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In this study, four Artificial intelligence (AI) - based machine learning models were developed to estimate the Residual compressive strength (RCS) value of concrete supported with nano additives of Nanocarbon tubes (NCTs) and Nano alumina (NAl), after exposure to elevated temperatures ranging from 200 to 800 degrees. These models were developed via adapting meta- heuristic models including the Water cycle algorithm (WCA), Genetic algorithm (GA), and classical AI models of Artificial neural networks (ANNs), Fuzzy logic models (FLM), in addition to the statistical method of Multiple linear regression (MLR). 156 post heating experimental results available as a literature data (represents four input parameters of temperature change, heat exposure duration, nanomaterial type, and replacement proportion) are used to achieve the study's objective. Results of the developed models demonstrated that ANN and FLM have strong potential in predicting RCS. However, it is often infeasible to generate practical equations that relate input and output variables from these models. Upon analysing the results of the WCA and GA, it was found that WCA yielded the most accurate predictions based on all performance indicators. Furthermore, RCS prediction equations with superior accuracy were derived utilizing the meta-heuristic AI models of WCA and GA, with Mean absolute errors (MAEs) of 3.09 kg/cm² and 3.53 kg/cm² for the training, 1.91 kg/cm² and 2.72 kg/cm² for the validation, and 1.91 kg/cm² and 2.72 kg/cm² for the testing data sets, respectively. Additionally, sensitivity analysis via neural networks weights and SHAP investigation were performed to reveals the impact and relationship of the input variables with the output variables. Both techniques reveal that temperature degree and time of exposure had the highest positive impact on RCS value, followed by NAl and NCTs, in order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the individual and combined effects of enhancing the radiation shielding properties of waste concrete using the optimal mix design of two waste material powders of different compositions. Marble (MD) and granite (GD) waste dust were individually utilized as partial replacements for cement at a replacement ratio of 6%. Furthermore, two additional mixes were prepared by incorporating 1% by cement weight of nano alumina (NA) to enhance the microstructure of the studied waste concrete. The MGA-concrete was analyzed using X-ray Fluorescence, Energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscope techniques. The radiation shielding assets of the examined Concrete samples, such as the linear attenuation coefficient (μ), half value layer (H1/2), tenth value layer (T1/10), and fast neutron removal cross-section were evaluated using the MCS5 Monte Carlo simulation algorithm and Phy-X software. The results showed that the linear attenuation for the GMN-concretes' order is CO < MD < GD < NA < MD + NA < GD + NA. The GD + Na concrete sample presents the best neutron performance. The studied GMN-concrete samples provide the best protection against γ-rays and fast neutrons. Lastly, the excellent performance of the mixes of waste Granite, Marble, and Nano-Alumina on ordinary would pave the way for their employment as radiation shielding in various nuclear and medical facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of using waste granodiorite powder (WGP) as a cement replacement material in percentages ranging from 1 to 9% on various physical and mechanical properties of ordinary concrete was investigated. The resistance of produced concretes with WGP to the high temperature effects on the 28 days compressive strength were studied as well. Granodiorite is one of the well-known igneous rocks that have been used in previous research as a replacement for coarse or fine aggregates due to the hardness of its grains. However, rare studies have investigated its powder as a partial cement replacement material. Results showed the ability of investigated WGP with high surface area to act as a supplementary cementitious material that contributed to enhance the results of mechanical and physical properties of concrete. At traditional room temperature, the optimal replacement percentage was 7%, where the 28 days compressive and tensile strengths were improved by 28.3% and 17.3%, respectively. The optimal replacement ratio varied between 7 and 9% in the case of high temperatures, according to exposure time and temperature degree. Statistical and sensitivity analysis was conducted on 66 available compressive strength value represents all variables before and after elevated temperature exposure. While the regression equation showed good R2 value of 85.3%, sensitivity analysis indicated that compressive strength value is most sensitive to temperature, followed by WGP ratio and exposure time, with importance values of 56, 26, and 18 %, respectively. Results showed also that the setting times and consistency was decreased with increasing the replacement ratio with WGP, while the workability was slightly improved up to 5% replacement ratio. Furthermore, microstructure analysis showed that WGP can help to densify the concrete matrix due to its small size and ability to fill the interstitial voids in the concrete matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-dimensional micropolar thermoelastic problem is considered for an isotropic rectangular plate that is subjected to simply support and isothermal on its four adjacent edges. Normal mode analysis is applied to the governing equations to form a vector-matrix differential equation and the analytical solution of the vector-matrix differential equation is obtained by using eigenvalue approach methodology. Numerical results are presented graphically along with theoretical analysis for sinusoidal variation of the stresses applied on the top surface of the rectangular plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first Swift /XRT long-term monitoring of 2S 0114+650, a wind-fed supergiant X-ray binary for which both orbital and superorbital periods are known (P orb ∼ 11.6 d and P sup ∼ 30.8 d). Our campaign, summing up to ∼79 ks, is the most intense and complete sampling of the X-ray light curve of this source with a sensitive pointed X-ray instrument, and covers 17 orbital, and 6 superorbital cycles. The combination of flexibility, sensitivity, and soft X-ray coverage of the X-ray telescope (XRT) allowed us to confirm previously reported spectral changes along the orbital cycle of the source and unveil the variability in its spectral parameters as a function of the superorbital phase. For completeness, we also report on a similar analysis carried out by exploiting XRT archival data on three additional wind-fed supergiant X-ray binaries IGR J16418−4532, IGR J16479−4514, and IGR J16493−4348. For these sources, the archival data provided coverage along several superorbital cycles but our analysis could not reveal any significant spectral variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dengue has become a major public health problem in Bangladesh with gradually increasing infectivity and severity. Most vulnerable population are children especially children below 5 years of age. However, data regarding dengue among this age group is limited. The objectives of this study were to see the clinical and laboratory profile of dengue fever (DF) in children below 5 years of age and their outcome. Methods: This cross - sectional observational study was carried out in the department of Paediatrics, BIRDEM General Hospital from May 2023 to September 2023. One hundred eighty nine confirmed dengue cases were enrolled in the study. Their clinical profile and laboratory findings including haemoglobin (Hb%), haematocrit (Hct), total count of white blood cells (TC), platelet count (PC), serum alanine aminotransferase (S. ALT), serum aspartate aminotransaminase (S. AST), prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), serum calcium and serum sodium level were documented and analyzed. Results: Among 189 children 57(30.1%) were infants and 132(69.8%) patients were aged 1 to 5 years. Depending upon the severity of dengue 98(51.8%) were classical dengue fever, 65(34.3%) and 14(7.4%) presented with dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and dengue heamorrhagic fever (DHF) respectively. Fever