The Experts below are selected from a list of 240 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
David Jonathan Glass - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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akt mtor pathway is a crucial regulator of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and can prevent muscle atrophy in vivo
Nature Cell Biology, 2001Co-Authors: Sue C. Bodine, Trevor N. Stitt, Michael Gonzalez, William O. Kline, Gretchen L. Stover, Roy Bauerlein, Elizabeth Zlotchenko, Angus Scrimgeour, John C. Lawrence, David Jonathan GlassAbstract:Skeletal muscles adapt to changes in their workload by regulating Fibre Size by unknown mechanisms1,2. The roles of two signalling pathways implicated in muscle hypertrophy on the basis of findings in vitro3,4,5,6, Akt/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) and calcineurin/NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells), were investigated in several models of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and atrophy in vivo. The Akt/mTOR pathway was upregulated during hypertrophy and downregulated during muscle atrophy. Furthermore, rapamycin, a selective blocker of mTOR7, blocked hypertrophy in all models tested, without causing atrophy in control muscles. In contrast, the calcineurin pathway was not activated during hypertrophy in vivo, and inhibitors of calcineurin, cyclosporin A and FK506 did not blunt hypertrophy. Finally, genetic activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway was sufficient to cause hypertrophy and prevent atrophy in vivo, whereas genetic blockade of this pathway blocked hypertrophy in vivo. We conclude that the activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway and its downstream targets, p70S6K and PHAS-1/4E-BP1, is requisitely involved in regulating skeletal muscle Fibre Size, and that activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway can oppose muscle atrophy induced by disuse.
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Akt/mTOR pathway is a crucial regulator of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and can prevent muscle atrophy in vivo
Nature Cell Biology, 2001Co-Authors: Sue C. Bodine, Trevor N. Stitt, Michael Gonzalez, William O. Kline, Gretchen L. Stover, Roy Bauerlein, Elizabeth Zlotchenko, Angus Scrimgeour, John C. Lawrence, David Jonathan GlassAbstract:Skeletal muscles adapt to changes in their workload by regulating Fibre Size by unknown mechanisms. The roles of two signalling pathways implicated in muscle hypertrophy on the basis of findings in vitro, Akt/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) and calcineurin/NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells), were investigated in several models of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and atrophy in vivo. The Akt/mTOR pathway was upregulated during hypertrophy and downregulated during muscle atrophy. Furthermore, rapamycin, a selective blocker of mTOR, blocked hypertrophy in all models tested, without causing atrophy in control muscles. In contrast, the calcineurin pathway was not activated during hypertrophy in vivo, and inhibitors of calcineurin, cyclosporin A and FK506 did not blunt hypertrophy. Finally, genetic activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway was sufficient to cause hypertrophy and prevent atrophy in vivo, whereas genetic blockade of this pathway blocked hypertrophy in vivo. We conclude that the activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway and its downstream targets, p70S6K and PHAS-1/4E-BP1, is requisitely involved in regulating skeletal muscle Fibre Size, and that activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway can oppose muscle atrophy induced by disuse.
John M. Dement - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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examining the association of lung cancer and highly correlated Fibre Size specific asbestos exposures with a hierarchical bayesian model
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2014Co-Authors: Ghassan B Hamra, Dana Loomis, John M. DementAbstract:Background Asbestos is a known carcinogen. However, little is known about the differential effects of Size-specific asbestos Fibres. Previous research has examined the relationship with lung cancer of each Fibre group in the absence of others. Attempts to model all Fibre groups within a single regression model have failed due to high correlations across Fibre Size groups. Methods We compare results from frequentist models for individual Fibre Size groups, and a hierarchical Bayesian model that included all Fibre groups to estimate the relationship of Size-specific asbestos Fibre groups to lung cancer mortality. The hierarchical model assumes partial exchangeability of the effects of Size-specific asbestos Fibre groups to lung cancer, and is capable of handling the strong correlation of the exposure data. Results When Fibre groups are modelled independently with a frequentist model, there appears to be an increase in the dose-response with increasing Fibre Size. However, when subject to a hierarchical structure, this trend vanishes, and the effects of distinct Fibre groups appear largely similar. Conclusions This is the first occasion where distinct asbestos Fibre groups have been assessed in a single regression model; however, even the use of a hierarchical modelling structure does not appear to overcome all the statistical fluctuations arising from the high correlations across Fibre groups. We believe these results should be compared with other occupational cohorts with similar Fibre group information. Finally, results for the smallest Fibre group may be suggestive of a carcinogenic potential for nanoFibres.
