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Smeed's equation is a widely used model for prediction of traffic fatalities but has been found inadequate for use in developing countries. We applied regression analysis to time-series data on vehicles, population and traffic fatalities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan and Qatar. The data were fitted to exponential models for fatality prediction, producing an average absolute error of 20.9% for Qatar, 10.9% for Jordan and 5.5% for the UAE. We found a strong linear relationship between gross domestic product and fatality rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) interventions could feasibly treat stroke-related motor impairments, but their effects are highly variable. Brain state-dependent TMS approaches are a promising solution to this problem, but inter-individual variation in lesion location and oscillatory dynamics can make translating them to the poststroke brain challenging. Personalized brain state-dependent approaches specifically designed to address these challenges are therefore needed., Methods: As a first step towards this goal, we tested a novel machine learning-based EEG-TMS system that identifies personalized brain activity patterns reflecting strong and weak corticospinal tract (CST) output (strong and weak CST states) in healthy adults in real-time. Participants completed a single-session study that included the acquisition of a TMS-EEG-EMG training dataset, personalized classifier training, and real-time EEG-informed single pulse TMS during classifier-predicted personalized CST states., Results: MEP amplitudes elicited in real-time during personalized strong CST states were significantly larger than those elicited during personalized weak and random CST states. MEP amplitudes elicited in real-time during personalized strong CST states were also significantly less variable than those elicited during personalized weak CST states. Personalized CST states lasted for ~1-2 seconds at a time and ~1 second elapsed between consecutive similar states. Individual participants exhibited unique differences in spectro-spatial EEG patterns between personalized strong and weak CST states., Conclusion: Our results show for the first time that personalized whole-brain EEG activity patterns predict CST activation in real-time in healthy humans. These findings represent a pivotal step towards using personalized brain state-dependent TMS interventions to promote poststroke CST function., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no competing interests.

Phosphorus (P), an essential macronutrient for various plant processes, is generally a limiting soil component for crop growth and yields. Organic and inorganic types of P are copious in soils, but their phyto-availability is limited as it is present largely in insoluble forms. Although phosphate fertilizers are applied in P-deficit soils, their undue use negatively impacts soil quality and the environment. Moreover, many P fertilizers are lost because of adsorption and fixation mechanisms, further reducing fertilizer efficiencies. The application of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) is an environmentally friendly, low-budget, and biologically efficient method for sustainable agriculture without causing environmental hazards. These beneficial microorganisms are widely distributed in the rhizosphere and can hydrolyze inorganic and organic insoluble P substances to soluble P forms which are directly assimilated by plants. The present review summarizes and discusses our existing understanding related to various forms and sources of P in soils, the importance and P utilization by plants and microbes,, the diversification of PSMs along with mixed consortia of diverse PSMs including endophytic PSMs, the mechanism of P solubilization, and lastly constraints being faced in terms of production and adoption of PSMs on large scale have also been discussed., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Motor cortical (M1) transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) increases corticospinal output and improves motor learning when delivered during sensorimotor mu rhythm trough but not peak phases, suggesting that mechanisms supporting motor learning may be most active during mu trough phases. If so, learning-related corticospinal plasticity should be most evident during mu trough phases. Healthy adults were assigned to either a sequence or control group. Participants in the sequence group practiced the implicit serial reaction time task (SRTT), which contained an embedded, repeating 12-item sequence. Participants in the control group practiced a version of the SRTT that contained no sequence. We measured mu phase-independent and phase-dependent MEP amplitudes using EEG-informed single-pulse TMS before, immediately, and 30 minutes after the SRTT in both groups. All participants performed a retention test one hour after SRTT acquisition. In both groups, mu phase-independent MEP amplitudes increased following SRTT acquisition, but the pattern of mu phase-dependent MEP amplitude increases after SRTT acquisition differed between groups. MEP amplitude changes from baseline to 30 minutes after SRTT acquisition more strongly differed across phases in the control relative to the sequence group, with the control group showing smaller increases in peak- than trough-specific MEPs. Contrary to our original hypothesis, results revealed that sequence learning recruits peak- rather than trough-specific neurophysiological mechanisms. Overall, these findings suggest that mu peak phases may provide protected time windows for motor memory consolidation and demonstrate the presence of a mu phase-dependent motor learning mechanism in the human brain., Significance Statement: Recent work suggests that the neurophysiological mechanisms supporting motor learning may be most active during sensorimotor mu rhythm trough phases. Here, we evaluated this possibility by measuring mu phase-dependent corticospinal plasticity induced by motor sequence learning. Results provide first evidence that motor sequence learning produced corticospinal plasticity that was more pronounced during mu peak than trough phases, demonstrating the presence of a phase-dependent learning mechanism within the human motor system.

Plants are an important source of essential bioactive compounds that not only have a beneficial role in human health and nutrition but also act as drivers for shaping gut microbiome. However, the mechanism of their functional attributes is not fully understood despite their significance. One such important plant is Crocus sativus , also known as saffron, which possesses huge medicinal, nutritional, and industrial applications like food and cosmetics. The importance of this plant is grossly attributed to its incredible bioactive constituents such as crocins, crocetin, safranal, picrocrocin, and glycosides. These bioactive compounds possess a wide range of therapeutic activities against multiple human ailments. Since a huge number of studies have revealed negative unwanted side effects of modern-day drugs, the scientific communities at the global level are investigating a large number of medicinal plants to explore natural products as the best alternatives. Taken into consideration, the available research findings indicate that saffron has a huge scope to be further explored to establish alternative natural-product-based drugs for health benefits. In this review, we are providing an update on the role of bioactive compounds of saffron as therapeutic agents (human disorders and antimicrobial activity) and its nutritional values. We also highlighted the role of omics and metabolic engineering tools for increasing the content of key saffron bioactive molecules for its mass production. Finally, pre-clinical and clinical studies seem to be necessary to establish its therapeutic potential against human diseases.

Motivated by the recent experimental synthesis of a LaCl 3 -based lithium superionic conductor [Yin, Y.-C. Nature 2023, 616, 77-83], we explore the potential of a LaCl 3 -based system for a sodium superionic conductor in this work. Using density functional theory combined with molecular dynamics simulation and a grand potential phase diagram analysis, we find that the resulting Na 3 La 5 Cl 18 exhibits high energetic stability with a small energy-above-hull of 18 meV per atom, a large band gap of 5.58 eV, a wide electrochemical window of 0.41-3.76 V from the cathodic to the anodic limit, and a high Na + conductivity of 1.3 mS/cm at 300 K. Furthermore, Na 3 La 5 Cl 18 shows high chemical interface stability with the reported high-potential cathode materials such as NaCoO 2 , NaCrO 2 , Na 2 FePO 4 F, Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 , and Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 2 F 3 . These findings clearly suggest that the LaCl 3 -based framework can be used as a building block not only for Li-ion but also for Na-ion batteries.

