosis and acute or chronic pancreatitis. In cases of pancreatic cancer, maximum number of cases (35) were having CEA >20ng/ml(47%). Conclusion: High levels of CEA are associated with advanced stage of disease. CEA can thus provide an important improvement in the diagnosis by differentiating pancreatic cancer especially from chronic pancreatitis when there is a high suspicion of malignancy. Increased CEA levels may also signify progression from benign to malignant transformation in the liver.

Investigation of corrosion behaviour of carbon nanotubes coated basalt fabric as a reinforcement material

Mittal, Garima,Neš,ović,, Katarina,Rhee, Kyong Yop,Miš,ković,-Stanković,, Vesna Elsevier 2019 Composites Part B, Engineering Vol.178 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In this study, the corrosion behaviour of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) coated basalt fibre (BF) (BFCNTs) obtained by chemical vapour deposition (CVD), was studied. During CVD, the CNTs were grown on BF, (a) at different growth temperatures and (b) for different growth times. The physicochemical measurements were performed using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The corrosion performances were investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic sweep (PDS), linear polarization resistance (LPR) and weight loss measurements. The BFCNT prepared at 650 °C for 120 min exhibited the best corrosion stability during the prolonged exposure to 0.1 M NaCl electrolyte. The outcomes of this study would be useful in designing the carbon nanotubes coated basalt fibre with the best corrosion resistance.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> CNTs coated basalt fibres were obtained using chemical vapour deposition. </LI> <LI> CNTs were grown at different growth temperatures and for different growth times. </LI> <LI> BFCNTs prepared for longer growth time showed better CNT formation on BF. </LI> <LI> Better CNT formation on BF improved the corrosion stability of the BFCNTs composite. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Reinforcements in multi-scale polymer composites: Processing, properties, and applications

Mittal, Garima,Rhee, Kyong Y.,Miš,ković,-Stanković,, Vesna,Hui, David Elsevier 2018 Composites Part B, Engineering Vol.138 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Smart and novel materials require the replacement of conventional composites with superior ones, which requires an advanced class of composites with multi-functionality. Multi-scale composites are advanced composites that are reinforced with nanoscale materials along with macroscale fibers, and these materials have attracted the attention of researchers as well as various industries. Multi-scale composites have potential applications in almost every field due to their remarkable features like extraordinary mechanical, electrical, and optical properties; extremely high aspect ratios of the nanomaterial constituents; and the uniformity, flexibility, and stability of the fibers. To optimize the performance of these kinds of composites, it is crucial to understand the selection of appropriate reinforcements, processing, and utilization of these advanced materials. Most reviews in this area concentrate only on CNTs, while this review considers other nanomaterials too. Additionally, various methods to improve the dispersion of nanomaterials into the matrix are also discussed. Overall, this article focuses on the components of multi-scale composites, key challenges related to their processing, and the multi-functionality of designed multi-scale composites.</P>

Des-Gamma-Carboxyprothrombin for Early Identification and Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma - A Case Control Study from Western Nepal

Mittal, Ankush,Gupta, Satrudhan Pd,Sathian, Brijesh,Sreedharan, Jayadevan,Poudel, Bibek,Yadav, Shambhu Kumar,Pandeya, Dipendra Raj Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.11

Objective: To assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of AFP and des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) in combination and alone for hepatocellular carcinoma. Materials and Methods: A case control study carried out in the Department of Biochemistry of Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal between $1^{st}$ January 2010 and $31^{st}$ December 2011. The variables collected were age, gender, BMI, total proteins, albumin, AST, ALT, total bilirubin, DCP, AFP. Approval for the study was obtained from the institutional research ethical committee. Estimation of AFP was performed by ELISA reader for all cases. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics and confidence interval (CI). The data was analyzed using Excel 2003, R 2.8.0 Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows Version 16.0 (SPSS Inc; Chicago, IL, USA) and the EPI Info 3.5.1 Windows Version. Results:The mean age of HCC cases was $53.6{\pm}14.93$ yrs. The percentage of females was less than males in both cases (23%) and controls (29%). The specificity of DCP reached 100% when its values was equal or greater than 150 (MAU/ml) for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 months preceding the diagnosis of HCC. Similarly, the specificity for AFP was also nearly 100% when its value was equal or greater than 200 ng/ml 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 months earlier to the finding of HCC. The specificity of DCP (${\geq}40MAU/mL$) and AFP(${\geq}20$ ng/mL) in combination was 93%, 97%, 95%, 96%, 97% in respect to 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 months prior to the diagnosis of HCC. Conclusion: The combination of both DCP and AFP will improve the finding of initial HCC and the sensitivity of these markers was utmost at the time of HCC identification and noticeably lesser at former time points.