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development of a Fibre Size specific job exposure matrix for airborne asbestos Fibres
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2008Co-Authors: John M. Dement, Leslie Stayner, Eileen D. Kuempel, R. D. Zumwalde, R J Smith, Dana LoomisAbstract:Objective: To develop a method for estimating Fibre Size-specific exposures to airborne asbestos dust for use in epidemiological investigations of exposure-response relations. Methods: Archived membrane filter samples collected at a Charleston, South Carolina asbestos textile plant during 1964–8 were analysed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine the bivariate diameter/length distribution of airborne Fibres by plant operation. The protocol used for these analyses was based on the direct transfer method published by the International Standards Organization (ISO), modified to enhance Fibre Size determinations, especially for long Fibres. Procedures to adjust standard phase contrast microscopy (PCM) Fibre concentration measures using the TEM data in a job-exposure matrix (JEM) were developed in order to estimate Fibre Size-specific exposures. Results: A total of 84 airborne dust samples were used to measure diameter and length for over 18 000 Fibres or Fibre bundles. Consistent with previous studies, a small proportion of airborne Fibres were longer than >5 μm in length, but the proportion varied considerably by plant operation (range 6.9% to 20.8%). The bivariate diameter/length distribution of airborne Fibres was expressed as the proportion of Fibres in 20 Size-specific cells and this distribution demonstrated a relatively high degree of variability by plant operation. PCM adjustment factors also varied substantially across plant operations. Conclusions: These data provide new information concerning the airborne Fibre characteristics for a previously studied textile facility. The TEM data demonstrate that the vast majority of airborne Fibres inhaled by the workers were shorter than 5 μm in length, and thus not included in the PCM-based Fibre counts. The TEM data were used to develop a new Fibre Size-specific JEM for use in an updated cohort mortality study to investigate the role of Fibre dimension in the development of asbestos-related lung diseases.
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An epidemiological study of the role of chrysotile asbestos Fibre dimensions in determining respiratory disease risk in exposed workers
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2008Co-Authors: Leslie Stayner, S. Gilbert, Martina Hein, Eileen D. Kuempel, John M. DementAbstract:BACKGROUND Evidence from toxicological studies indicates that the risk of respiratory diseases varies with asbestos Fibre length and width. However, there is a total lack of epidemiological evidence concerning this question. METHODS Data were obtained from a cohort mortality study of 3072 workers from an asbestos textile plant which was recently updated for vital status through 2001. A previously developed job exposure matrix based on phase contrast microscopy (PCM) was modified to provide Fibre Size-specific exposure estimates using data from a re-analysis of samples by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cox proportional hazards models were fit using alternative exposure metrics for single and multiple combinations of Fibre length and diameter. RESULTS TEM-based cumulative exposure estimates were found to provide stronger predictions of asbestosis and lung cancer mortality than PCM-based estimates. Cumulative exposures based on individual Fibre Size-specific categories were all found to be highly statistically significant predictors of lung cancer and asbestosis. Both lung cancer and asbestosis were most strongly associated with exposure to thin Fibres (10 microm) Fibres were found to be the strongest predictors of lung cancer, but an inconsistent pattern with Fibre length was observed for asbestosis. Cumulative exposures were highly correlated across all Fibre Size categories in this cohort (0.28-0.99, p values
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Development of a Fibre Size-specific job-exposure matrix for airborne asbestos Fibres