Stroke is one of the most common causes of disability, and there are few treatments that can improve recovery after stroke. Therapeutic development has been hindered because of a lack of understanding of precisely how neural circuits are affected by stroke, and how these circuits change to mediate recovery. Indeed, some of the hypotheses for how the CNS changes to mediate recovery, including remapping, redundancy, and diaschisis, date to more than a century ago. Recent technological advances have enabled the interrogation of neural circuits with ever greater temporal and spatial resolution. These techniques are increasingly being applied across animal models of stroke and to human stroke survivors, and are shedding light on the molecular, structural, and functional changes that neural circuits undergo after stroke. Here we review these studies and highlight important mechanisms that underlie impairment and recovery after stroke. We begin by summarizing knowledge about changes in neural activity that occur in the peri-infarct cortex, specifically considering evidence for the functional remapping hypothesis of recovery. Next, we describe the importance of neural population dynamics, disruptions in these dynamics after stroke, and how allocation of neurons into spared circuits can restore functionality. On a more global scale, we then discuss how effects on long-range pathways, including interhemispheric interactions and corticospinal tract transmission, contribute to post-stroke impairments. Finally, we look forward and consider how a deeper understanding of neural circuit mechanisms of recovery may lead to novel treatments to reduce disability and improve recovery after stroke., (Copyright © 2023 the authors.)

Ectopia lentis has a myriad of causes, with Marfan's syndrome and homocystinuria being well-known causes. Here, we report two siblings with ectopia lentis and tall stature presenting with a diagnostic challenge. How to cite this article : Hussain SJ, Amalnath D, Kasthuri N, et al. Familial Ectopia Lentis: Looking Beyond Marfan's Syndrome. J Assoc Physicians India 2023;71(11):94-95., (© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2023.)

This study presents wrapper-based metaheuristic deep learning networks (WBM-DLNets) feature optimization algorithms for brain tumor diagnosis using magnetic resonance imaging. Herein, 16 pretrained deep learning networks are used to compute the features. Eight metaheuristic optimization algorithms, namely, the marine predator algorithm, atom search optimization algorithm (ASOA), Harris hawks optimization algorithm, butterfly optimization algorithm, whale optimization algorithm, grey wolf optimization algorithm (GWOA), bat algorithm, and firefly algorithm, are used to evaluate the classification performance using a support vector machine (SVM)-based cost function. A deep-learning network selection approach is applied to determine the best deep-learning network. Finally, all deep features of the best deep learning networks are concatenated to train the SVM model. The proposed WBM-DLNets approach is validated based on an available online dataset. The results reveal that the classification accuracy is significantly improved by utilizing the features selected using WBM-DLNets relative to those obtained using the full set of deep features. DenseNet-201-GWOA and EfficientNet-b0-ASOA yield the best results, with a classification accuracy of 95.7%. Additionally, the results of the WBM-DLNets approach are compared with those reported in the literature.

In recent decades, the brain-computer interface (BCI) has emerged as a leading area of research. The feature selection is vital to reduce the dataset's dimensionality, increase the computing effectiveness, and enhance the BCI's performance. Using activity-related features leads to a high classification rate among the desired tasks. This study presents a wrapper-based metaheuristic feature selection framework for BCI applications using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Here, the temporal statistical features (i.e., the mean, slope, maximum, skewness, and kurtosis) were computed from all the available channels to form a training vector. Seven metaheuristic optimization algorithms were tested for their classification performance using a k-nearest neighbor-based cost function: particle swarm optimization, cuckoo search optimization, the firefly algorithm, the bat algorithm, flower pollination optimization, whale optimization, and grey wolf optimization (GWO). The presented approach was validated based on an available online dataset of motor imagery (MI) and mental arithmetic (MA) tasks from 29 healthy subjects. The results showed that the classification accuracy was significantly improved by utilizing the features selected from the metaheuristic optimization algorithms relative to those obtained from the full set of features. All of the abovementioned metaheuristic algorithms improved the classification accuracy and reduced the feature vector size. The GWO yielded the highest average classification rates ( p < 0.01) of 94.83 ± 5.5%, 92.57 ± 6.9%, and 85.66 ± 7.3% for the MA, MI, and four-class (left- and right-hand MI, MA, and baseline) tasks, respectively. The presented framework may be helpful in the training phase for selecting the appropriate features for robust fNIRS-based BCI applications.

This article is part of the Research Topic Health Systems Recovery in the Context of COVID-19 and Protracted Conflict. Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) is an essential component of emergency preparedness and response. In Iran, RCCE is a relatively new area of public health. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran, the national task force relied on conventional methods, which is to utilize existing primary health care (PHC) structure to implement RCCE activities around the country. The PHC network and the community health volunteers embedded in it enabled the country to bridge the health system and communities from the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The RCCE strategy to respond to COVID-19 was adapted over time with the development of a national program, commonly known as the "Shahid Qassem Soleimani" project. This project consisted of six steps including case detection, laboratory testing through the establishment of sampling centers, scale up of clinical care to vulnerable groups, contact tracing, home care for vulnerable population, and COVID-19 vaccination roll out. Nearly 3 years into the pandemic, the importance of designing RCCE for all types of emergencies, allocating a dedicated team to RCCE, coordinating with different stakeholders, improving the capacity of RCCE focal points, practicing more efficient social listening, and using social insight for better planning were identified as some lessons learned. Further, Iran's RCCE experience during the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of continuing to invest in the health system, particularly PHC., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Senga, Kouhestani, Hosseini Boroujeni, Ghaderi, Parchami and Hussain.)

