Search

The quantity of internal combustion engine-powered motorized vehicles in Indonesia has been increasing year after year. As a result, fossil fuel demand has also increased beyond Indonesia’s local production capacity, which decreases every year. The rapid growth of motorized vehicles also worsens air quality in Indonesia because of the combustion process in internal combustion engines, which produces toxic gases. One solution to this problem is to accelerate the usage of biofuels, in this context, bioethanol, as a fuel alternative. This study aims to determine the effect of oxygenated cyclohexanol additives to bioethanol–gasoline blends on 124.8 cc spark ignition (SI) engine performance and exhaust gas emission. The experiment was carried out using an engine dynamometer to measure engine performance, a pressure transducer to measure cylinder pressure, and a gas analyzer to measure exhaust gas emission. The experiment established that an 80% gasoline, 20% bioethanol fuel mixture (E20 mixture) with the addition of 18 ml of oxygenated cyclohexanol produced the best results among all the other mixtures tested; it lowered the specific fuel consumption (SFC) and coefficient of variation (COV) value, and produced fewer toxic gases, while minimizing power and torque losses.

Rahul Chandra, Harneel Saini, Russell Cerejo, Ashis Tayal, Konark Malhotra Department of Neurology, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, USACorrespondence: Konark MalhotraDepartment of Neurology, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, USATel +1- 412-359-8841Fax +1- 412-442-2115Email konark.malhotra@yahoo.comAbstract: Antiplatelet medications are the mainstay for secondary stroke treatment. Aspirin, clopidogrel, and aspirin-dipyridamole are commonly used antiplatelet medications. Other antiplatelet medications such as ticagrelor and prasugrel have been majorly used in cardiovascular or neuro-interventional specialties. Recent studies have paved a way to their use in secondary stroke prevention. In this review, we have briefly discussed the pharmacology of ticagrelor, published literature in cardiology and stroke trials, use of ticagrelor among patients with ischemic strokes, and compared its efficacy, limitations and side-effects with other antiplatelet medications.Keywords: Ticagrelor, stroke, clopidogrel, platelet inhibition

Background: Post-qualification regulatory 12-month community service (CS) was implemented in South Africa in 1998. Since the implementation, studies have been conducted in various disciplines to measure the impact on health services and on the affected professionals, but these did not include radiography professionals. Aim: This study explored the expectations and experiences of student radiographers in respect of the CS concept as an integral transitional career pathway from the student radiographer role to that of a provisional practitioner in transit to acquiring registered radiographer practitioner status. Research methods: The research design entailed a qualitative exploratory approach using a longitudinal data collection approach. That is, data collection from the purposefully selected student radiographers’ focus group discussions, as well as from placement institutions’ qualified professionals and managers, formed the triangulated data sources. In addition, individual interviews were conducted post-placement until data and thematic saturation had been reached. Tesch’s (1990) method was used for the data interpretation and analysis. Results: The themes that emerged reflected the preparedness of these students to fulfil the requirements, their experiences of their anticipated placement institution, preparedness for their roles and responsibilities and uncertainties about their readiness for the actual encounter. A golden thread throughout was critical self-reflection on their ability, adaptability and capability to meet the requirements of the system, namely the community placement institutions and appeasing the Department of Health. Conclusion: The study illustrates, by means of a framework, the student radiographers’ journey in transit to acquiring eligibility as registered radiography practitioners in a regulated career pathway.

Meena Kishore Sakharkar,1 Karthic Rajamanickam,1 Ramesh Chandra,2 Haseeb A Khan,3 Abdullah S Alhomida,3 Jian Yang1 1College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada; 2Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India; 3Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Background: Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is a major problem in cattle production which causes substantial economic loss. BRD has multifactorial aetiologies, is multi-microbial, and several of the causative pathogens are unknown. Consequently, primary management practices such as metaphylactic antimicrobial injections for BRD prevention are used to reduce the incidence of BRD in feedlot cattle. However, this poses a serious threat in the form of development of antimicrobial resistance and demands an urgent need to find novel interventions that could reduce the effects of BRD drastically and also delay/prevent bacterial resistance. Materials and methods: We have employed a subtractive genomics approach that helps delineate essential, host-specific, and druggable targets in pathogens responsible for BRD. We also proposed antimicrobials from FDA green and orange book that could be repositioned for BRD. Results: We have identified 107 putative targets that are essential, selective and druggable. We have also confirmed the susceptibility of two BRD pathogens to one of the proposed antimicrobials – oxytetracycline. Conclusion: This approach allows for repositioning drugs known for other infections to BRD, predicting novel druggable targets for BRD infection, and providing a new direction in developing more effective therapeutic treatments for BRD. Keywords: BRD, pathogenic bacteria, targets, drugs, prioritization, differential genome analyses, druggability