was present in all children, other common features were vomiting (34.9%), cough (25.9%), dehydration (26.9%), pleural effusion (34.3%), ascites (23.2%) and skin rash (18.5%). Shock were present in 41.1% cases. Warning signs like restlessness, lethargy, altered level of consciousness, convulsion was present in 16.4%, 9.5%, 2.6% and 11.6% respectively. All the children were improved and discharged. Conclusion: In this study dengue presented classically in most of the children. Dengue shock syndrome and dengue haemorrhagic fever were below 10%. The outcome was excellent with no modality. Early reporting to hospital appeared important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral leukoplakia is a widely known white oral mucosal lesion which is encountered by dental practitioners specially by oral and maxillofacial surgeons in daily practice. The objective of this article is to update the reader on the concept of treatment algorithm for the management of leukoplakia. Articles were searched through PubMed, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library (2017 to 2021), confining search to English language with the key words e.g., leukoplakia, white patch, precancerous lesion, premalignant lesion and oral potentially malignant disorders. After initial collection of abstracts of 78 articles, finally 24 papers have been selected for writing up the paper updating on clinico-pathologic characters, diagnosis, evaluation, risk of malignant transformation, management and prognosis of oral leukoplakia. Oral leukoplakia is a common oral potentially malignant disorder. Early diagnosis and screening for oral cancer can potentially subside the mortality and morbidity of disease. Incisional biopsy is mandatory for diagnosis, treatment planning and for checking the prognosis of the lesion. There are no universal modalities on the most appropriate treatment, and despite the treatment disease can recur and undergo malignant transformation in patients. For high-risk lesions, complete excision is recommended and clinician should closely follow up these patients for life. For low-risk lesions and successfully treated cases, routine check-up is recommended by dental practitioners. Health education, counselling the individual, and behavioral therapies are most essential methods of prevention at a primary level by every health care provider. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations with the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) of the gamma-ray source 4FGL J1702.7âˆ'5655, previously classified as a candidate millisecond pulsar, show highly significant modulation at a period of 0.2438033 days (∼5.85 hr). Further examination of the folded light curve indicates the presence of narrow eclipses, suggesting that this is a redback binary system. An examination of the long-term properties of the modulation over 13 years of LAT observations indicates that the orbital modulation of the gamma rays changed from a simple eclipse before early 2013 to a broader, more easily detected quasi-sinusoidal modulation. In addition, the time of the eclipse shifts to ∼0.05 later in phase. This change in the orbital modulation properties, however, is not accompanied by a significant overall change in gamma-ray flux or spectrum. The quasi-sinusoidal component peaks ∼0.5 out of phase with the eclipse, which would indicate inferior conjunction of the compact object in the system. Swift X-ray Telescope observations reveal a possible X-ray counterpart within the LAT error ellipse. However, radio observations obtained with the Australia Telescope Compact Array do not detect a source in the region. 4FGL J1702.7âˆ'5655 appears to have changed its state in 2013, perhaps related to changes in the intrabinary shock in the system. We compare the properties of 4FGL J1702.7âˆ'5655 to those of other binary millisecond pulsars that have exhibited orbital modulation in gamma-rays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray binaries (XRBs) consist of a compact object that accretes material from an orbiting secondary star. The most secure method we have for determining if the compact object is a black hole is to determine its mass: This is limited to bright objects and requires substantial time-intensive spectroscopic monitoring. With new X-ray sources being discovered with different X-ray observatories, developing efficient, robust means to classify compact objects becomes increasingly important. We compare three machine-learning classification methods (Bayesian Gaussian Processes (BGPs), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Support Vector Machines) for determining whether the compact objects are neutron stars or black holes (BHs) in XRB systems. Each machine-learning method uses spatial patterns that exist between systems of the same type in 3D colorâ€"colorâ€"intensity diagrams. We used lightcurves extracted using 6 yr of data with MAXI/GSC for 44 representative sources. We find that all three methods are highly accurate in distinguishing pulsing from nonpulsing neutron stars (NPNS) with 95% of NPNS and 100% of pulsars accurately predicted. All three methods have high accuracy in distinguishing BHs from pulsars (92%) but continue to confuse BHs with a subclass of NPNS, called bursters, with KNN doing the best at only 50% accuracy for predicting BHs. The precision of all three methods is high, providing equivalent results over 5â€"10 independent runs. In future work, we will suggest a fourth dimension be incorporated to mitigate the confusion of BHs with bursters. This work paves the way toward more robust methods to efficiently distinguish BHs, NPNS, and pulsars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS) was established in June 1972 through an Order revised in 2018 as an act with six functions which cover post-graduate education of all specialties of medical science. This commission report is to document the spectrum of contribution of BCPS in the health and education sector through its fellows and members. The data obtained for this report covers selected literature review, consultation with key official documents-Year Book of BCPS, Annual report of honorary secretary of BCPS, Health Bulletin of DGHS, various website, information from a brief quick Google survey on the fellows and focus group discussion (FGD) with senior present and past leaders of BCPS. BCPS is providing a skill based supervised comprehensive logbook based clinical training of five years' duration through its recognized/accredited hospitals in different tiers of mostly public health system across the country. While undergoing clinical training the 'would be fellows' provide supervised quality clinical services to the patients attending the BCPS accredited hospitals. BCPS is producing specialists' human resources by offering fellowship covering general and specialized subjects (n=59) and membership (n=16) in various branches of medicine. Immediately after independence there were 247 specialists altogether in the country. Since its inception, in 1972 after the liberation, 8266 fellows are entered as fellows, 7887 fellows with examinations, 111 without examinations and 268 honorary fellows; 3222 are entered as members of the College. The fellows of BCPS are engaged in providing specialized patient care in various fields of medical science as professor, associate professor, assistant professor and consultants in various public and non-government medical college hospitals, medical universities, post-graduate institutes, district hospital, and upazila health complexes. As a teacher most of the fellows are also heavily engaged in human resource development at both under-graduate and post-graduate level. Through their active voluntary engagement, the fellows of the College participate in the core activities of the College for HR development through activities related to monitoring & supervision, assessment, continuous professional development, skill development of the trainees and the fellows. Fellows are equally contributing in the armed forces medical services as clinical and para clinical specialists and development of specialist HRs. Additionally, fellows are contributing to various aspects of important public health topics relevant for SDG and Bangladesh. Fellows are also engaged in doing funded and non-funded quality researches and writing of scientific intellect at national and international publication