Brain tumors are among the deadliest diseases in the modern world. This study proposes an optimized machine-learning approach for the detection and identification of the type of brain tumor (glioma, meningioma, or pituitary tumor) in brain images recorded using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The Gaussian features of the image are extracted using speed-up robust features (SURF), whereas its non-linear features are obtained using KAZE, owing to their high performance against rotation, scaling, and noise problems. To retrieve local-level information, all brain MRI images are segmented into an 8 × 8 pixel grid. To enhance the accuracy and reduce the computational time, the variance-based k-means clustering and PSO-ReliefF algorithms are employed to eliminate the redundant features of the brain MRI images. Finally, the performance of the proposed hybrid optimized feature vector is evaluated using various machine learning classifiers. An accuracy of 96.30% is obtained with 169 features using a support vector machine (SVM). Furthermore, the computational time is also reduced to 1 min compared to the non-optimized features used for training of the SVM. The findings are also compared with previous research, demonstrating that the suggested approach might assist physicians and doctors in the timely detection of brain tumors.

Sensory perception and memory are enhanced during restricted phases of ongoing brain rhythms, but whether voluntary movement is constrained by brain rhythm phase is not known. Voluntary movement requires motor commands to be released from motor cortex (M1) and transmitted to spinal motoneurons and effector muscles. Here, we tested the hypothesis that motor commands are preferentially released from M1 during circumscribed phases of ongoing sensorimotor rhythms. Healthy humans of both sexes performed a self-paced finger movement task during electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) recordings. We first estimated the time of motor command release preceding each finger movement by subtracting individually measured corticomuscular transmission latencies from EMG-determined movement onset times. Then, we determined the phase of ipsilateral and contralateral sensorimotor mu (8-12 Hz) and beta (13-35 Hz) rhythms during release of each motor command. We report that motor commands were most often released between 120 and 140° along the contralateral beta cycle but were released uniformly along the contralateral mu cycle. Motor commands were also released uniformly along ipsilateral mu and beta cycles. Results demonstrate that motor command release coincides with restricted phases of the contralateral sensorimotor beta rhythm, suggesting that sensorimotor beta rhythm phase may sculpt the timing of voluntary human movement. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Perceptual and cognitive function is optimal during specific brain rhythm phases. Although brain rhythm phase influences motor cortical neuronal activity and communication between the motor cortex and spinal cord, its role in voluntary movement is poorly understood. Here, we show that the motor commands needed to produce voluntary movements are preferentially released from the motor cortex during contralateral sensorimotor beta rhythm phases. Our findings are consistent with the notion that sensorimotor rhythm phase influences the timing of voluntary human movement., (Copyright © 2022 the authors.)

Cadmium (Cd), a pervasive noxious heavy metal, is a key threat to agricultural system. It is rapidly translocated and has detrimental effects on plant growth and development. Hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S) is emerging as a potential messenger molecule for modulating plant tolerance to Cd. Salicylic acid (SA), a phenolic signalling molecule, can alleviate Cd toxicity in plants. The present study investigated the mediatory role of H 2 S (100 µM) and SA (0.5 mM), individually and in combination, in modulating antioxidant defence machinery and nutrient balance to impart Cd (50 µM) resistance to mustard. Accumulation of Cd resulted in oxidative stress (TBARS and H 2 O 2 ), mineral nutrient imbalance (N, P, K, Ca), decreased leaf gas exchange and PSII efficiency, ultimately reducing plant growth. Both H 2 S and SA independently attenuated phytotoxic effects of Cd by triggering antioxidant systems, enhancing the nutrient pool, eventually leading to improved photosynthesis and biomass of mustard plants. The positive effects were more pronounced under combined application of H 2 S and SA, indicating a synergistic relationship between these two signalling molecules in mitigating the detrimental effects of Cd on nutrient homeostasis and overall health of mustard, primarily by boosting antioxidant pathway. Our findings provide new insights into H 2 S- and SA-induced protective mechanisms in mustard plants subjected to Cd stress and suggest their combined use as a feasible strategy to confer Cd tolerance., (© 2021 German Society for Plant Sciences, Royal Botanical Society of the Netherlands.)

Brain state-dependent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) requires real-time identification of cortical excitability states. Current approaches deliver TMS during brain states that correlate with motor cortex (M1) excitability at the group level. Here, we hypothesized that machine learning classifiers could successfully discriminate between high and low M1 excitability states in individual participants using information obtained from low-density electroencephalography (EEG) signals. To test this, we analyzed a publicly available dataset that delivered 600 single TMS pulses to the right M1 during EEG and electromyography (EMG) recordings in 20 healthy adults. Multivariate pattern classification was used to discriminate between brain states during which TMS evoked small and large motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). Results show that personalized classifiers successfully discriminated between low and high M1 excitability states in 80% of tested participants. MEPs elicited during classifier-predicted high excitability states were significantly larger than those elicited during classifier-predicted low excitability states in 90% of tested participants. Personalized classifiers did not generalize across participants. Overall, results show that individual participants exhibit unique brain activity patterns which predict low and high M1 excitability states and that these patterns can be efficiently captured using low-density EEG signals. Our findings suggest that deploying individualized classifiers during brain state-dependent TMS may enable fully personalized neuromodulation in the future., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

With the advancement in technology, machine learning can be applied to diagnose the mass/tumor in the brain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This work proposes a novel developed transfer deep-learning model for the early diagnosis of brain tumors into their subclasses, such as pituitary, meningioma, and glioma. First, various layers of isolated convolutional-neural-network (CNN) models are built from scratch to check their performances for brain MRI images. Then, the 22-layer, binary-classification (tumor or no tumor) isolated-CNN model is re-utilized to re-adjust the neurons' weights for classifying brain MRI images into tumor subclasses using the transfer-learning concept. As a result, the developed transfer-learned model has a high accuracy of 95.75% for the MRI images of the same MRI machine. Furthermore, the developed transfer-learned model has also been tested using the brain MRI images of another machine to validate its adaptability, general capability, and reliability for real-time application in the future. The results showed that the proposed model has a high accuracy of 96.89% for an unseen brain MRI dataset. Thus, the proposed deep-learning framework can help doctors and radiologists diagnose brain tumors early.