Introduction: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a cytogenetically heterogeneous haematologic malignancy characterised by uncontrolled proliferation of clonal plasma cells within the bone marrow. TP53 gene inactivation is considered as an independent prognostic marker and patients harbouring these mutations are usually resistant to standard therapy. Aim: To determine the frequency of TP53 gene mutations in exons 4 to 9 and the distribution of Arg72Pro polymorphism in exon 4 in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. Materials and Methods: Mutation analysis of genomic DNA from unsorted bone marrow aspirates of 30 patients (10 showed TP53 deletion by interphase FISH) and from peripheral blood lymphocytes of 30 healthy control individuals was performed by direct sequencing of amplified products using self-designed primers. The codon 72 polymorphism was studied using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique in an additional 108 MM patients and 70 healthy controls. Results: TP53 gene alterations were recorded in six patients (20%) and three of them showed two or more changes. No alterations were observed in exons 5, 7 and 9 in myeloma patients. Four mutations in codons c.284C>T (exon 4), c.641A>G (exon 6), c.787A>G and c.808T>G (exon 8) and three intronic variants c.672+48G>A (intron 6), c.782+72C>T and c.782+92T>G (intron 7) were seen only in the patient group. The variants c.108G>A (exon 4), c.672+62A>G (intron 6) and c.993+12T>C (intron 9) were observed in both groups. Three patients died within six months of diagnosis. The genotype and allele frequencies for Arg72Pro polymorphism were similar in the patient and in the control groups. Conclusion: The presence of TP53 mutations denoted a poor prognosis while the TP53 Pro72Arg polymorphism is not associated with increased risk for MM.

Fragile sites represent regions of chromatin that fail to compact during mitosis. Based on the prevalence and pattern of inheritance they are classified as rare fragile sites or common fragile sites. Rare fragile sites either occur spontaneously or can be induced by certain ATspecific binding chemicals namely distamycin, Hoechst 33258, Berenil and others. The most common of all rare autosomal fragile sites is fra(16)(q22) with a heterozygote frequency of ~5%. FRA16B results from an expansion of a 33 bp AT-rich minisatellite repeat. These rare forms are usually heritable and segregate in a Mendelian fashion. The proband who was referred for secondary amenorrhoea, revealed 46,XX,fra(16)(q22.1)pat karyotype. Her father and younger sibling were also found to be carriers. This study aimed to delineate the genotypic and phenotypic features exhibited by these carriers and to evaluate FRA16B expression using AT-specific binding chemicals. The additives employed were Berenil, BrdU and Hoechst 33258. Berenil at a concentration of 150 µg/ml showed the highest expression of FRA16B. Although the recent breakthrough in molecular characterization of fragile sites plays a critical role in comprehending their association with various diseases, the physiological link between them and amenorrhoea is not clearly understood.

Spontaneous abortion or loss of fetus prior to 20 weeks of gestation is observed in 15-20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Recurrent Miscarriage (RM) is defined as three or more consecutive pregnancy losses and it affects 1-2% of women. Parental chromosomal rearrangements account for 2-5% of RM. This report describes two couples with a clinical history of RM who were subjected to conventional cytogenetic analysis to ascertain the chromosomal aetiology. Analysis of GTG-banded metaphases obtained from cultured lymphocytes at approximately 500-band resolution revealed balanced translocation in the female spouses as 46,XX,t(8;11) (p11.2;q23.3) in BR27W and 46,XX,t(5;7)(p15.1;q32) pat in BR49W. Both the male partners exhibited 46,XY karyotype. Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) analysis was subsequently carried out to confirm the balanced translocation using suitable whole chromosome paint probes. These balanced chromosomal abnormalities in the parents could be responsible for the repeated fetal losses. Hence, karyotype analysis should be a mandatory etiological investigation for couples with RM towards genetic counselling. Disruption of critical genes through these rearrangements could also underlie the pregnancy outcome.

Background and Objective: Male infertility has been associated with aneuploidies and structural chromosomal abnormalities, Yq microdeletions and specific gene mutations and/or polymorphisms. Besides genetic factors, any block in sperm delivery, endocrine disorders, testicular tumours, infectious diseases, medications, lifestyle factors and environmental toxins can also play a causative role. This study aimed to determine the constitutional karyotype in infertile males having normal female partners in a south Indian population. Materials and Methods: A total of 180 men with a complaint of primary infertility ranging from 1 to 25 years were screened for chromosomal abnormalities through conventional analysis of GTG-banded metaphases from cultured lymphocytes. Results: Four individuals were diagnosed to have Klinefelter syndrome. Two cases exhibited reciprocal translocations and one showed a maternally inherited insertion. Polymorphisms were seen in sixty-seven patients (37.2%). Conclusion: The occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities in 4.6% and variants involving the heterochromatic regions of Y, chromosome 9 and the acrocentric chromosomes in 38.2% of the infertile men with an abnormal seminogram strongly reiterates the inclusion of routine cytogenetic testing and counselling in the diagnostic work-up prior to the use of assisted reproduction technologies.

