Refractory Type Research Articles

Can flow cytometry be a key in the difficult diagnosis of coeliac disease?

We present the clinical case of a 39-year-old woman with a medical history of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and uveitis, evaluated for abdominal pain and distension, difficulty gaining weight, and diarrhea. Blood tests were requested, including antibodies which were negative and common genetic markers, showing positivity for HLA DQ 7.5. A gastroscopy with duodenal biopsies revealed findings consistent with stage 3b of the modified Marsh classification. Due to diagnostic uncertainty, an IEL study was performed, showing a characteristic CD pattern, leading to the initiation of a strict gluten-free diet (GFD). During follow-up, the patient showed partial improvement, with persistent digestive symptoms. A repeat endoscopic study revealed persistent atrophy, but refractory disease type 2 was ruled out. During a flare of rheumatologic disease, Tocilizumab was initiated by Rheumatology, resulting in improvement of duodenal atrophy.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibition in patients with liver cirrhosis and diabetes: a possible role in ascites control?

The aim of this brief report is to evaluate sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-I) effects on patients with both refractory ascites and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). We consecutively recruited all the diabetic patients with refractory ascites due to decompensated liver cirrhosis admitted between February and May 2023 at the Internal Medicine Unit of the University Hospital of Palermo. Clinical and laboratory data were collected after starting SGLT2-I therapy. SGLT2-I use was associated with a reduction/resolution of ascites and with an improvement in serum albumin and sodium levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate. SGLT2-I might represent a valid therapeutic option in the treatment of patients with refractory ascites and T2D, as already hypothesized by other research groups.

EXPLORING CERAMIC REFRACTORY MATERIALS: CLASSIFICATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS

The article explores the primary types of ceramic refractory materials, focusing on their properties and applications in high-temperature industrial processes. Key technological advancements in refractory manufacturing are discussed, with an emphasis on enhancing material strength, chemical resistance, and durability. The analysis highlights the specific characteristics of each refractory type, including fireclay, magnesite, corundum, and silicon carbide, and their utilization across various industries such as metallurgy, energy, and glass production. Modern production and modification methods for refractories are presented, aimed at improving thermal resistance and reducing the operational costs of equipment.

Fecal microbiota transplantation: a step into the past or the future? A review

New data on the association of intestinal microbiome changes with some serious diseases raised the question of the role of the bacteria living in the intestine in maintaining human health. One way to study the composition and function of the microbiome and adjust it is fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), which refers to the transfer of the donor's intestinal microbiota into the recipient's body to modify species diversity. Currently, FMT is included in the standards of care for relapsed and refractory types of clostridial infection in many countries. Its possible effect on the course of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, metabolic syndrome, and some neurological and other diseases is being studied. Fecal biomaterial storage banks have been established in Europe, Asia, and the USA to facilitate donor selection, storage and delivery of the biomaterial to the recipient and simplify the control of the procedure, safety and adverse events. In Australia, a medicinal product is approved, which includes feces of specially examined and prepared donors. Despite many unresolved technological, legal and ethical issues, FMT has already been established as a promising potential treatment for many diseases.

Peripheral Blood IFN Responses to Toll-Like Receptor 1/2 Signaling Associate with Longer Survival in Men with Metastatic Prostate Cancer Treated with Sipuleucel-T.

The identification of factors that determine successful cancer immunotherapy, particularly in refractory tumor types like mCRPC, is urgently needed: both to identify patients that may benefit from such therapies and to uncover routes to sensitize patients with cancer to immunotherapy. Our work links functional peripheral immune responses with race and survival after cellular immunotherapy in men with mCRPC.

Activated CD27+PD-1+ CD8 T Cells and CD4 T Regulatories Dominate the Tumor Microenvironment in Refractory Celiac Disease Type II

Activated CD27+PD-1+ CD8 T Cells and CD4 T Regulatories Dominate the Tumor Microenvironment in Refractory Celiac Disease Type II

Refractory type 1 plastic bronchitis in a child; case report

BackgroundPlastic bronchitis (PB) is a rare pediatric pulmonary condition characterized by the production of branching bronchial casts that cause partial or total obstruction of the bronchial lumen.Case presentationWe describe a 13-year-old boy with a history of bronchial asthma and left lower lobectomy, with persistent cough and left-sided chest pain when he went to the emergency room. Chest radiography showed complete left lung opacity denoting total left lung collapse, and flexible bronchoscopy revealed cohesive casts totally occluding the left bronchus, with frequent recurrence that finally ended with left pneumonectomy.ConclusionPlastic bronchitis is a rare, fatal disease in children that requires a high index of suspicion for both diagnosis and treatment. Although bronchoscopic removal of the bronchial casts together with the medical treatment are the main lines of treatment, cases with recurrent formation of casts are at high risk for surgical intervention in the form of either lobectomy or pneumonectomy.