system. Having achieved the various positions in academic, research and administrative arena BCPS fellows' role in policy development and implementation, and scientific development deserve special appreciation. Future contribution of BCPS should prioritize quality assurance strategy for training-learning, enrich effectiveness of examination system, effective branding of BCPS, increase allocation and creating a conducive environment for conducting research. Conclusion: The glorious contribution of BCPS in the development of quality specialist health human resources over the last 50 years attained almost a self-sufficiency. Further ensuring quality assurance in training learning of future fellows and continued advanced training of the newly qualified fellows will help in branding of BCPS and technology transfer saving government exchequer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study's aim is to characterize aerosolization properties of ciprofloxacin loaded kappa-carrageenan microspheres for pulmonary delivery. Ciprofloxacin-carrageenan microspheres by ionotropic gelation were prepared and characterized for moisture content, yield, drug loading, efficiency, aerosolization properties, activity and stability. Characteristics showed spherical microspheres, smooth and size below 2µm, moisture content of <4%, yield of 46-58%, encapsulation efficiency of 40-94% and loadings of 25-37%. Optimum microspheres containing 1%w/v carrageenan and 0.6% w/v KCl, showed 58% yield, 38% loading 94.5% efficiency with slowest release. The fine particle fraction was 30%. The increased concentration of polymers from 0.5% to 1% and crosslinker from 0.2% to 0.6% significantly increased moisture content, yield, drug loading, efficiency, and aerosolization. Ciprofloxacincarrageenan microspheres were found to be stable up to 30 days storage and have high activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a low dose. Inhaled ciprofloxacin-carrageenan microspheres may be useful against respiratory tract infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drought is the most familiar abiotic stress limiting chickpea production. Genotypes may vary in their capacity to tolerate drought stress. Therefore, the study was undertaken to find out suitable genotypes in the drought prone ecosystems. Methods: The experiments were carried out at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh during 2017 and 2018 with thirty chickpea genotypes and four moisture stresses. Through cluster analysis, genotypes were distinguished in five clusters based on similarity in characters. Result: Among the thirty chickpea genotypes BD-6048 and BD-6045 were found the most droughts tolerant based on field performance. Dendrogram was prepared based on similarity by Euclidean distance among genotypes. Dendrogram showed that members falling in clusters III and IV were more diverse. Data certified that significant genetic variation exists in chickpea genotypes in performance of various attributes in this study and these genotypes can potentially be used for chickpea breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The expanding spectrum of therapeutic options for patients with Obstructive /surgical jaundice makes it necessary for the surgeon to precisely assess the etiology, location, level and extent of disease before operation. Aims were to compare the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of different imaging techniques like ultrasonography (USG), Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in evaluation of patients with malignant obstructive jaundice and correlation of histopathological findings after surgical/ therapeutic intervention. Methods: It was a prospective observational study conducted in the Department of General Surgery and Hepatobilliary unit, Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka during January 2015 to December 2015 for duration of one year to find out the role of different imaging techniques in diagnosis of malignant lesions causing obstructive jaundice in 50 cases who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Initial USG evaluation was followed by CT scan, MRCP and ERCP. The results were read by radiologists blinded to other imaging findings. Surgically fit patients with a stage of resectability should be offered the option of surgical resection for cure. For unresectable malignancies, the choice is between surgical palliation/bypass and ERCP with drainage. The characteristic surgical findings or ERCP features and histopathological diagnosis were recorded methodically as final. Results: Malignant obstructive jaundice is the commonest amongst the males and mean age was 47.56 ± 13.191 and the commonest etiology was Ca head of pancreas (30%). Diagnostic accuracy of MRCP (98%) in the diagnosis of malignant obstructive jaundice was relatively high (98%) as compared to ERCP (89.5%), CT (91.43%), USG (89.97%) in malignant obstructive jaundice respectively. In the diagnosis of malignant diseases, MRCP was more sensitive (95.83%) as compared to ERCP (89%), CT scan (91.67%) and ultrasonography (78.17%). Regarding specificity MRCP (100%) was the high in comparison among ERCP (94%), CT (90.91%) and USG (96.15%).Conclusion: It is concluded that malignant obstructive jaundice is the commonest amongst the males. Ca head of pancreas was the commonest malignant etiology in malignant obstructive jaundice. MRCP was superior to among USG, CT scan or ERCP in studying the malignant lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented on Pharmacovigilance (PV) with worldwide clinical trials taking place and several older medicinal products. Topics include hospitals, academia, student organizations, community pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, and medicine regulatory authorities; and involving interactive awareness materials on social media, research topics relevant to medication safety information, and online training sessions.

We report the transport characteristics of both electrons and holes through narrow constricted crystalline Si "wall-like" long-channels that were surrounded by a thermally grown SiO2 layer. The strained buffering depth inside the Si region (due to Si/SiO2 interfacial lattice mismatch) is where scattering is seen to enhance some modes of the carrier-lattice interaction, while suppressing others, thereby changing the relative value of the effective masses of both electrons and holes, as compared to bulk Si. In the narrowest wall devices, a considerable increase in conductivity was observed as a result of higher carrier mobilities due to lateral constriction and strain. The strain effects, which include the reversal splitting of light- and heavy-hole bands as well as the decrease of conduction-band effective mass by reduced Si bandgap energy, are formulated in our microscopic model for explaining the experimentally observed enhancements in both conduction- and valence-band mobilities with reduced Si wall thickness. Also, the enhancements of the valence-band and conduction-band mobilities are found to be associated with different aspects of theoretical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the transport characteristics of both electrons and holes through narrow constricted crystalline Si "wall-like" long-channels that were surrounded by a thermally grown SiO2 layer. The strained buffering depth inside the Si region (due to Si/SiO2 interfacial lattice mismatch) is where scattering is seen to enhance some modes of the carrier-lattice interaction, while suppressing others, thereby changing the relative value of the effective masses of both electrons and holes, as compared to bulk Si. In the narrowest wall devices, a considerable increase in conductivity was observed as a result of higher carrier mobilities due to lateral constriction and strain. The strain effects, which include the reversal splitting of light- and heavy-hole bands as well as the decrease of conduction-band effective mass by reduced Si bandgap energy, are formulated in our microscopic model for explaining the experimentally observed enhancements in both conduction- and valence-band mobilities with reduced Si wall thickness. Also, the enhancements of the valence-band and conduction-band mobilities are found to be associated with different aspects of theoretical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Herein, our purpose was to calculate the 5-year and