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2008Co-Authors: John M. Dement, Leslie Stayner, Eileen D. Kuempel, R. D. Zumwalde, R J Smith, Dana LoomisAbstract:OBJECTIVE: To develop a method for estimating Fibre Size-specific exposures to airborne asbestos dust for use in epidemiological investigations of exposure-response relations. METHODS: Archived membrane filter samples collected at a Charleston, South Carolina asbestos textile plant during 1964-8 were analysed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine the bivariate diameter/length distribution of airborne Fibres by plant operation. The protocol used for these analyses was based on the direct transfer method published by the International Standards Organization (ISO), modified to enhance Fibre Size determinations, especially for long Fibres. Procedures to adjust standard phase contrast microscopy (PCM) Fibre concentration measures using the TEM data in a job-exposure matrix (JEM) were developed in order to estimate Fibre Size-specific exposures. RESULTS: A total of 84 airborne dust samples were used to measure diameter and length for over 18,000 Fibres or Fibre bundles. Consistent with previous studies, a small proportion of airborne Fibres were longer than >5 microm in length, but the proportion varied considerably by plant operation (range 6.9% to 20.8%). The bivariate diameter/length distribution of airborne Fibres was expressed as the proportion of Fibres in 20 Size-specific cells and this distribution demonstrated a relatively high degree of variability by plant operation. PCM adjustment factors also varied substantially across plant operations. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide new information concerning the airborne Fibre characteristics for a previously studied textile facility. The TEM data demonstrate that the vast majority of airborne Fibres inhaled by the workers were shorter than 5 mum in length, and thus not included in the PCM-based Fibre counts. The TEM data were used to develop a new Fibre Size-specific JEM for use in an updated cohort mortality study to investigate the role of Fibre dimension in the development of asbestos-related lung diseases.
Dana Loomis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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examining the association of lung cancer and highly correlated Fibre Size specific asbestos exposures with a hierarchical bayesian model
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2014Co-Authors: Ghassan B Hamra, Dana Loomis, John M. DementAbstract:Background Asbestos is a known carcinogen. However, little is known about the differential effects of Size-specific asbestos Fibres. Previous research has examined the relationship with lung cancer of each Fibre group in the absence of others. Attempts to model all Fibre groups within a single regression model have failed due to high correlations across Fibre Size groups. Methods We compare results from frequentist models for individual Fibre Size groups, and a hierarchical Bayesian model that included all Fibre groups to estimate the relationship of Size-specific asbestos Fibre groups to lung cancer mortality. The hierarchical model assumes partial exchangeability of the effects of Size-specific asbestos Fibre groups to lung cancer, and is capable of handling the strong correlation of the exposure data. Results When Fibre groups are modelled independently with a frequentist model, there appears to be an increase in the dose-response with increasing Fibre Size. However, when subject to a hierarchical structure, this trend vanishes, and the effects of distinct Fibre groups appear largely similar. Conclusions This is the first occasion where distinct asbestos Fibre groups have been assessed in a single regression model; however, even the use of a hierarchical modelling structure does not appear to overcome all the statistical fluctuations arising from the high correlations across Fibre groups. We believe these results should be compared with other occupational cohorts with similar Fibre group information. Finally, results for the smallest Fibre group may be suggestive of a carcinogenic potential for nanoFibres.