Abstract PO-009: AC676 a BTK Chimeric Degrader: Phase 1 study in patients with B-cell Malignancies

Abstract Study Background: Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a key signaling molecule that plays a central role in B-cell receptor transduction. The development of agents that inhibit BTK has transformed the management of patients with B-cell malignancies. However, therapy using covalent BTK inhibitors such as ibrutinib, as well as non-covalent inhibitors such as pirtobrutinib, can still result in resistance, primarily due to the development of mutations in BTK including residues C481 and L528. AC676 is designed as a chimeric degrader to target and degrade BTK using Accutar's proprietary Protein-Protein Interaction Targeting Chimeras (PPI-TAC) platform. By effectively linking a BTK ligand to the cereblon E3-ligase recruiting ligand, AC676 brings BTK in proximity to cereblon, thereby inducing subsequent ubiquitination and degradation of BTK. AC676 degrades BTK proteins irrespective of mutations; including C481, kinase dead L528 and others, and thus may be effective for the treatment of patients who have progressed on both covalent and non-covalent BTK inhibitors. Notably, it is also effective in cell lines expressing gain of function PLCG2 mutants, suggesting that it removes BTK’s scaffolding function. AC676 does not degrade cereblon neo-substrates, so neutropenia is not expected to be an on-target effect. This abstract describes an ongoing first in human Phase 1 trial of AC676. Study Description: AC676-001 is a Phase 1 dose-escalation study of AC676 administered orally once daily as monotherapy in patients with relapsed and refractory B-cell malignancies. Approximately 60 patients may be enrolled. Eligible patients must be ≥ 18 years, and have one of the following histologically confirmed relapsed or refractory disease types: chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma – non-GCB subtype, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma including Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Patients must have received at least two prior systemic therapies or have no other standard of care therapies to provide significant clinical benefit. Patients must have measurable disease per disease-specific response criteria and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 1. Dose-escalation will begin with an accelerated titration phase, followed by a standard 3+3 phase. AC676 is administered orally once daily on a 28 day per cycle schedule at doses ranging from 50mg to 600mg. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of AC676. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of anti-tumor activity and the pharmacokinetic profile following single and multiple doses. Study enrollment began April in 2023 with five sites currently open in the United States (NCT05780034). Citation Format: Manish R Patel, Michael Tees, Farrukh T Awan, Nadia Khan, Nancy Mota, Hui Zhang, Su Young Kim, Jennifer Woyach. AC676 a BTK Chimeric Degrader: Phase 1 study in patients with B-cell Malignancies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth AACR International Meeting on Advances in Malignant Lymphoma: Maximizing the Basic-Translational Interface for Clinical Application; 2024 Jun 19-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Blood Cancer Discov 2024;5(3_Suppl):Abstract nr PO-009.

Enduring Clinical Remission in Refractory Celiac Disease Type II With Tofacitinib: An Open-Label Clinical Study

Refractory celiac disease type 2 (RCDII) is a rare condition with high mortality because of a lack of effective treatment strategies. RCDII is caused by clonal expansion of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs). Gain-of-function JAK1 mutations are frequently found in these cells.1,2 In a previous invitro study,3 we demonstrated the potential of tofacitinib, a small-molecule JAK1/JAK3 inhibitor, to control activity of the aberrant IEL population. Here, we report on an open-label prospective pilot study with tofacitinib in patients with therapy-refractory RCDII (EudraCT 2018-001678-10; Dutch Trial Registry [LTR] NL7313). Between November 2019 and February 2022, 4 patients with an established diagnosis of RCDII4 who had failed previous therapies were treated in the Netherlands with tofacitinib 10 mg twice-daily for 12 weeks (Methods; Supporting Documents). Two patients in Germany who fulfilled the inclusion criteria received similar treatment outside this protocol.

How Future Pharmacologic Therapies for Celiac Disease Will Complement the Gluten-Free Diet

The only proven treatment for celiac disease is adherence to a strict, lifelong, gluten free diet. However, complete dietary gluten avoidance is challenging and a substantial number of patients do not respond fully, clinically or histologically, despite their best efforts. As celiac disease is common and its central pathophysiology is well elucidated, it has become attractive for drug development to address the limitations of dietary treatment. Most efforts address non-responsive celiac disease, defined as continued symptoms and/or signs of disease activity despite a gluten free diet, including the more severe forms of refractory celiac disease type 1 and 2. An increasing spectrum of therapeutic approaches target defined mechanisms in celiac disease pathogenesis, and some currently advance to phase 2-3 clinical studies. We discuss these approaches in terms of potential efficiency, practicability, safety and need as defined by patients, regulatory authorities, health care providers and payors.