Green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) is competent in inducing physiological responses in plants for combating the abiotic stresses. Considering this, salt stress is one of the most alarming conditions that exerts complex and polygenic impacts on morph-physiological functioning of plants; resulting in reduced crop productivity and yield. Therefore, understanding the salt responses and tolerance mechanisms are important for sustaining crop productivity. In the current study, we have examined the effects of biosynthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on wheat (Triticum aestivum) plants under salt stress. Green-synthesized AuNPs were found beneficial in modulating the K + /Na + ratio, chlorophyll concentration, defense systems, nitrogen assimilation, stomatal dynamics and growth traits under salt stress condition. Furthermore, the excessive accumulation of oxidative stress markers including reactive oxygen/nitrogen species was controlled in response of AuNPs treatment under salt stress. Overall, modulation of these traits commanded to induce salt stress tolerance in wheat plants., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This paper proposes a multi-scale analysis technique based on the micromechanics of failure (MMF) to predict and investigate the damage progression and ultimate strength at failure of laminated composites. A lamina's representative volume element (RVE) is developed to predict and calculate constituent stresses. Damages that occurred in the constituents are calculated using separate failure criteria for both fiber and matrix. Subsequently, the volume-based damage homogenization technique is utilized to prevent the localization of damage throughout the total matrix zone. The proposed multiscale analysis procedure is then used to investigate the notched and unnotched behavior of three multi-directional composite layups, [30, 60, 90, -60, 30] 2S , [0, 45, 90, -45] 2S , and [60, 0, -60] 3S , subjected to static tension and compression loading. The specimen is fabricated from unidirectionally reinforced composite (IM7/977-3). The prediction of ultimate strength at failure and equivalent stiffness are then benchmarked against the experimental test data. The comparative analysis with various failure models is also carried out to validate the proposed model. MMF demonstrated the capability to correctly predict the ultimate strength at failure for a range of multidirectional composites laminates under tensile and compressive load. The numerically predicted findings revealed a good agreement with the experimental test data. Out of the three investigated composite layups, the simulated results for the quasi-isotropic [0, 45, 90, -45] 2S layup agreed extremely well with the experimental results with all the percentage errors within 10% of the measured failure loads.

Background: Skill learning engages offline activity in the primary motor cortex (M1). Sensorimotor cortical activity oscillates between excitatory trough and inhibitory peak phases of the mu (8-12 Hz) rhythm. We recently showed that these mu phases influence the magnitude and direction of neuroplasticity induction within M1. However, the contribution of M1 activity during mu peak and trough phases to human skill learning has not been investigated., Objective: To evaluate the effects of phase-dependent TMS during mu peak and trough phases on offline learning of a newly-acquired motor skill., Methods: On Day 1, three groups of healthy adults practiced an explicit motor sequence learning task with their non-dominant left hand. After practice, phase-dependent TMS was applied to the right M1 during either mu peak or mu trough phases. The third group received sham TMS during random mu phases. On Day 2, all subjects were re-tested on the same task to evaluate offline learning., Results: Subjects who received phase-dependent TMS during mu trough phases showed increased offline skill learning compared to those who received phase-dependent TMS during mu peak phases or sham TMS during random mu phases. Additionally, phase-dependent TMS during mu trough phases elicited stronger whole-brain broadband oscillatory power responses than phase-dependent TMS during mu peak phases., Conclusions: We conclude that sensorimotor mu trough phases reflect brief windows of opportunity during which TMS can strengthen newly-acquired skill memories., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Heavy metal (HM) accumulation in the agricultural soil and its toxicity is a major threat for plant growth and development. HMs disrupt functional integrity of the plants, induces altered phenological and physiological responses and slashes down qualitative crop yield. Chemical messengers such as phytohormones, plant growth regulators and gasotransmitters play a crucial role in regulating plant growth and development under metal toxicity in plants. Understanding the intricate network of these chemical messengers as well as interactions of genes/metabolites/proteins associated with HM toxicity in plants is necessary for deciphering insights into the regulatory circuit involved in HM tolerance. The present review describes (a) the role of chemical messengers in HM-induced toxicity mitigation, (b) possible crosstalk between phytohormones and other signaling cascades involved in plants HM tolerance and (c) the recent advancements in biotechnological interventions including genetic engineering, genome editing and omics approaches to provide a step ahead in making of improved plant against HM toxicities., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

The influence of nanodiamonds (NDs) on the thermal and ablative performance of carbon-fiber-reinforced-epoxy matrix compositeswas explored. The ablative response of the composites with 0.2 wt% and 0.4 wt% NDs was studied through pre-and post-burning morphologies of the composite surfaces by evaluation of temperature profiles, weight loss, and erosion rate. Composites containing 0.2 wt% NDs displayed a 10.5% rise in erosion resistance, whereas composites containing 0.4 wt% NDs exhibited a 12.6% enhancement in erosion resistance compared to neat carbon fiber-epoxy composites. A similar trend was witnessed in the thermal conductivity of composites. Incorporation of composites with 0.2 wt% and 0.4 wt% NDs brought about an increase of 37 wt% and 52 wt%, respectively. The current study is valuable for the employment of NDs in carbon fiber composite applications where improved erosion resistance is necessary.

From acid corroded iron plates five different types of actinobacteria were isolated. Among the five, JMCACA3 strain was selected for the present study. In ISP media, JMCACA3 strain showed well-developed aerial and substrate mycelia were observed. This strain showed good growth in 12 different carbon and 4 different nitrogen sources. The 16S rRNA sequence of phylogenetic analysis by neighbor-joining method identified the studied strain belongs to Streptomyces sp. The biodegradation activity of the strain analyzed by UV and FTIR analysis, which revealed that the various concentrations of Benzimidazole inhibitor with JMCACA3 culture showed slightly varied results. For weight loss method, mild steel coupons incubated with JMCACA3 culture, Benzimidazole inhibitor + JMCACA3 culture and mixed sample showed that JMCACA3 strain utilized the inhibitor as their energy source and the weight the coupons were slightly varied, evidenced by XRD spectra and showed Fe 2 O 3 corrosion products. Our study concluded that the JMCACA3 strain, an iron-reducing actinobacteria which utilizes and converted the corrosion inhibitor Benzimidazole as their energy source. So, it is very urgent to develop more powerful corrosion inhibitor from green biocide or microbial-based biocide and their analog which incorporated into the pre-existing Benzimidazole to increase the corrosion inhibitor level against the biofilm of actinobacterial influenced corrosion.

Salinity is major abiotic stress affecting crop yield, productivity and reduces the land-usage area for agricultural practices. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of green-synthesized silver nanoparticle (AgNP) on physiological traits of wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) under salinity stress. Using augmented and high-throughput characterization of synthesized AgNPs, this study investigated the proximity of AgNPs-induced coping effects under stressful cues by measuring the germination efficiency, oxidative-biomarkers, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, proline and nitrogen metabolism, stomatal dynamics, and ABA content. Taken together, the study shows a promising approach in salt tolerance and suggests that mechanisms of inducing the salt tolerance depend on proline metabolism, ions accumulation, and defense mechanisms. This study ascertains the queries regarding the correlation between nanoparticles use and traditional agriculture methodology; also significantly facilitates to reach the goal of sustainable developments for increasing crop productivity via much safer and greener approachability.