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development of a Fibre Size specific job exposure matrix for airborne asbestos Fibres
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2008Co-Authors: John M. Dement, Leslie Stayner, Eileen D. Kuempel, R. D. Zumwalde, R J Smith, Dana LoomisAbstract:Objective: To develop a method for estimating Fibre Size-specific exposures to airborne asbestos dust for use in epidemiological investigations of exposure-response relations. Methods: Archived membrane filter samples collected at a Charleston, South Carolina asbestos textile plant during 1964–8 were analysed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine the bivariate diameter/length distribution of airborne Fibres by plant operation. The protocol used for these analyses was based on the direct transfer method published by the International Standards Organization (ISO), modified to enhance Fibre Size determinations, especially for long Fibres. Procedures to adjust standard phase contrast microscopy (PCM) Fibre concentration measures using the TEM data in a job-exposure matrix (JEM) were developed in order to estimate Fibre Size-specific exposures. Results: A total of 84 airborne dust samples were used to measure diameter and length for over 18 000 Fibres or Fibre bundles. Consistent with previous studies, a small proportion of airborne Fibres were longer than >5 μm in length, but the proportion varied considerably by plant operation (range 6.9% to 20.8%). The bivariate diameter/length distribution of airborne Fibres was expressed as the proportion of Fibres in 20 Size-specific cells and this distribution demonstrated a relatively high degree of variability by plant operation. PCM adjustment factors also varied substantially across plant operations. Conclusions: These data provide new information concerning the airborne Fibre characteristics for a previously studied textile facility. The TEM data demonstrate that the vast majority of airborne Fibres inhaled by the workers were shorter than 5 μm in length, and thus not included in the PCM-based Fibre counts. The TEM data were used to develop a new Fibre Size-specific JEM for use in an updated cohort mortality study to investigate the role of Fibre dimension in the development of asbestos-related lung diseases.
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Development of a Fibre Size-specific job-exposure matrix for airborne asbestos Fibres
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2008Co-Authors: John M. Dement, Leslie Stayner, Eileen D. Kuempel, R. D. Zumwalde, R J Smith, Dana LoomisAbstract:OBJECTIVE: To develop a method for estimating Fibre Size-specific exposures to airborne asbestos dust for use in epidemiological investigations of exposure-response relations. METHODS: Archived membrane filter samples collected at a Charleston, South Carolina asbestos textile plant during 1964-8 were analysed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine the bivariate diameter/length distribution of airborne Fibres by plant operation. The protocol used for these analyses was based on the direct transfer method published by the International Standards Organization (ISO), modified to enhance Fibre Size determinations, especially for long Fibres. Procedures to adjust standard phase contrast microscopy (PCM) Fibre concentration measures using the TEM data in a job-exposure matrix (JEM) were developed in order to estimate Fibre Size-specific exposures. RESULTS: A total of 84 airborne dust samples were used to measure diameter and length for over 18,000 Fibres or Fibre bundles. Consistent with previous studies, a small proportion of airborne Fibres were longer than >5 microm in length, but the proportion varied considerably by plant operation (range 6.9% to 20.8%). The bivariate diameter/length distribution of airborne Fibres was expressed as the proportion of Fibres in 20 Size-specific cells and this distribution demonstrated a relatively high degree of variability by plant operation. PCM adjustment factors also varied substantially across plant operations. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide new information concerning the airborne Fibre characteristics for a previously studied textile facility. The TEM data demonstrate that the vast majority of airborne Fibres inhaled by the workers were shorter than 5 mum in length, and thus not included in the PCM-based Fibre counts. The TEM data were used to develop a new Fibre Size-specific JEM for use in an updated cohort mortality study to investigate the role of Fibre dimension in the development of asbestos-related lung diseases.
Sue C. Bodine - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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akt mtor pathway is a crucial regulator of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and can prevent muscle atrophy in vivo
Nature Cell Biology, 2001Co-Authors: Sue C. Bodine, Trevor N. Stitt, Michael Gonzalez, William O. Kline, Gretchen L. Stover, Roy Bauerlein, Elizabeth Zlotchenko, Angus Scrimgeour, John C. Lawrence, David Jonathan GlassAbstract:Skeletal muscles adapt to changes in their workload by regulating Fibre Size by unknown mechanisms1,2. The roles of two signalling pathways implicated in muscle hypertrophy on the basis of findings in vitro3,4,5,6, Akt/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) and calcineurin/NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells), were investigated in several models of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and atrophy in vivo. The Akt/mTOR pathway was upregulated during hypertrophy and downregulated during muscle atrophy. Furthermore, rapamycin, a selective blocker of mTOR7, blocked hypertrophy in all models tested, without causing atrophy in control muscles. In contrast, the calcineurin pathway was not activated during hypertrophy in vivo, and inhibitors of calcineurin, cyclosporin A and FK506 did not blunt hypertrophy. Finally, genetic activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway was sufficient to cause hypertrophy and prevent atrophy in vivo, whereas genetic blockade of this pathway blocked hypertrophy in vivo. We conclude that the activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway and its downstream targets, p70S6K and PHAS-1/4E-BP1, is requisitely involved in regulating skeletal muscle Fibre Size, and that activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway can oppose muscle atrophy induced by disuse.