lifetime risk of breast cancer and to assess new breast cancer potential contributors among Egyptian women utilizing the modified Gail model, while presenting a global comparison of risk assessment. Methods: This study included 7009 women from both urban and rural areas scattered across 40% of the Egyptian provinces. The 5-year risk categories were defined as low risk (≤ 1.66%) or high risk (> 1.66%), whereas the lifetime risk categories were defined as low risk (≤ 20%) or high risk (> 20%). Pearson's Chi-squared test was performed to determine the association between participants' characteristics and distinct risk categories. Binary logistic regression was carried out for correlation analysis. Results: The mean estimated risk for developing invasive breast cancer over 5 years was 0.86 (± 0.67), whereas the mean lifetime breast cancer risk score was 11.26 (± 5.7). Accordingly, only 614 (8.75%) and 470 (6.7%) women were categorized as individuals with high risk of breast cancer incidence in 5-year and lifetime, respectively. Only 192 participants (2.7%) conferred both high 5-year and high lifetime risk scores. Marital status, method of feeding, physical activity behavior, contraceptive use, menopause and number of children were found to have a statistically significant association with both 5-year and lifetime breast cancer risk categories. Conclusion: We revealed that modified Gail model had a well-fitting and discrimination accuracy in Egyptian women when compared with other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Findings about the effect of prophylactic antibiotics in preventing genital tract infection (GTI) associated with surgical procedures used for incomplete abortions are conflicting. Some reported a decrease in infection associated with the use of antibiotic prophylaxis, whereas others found no significant reduction in GTI. Objective: To synthesise systematically the evidence on the effect of prophylactic antibiotics compared with placebo in women undergoing surgical procedures for incomplete abortion. Search strategy: In February 2020, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central for Register of Controlled Trials were searched for relevant published randomised controlled trials. Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials reporting GTI following surgical procedures for incomplete abortion and comparing antibiotic prophylaxis with placebo. Data collection and analysis: Meta‐analysis using inverse variance heterogeneity model included subgroup and sensitivity analyses determined a priori were conducted. The quality of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Main results: A total of 16 178 women who participated in 24 eligible randomised controlled trials published between 1975 and 2019 were included. Pooled estimates showed the risk of GTI following surgical procedures after incomplete abortion was significantly lower among those who had prophylactic antibiotics (relative risk [RR] = 0.72; 95% CI 0.58–0.90; I2 = 49%). There was no significant effect of antibiotics in women in low‐ and middle‐income countries (three studies, 3579 participants, RR = 0.90; 95% CI 0.50–1.62; I2 = 63%), but it was clinically and statistically significant among women high‐income countries (21 studies, 12 599 participants, RR = 0.67; 95% CI 0.53–0.84; I2 = 44%), with a strong level of evidence as assessed by GRADE. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that antibiotic prophylaxis is beneficial in reducing post‐abortion GTI among women undergoing surgical procedures for incomplete abortion. More studies are needed from low‐ and middle‐income countries. Prophylactic antibiotics after incomplete abortion are effective in reducing GTI. More studies are needed from low‐ and middle‐income countries. Prophylactic antibiotics after incomplete abortion are effective in reducing GTI. More studies are needed from low‐ and middle‐income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV) is being widely used by Family Planning Sector of Bangladesh for male sterilization. But when young persons with NSV needs reversal of the procedure (recanalization), they become frustrated hugely affecting the family harmony. Aims and Objectives: To see the efficacy of recanalization of Vas Deferens of Non Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV) Individuals. To establish confidence on national NSV program by assuring the scope of future reversal if needed. Materials and methods: During the period of January 2017 to November 2019, we have analyzed the outcome of recanalization surgery of all cases of NSV individual which were referred to our urology team at Rangpur of Bangladesh. We excised the involved segment of Vas Deferens and stented it internally by No-1 prolene (Ethicon). Then end-to-end anastomoses were done by 7/0 vicryl (Ethicon). We collected articles from Hinari, Pubmed and Banglajol with extensive searches. We have compared our findings to the previously published articles. Result- We found 91.9% success rate in this study with positive semen production. Pregnancies were achieved in wives of 72.9% of recanalized individuals. The most common causes of unsuccessful recanalizations are more than 7 years of NSV, knot in close proximity to epididymis, two or more knots and cord like Vas Deferens. One patient had significant hematoma leading to a failed outcome, otherwise there was no mentionable complication in this series. Conclusion- Recanalization of Vas Deferens of NSV individuals can be done with high success rate and other centers of Bangladesh may take steps for further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highway service and assistance patrols are widely used to respond to incidents and help manage traffic until conditions return to normal. Traffic Management Centers (TMCs) and other response personnel depend upon on these programs to respond quickly and safely as possible to incidents. This paper examines the impact of highway service and assistance patrols on incident clearance times. The goal of this paper is to measure and understand the impact of Alabama Service and Assistance Patrol (ASAP) along with other influential factors on incident clearance time. Four different datasets were collected, including 18,275 highway crashes collected from the Center for Advanced Public Safety (CAPS) and 7,323 highway incidents recorded by TMCs, as well as the average annual daily traffic (AADT) data and the ASAP coverage area gathered from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT). The final dataset contains 2,206 crash incidents during the period January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. A fully parametric hazard-based duration model has been examined to analyze the incident duration data. Seventeen variables are found to have significant effect on the duration of the incident clearance time, including incident types and characteristics, temporal effects, traffic characteristics, and operational characteristics. The novelty of this paper is the inclusion of additional ASAP coverage area information in the duration models. The contribution of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the factors that contribute to the incident clearance time and to provide a quantitative estimate of the impact of ASAP programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health and key workers have elevated odds of developing severe COVID-19; it is not known, however, if this is exacerbated in those with irregular work patterns. We aimed to investigate the odds of developing severe COVID-19 in health and shift workers.Methods: We included UK Biobank participants in employment or self-employed at baseline (2006-2010) and with linked COVID-19 data to 31st August 2020. Participants were grouped as neither a health worker nor shift worker (reference category) at baseline, health worker only, shift worker only, or both, and associations with severe COVID-19 investigated in logistic regressions.Results: Of 235,685 participants (81·5% neither health nor shift worker, 1·4% health worker only, 16·9% shift worker only, and 0·3% both), there were 580 (0·25%) cases of severe COVID-19. The odds of severe COVID-19 was higher in health workers (adjusted odds ratio: 2·32 [95% CI: 1·33, 4·05]; shift workers (2·06 [1·72, 2·47]); and in health workers who worked shifts (7·56 [3·86, 14·79]). Being both a health worker and a shift