This work aims to investigate experimentally the parameters affecting on the wear debris and the temperature rise due to friction as well as developing the artificial neural network model (ANN) using MATLAB program for predicting the wear, and temperature of disc and pad. Two types of disc made from aluminum and steel are slipping against pad and carried out under dry conditions at different time, rotational speed, and load to examine the wear. The results show that the wear and temperature are increased with increasing the sliding speed, and load or contact time. In addition, the wear of pad is higher when it's contact with aluminum disc, while the temperature of pad is higher when its contact with steel. The ANN model was successfully shows that there is a high ability to predict the wear and temperature as well as the results of model corresponding with the experimental results.

AIMTo investigate mortality and rebleeding rate and identify associated risk factors at 6 wk and 5 d following acute variceal haemorrhage in patients with liver cirrhosis and schistosomal periportal fibrosis.METHODSThis is a prospective study conducted during the period from March to December 2014. Patients with portal hypertension presenting with acute variceal haemorrhage secondary to either liver cirrhosis (group A) or schistosomal periportal fibroses (group B) presenting within 24 h of the onset of the bleeding were enrolled in the study and followed for a period of 6 wk. Analysis of data was done by Microsoft Excel and comparison between groups was done by Statistical Package of Social Sciences version 20 to calculate means and find the levels of statistical differences and define the mortality rates, the P value of < 0.05 was considered to be significant.RESULTSA total of 94 patients were enrolled in the study. Thirty-two patients (34%) had liver cirrhosis (group A) and 62 (66%) patients had periportal fibrosis (group B). Mortality: The 6-wk and 5-d mortality were 53% and 16% respectively in group A compared to 10% and 0% in group B (P value < 0.000 and < 0.004). In group A; a Child-Turcotte-Pugh class C and rebleeding within 5 d were significantly associated with 5-d mortality (P value < 0.029 and < 0.049 respectively) and Child- Turcotte-Pugh class C was also a significant risk factor for 6-wk mortality (P value < 0.018). In group B; mortality was significantly associated with rebleeding within the 6-wk follow-up period and requirement for blood transfusion on admission (P value < 0.005 and < 0.049). Rebleeding: The 6-wk and 5-d rebleeding rate in group A were 56% and 25% respectively compared to 32% and 3% in group B (P value < 0.015 and < 0.002). Clinical presentation with encephalopathy was a significant risk factor for 5 d rebleeding in group A (P value < 0.005) while grade III periportal fibrosis and requirement for blood transfusion on admission were significant risk factors for 6-wk rebleeding in group B (P value < 0.004 and < 0.02).CONCLUSIONThe 6-wk and 5-d mortality and rebleeding rate were significantly higher in patients with liver cirrhosis compared to patients with schistosomal periportal fibrosis.

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Background: Tumor cell autophagy can influence cellular immunity by participation in the recognition and modification of tumor-related antigens. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of the autophagy-related marker; light chain 3B (LC3B) in tumor cells and the assessment of T lymphocytes by a cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3) in gliomas, and to correlate them with the available clinic-pathological variables in glioma patients. Materials and methods: Immunohistochemical staining for LC3B and CD3 was performed on 60 paraffin-embedded glioma tissue. LC3B immunoreactivity score of 0-6 was designated negative, and those scoring 7-12 were considered positive. The median level of CD3 positive T lymphocytes was calculated for both high and low-grade gliomas. In low-grade gliomas, the CD3 expressing T lymphocytes equal to or more than 2.6, were considered positive while in high-grade gliomas, those equal to or more than 16 were considered positive. Results: LC3B expression in tumor cells was detected in 24/60 (40%) of gliomas. Expression of LC3B was significantly more frequent in high-grade gliomas (23/33, 69.7%) compared to low grade ones (1/27, 5%), (p value= 0.000). LC3B expression was correlated with the patients age (P value= 0.047) & histological variants (P value= 0.000). CD3 positive T lymphocytes were significantly more prominent in high-grade gliomas (25/33 , 41.7%) than low-grade ones (2/27, 3.3%), (P value= 0.001). A significant association was noted between CD3 expression and the patients age (P value= 0.003), sex (P value: 0.035) and histological variants (P value= 0.001). LC3B expression in tumor cells was significantly correlated with CD3 positive T lymphocytes (P value: 0.000). Conclusion: Autophagic activity of tumor cells and T lymphocyte infiltrates were reported more in high-grade gliomas compared to low-grade ones, giving high-grade gliomas the chance in autophagy target therapy & immunotherapy.

We present two cases of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) who developed different forms of pulmonary amyloidosis. In both cases malignancy was considered as primary diagnosis. Transthoracic biopsy confirmed pulmonary amyloidosis. In the first case the patient presented with progressive dyspnoea over a two years period. Initial assessment was consistent with a diagnosis of COPD but progressive changes in symptoms and lung functions and subsequently CT Thorax revealed possible airway obstruction. Bronchoscopy confirmed an obstructive lesion initially considered to be malignant but was found to be due to tracheobronchial amyloid (TBA). Our second case presented with symptoms and signs consistent with COPD. Follow up chest X-rays revealed a pulmonary nodule which on CT examination was considered to be malignant. Transthoracic biopsy confirmed pulmonary amyloidosis. Although it is a rare condition amyloid disease should to consider as the part of the differential diagnosis in COPD patients who present with signs and symptoms consistent with pulmonary malignancy.