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Akt/mTOR pathway is a crucial regulator of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and can prevent muscle atrophy in vivo
Nature Cell Biology, 2001Co-Authors: Sue C. Bodine, Trevor N. Stitt, Michael Gonzalez, William O. Kline, Gretchen L. Stover, Roy Bauerlein, Elizabeth Zlotchenko, Angus Scrimgeour, John C. Lawrence, David Jonathan GlassAbstract:Skeletal muscles adapt to changes in their workload by regulating Fibre Size by unknown mechanisms. The roles of two signalling pathways implicated in muscle hypertrophy on the basis of findings in vitro, Akt/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) and calcineurin/NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells), were investigated in several models of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and atrophy in vivo. The Akt/mTOR pathway was upregulated during hypertrophy and downregulated during muscle atrophy. Furthermore, rapamycin, a selective blocker of mTOR, blocked hypertrophy in all models tested, without causing atrophy in control muscles. In contrast, the calcineurin pathway was not activated during hypertrophy in vivo, and inhibitors of calcineurin, cyclosporin A and FK506 did not blunt hypertrophy. Finally, genetic activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway was sufficient to cause hypertrophy and prevent atrophy in vivo, whereas genetic blockade of this pathway blocked hypertrophy in vivo. We conclude that the activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway and its downstream targets, p70S6K and PHAS-1/4E-BP1, is requisitely involved in regulating skeletal muscle Fibre Size, and that activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway can oppose muscle atrophy induced by disuse.
Anizah Kalam - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Effects of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) Fibre Size on Fracture Toughness of OPEFB Filled Polymer Nanocomposite
Advanced Materials Research, 2013Co-Authors: Rahilah Kamarudzaman, Anizah Kalam, N. W.a. Razak, Nurul Natisya Ahmad, Zuraidah SallehAbstract:The effect of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber Size on the fracture toughness of OPEFB/PP/PPnanoclay composites was investigated. Four fiber Sizes ranging from 180 μm, 250 μm, 300 μm, and 355 μm were used to reinforce PP/PPnanoclay composites. The ratio of PP/PPnanoclay was 7:100 by weight (7 phr). Fracture toughness of the composite was determined according to ASTM D5045 and single edge notch bending (SENB) been employed during the test. The result indicates that the fracture toughness of OPEFB/PP/PPnanoclay composites has decreased as OPEFB fiber Size increased. Fracture surfaces investigated through the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the bonding between fiber and matrix for OPEFB/PP/PPnanoclay composites with smaller OPEFB Fibre Size has better bonding as compared to OPEFB/PP/PPnanoclay composites with larger OPEFB fiber Size.
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effect of Fibre Size on the tensile properties of oil palm empty fruit bunch Fibre composites
Advanced Materials Research, 2012Co-Authors: N. W.a. Razak, Anizah KalamAbstract:The principal aim of this project was to achieve a better understanding of the various parameters that contribute to the tensile properties. These parameters were manipulated in order to improve and produced PPnanoclay/ Polypropylene (PP) reinforced oil palm empty fruit bunch composite material (OPEFB). OPEFB Fibre was treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in order to improve the tensile properties of the composites. Thus, in this study the oil palm empty fruit bunch Fibres were used as a filler and PPnanoclay/ PP composite as the matrix material. Tensile test was used to assess the effect on the tensile strength and tensile modulus of OPEFB/PPnanoclay/PP composites. Morphologies of the composites were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The average tensile properties obtained were tensile strength 22 MPa at 180 µm and Young’s modulus 2120 MPa at 355 µm treated.