worker had a possible greater impact on the odds of severe COVID-19 in South Asian and Black and African Caribbean ethnicities compared to White individuals.Conclusions: Both health and shift work (measured at baseline, 2006-2010) were independently associated with over twice the odds of severe COVID-19 in 2020; the odds were over seven times higher in health workers who work shifts. Vaccinations, therapeutic and preventative options should take into consideration not only health and key worker status but also shift worker status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight new peroxo complexes of the type [MO(O2)(Asp)L] have been synthesized and characterized by conductivity, magnetic moments, UV-Vis, IR, ESI-MS and 1H NMR spectra, TLC, and elemental analyses [M = Th(IV) and Zr(IV), Asp= deprotonated aspartic acid, L = quinoline, isoquinoline, 8-hydroxyquinoline, and 1,10-phenanthroline]. IR spectra indicate that the ligands coordinate to the metal ions via nitrogen of the amino group of aspartic acid and heterocyclic amines, oxygen of the carboxylate group of deprotonated aspartic acid and the peroxo group (O–O). ESI-MS spectral data and magnetic moment values coupled with electronic spectral data suggest an octahedral geometry for all the complexes. The molar conductance values indicate that all the complexes behave as 1 : 2 electrolytes except complexes of 8-hydroxyquinoline that behaves as 1 : 3 electrolytes. Antibacterial activity of the complexes has been tested against four pathogenic bacteria, two Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and two Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae using Kanamycin (K-30) as a standard. The MIC values for complexes hve been measured. Antifungal activity of the complexes has been tested against four pathogenic fungi Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium species, Candida species, and Aspergillus niger using Fluconazole-50 as a standard. The complexes K2[ThO(O2)(Asp)(IQ)] and K2[ZrO(O2)(Asp)(Q)] demonstrate the highest antibacterial activity, and K2[ZrO(O2)(Asp)(1,10-Phen)] exhibits the highest antifungal activity against all the tested pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a liver disease characterized by the development of necrosis, inflammatory changes, and progressive liver fibrosis, leading to complications including cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The clinical features resemble those of other forms of acute viral hepatitis, namely, malaise, nausea, abdominal discomfort, pale stools, dark urine, and jaundice. The most frequently reported extrahepatic manifestations of HCV are lichen planus, sialadenitis, and cutaneous lesions. Sjögren's syndrome-like symptoms and lichenoid reactions have been previously reported in association with hepatitis C. This article describes a case of sicca-like syndrome and oral lichenoid reaction associated with interferon-alpha therapy for HCV infection. In this unique case, significant oral symptoms arose right after initiation of interferon-alpha treatment and resolved completely within days upon completion of treatment with interferon-alpha. Physicians and oral health care specialists should be aware of the association among HCV infection, interferon-alpha therapy, and development of possible oral signs and symptoms including lichenoid lesions and xerostomia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modified electromagnetic topology (EMT) simulation scheme for the interactions of an electromagnetic wave with an aperture and with cables of an electrical system beyond the aperture is described. The modified EMT simulation scheme addresses a concept in dealing with an aperture node of the topological circuitry without having to specify the details of the entire electrical circuitry. The results of the modified EMT simulation scheme have been validated through experiments for aperture/wave interactions and the induced currents on the cable near the aperture. The aperture transfer functions, obtained for both the simulation and experimental cases, have shown the characteristic response similar to that of the high-pass filter with a cutoff frequency. The simulated and measured currents on a cable, placed behind the aperture, resulted in good agreement with each other, providing the good validation of the modified EMT simulation scheme. Under this scheme, any change in topological circuitry can be handled easily in the substructural levels without having to consider an entire system. Consequently, the effects of various types of aperture interactions on the entire system can be reinvestigated via simply remodeling of topological interaction nodes in substructural levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin film Si structures between 10 and 200 nm in thickness and configured into two terminal metal-semiconductor-metal structures have been characterized for optical and electrical properties. Dark currents, spectral response, dc quantum efficiency, and ultrafast time response up to 400 nm femtosecond laser illuminations at low fields have been studied. Dark currents and dc photocurrent measurements showed an increase in the film conductivity between 75 and 35 nm, suggesting an increase in the carrier effective velocities due to confinement. An increase in the carrier effective velocity below 75 nm was also confirmed through the transient response analysis. The measured spectral responses are in good agreement with Fresnel’s theoretical model for thin film coupling. The electron-limited transient signal has a full width at half maximum (FWHM) approximately 40 ps for the 10 nm Si film as compared to 490 ps for a 200 nm structure. For a hole-limited transit time signal the FWHM was about 82 ps for the 10 nm film as compared to 2.5 ns for the 200 nm film reduction in FWHM for both electrons and holes for the 10 nm film, signifying that carriers travel much faster as the film thickness is reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characteristics of a silicon carbide photoconductive switch designed for high field applications have been studied. Analyses show that premature breakdown occurs primarily due to impact ionization and subsequent charge accumulation near the anode. For the shallow donor, deep-acceptor-type compensated material, a p+ layer next to the cathode results in field homogenization in the bulk. As a result, the blocking or hold off voltage of the switch could increase beyond the experimentally determined value of 18 kV (0.45 MV/cm). Simulations also show that a minimum thickness, equivalent to a diffusion length, of the p+ layer is necessary to avoid premature breakdown. Following illumination, the photocurrent rise time of the switch would also improve by about 25% with the p+ layer near the cathode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid simulation technique that integrates transmission line matrix method with electromagnetic topology solutions has been employed to link a field scattering problem at an aperture in order to analyze the frequency and temporal characteristics of electromagnetic pulses. Using this same unified multiconductor transmission line network formulation any subsequent coupling with cables at the other side of the aperture can be integrated into the solution. The hybrid circuit can also be integrated to any existing topological simulation circuit for analyzing very large electrical systems. Incorporation of the compaction technique in the topological simulation reduces the number of simulation grids significantly, resulting in efficient computation without sacrificing accuracy. The simulation results for scattering fields at the aperture compare well with the finite-difference time domain method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of a 6H silicon carbide (SiC) photoconductive switch, designed and packaged for high-power, linear-mode operations, is presented. The switch, fabricated from semi-insulating compensated SiC, is triggered by an optical source with photon energy less than the band-gap energy. Simulation models incorporating the effects of vanadium trap and nitrogen dopant in the compensation material show I-V characteristics that agree with measured values. The photoconductive switch has improved rise-time characteristics as compared to a gallium arsenide (GaAs) switch. The analysis also shows that improved performance at high power is possible through passivation using high-permittivity dielectric near the contact-semiconductor interface and by placing a p+ layer next to the cathode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulations have been performed to determine the internal temperature profiles of high-power GaAs photoconductive switches in the presence of a current filament. No thermal instability is predicted below a power generation density level of about 1.3x10[sup 14] W/m[sup 3]. This prediction is in keeping with recent experimental data on photoconductive semiconductor switch devices. It is shown that this power dissipation density threshold for stability exists under both dc and transient conditions. A simple model provides qualitative support for the power density threshold, and an explanation of the filamentary current radii that have been observed experimentally. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmers' conventional tillage (CT) and residue removal practices in rice (Oryza sativa L.)-maize (Zea mays L.) systems in South Asia's Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) are input-intensive, costly, and soil degradative. We conducted a rice-maize-mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) (R-M-MB) system experiment with six tillage and three residue-management treatments in Bangladesh, representing the EGP. Maize yields were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher under permanent (PB) and fresh (FB) beds under strip tillage (ST) than under CT, but there were no differences in mungbean yield. Rice yields under PB, FB, and CT were similar but significantly higher than those under zero or minimum tillage and ST. Yields of all crops increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with residue retention compared with no residue retention. Total system productivity was highest under PB, followed by FB and ST. Compared with CT, gross margins under PB, FB, and ST increased, respectively, by 18%, 13% and 11%, and soil organic matter (SOM) and total soil N content across tillage treatments increased by 11–16% and 12–24%, respectively. After 3 years, SOM, total N, and available P and S contents increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) under residue retention. Results demonstrate the potential of PB, FB, and ST with residue retention in improving the productivity, profitability and soil health in the R-M-MB system of Bangladesh and on similar soils and climates in the EGP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compact heat exchangers are of great technological importance in many industries such as automotive, submarine and spacecraft industry. Micro-channel cooling is an area which is providing a new platform for the development of these compact heat exchange devices. Micro-channel flows and heat transfer characteristics are different from what is usually observed in macrochannel flows. In the present work, computational fluid dynamics is used as a tool to study the influence of variable thermophysical properties on the Nusselt number, skin friction and pressure drop for different channel diameter, fluid inlet velocities, and heat fluxes. The Nusselt number and pressure drop is found to be higher for variable properties as compared to constant properties for an increase in diameters, inlet velocities, and heat fluxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To withstand the rising demand for energy while fuel and chemical energy are becoming rare, the development in the production of solar energy has become a necessity. There is a variety of solar cells; among them, thin-film photovoltaics is more popular because of low-cost production and good-efficiency. Nowadays, copper oxide has become popular to make thin film layers like CZTS, CIGS, etc. Unfortunately, the efficiency of these thin films is less than 20%. In order to obtain better efficacy, an investigation of the layers of thin films is needed. This research discussed the properties of copper and its oxides. In case of making the thin film layers, potentiostat electro-deposition was the chosen method where bath composition of CuSO4.5H2O solution, temperature, time, potential difference were the variable parameters. The best-deposited layers were obtained in 0.2 M concentration, 40 minutes, -0.5 V potential difference and 65° C. Hence, physical properties like thickness and hardness, and characterisation properties like X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis spectrometry are observed to compare cupric oxide (CuO) and cuprous oxide (Cu2O) thin films. CuO thin film shows better stability and rigidity than the Cu2O thin film. But the thin film layer of cuprous oxide illustrates good homogeneity and nodular form. From the test mentioned above data, band gap has been measured for each deposited film, and the CuO thin film layer is raked out having a better band energy gap than the Cu2O thin film layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Latinos and Asians in the United States are disproportionately burdened by hypertension, a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Few studies have used multicomponent measures of acculturation to compare cardiovascular risk factors across immigrant-origin groups. Additionally, little is known about how acculturation and gender shape hypertension risk among immigrants. METHODS We created an acculturation score composed of language use, nativity, and years in the United States and fit separate race/ethnicity log-binomial models examining associations with hypertension prevalence (≥130/80 mm Hg) among Latino (n = 4,267) and Asian (n = 2,142) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2016 participants aged 18+. Joint effect models tested the concept of "intersectionality" between acculturation and gender. RESULTS Adjusting for age, gender, and socioeconomic position, Latinos and Asians with high acculturation were 25% and 27% more likely to have hypertension, respectively, compared with low acculturation groups. Latino and Asian American men with high levels of acculturation were 74–79% more likely to have hypertension compared with women with low acculturation (adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) for Latinos = 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49–2.03; aPR for Asians = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.42–2.25). The gradient of increasing hypertension with increasing acculturation was most apparent among Latino men (adjusted risk differences (aRD) = 12.0%, P < 0.001) and Asian women (aRD = 14.0%, P = 0.003) and nonsignificant among Latino women and Asian men when comparing high vs. low acculturation categories. CONCLUSIONS Our results correspond with prior literature demonstrating increased morbidity among immigrants with increasing acculturation but also suggest differing patterns by race/ethnicity and gender. Future research should explore how migration processes differentially influence hypertension among men and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Named after Sir Alfred Poland, Poland syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly classically characterized by the absence of unilateral chest wall muscles and sometimes ipsilateral symbrachydactyly (abnormally short and webbed fingers). The aetiology is probably a vascular disruption sequence of the subclavian arteries. In most cases, Poland Syndrome is sporadic. We report a 26 year old male patient with typical features of Poland Syndrome associated with bronchiectasis and mitral valve prolapse- a very rare association. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of a Poland Syndrome with rare association reported from Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catla (Catla catla) is one of the fastest-growing major carp found in South Asia as well as Bangladesh. Catla catla is the second most popular indigenous carp species in the freshwater aquaculture industry of Bangladesh due to its relatively good taste and high market price. In this study, we disclosed the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Bangladeshi Catla fish from Halda river located in Chittagong. The circular mitogenome of Catla catla is 16,597 bp in length and nucleotide composition is AT-based (72%), contains 37 genes including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and a D-loop (control region). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares the results of a theoretical model with published experimental data investigating the potential use of a drift ratchet as a particle transport device. The drift ratchet of interest here involves the oscillation of a particle-laden fluid through a periodically shaped tube, combined with an exploitation of the Brownian motion of the small particles. Our theoretical results support the experimental evidence that, at these scales, the ratchet effect is not the predominant mechanism for facilitating particle transport. Rather, the tube geometry (but not orientation) and the form of the applied oscillating pressure gradient are the primary characteristics which determine the effectiveness of a device for particle transport. In particular, we find that transport is enhanced in a saw-tooth tube in comparison with a straight, cylindrical tube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generally, the thickness of thick metallic plates is measured by exploitation of some physical phenomenon outside of eddy currents which are naturally limited for thin plates with respect to the skin effect. Indeed, it is the capacitive or ultrasound sensors which are the commonly used for thick plates. This paper proposes an alternative for thickness evaluation of thick metallic plates using eddy currents. The measurement system consists mainly of two eddy current sensors, an impedance analyzer LCR-meter and a personnel computer equipped with the Labview software. The plate we want to measure its thick thickness is placed between the two sensors. The proposed measurement procedure is based on lift-offs evaluation of a bi-eddy current sensor. The system has been verified and validated with success using several thick aluminum plates. The realized experimental setup can be used for online thickness measurement in some industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been suggested that first embryo cleavage can be related with the embryonic–abembryonic axis at blastocyst stage in mice. Thus, cells of the 2-cell embryo might be already biased to form the inner cell mass or trophectoderm. This study was conducted to observe the possible effects of embryo biopsy on cell allocation patterns during embryo preimplantation in two different mouse strains and the effects of these patterns on further development. First, one blastomere of the 2-cell embryo was injected with a lipophilic tracer and cell allocation patterns were observed at blastocyst stage. Blastocysts were classified into orthogonal, deviant or random pattern. For the first experiment, embryos were biopsied at 8-cell stage and total cell counts (TCC) were annotated. Furthermore, non-biopsied blastocysts were transferred into foster mothers. Then, pups and their organs were weighed two weeks after birth. Random pattern was significantly recurrent (≈60%), against orthogonal (<22%) and deviant (<22%) patterns among groups. These patterns were not affected by biopsy procedure. However, TCC on deviant embryos were reduced after biopsy. Moreover, no differences were found between patterns for implantation rates, litter size, live offspring and organ weights (lungs, liver, pancreas and spleen). However, deviant pups presented heavier hearts and orthogonal pups presented lighter kidneys among the group. In conclusion, these results suggest that single blastomere removal does not disturb cell allocation patterns during preimplantation. Nonetheless, the results suggest that embryos following different cell allocation patterns present different coping mechanisms against in vitro manipulations and further development might be altered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre‐treatment diagnosis of neuroblastic tumours is important, as they are known to undergo maturation following chemotherapy. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) plays a vital role in making pre‐operative diagnosis and categorisation of these tumours. Here we present two cases, one of ganglioneuroblastoma and the other of ganglioneuroma, diagnosed on FNAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petroleum ether (Pet. ether), chloroform (CHCl3) and methanol (CH3OH) extracts of Cleome viscosa have thoroughly screened against Tribolium castaneum (Hbst.) for repellency and dose mortality, against Callosobruchus chinensis for dose mortality activities, and against Artemia salina nauplii for lethality. In case of repellency of T. castaneum, Pet. ether extract found significantly active at 1% level of significance (P < 0.01), CHCl3 extract offered activity at 5% level of significance (P < 0.05) and CH3OH extract did not show any activity at all. In case of mortality against T. castaneum the LD50 values of Pet. ether, CHCl3, and CH3OH extracts were 2.380, 2.188, 1.867, 1.658 and 1.429 mg/cm²; 4.950, 2.906, 2.664, 2.658 and 2.609 mg/cm²; and 4.950 and 2.791, 2.609, 2.552 and 2.474 mg/cm² after 0.5, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h of exposure respectively. Against C. chinensis the LD50 values of the same extracts were 0.781, 0.670, 0.642, 0.614, 0.560 and 0.494 mg/cm²; 1.964, 1.050, 0.867, 0.725, 0.635 and 0.590 mg/cm²; and 2.631, 1.851, 1.471, 1.703, 1.524 and 1.457 mg/cm² after 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 h of exposure respectively. In case of cytotoxicity test against A. salina, the extracts offered LC50 values in a descending order CH3OH > CHCl3 > Pet. ether extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petroleum ether (Pet. ether), chloroform (CHCl3) and methanol (CH3OH) extracts of the aerial parts of Abutilon hirtum (Lam.) Sweet were subjected to dose-mortality against the stored grain pest Callosobruchus chinensis (L.), cytotoxicity against brine Shrimp Artemia salina L. nauplii and repellent activity against adult beetles of Tribolium castaneum (Hbst.). Against C. chinensis only CH3OH extract showed promising mortality and provided LD50 values 1.344, 1.294, 1.243 and 1.152 mg/cm² after 6, 12, 18 and 24 h of exposure respectively, however, Pet. ether and CHCl3 extracts didn't show mortality. Against A. salina nauplii Pet. ether, CHCl3 and CH3OH extracts showed cytotoxic effects; while Pet. ether extract gave LC50 values 2461.031, 642, 191.233, 94.618 ppm after 6, 12, 18 and 24 h of exposure respectively, and CHCl3 extract provided LC50 values 1336.124, 679.387, 276.961 and 199.988 ppm; and CH3OH offered 531.896, 212.840, 91.499 and 72.975 ppm after 6, 12, 18 and 24 h of exposure respectively. For repellency against T. castaneum adults CHCl3 extract showed significant result at 1% level of significance (P < 0.01), while the CH3OH extract showed moderate repellency at 5% level of significance (P < 0.05), but the Pet. ether extract didn't show any significant repellent activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petroleum (Pet.) ether, CHCl3 and CH3OH extracts of Cassia renigera Benth. were tested against Callosobruchus chinensis L. for dose-mortality and repellency; and against Sitophilus oryzae L. and Tribolium castaneum (Hbst.) for repellent activity test. The Pet. ether extract of leaf was found active against C. chinensis adults through dose mortality assay and the LD50 values established were 9.270, 4.932, 2.032, 1.721, 1.671, 1.543, 1.513, 1.503 and 1.478 mg cm-2 for 0.5, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 h of exposure respectively. However, the leaf extracts of CHCl3 and CH3OH; as well as the Pet. ether, CHCl3 and CH3OH extracts of the stem-bark did not give mortality to the test organism. The CHCl3 extract of leaf showed repellent activity against Tribolium castaneum at 0.1% level of significance (P < 0.001), and the Pet. ether extracts of the leaf and the CH3OH extracts of the stem-bark offered repellency at 1% level of significance (P < 0.01) between dose levels. Only the CHCl3 extracts of the stem-bark gave repellency at 5% level of significance (P < 0.05), while the CH3OH extracts of leaf and Pet. ether extract of stem-bark did not show any significant repellency at all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petroleum ether (Pet. ether), CHCl3 and CH3OH extracts of white mulberry were subjected to dose-mortality tests against Callosobruchus chinensis (L.), Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Tribolium castaneum (Hbst.). Pet. ether extract of leaves against C. chinensis, S. oryzae and T. castaneum provided