The ability to interpret transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-evoked electroencephalography (EEG) potentials (TEPs) is limited by artifacts, such as auditory evoked responses produced by discharge of the TMS coil. TEPs generated from direct cortical stimulation should vary in their topographical activity pattern according to stimulation site and differ from responses to sham stimulation. Responses that do not show these effects are likely to be artifactual. In 20 healthy volunteers, we delivered active and sham TMS to the right prefrontal, left primary motor, and left posterior parietal cortex and compared the waveform similarity of TEPs between stimulation sites and active and sham TMS using a cosine similarity-based analysis method. We identified epochs after the stimulus when the spatial pattern of TMS-evoked activation showed greater than random similarity between stimulation sites and sham vs. active TMS, indicating the presence of a dominant artifact. To do this, we binarized the derivatives of the TEPs recorded from 30 EEG channels and calculated cosine similarity between conditions at each time point with millisecond resolution. Only TEP components occurring before approximately 80 ms differed across stimulation sites and between active and sham, indicating site and condition-specific responses. We therefore conclude that, in the absence of noise masking or other measures to decrease neural artifact, TEP components before about 80 ms can be safely interpreted as stimulation location-specific responses to TMS, but components beyond this latency should be interpreted with caution due to high similarity in their topographical activity pattern., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

The beta rhythm (15-30 Hz) is a prominent signal of sensorimotor cortical activity. This rhythm is not sustained but occurs non-rhythmically as brief events of a few (1-2) oscillatory cycles. Recent work on the relationship between these events and sensorimotor performance suggests that they are the biologically relevant elements of the beta rhythm. However, the influence of these events on corticospinal excitability, a mechanism through which the primary motor cortex controls motor output, is unknown. Here, we addressed this question by evaluating relationships between beta event characteristics and corticospinal excitability in healthy adults. Results show that the number, amplitude, and timing of beta events preceding transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) each significantly predicted motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes. However, beta event characteristics did not explain additional MEP amplitude variance beyond that explained by mean beta power alone, suggesting that conventional beta power measures and beta event characteristics similarly captured natural variation in human corticospinal excitability. Despite this lack of additional explained variance, these results provide first evidence that endogenous beta oscillatory events shape human corticospinal excitability.

Oscillatory activity within sensorimotor networks is characterized by time-varying changes in phase and power. The influence of interactions between sensorimotor oscillatory phase and power on human motor function, like corticospinal output, is unknown. We addressed this gap in knowledge by delivering transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the human motor cortex during electroencephalography recordings in 20 healthy participants. Motor evoked potentials, a measure of corticospinal excitability, were categorized offline based on the mu (8-12 Hz) and beta (13-30 Hz) oscillatory phase and power at the time of TMS. Phase-dependency of corticospinal excitability was evaluated across a continuous range of power levels using trial-by-trial linear mixed-effects models. For mu, there was no effect of PHASE or POWER (P > 0.51), but a significant PHASE × POWER interaction (P = 0.002). The direction of phase-dependency reversed with changing mu power levels: corticospinal output was higher during mu troughs versus peaks when mu power was high while the opposite was true when mu power was low. A similar PHASE × POWER interaction was not present for beta oscillations (P > 0.11). We conclude that the interaction between sensorimotor oscillatory phase and power gates human corticospinal output to an extent unexplained by sensorimotor oscillatory phase or power alone., (Published by Oxford University Press 2018.)

Malaria, dengue and chikungunya are the most rampant mosquito-borne infections predominantly in Pakistan. They pose a serious threat and cause a havoc for the victims owing to the life threatening signs and symptoms marked with elevated morbidity and mortality rate. It seems hard to discriminate due to common indications, consequently, deserves appropriate diagnosis prior elevated toll of death. Present article encompasses depth insights about their prevalence, diagnosis and clinical manifestation if erupt in the pandemic. However, host-vector-host cycle is the root cause of transmission and diverse mosquito species confer dissimilar infections. Indeed these infections are seasonal but other factors like flood, open irrigation channels, immense agricultural land, rich fauna and water reservoirs can't be overlooked. Dire need was felt to acknowledge and aware the public about local transmission, vector control, entomologic, research resources, diagnosis and advancement in healthcare system to alleviate them absolutely in future.

Paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and peripheral stimulation combined with TMS can be used to study cortical interneuronal circuitry. By combining these procedures with concurrent transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), Guerra and colleagues recently showed that different cortical interneuronal populations are differentially modulated by the phase and frequency of tACS-imposed oscillations (Guerra A, Pogosyan A, Nowak M, Tan H, Ferreri F, Di Lazzaro V, Brown P. Cerebral Cortex 26: 3977-2990, 2016). This work suggests that different cortical interneuronal populations can be characterized by their phase and frequency dependency. Here we discuss how combining TMS and tACS can reveal the frequency at which cortical interneuronal populations oscillate, the neuronal origins of behaviorally relevant cortical oscillations, and how entraining cortical oscillations could potentially treat brain disorders., (Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.)

Objective: After several years of relative stability in Iraq, the emergence of the Islamic State militant group has spurred a resurgence of violence. This study explores the impact of the conflict on the overall injury profile to estimate the proportion of injury fatalities related to conflict and better understand how violence has affected nonconflict-related injuries., Design: Routine prospective injury surveillance operated by the Iraqi Ministry of Health., Setting: Surveillance data were collected from coroner offices in eight pilot governorates: Al-Anbar, Baghdad, Basrah, Erbil, Kerbala, Maysan, Ninevah, and Al-Sulaimaniya., Participants: We analyzed all fatalities from external injury causes recorded between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013. Analysis included 32,664 fatal injuries., Results: Of all injury fatalities reported, 27.1 percent were conflict-related fatalities, approximately the same proportion as road traffic-related fatalities (24.4 percent) and other unintentional injuries (27.5 percent). The proportion of fatalities from conflict was approximately three times higher among males than females (33.0 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively) and four times higher among adults than children (29.8 percent and 7.3 percent, respectively). The total number of injury fatalities remained stable between 2010 and 2012; an increase in injury fatalities in 2013 was driven primarily by increases in fatalities from both interpersonal violence and conflict., Conclusions: From 2010 to 2013, nearly one in four injury fatalities in Iraq was attributable to conflict, a notably higher proportion than other conflict-affected countries in the region. The overall profile of nonconflict injuries in Iraq is also distinct from other countries of similar socioeconomic level that have not experienced violence.