Abstract CT156: A Phase I study evaluating AC676, an innovative BTK chimeric degrader, in patients with relapsed and refractory B-cell malignancies

Abstract Study Background Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a key signaling molecule that plays a central role in B-cell receptor transduction. The development of drugs that inhibit BTK has transformed the management of patients with B-cell malignancies. However, therapy using covalent BTK inhibitors such as ibrutinib, and non-covalent inhibitors such as pirtobrutinib, can still result in resistance, primarily due to the development of mutations in BTK including residues C481 and L528. AC676 was designed as a chimeric degrader to target and degrade BTK using Accutar's proprietary Protein-Protein Interaction Targeting Chimeras (PPI-TAC) platform. By effectively linking a BTK ligand to the cereblon E3-ligase recruiting ligand, AC676 brings BTK in proximity to cereblon, thereby inducing subsequent ubiquitination and degradation of BTK. AC676 degrades BTK proteins irrespective of mutations; including C481, kinase dead L528 and others, and thus may be effective for the treatment of patients who progress on both covalent and non-covalent BTK inhibitors. Notably, it is also effective in cell lines expressing gain of function PLCG2 mutants, suggesting that it removes BTK’s scaffolding function. AC676 does not degrade cereblon neo-substrates, so neutropenia is not expected to be an on-target effect. This abstract describes an ongoing first in human Phase 1 trial of AC676. Study Description AC676-001 is a Phase 1 dose-escalation study of AC676 administered orally once daily as monotherapy in patients with relapsed and refractory B-cell malignancies. Approximately 60 patients may be enrolled. Eligible patients must be ≥ 18 years, and have one of the following histologically confirmed relapsed or refractory disease types: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma, Diffuse large B cell lymphoma - non-GCB subtype, Follicular lymphoma, Mantle cell lymphoma, Marginal zone lymphoma, Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma including Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Patients must have received at least two prior systemic therapies or have no other standard of care therapies to provide significant clinical benefit. Patients must have measurable disease per disease-specific response criteria and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status≤ 1. Dose-escalation will begin with an accelerated titration phase, followed by a standard 3+3 phase. AC676 is administered orally once daily on a 28 day per cycle schedule at doses ranging from 50mg to 600mg. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of AC676. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of anti-tumor activity and the pharmacokinetic profile following single and multiple doses. Study enrollment began in April 2023 with three sites currently open in the United States (NCT05780034). Citation Format: Jennifer Woyach, Michael Tees, Nancy Mota, Gladys Brown, Su Young Kim, Manish R. Patel. A Phase I study evaluating AC676, an innovative BTK chimeric degrader, in patients with relapsed and refractory B-cell malignancies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr CT156.

Factors Associated with Success of Switching to Faricimab for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Refractory to Intravitreal Aflibercept.

We investigated the factors associated with the success of switching to faricimab for type 1 macular neovascularization (MNV) refractory to intravitreal aflibercept (IVA). This retrospective cohort study included patients with type 1 MNV who were switched to faricimab because they were refractory to IVA at two centers. The primary endpoint was a more than two-week extension of the treatment interval after 6 months. In addition, factors related to the success or failure of extension and visual and anatomical outcomes were assessed. The analysis included 43 eyes from 43 patients. Extended dosing intervals of >2 weeks were identified in 14 eyes (32.6%). A short dosing interval before switching, absence of polypoidal lesions, and thin central choroidal thickness before switching were identified as factors involved in successful extension. For patients with refractory type 1 MNV, switching to faricimab is a safe and potential option to extend existing dosing intervals.

Abstract 6539: RNAi mediated silencing of STAT3 in tumor-associated immune cells induces robust anti-tumor effects in immunotherapy resistant tumors