LD50 9.16, 5.06, 3.79, 2.81, 2.06, 1.55, 1.32, 1.38 mg/g; 17.6, 12.9, 11.3, 82.4, 83.5, 9.47, 8.73, 8.61 mg/g and 0.93, 0.826, 0.691, 0.623, 0.567, 0.532, 0.525 mg/cm² after 0.5, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 h of exposures respectively. Against C. chinensis Pet. ether extract of root and stem bark gave LD50 28.3, 20.7, 18.4, 16.9, 14.4, 13.6, 13.3, 13.3 mg/g and 86.3, 228.9, 177, 109, 61.0, 21.8, 0.999, 15 mg/g after 0.5, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 h of exposures respectively. CH3OH extracts of leaves offered LD50 21.5, 20.4, 17, 16.2, 15.6, 14.7 mg/g against C. chinensis; 5.4, 14.7, 13.7, 11, 10.9, 9.46, 9.10 mg/g against S. oryzae; and 3.804, 3.429, 3.284, 2.736, 2.441, 2.311, 2.264 mg/cm² against T. castaneum after 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 h of exposures respectively. Against S. oryzae CH3OH extract of root and CHCl3 of stem bark gave LD50 19.5, 19.1, 17.5, 16.7, 16.2, 15.8, 15.9 mg/g and 9.77, 9.44, 7.71, 6.56, 5.94, 5.39, 5.4 mg/g after 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 h of exposures respectively. However, CHCl3 extract of leaves and root didn't show mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To guide targeted cessation and prevention programming, this study assessed smoking prevalence and described sociodemographic, health, and healthcare use characteristics of adult smokers in public housing. Self-reported data were analyzed from a random sample of 1664 residents aged 35 and older in ten New York City public housing developments in East/Central Harlem. Smoking prevalence was 20.8%. Weighted log-binomial models identified to be having Medicaid, not having a personal doctor, and using health clinics for routine care were positively associated with smoking. Smokers without a personal doctor were less likely to receive provider quit advice. While most smokers in these public housing developments had health insurance, a personal doctor, and received provider cessation advice in the last year (72.4%), persistently high smoking rates suggest that such cessation advice may be insufficient. Efforts to eliminate differences in tobacco use should consider place-based smoking cessation interventions that extend cessation support beyond clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the shift in the characteristics of people who received interferon-based hepatitis C virus ( HCV) treatments and those who received recently introduced direct-acting antivirals ( DAAs) in British Columbia ( BC), Canada. The BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort includes 1.5 million individuals tested for HCV or HIV, or reported cases of hepatitis B and active tuberculosis in BC from 1990 to 2013 linked to medical visits, hospitalization, cancer, prescription drugs and mortality data. This analysis included all patients who filled at least one prescription for HCV treatment until 31 July 2015. HCV treatments were classified as older interferon-based treatments including pegylated interferon/ribavirin (Peg IFN/ RBV) with/without boceprevir or telaprevir, DAAs with RBV or Peg IFN/ RBV, and newer interferon-free DAAs. Of 11 886 people treated for HCV between 2000 and 2015, 1164 (9.8%) received interferon-free DAAs (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir: n=1075; 92.4%), while 452 (3.8%) received a combination of DAAs and RBV or Peg IFN/ RBV. Compared to those receiving interferon-based treatment, people with HIV co-infection (adjusted odds ratio [ aOR]: 2.96, 95% CI: 2.31-3.81), cirrhosis ( aOR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.45-2.15), decompensated cirrhosis ( aOR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.31-2.28), diabetes ( aOR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.10-1.54), a history of injection drug use ( aOR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.09-1.65) and opioid substitution therapy ( aOR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.01-1.67) were more likely to receive interferon-free DAAs. Socio-economically marginalized individuals were significantly less likely (most deprived vs most privileged: aOR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.58-0.87) to receive DAAs. In conclusion, there is a shift in prescription of new HCV treatments to previously excluded groups (eg HIV-co-infected), although gaps remain for the socio-economically marginalized populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous work demonstrated that high-fat diet (HFD) triggered thioredoxininteracting protein (TXNIP) and that silencing TXNIP prevents diabetes-impaired vascular recovery. Here, we examine the impact of genetic deletion of TXNIP on HFD-impaired vascular recovery using hind limb ischemia model. Methods: Wild type mice (WT, C57Bl/6) and TXNIP knockout mice (TKO) were fed either normal chow diet (WT-ND and TKO-ND) or 60% high-fat diet (WT-HFD and TKO-HFD). After four weeks of HFD, unilateral hind limb ischemia was performed and blood flow was measured using Laser doppler scanner at baseline and then weekly for an additional three weeks. Vascular density, nitrative stress, infiltration of CD68+ macrophages, and expression of inflammasome, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor-2 were examined by slot blot, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results: By week 8, HFD caused similar increases in weight, cholesterol and triglycerides in both WT and TKO. At week 4 and week 8, HFD significantly impaired glucose tolerance in WT and to a lesser extent in TKO. HFD significantly impaired blood flow and vascular density (CD31 labeled) in skeletal muscle of WT mice compared to ND but not in TKO. HFD and ischemia significantly induced tyrosine nitration, and systemic IL-1β and infiltration of CD68+ cells in skeletal muscle from WT but not from TKO. HFD significantly increased cleaved-caspase-1 and IL-1 β compared to ND. Under both ND, ischemia tended to increase VEGF expression and increased VEGFR2 activation in WT only but not TKO. Conclusion: Similar to prior observation in diabetes, HFD-induced obesity can compromise vascular recovery in response to ischemic insult. The mechanism involves increased TXNIP-NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3) inflammasome activation, nitrative stress and impaired VEGFR2 activation. Deletion of TXNIP restored blood flow, reduced nitrative stress and blunted inflammasome-mediated inflammation; however, it did not impact VEGF/VEGFR2 in HFD. Targeting TXNIP-NLRP3 inflammasome can provide potential therapeutic target in obesity-induced vascular complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T-cell host immune response against hepatitis C virus ( HCV) has been suggested to play an important role in determining HCV infection outcome. However, data from human studies are not available. This study examined the effect of primary T-cell deficiency along with other factors on the spontaneous clearance of HCV in a large population-based cohort in British Columbia, Canada. The BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort includes all individuals tested for HCV in BC in 1990-2013 linked with data on their medical visits, hospitalizations and prescription drugs. HCV-positive individuals with at least one valid HCV PCR test on/after HCV diagnosis (n=46 783) were included in this study. To examine factors associated with the spontaneous clearance of HCV, multivariable logistic regression was fitted on the full sample, and Cox proportional hazards model on the HCV seroconverters. Spontaneous clearance was observed in 25.1% (n=11 737) of those tested for HCV. After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds of spontaneous clearance of HCV was lower in people with primary T-cell immunodeficiency (adjusted odds ratio [ aOR]: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32-0.94), and higher in females ( aOR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.54-1.68) and in those coinfected with HBV ( aOR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.93-2.77). Similar results were observed in HCV seroconverters except HBV coinfection was not significant. In conclusion, primary T-cell immunodeficiency is associated with a lower spontaneous clearance of HCV while female sex and coinfection with HBV are associated with a higher spontaneous clearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]