Background: The ankle is an important component of the human kinetic chain, and deficits in ankle strength can negatively impact functional tasks such as balance and gait. While peak torque is influenced by joint angle and movement velocity, ankle strength is typically reported for a single angle or movement speed. To better identify deficits and track recovery of ankle strength after injury or surgical intervention, ankle strength across a range of movement velocities and joint angles in healthy adults is needed. Thus, the primary goals of this study were to generate a database of strength values and 3-dimensional strength surface models for plantarflexion (PF) and dorsiflexion (DF) ankle strength in healthy men and women. Secondary goals were to develop a means to estimate ankle strength percentiles as well as examine predictors of maximal ankle strength in healthy adults., Methods: Using an isokinetic dynamometer, we tested PF and DF peak torques at five joint angles (-10° [DF], 0° [neutral], 10° [PF], 20° [PF] and 30° [PF]) and six velocities (0°/s, 30°/s, 60°/s, 90°/s, 120°/s and 180°/s) in 53 healthy adults. These data were used to generate 3D plots, or "strength surfaces", for males and females for each direction; surfaces were fit using a logistic equation. We also tested predictors of ankle strength, including height, weight, sex, and self-reported physical activity levels., Results: Torque-velocity and torque-angle relationships at the ankle interact, indicating that these relationships are interdependent and best modeled using 3D surfaces. Sex was the strongest predictor of ankle strength over height, weight, and self-reported physical activity levels. 79 to 97 % of the variance in mean peak torque was explained by joint angle and movement velocity using logistic equations, for men and women and PF and DF directions separately., Conclusions: The 3D strength data and surface models provide a more comprehensive dataset of ankle strength in healthy adults than previously reported. These models may allow researchers and clinicians to quantify ankle strength deficits and track recovery in patient populations, using angle- and velocity-specific ankle strength values and/or strength percentiles from healthy adults.

The aim of this study is to develop (177) Lu-5-Flourouracil as a potential cancer therapeutic radiopharmaceutical. 5-Flourouracil (5-FU) is widely accepted as an anticancer drug of broad spectrum fame. The labeling of 5-FU was carried out at different set of experimental conditions using high specific activity of (177) LuCl3 . The optimum conditions for maximum radiochemical yield was set: 5-FU (5 mg), (177) LuCl3 (185 MBq), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (10 µg), reaction volume (2 mL), pH (5.5), temperature (80°C), and reaction time (20 min). The radiochemical labeling was assessed with Whatman No. 2 paper, instant thin layer chromatographic, and radio-HPLC, which revealed >94% labeling results with sufficient stability up to 6 h. Serum stability study also showed (177) Lu-5-FU promising stability. Biodistribution study in normal rats and rabbits showed liver, stomach, kidney, and heart as area of increased tracer accumulation just after injection, which decreased to 1.4%, 0.4%, 0.2%, and 0.39% ID/g, respectively, after 72 h. Glomerular filtration rate and cytotoxicity study results of (177) Lu-5-FU showed it had no adverse effect on renal function and nontoxic to blood cells. The promising characteristics of (177) Lu-5-FU, that is, clever elimination from kidney and nontoxic nature toward blood cells make it the radiopharmaceutical for further testing in patients for therapeutic purposes., (Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Background: The theory of homeostatic metaplasticity has significant implications for human motor cortical plasticity and motor learning. Previous work has shown that the extent of recent effector use before exogenously-induced plasticity can affect the direction, magnitude and variability of aftereffects. However, the impact of recent effector use on motor learning and practice-dependent plasticity is not known., Hypothesis: We hypothesized that reducing effector use for 8 hours via hand/wrist immobilization would facilitate practice-dependent changes in corticospinal excitability and TMS-evoked thumb movement kinematics, while also promoting 24-hour retention of a ballistic motor skill., Methods: Subjects participated in a crossover study involving two conditions. During the immobilization condition, subjects wore a splint that restricted motion of the left hand and thumb for 8 hours. While wearing the splint, subjects were instructed to avoid using their left hand as much as possible. During the control condition, subjects did not wear a splint at any time nor were they instructed to avoid hand use. After either an 8 hour period of immobilization or normal hand use, we collected MEP and TMS-evoked thumb movement recruitment curves, and subjects practiced a ballistic motor skill involving rapid thumb extension. After motor practice, MEP and TMS-evoked thumb movement recruitment curves were re-tested. Retention of the motor skill was tested 30 minutes and 24 hours after motor practice., Results: Reduced effector use did not impact pre-practice corticospinal excitability but did facilitate practice-dependent changes in corticospinal excitability, and this enhancement was specific to the trained muscle. In contrast, reducing effector use did not affect practice-dependent changes in TMS-evoked thumb movements nor did it promote acquisition or retention of the skill. Finally, we detected some associations between pre-practice excitability levels, plasticity effects and learning effects, but these did not reach our adjusted criterion for significance., Conclusion: Experimentally enhancing practice-dependent changes in corticospinal excitability is not sufficient to promote learning or memory of a ballistic motor skill., (Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The insurgency tactics that characterize modern warfare, such as suicide car bombs and roadside bombs, have the potential to significantly impact road traffic injuries in conflict affected-countries. As road traffic incidents are one of the top ten causes of death in Iraq, changes in incidence have important implications for the health system. We aimed to describe patterns of road traffic fatalities for all demographic groups and types of road users in Iraq during a period characterized by a resurgence in insurgency activity., Methods: Iraqi Ministry of Health routine prospective injury surveillance collects information on all fatal injuries in eight governorates of Iraq: Baghdad, Al-Anbar, Basrah, Erbil, Kerbala, Maysan, Ninevah, and Al-Sulaimaniya. From all injury fatalities documented at the coroner office, we analyzed only those attributed to road traffic that occurred between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2013. Coroners ascertain information from physical examinations, police reports and family members., Results: Analysis included 7,976 road traffic fatalities. Overall, 6,238 (78.2 %) fatalities were male and 2,272 (28.5 %) were children under 18 years of age. The highest numbers of road traffic fatalities were among males 15 to 34 years of age and children of both sexes under 5 years of age. 49.2 % of fatalities occurred among pedestrians. Among children and females, the majority of road traffic fatalities were pedestrians, 69.0 % and 56.6 %, respectively. Fatalities among motorcyclists (3.7 %) and bicyclists (0.4 %) were least common. Rates of road traffic fatalities ranged from 8.6 to 10.7 per 100,000 population., Conclusions: The injury surveillance system provides the first data from a conflict-affected country on road traffic fatalities disaggregated by type of road user. The highest numbers of fatalities were among children and young men. Nearly half of fatalities were pedestrians, a proportion nearly double that of any neighboring country. As insurgency activity increased in 2013, the number of road traffic fatalities declined.