Abstract Malignant tumors are often associated with an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), rendering most of them resistant to standard-of-care immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs). Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor, has well-defined immunosuppressive functions in several leukocyte populations within the TME. Since the STAT3 protein has been challenging to target using conventional pharmaceutical modalities, we investigated the feasibility of applying systemically delivered RNA interference (RNAi) agents to silence its mRNA directly in tumor-associated immune cells. In preclinical murine tumor models, chemically stabilized acetylated small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) selectively silenced Stat3 mRNA in multiple relevant cell types in TME and tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLN), reduced STAT3 protein levels, and increased cytotoxic T-cell infiltration. In murine models of CPI-resistant tumors, RNAi-mediated Stat3 silencing resulted in tumor growth inhibition, which was further enhanced and resulted in tumor regressions in combination with CPIs. Our findings suggest that targeting STAT3 directly and reducing STAT3 protein in the suppressive immune cell populations in the TME and TDLN may overcome some of the current limitations of immunotherapy and be of therapeutic benefit especially for cancer patients who failed to respond to standard immunotherapy treatments alone. A human active STAT3 conjugate is currently in Phase 1 clinical trial for treatment of immunotherapy refractory cancer types (NCT06098651). Citation Format: Shanthi Ganesh, Minju Kim, Jenny Lee, Xudong Feng, Harini Sivagurunatha Krishnan, Rene Rijnbrand, Amber Beaudry, Jennifer A. Lockridge, Vinita Uttamsingh, John Hanrahan. RNAi mediated silencing of STAT3 in tumor-associated immune cells induces robust anti-tumor effects in immunotherapy resistant tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6539.

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy after multiple endoscopic injections and dilations: a case report

Achalasia is a primary esophageal disease that affects the esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Many medications have been used for achalasia. However, adverse reactions and a prevailing absence of potency have been reported with these therapies. The best management leads to disturbing LES with endoscopic dilation or surgically. This is a 58-year-old woman with a 25-year history of achalasia who has experienced laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) with Toupet fundoplication due to persistent symptoms despite previous endoscopic interventions. The procedure successfully addressed thickened LES muscle layers and achieved positive postoperative results, with the patient's Eckardt score dropping from >9 to <3. LHM with Toupet fundoplication proved its effectiveness in managing refractory type III achalasia. Despite concerns about postoperative reflux, the procedure offered substantial relief. Ongoing research will refine the balance between invasiveness and efficacy in such conditions.

Surgical treatment of Ahmed glaucoma valve’s tube protrusion relapse. Clinical observations

In the practice of an ophthalmic surgeon, patients with a large number of concomitant conditions after repeated surgical interventions are seen with increasingly frequency. One of the grave complications in such patients is secondary glaucoma with a refractory type of course. After successful compensation of intraocular pressure in such patients, the risk of complications increases many times, for example, protrusion of the Ahmed valve drainage tube, which becomes the entrance gate for infection, which can lead to endophthalmitis. This article presents clinical cases of surgical treatment of recurrent protrusion of the Ahmed valve drainage tube.

Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal to De-escalate Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Severe COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

In a subset of patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), there is a need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for pulmonary support. The primary extracorporeal support tool for severe COVID-19 ARDS is venovenous (VV) ECMO; however, after hypoxemic respiratory failure resolves, many patients experience refractory residual hypercarbic respiratory failure. Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) for isolated hypercarbic type II respiratory failure can be used in select cases to deescalate patients from VV ECMO while the lung recovers the ability to exchange CO2. The objective of this study was to describe the authors' experience in using ECCO2R as a bridge from VV ECMO. Hemolung Respiratory Assist System (RAS) is a commercially available (ECCO2R) device, and the United States Food and Drug Administration accelerated its use under its Emergency Use Authorization for the treatment of refractory hypercarbic respiratory failure in COVID-19-induced ARDS. This created an environment in which selected and targeted mechanical circulatory support therapy for refractory hypercarbic respiratory failure could be addressed. This retrospective study describes the application of Hemolung RAS as a VV ECMO deescalation platform to treat refractory hypercarbic respiratory failure after the resolution of hypoxemic COVID-19 ARDS. A quaternary-care academic medical center, single institution. Patients with refractory hypercarbic respiratory failure after COVID-19 ARDS who were previously supported with VV ECMO. Twenty-one patients were placed on ECCO2R after VV ECMO for COVID-19 ARDS. Seventeen patients successfully were transitioned to ECCO2R and then decannulated; 3 patients required reescalation to VV ECMO secondary to hypercapnic respiratory failure, and 1 patient died while on ECCO2R. Five (23.8%) of the 21 patients were transitioned off of VV ECMO to ECCO2R, with a compliance of <20 (mL/cmH2O). Of these patients, 3 with low compliance were reescalated to VV ECMO. Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal can be used to continue supportive methods for patients with refractory type 2 hypercarbic respiratory failure after COVID-19 ARDS for patients previously on VV ECMO. Patients with low compliance have a higher rate of reescalation to VV ECMO.

Erratum for Combined REGN-COV2 Antibody Therapy Immediately Prevented a Patient with Refractory Type 1 Autoimmune Pancreatitis from Contracting SARS-CoV-2 during the Sixth Wave in Japan.