Background: Much has been written about the patient-centred approach in doctor–patient consultations. Little is known about interactions and communication processes regarding healthcare providers’ and patients’ perspectives on expectations and experiences of diagnostic imaging investigations within the medical encounter. Patients journey through the health system from the point of referral to the imaging investigation itself and then to the post-imaging consultation. Aim and setting: To explore healthcare provider and patient perspectives on interaction and communication processes during diagnostic imaging investigations as part of their clinical journey through a healthcare complex. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted, with two phases of data collection. Twenty-four patients were conveniently selected at a public district hospital complex and were followed throughout their journey in the hospital system, from admission to discharge. The second phase entailed focus group interviews conducted with providers in the district hospital and adjacent academic hospital (medical officers and family physicians, nurses, radiographers, radiology consultants and registrars). Results: Two main themes guided our analysis: (1) provider perspectives; and (2) patient dispositions and reactions. Golden threads that cut across these themes are interactions and communication processes in the context of expectations, experiences of the imaging investigations and the outcomes thereof. Conclusion: Insights from this study provide a better understanding of the complexity of the processes and interactions between providers and patients during the imaging investigations conducted as part of their clinical pathway. The interactions and communication processes are provider–patient centred when a referral for a diagnostic imaging investigation is included.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy, being a chronic infectious disease with profound social stigma, remains associated with high psychological mortidity. PURPOSES: To find out the pattern of psychiatric morbidity in leprosy patients and the relationship of various factors with the morbidity. METHODS: Ninty patients attending leprosy clinic were randomly chosen for the study group alongwith 40 patients suffering from acute skin problem other than leprosy as control group. The socio-demographic data were recorded in semi-structural proforma; all patients were given Goldbery Health Questioneaire (GHQ). Patients having GHQ score> 2 was assessed by Disability Assessent Questionaire (DAQ). The psychiatric diagnoses was made according to ICD-10 by W ho0 and physical deformity by W ho 0 Disability Scale. FINDINGS: The mean GHQ score of the study grant was 3.44 and that of control group was 1.62. The mean DAQ score was 45.13. Psychiatric disorder was seen in 44.4% and 7.5% of study group and control group respectively. The psychiatric illness was generalised anoxidy disorder (GAD) (27.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Leprosis highly associated with psychiatric mobidity. LIMITATIONS: The findings can not be generalised due to small sample size and clinic-based data.

We report here work done towards development of a two arm, high energy, high power Nd:phosphate glass laser system. One arm of the laser is proposed to be operated in a long pulse (∼1.5ns pulse duration) with an energy of ∼400 J. Presently, this arm of the laser is operating at energy of ∼100 J after a disc amplifier that amplifies the laser beam of diameter ∼94 mm. After the addition of two more disc amplifiers which are nearing completion, the laser beam will have energy of ∼400 J, with a beam diameter 140 mm, at an intensity of ∼2 GW/cm2. This beam will be converted to its second harmonic using a 2 × 2 array KDP crystals. The second arm, under development, will operate with a hybrid amplification scheme using optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA) and conventional amplification using the existing Nd:glass amplifiers to produce 50 TW, 25 J, 500 fs pulse. A tiled triangular pulse compressor is under development for compressing the stretched pulse.

The immunization status of infants and pregnant mothers in the community development block of Sarojini Nagar, having a population 1.6 lacs, was assessed for the year 1985-86 (pre UIP year) and again in 1987-88(post UIP year) using 30 cluster random sampling technique as proposed by WHO to study the impact of U.I.P. A significant increase in vaccine and dose-wise coverage was observed, this being 35.7%, 25.2% and 15.5% for DPT I, II & III in pre U.I.P year as compared to 69.5%, 57.1% &44.8% respectively for the post U.I.P year. Similar differences have been observed for OPV, BCG &Measles. A significant decrease in drop out rates has been observed. The percentage of fully vaccinated children although much higher (17.2% as against 1.9% in pre U.I.P. year) was still quite low in relation to the envisaged target. However, only 26.6% infants were un-immunized in 1987-88 as compared to 57.6% in 1985-86. T etvac coverage of pregnant mothers has shown a modest increase from 44.3% to 54.8%. Not many changes were observed in main reasons for non-immunization.

The atmosphere at many colleges and universities in the United States presents unique challenges for Black faculty including racism. It is well established that Black faculty, especially those at predominantly White institutions (PWIs), work in potentially hostile, unfriendly, and negative environments. Other concerns for Black faculty at PWIs include lack of mentors and tenure politics. Examples of tenure politics include a lack of guidance regarding the tenure and promotion process, a sense of isolation and lack of collegiality, and the inability to speak out on unfair treatment for fear of retribution during the tenure and promotion process. Black faculty often choose self-isolation, conformity, and silence as coping strategies. However, these strategies rarely address the associated psychological and social stress. Faculty learning communities (FLCs) have been touted as a better alternative. FLCs bind faculty together thereby providing a much-needed support for Black faculty struggling to survive in a predominantly White environment. This article is premised on the experiences of six Black FLC participants at one PWI. We recommend that PWIs should actively support the attempt(s) by Black faculty to create safe spaces such as an FLC, which can foster a sense of belonging and build their confidence. An additional recommendation is that PWIs should employ the services of a chief diversity officer to help create and maintain programs that enhance Black faculty experiences and make them more successful.