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality across the globe. Pakistan is one of the 22 high tuberculosis burden countries of the world sharing more than 80% of the global burden of tuberculosis., Methods: This study was a retrospective case-based study that analyzed secondary data obtained from TB-03 form at the office of the District Tuberculosis Control Officer (DTO), Mansehra. Data was entered into SPSS-20 and analysed., Results: A total of 625 patients with a mean age of 32.1 ± 19.1 years were registered at the DTO office during the year 2013. Most of the patients were female (57%) as compared to males (43%). The most common treatment outcome was "treatment completed", recorded against 56% of the patients. The proportion of patients declared "cured" at the end of the treatment was 236 (37.8%). There were only 4 (0.64%) cases of treatment failure during 2013., Conclusion: Despite falling incidence of tuberculosis and mortality across the globe, tuberculosis is still a major determinant of disease in our society. Aggressive case detection and treatment is needed to manage this disease.

Caffeine is widely consumed throughout the world and appears to indirectly facilitate learning and memory through effects on attention and motivation. Animal work indicates that post-training caffeine administration augments inhibitory avoidance memory, spatial memory, and object memory. In humans, post-training caffeine administration enhances the ability to discern between familiar images and new, similar images. However, the effect of post-training caffeine administration on motor memory has not been examined. Therefore, we tested two groups of low caffeine consumers (average weekly consumption ≤500 mg) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving acquisition of a continuous isometric visuomotor tracking skill. On Day 1, subjects completed 5 blocks (150 repetitions) of training on the continuous isometric visuomotor skill and subsequently ingested either 200 mg of caffeine or placebo. On day 2, subjects completed an additional 5 blocks of training. Day 1 mean performance and performance variability were both similar between groups, suggesting that both groups acquired the motor skill similarly. For mean performance on Day 2, patterns of re-learning, mean performance learning magnitudes, mean performance learning rates, and mean performance retention magnitudes were all similar between groups. For performance variability on Day 2, there was a small trend towards increased variability in the caffeine group during re-learning, but performance variability learning magnitudes and performance variability retention magnitudes did not differ between groups. Because motor skill acquisition can also be conceptualized as a reduction in performance variability, these results suggest that there may be a small negative effect of post-practice caffeine administration on memory of a newly-learned visuomotor skill. Overall, we found no evidence to suggest that post-training caffeine administration enhances 24-hour retention of a newly-learned continuous visuomotor skill, and these results support the notion that memory-enhancing effects of post-training caffeine ingestion may be task-specific.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common female malignancy worldwide. Pakistan has the highest incidence rate of breast cancer than any other Asian population. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the worth of sono-mammography in diagnosis of symptomatic breast diseases by comparing it with mammogram., Methods: In this cross-sectional validation study, 45 subjects with mean age of 45 +/- 12.07 were included. Majority of the patients presented with complaint of breast lump. After complete history and clinical examination, all the patients had high resolution ultrasound of bilateral breasts and axilla followed by bilateral mammography. Histopathology was taken as gold standard in this study. The exclusion criteria were pregnancy and patients having direct clinical signs of breast malignancy., Results: Based on histopathology, out of 45 patients with breast symptoms, 12 patients had benign lesions, whereas 32 patients were diagnosed as the cases of breast cancers. Finally one patient did not have biopsy proven final diagnosis. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound were calculated to be 100% and 67% as compared to sensitivity and specificity of 90.6% and 91.7% for that of mammography., Conclusions: Ultrasound is a useful complementary tool to mammography in assessment of symptomatic breast diseases since it helps in characterization and localization of breast lesions seen on mammogram and it is not limited by dense breasts. Also it should be the considered as initial imaging technique for assessment of palpable breast lumps.

A 54-year-old man infected with hepatitis C virus presented to us with pain in the right iliac fossa radiating to the back and right thigh for the past 2 months. Imaging of the abdomen and pelvis was performed, which revealed a soft tissue mass adherent to right iliac blade and right ala of sacrum. Trucut biopsy of the mass was performed and immunohistochemical stains Glypican-3 and Hep-par 1 were used for histopathological analysis, which diagnosed the mass as hepatocellular carcinoma. This is a unique case of metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma to the bone in which imaging of the liver did not show any primary lesion. Liver function tests showed that aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were twice the normal range with a high viral load and significantly raised serum α-fetoprotein. The patient was treated with intravenous 5-flourouracil and radiotherapy as a palliative measure with only moderate clinical improvement., (2015 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.)

Motor adaptation in response to gradual vs. abrupt perturbation schedules may involve different neural mechanisms, potentially leading to different levels of motor memory. However, no study has investigated whether perturbation schedules alter memory of a locomotor adaptation across days. We measured adaptation and retention (memory) of altered interlimb symmetry during walking in two groups of participants over 2 days. On day 1, participants adapted to either a single, large perturbation (abrupt schedule) or a series of small perturbations that increased in size over time (gradual schedule). Retention was examined on day 2. On day 1, initial swing time and foot placement symmetry error sizes differed between groups but overall adaptation magnitudes were similar. On day 2, participants in both groups showed similar retention, readaptation, and aftereffect sizes, although there were some trends for improved memory in the abrupt group. These results conflict with previous data but are consistent with newer studies reporting no behavioral differences following adaptation using abrupt vs. gradual schedules. Although memory levels were very similar between groups, we cannot rule out the possibility that the neural mechanisms underlying this memory storage differ. Overall, it appears that adaptation of locomotor patterns via abrupt and gradual perturbation schedules produces similar expression of locomotor memories across days., (Copyright © 2014 the American Physiological Society.)

In this study, randomly oriented hydroxyethyl cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol (HEC/PVA) nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning. The blend solutions of HEC/PVA with different weight ratio of HEC to PVA were prepared using water as solvent to fabricate nanofibers. These nanofibrous scaffolds were coated with bone-like apatite by immersing into 10x simulated body fluid (SBF) for different time periods. The morphology and structure of the nanofibers were characterized by SEM, FTIR and DSC. FESEM-EDS and FTIR analysis were used to confirm the deposition of apatite on the surface of nanofibers. The results of this study suggest that this apatite coated nanofibrous scaffolds could be a suitable biomaterial for bone tissue engineering.