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Abrasive wear: The efects of Fibres Size on oil palm empty fruit bunch polyester composite
2012Co-Authors: Salmiah Kasolang, Anizah Kalam, Mohamad Ali Ahmad, Noor Leha Abdul Rahman, W. N. SuhadahAbstract:This paper presents an experimental investigation carried out to determine the effect of palm oil empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) Fibre Size in dry sliding testing of polyester composite. These composite samples were produced by mixing raw OPEFB Fibre with resin. The samples were prepared at different Sizes of Fibre (100, 125, 180 and 250μm). Abrasion Resistance Tester (TR-600) was used to carried out abrasive wear tests in dry sliding conditions. These tests were performed at room temperature for two different loads (10 and 30N) and at a constant sliding velocity of 1.4m/s. The specific wear rates of OPEFB polyester composites were obtained. The morphology of composite surface before and after tests was also examined using 3D microscope imaging. Preliminary work on thermal distribution at the abrasive wheel point was also conducted for selected samples.
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Effect of OPEFB Size on the mechanical properties and water absorption behaviour of OPEFB/PPnanoclay/PP hybrid composites
Procedia Engineering, 2012Co-Authors: N. W.a. Razak, Anizah KalamAbstract:In recent years, lignocellulosic Fibres are increasingly used as reinforcements in many thermoset and thermoplastic matrices for the production of low-cost and lightweight materials to be used as building materials, automotive components and consumer goods due to the environmental concern. In this study, polymer composites were prepared using oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) Fibre at four different Sizes (180 μm, 250 μm, 300 μm, and 355 μm) as the secondary filler that was added in the clay and Polypropylene mixture as their matrix. XRD was employed to investigate the presence of clay structure in composites. Meanwhile Flexural and impact tests (both notched and un-notched) were performed according to ASTM D790 and D256 to assess their mechanical performances. Results show that the increase of OPEFB Fibre Size has increased it flexural strength and modulus at smaller OPEFB Fibre Size. However a decrease of both flexural strength and flexural modulus was observed at higher OPEFB Fibre Size, which is believed due to the poor interfacial bonding between OPEFB and matrix. Meanwhile the impact strength for notched samples has slightly increased with the increase of OPEFB Size and no increase was observed for the impact strength of un-notched composites. As expected the increase of OPEFB Fibre Size has increased the water absorption capability of composites mainly due to the hydrophilic nature of OPEFB Fibres. Finally, observation on the fracture surface of samples using scanning electron microscope indicates that the OPEFB Fibre treatment has improved the interfacial bonding between OPEFB Fibre and matrix. © 2012 The Authors.
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Effect of OPEFB Size on the mechanical properties and water absorption behaviour of OPEFB/PPnanoclay/PP hybrid composites
Procedia Engineering, 2012Co-Authors: N. W.a. Razak, Anizah KalamAbstract:Abstract In recent years, lignocellulosic Fibres are increasingly used as reinforcements in many thermoset and thermoplastic matrices for the production of low-cost and lightweight materials to be used as building materials, automotive components and consumer goods due to the environmental concern. In this study, polymer composites were prepared using oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) Fibre at four different Sizes (180 μm, 250 μm, 300 μm, and 355 μm) as the secondary filler that was added in the clay and Polypropylene mixture as their matrix. XRD was employed to investigate the presence of clay structure in composites. Meanwhile Flexural and impact tests (both notched and un-notched) were performed according to ASTM D790 and D256 to assess their mechanical performances. Results show that the increase of OPEFB Fibre Size has increased it flexural strength and modulus at smaller OPEFB Fibre Size. However a decrease of both flexural strength and flexural modulus was observed at higher OPEFB Fibre Size, which is believed due to the poor interfacial bonding between OPEFB and matrix. Meanwhile the impact strength for notched samples has slightly increased with the increase of OPEFB Size and no increase was observed for the impact strength of un-notched composites. As expected the increase of OPEFB Fibre Size has increased the water absorption capability of composites mainly due to the hydrophilic nature of OPEFB Fibres. Finally, observation on the fracture surface of samples using scanning electron microscope indicates that the OPEFB Fibre treatment has improved the interfacial bonding between OPEFB Fibre and matrix.