Erratum for Combined REGN-COV2 Antibody Therapy Immediately Prevented a Patient with Refractory Type 1 Autoimmune Pancreatitis from Contracting SARS-CoV-2 during the Sixth Wave in Japan.

Update on the Pathogenesis of Enteropathy-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma.

EATL is an aggressive T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma with poor prognosis and is largely localized to the small intestine. EATL is closely associated with coeliac disease (CD) and is seen mostly in patients originating from Northern Europe. Various factors are associated with an increased risk of developing EATL, such as viral infection, advanced age, being male, and the presence of the HLA-DQ2 haplotype. Clonal rearrangements in the TCR-β and γ genes have been reported in all EATL morphological variants with distinctive immunophenotypic characteristics. Although EATL can occur de novo, individuals with RCDII are at a higher risk of developing EATL. The cells of origin of EATL has been postulated to be normal small intestinal intraepithelial T-lymphocytes (IELs), and more recent evidence suggests a link between innate precursor IELs and EATL derived from refractory coeliac disease type II (RCDII). The immune microenvironment of mucosal cells within the small intestine enhances the process of neoplastic transformation of IELs into EATL. Cytokines such as IL-15 can activate and crucially deregulate the JAK-STAT signaling pathway by binding to receptors on the surface of IELs. Furthermore, mutations in the JAK/STAT pathway have been associated with RCDII-derived EATL.

MECHANISMS OF ADAPTATION PERICLASE-SPINEL REFRACTORIES TO THERMAL SHOCKS

In the group of periclase spinel refractories, the dynamics of demand for magnesite-chromite and chromium-magnesite refractories, which contain MgCr2O4 – magnesia-chromium spinel – in their phase composition, is changing, due to the environmental hazard of any hexavalent chromium compounds. These reasons stimulate the search for alternative refractories to replace chromium-containing ones. Periclase-spinel refractories of the MgO – MgAl2O4 system are poorly wetted by cement clinker melt and the lining made of them does not gain a garnish (coating), which is a mandatory technical requirement. It was necessary to develop a new type of periclase-spinel refractories based on more multicomponent oxide systems. At the same time, the task of ensuring their high heat resistance should be solved. Thus, the study of the mechanisms of adaptation of materials of the MgO – Al2O3 – FeO – TiO2 system, which counteract thermal stresses in refractories, is relevant. A new periclase-spinel refractory material has been developed, the phase composition of which is modified by a FeO- and TiO2-containing pre-synthesized additive. Refractories made of the developed material meet the technical requirements that determine operational reliability when used for lining high-temperature zones of rotary kilns for firing Portland cement clinker. The thermal resistance of a material is determined by its ability to withstand thermal stresses caused by the involuntary expansion/contraction of individual structural blocks of the material and causing its breakdown and subsequent destruction. Some mechanisms of adaptation are demonstrated and discussed based on the results of the analysis of X-ray and electron microscopic studies. Some of the discussed mechanisms are unconventional for the technological practice of refractory nonmetallic materials and complement the toolkit of materials scientists. The achieved results and some technological methods of ensuring thermal stability have signs of universality and can be used for various types of heterophase refractory nonmetallic materials

Study on the stability of different refractories during the melting process of a K4169 Ni-based superalloy

The composition of the refractory strongly affects the cleanliness of the alloy. K4169 Ni-based superalloys were melted in different types of refractories in this study. The cleanliness of the Ni-based superalloy and phase transformation of the refractory were observed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‒EDS). The high-temperature stabilities of a Y2O3-based refractory, MgO-based refractory, and Al2O3-based refractory during melting with a Ni-based alloy were compared. The oxygen content was also lowest, and no Y2O3-containing inclusions were observed in the Ni-based alloy melted with the Y2O3-based refractory at 1823 K. Inclusions with 21%–29% MgO and a phase composed of Al, Mg and O with an area of approximately 1300 μm2 were observed in the alloy. This indicates that the dissolution and erosion of the Y2O3-based refractory were weak, and obvious physical erosion and chemical dissolution of the MgO-based refractory occurred during the melting process of the Ni-based alloy. The width of the refractory phase adhered to the boundary of the Ni-based alloy increased in the order Y2O3-based refractory (15 μm- 23 μm)< Al2O3-based refractory (93 μm- 285 μm)< MgO-based refractory (3.5 mm–3.6 mm), indicating that the adhesive strength of the MgO-based refractory with the Ni-based alloy was strongest. The interaction between the refractory material, Ni-based alloy and inclusions was analyzed based on thermodynamic calculations by Factsage software. The effects of dissolution of the three refractory types on the formation and transformation of the new phases and inclusions were estimated. The thermodynamic results were in good agreement with the experimental results.