Locomotor patterns are generally very consistent but also contain a high degree of adaptability. Motor adaptation is a short-term type of learning that utilizes this plasticity to alter locomotor behaviors quickly and transiently. In this study, we used a variation of an adaptation paradigm in order to test whether explicit information as well as the removal of the visual error signal after adaptation could improve retention of a newly learned walking pattern 24 h later. On two consecutive days of testing, participants walked on a treadmill while viewing a visual display that showed erroneous feedback of swing times for each leg. Participants were instructed to use this feedback to monitor and adjust swing times so they appeared symmetric within the display. This was achieved by producing a novel interlimb asymmetry between legs. For both legs, we measured adaptation magnitudes and rates and immediate and 24-h retention magnitudes. Participants showed similar adaptation on both days but a faster rate of readaptation on day 2. There was complete retention of adapted swing times on the increasing leg (i.e., no evidence of performance decay over 24 h). Overall, these findings suggest that the inclusion of explicit information and the removal of the visual error signal are effective in inducing full retention of adapted increases in swing time over a moderate (24 h) interval of time.

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is manifested by presence of pitting oedema, profound proteinuria in excess of 3.5 g/day, serum albumin levels of less than 3.0 g/dL and hypercholesterolemia. This study was conducted to determine the frequency and clinical presentation of nephrotic syndrome in patients coming to a tertiary care hospital., Methods: This cross-sectional study was done from March to November, 2012 (for 9 months). Patients with complaints of peri-orbital or generalized swelling, and proteinuria on urine examination were included in the study through emergency or outpatient department., Results: Out of 360 suspected cases, nephrotic syndrome was found with a frequency of 67.05%. Among these patients, 69.55% were male and 30.45% female. Majority (65.85%) were between 41-60 years with mean age of 40.36 +/- 15.93 years. All (100%) patients had oedema, 43.20% had oliguria, 17.28% presented with abdominal tenderness, 15.22% patients had fever, 13.16% showed hematuria, 10.28% patients had uraemia and 2.5% of the patients had thrombosis. The majority of patients (56.80%) were diabetic, and 43.20% patients had hypertension. In 23.86% patient's high blood urea alone was recorded and 17.28% showed high serum creatinine along with raised blood urea. Rest of patients had normal renal function at the time of presentation., Conclusion: Frequency of nephrotic syndrome was 67.05%. Among these majorities were males. Oedema was the commonest presenting complaint while oliguria, abdominal tenderness, fever, hematuria, uraemia and thrombosis were found in descending orders. Diabetes mellitus was leading cause in majority of patients, followed by hypertension, high blood urea, and high serum creatinine.

A secondary data analysis using the Global Status Report on Road Safety (GSRRS) was carried out to assess the epidemiology of road traffic injuries (RTIs) and preventive strategies in the Eastern Mediterranean egion (EMR). EMR countries ranked equal first in the world for the highest number of fatalities due to RTIs (32.2 per 100 000 population). The region had about 4% of the world's vehicles with 0.097 registered vehicles per person. The number of injured cases in EMR was 210.1 per 100 000 population. Only 15% of EMR countries had a funded, independent, multisectoral body for road safety. Only 25% had mandatory seat-belt laws for both front-seat and rear-seat passengers, 60% had mandatory helmet laws for both drivers and passengers of motorized two-wheelers and 10% had child restraint laws. Road safety in EMR countries needs more attention and consideration.

Background: the aim of this study was to explore the trends in injury mortality in children aged 0-18 years in the State of Qatar. No such study has been conducted previously in Qatar., Methods: univariate statistical analysis was used in this retrospective descriptive study. A total of 2934 children aged 0-18 years who died due to injuries in the period of 1 January 1993 to 31 December 2007 were studied., Results: the leading causes of death were road traffi c injuries (RTIs) (71.3%), drowning (9.3%) and accidental falls (6.0%). Injury death rates were higher in citizens (57.7%) than in non-citizens (42.3%). The children of 15-18 years old had the highest frequency of injury deaths (34.4%), followed by children of 10-14 years old (21.3%). The mortality rate of RTI per 100 000 population increased remarkably in the year 2005 compared to previous years., Conclusions: the present study suggests that RTI is a major cause of childhood death. Injury mortality is higher in boys than in girls. During the period of 1993-2007, there was a dramatic increase in childhood mortality caused by RTI. This study highlights the burden of RTI caused mortalities in children, which requires immediate action.

The fabrication and characterization of nanostructured fibrous gold mats having high specific surface areas is reported. Freestanding porous films of 6-20-μm thickness and density 0.43 ± 0.02 g cm(3) are prepared using e-beam evaporation of gold on an electrospun nanoporous polymer template and subsequent removal of the template polymer in a suitable solvent. Structural characterization using electron microscopy techniques shows a nanofiber diameter in the range of 300-6000 nm, and the size of the nanochannels on the fiber surface is ≈200-350 nm. Such surface structuring is achieved through fast evaporation of organic solvent and phase separation of polymers during the electrospinning process. The wedge thickness varies from a few nanometers to a few tens of nanometers. The freestanding films possess good mechanical integrity and robustness. The calculated Young's modulus based on the slope in the elastic region is ≈114 MPa and gives an ultimate breaking strength of 0.7-0.8 MPa at a percentage elongation of 1.5-2.0%. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements demonstrate the formation of polycrystalline gold nanostructures. Electrical characterization performed on these gold nanotubes reveals pure metallic behavior. Raman spectroscopic characterization of the fibrous membrane is performed using crystal violet (CV) adsorbed on it. Well-defined spectral peaks are obtainable at concentrations as low as 10(-7) M of CV, which did not give spectral signals at this low concentration on its own.

Background: Premature ejaculation is one of the most common sexual disorders. A large number of treatment options have been used so far for the treatment of this dysfunction and still a large number of experts are doing research in this field. Here we have tried to research on the beneficial effects of levosulpiride in the treatment of PE., Methods: Eighty-eight patients form different areas of Hazara division suffering from PE were chosen. Sixty-four patients were given levosulpiride and the remaining 24 patients were given placebo., Results: Out of 64 patients who have been given levosulpiride, 30 patients showed very good improvement, 14 patients showed some improvement, 14 patients showed little and 6 patients showed no improvement., Conclusion: Levosulpiride have very good beneficial effects in the treatment of PE.