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This article concerns with the neutrosophic vague soft graphs for treating neutrosophic vague soft information by employing the theory of neutrosophic vague soft sets with graphs. Operations like Cartesian product, cross product, lexicographic product, strong product and composition of neutrosophic vague soft graphs are established. The proposed concepts are explained with examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-singular Kruskal-like coordinates of some black holes space-times in f (R) gravity are presented in this research paper, and are also removed by establishing Kruskal-Szekeres coordinates for Non-extremal case. Carter-like coordinates can also be built for its extreme case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutrosophic graphs are employed as a mathematical key to hold an imprecise and unspecified data. Vague sets gives more intuitive graphical notation of vague information, that delicates crucially better analysis in data relationships, incompleteness and similarity measures. In this paper, the neutrosophic vague line graphs are introduced. The necessary and sufficient condition for a line graph to be neutrosophic vague line graph is provided. Further, homomorphism, weak vertex and weak line isomorphism are discussed. The given results are illustrated with suitable example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research aims to examine the impact of a tangent hyperbolic fluid flow confined by a stretching sheet with the existence of variable thermal conductivity, mixed convection, and magneto hydrodynamics. A mathematical model is developed in the form of partial differential equations (PDEs) and then converted into ordinary differential equations by using self-felicitous transformations. The technique of BVP4C (MATLAB package) has been used to simplify these ordinary differential equations. The numerical solution of skin friction, mixed convection, Nusselt number, and velocity and temperature profiles for different values of the involved parameters is indicated through tables and graphs. It can be noticed that the velocity profile decreases when the Hartmann number increases. The effect of Weissenberg number, inclined angle, and power law index for velocity profiles is also identical to the Hartmann number. The temperature profile decays due to an increment in the Prandtl number. Skin friction and the Nusselt number have also been explained. The physical reasoning for growth or decay of these parameters has been discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soft set theory is a mathematical tool to represent uncertainty, imprecise, and vagueness is often employed in solving decision making problem. It has been widely used to identify irrelevant parameters and make reduction set of parameters for decision making in order to bring out the optimal choices. This manuscript is designed with the concept of neutrosophic soft graph structures. We introduce the domination number of neutrosophic soft graphs and elaborate them with suitable examples by using strength of path and strength of connectedness. Moreover, some remarkable properties of independent domination number, strong neighborhood domination, weights of a dominated graph and strong perfect domination of neutrosophic soft graph is investigated and the proposed concepts are described with suitable examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the new concept of neutrosophic vague graphs are introduced form the ideas of neutrosophic vague sets. Moreover, some remarkable properties of strong neutrosophic vague graphs, complete neutrosophic vague graphs and self-complementary neutrosophic vague graphs are investigated and the proposed concepts are described with suitable examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bipolar model is a significant model wherein positive data revels the liked object, while negative data speaks the disliked object. The principle reason for analysing the vague graphs is to demonstrate the stability of few properties in a graph, characterized or to be characterized in using vagueness. In this present research article, the new concept of neutrosophic bipolar vague sets are initiated. Further, its application to neutrosophic bipolar vague graphs are introduced. Moreover, some remarkable properties of strong neutrosophic bipolar vague graphs, complete neutrosophic bipolar vague graphs and complement neutrosophic bipolar vague graphs are explored and the proposed ideas are outlined with an appropriate example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Longus colli provides stability to cervical spine during movements. In clinical practice, the clinicians teach exercises to longus colli to manage neck pain. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in thickness or anterior-posterior dimension (APD), shape ratio and contraction ratio of longus colli between subjects with neck pain and healthy controls. Materials and methods: A total of 12 subjects (6 with neck pain and 6 healthy controls) were recruited by predefined selection criteria. Ultrasound imaging of bilateral longus colli was conducted at the level C5-C6. Anterior-posterior dimension (APD) and lateral dimension (LD) were measured using Ultrasonography. Shape ratio (LD/APD) and contraction ratio (APD during contraction/APD during rest) were calculated. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the thickness of longus colli between healthy and neck pain subjects. Results and discussion: The results showed that the subjects with neck pain had smaller APD (Mean Rank=4.83, n=6) than healthy subjects (Mean Rank=8.17, n=6), U=16.00, z=-1.601 (corrected for ties), p=0.109, two tailed. Also, shape ratio showed higher values in neck pain subjects (Mean Rank=7.17, n=6) than normal subjects (Mean Rank=5.83, n=6), U=14.00, z=-0.641(corrected for ties) p=0.522, two tailed. In addition, contraction ratio was smaller in neck pain subjects (Mean Rank=4.83, n=6) than those healthy subjects (Mean Rank=8.17, n=6), U=8.00, z=- 1.601(corrected for ties) p=0.109, two tailed. Conclusion: There is a trend of reduced size of longus colli with the median of APD and smaller contraction ratio among patients with neck pain when compared to healthy controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 5% (wt/vol) whey protein isolate (WPI) dispersion (pH 6.5) with different concentrations of NaCl was submitted to dynamic heat treatment. Protein dispersions were characterized as to their rheological properties, particle sizes, morphology, denaturation temperatures, and protein surface hydrophobicity. At low ionic strength (<200 mmol/kg), gel elastic modulus increased and strongest gel stiffness was achieved. High salt concentrations lead to a weaker gel, whereas no gels at all were formed without salt. The gelation temperature was also influenced by ionic strength and an increase in denaturation temperature and thermal stability was also observed by using differential scanning calorimetry. Additionally, heat-induced changes in secondary structures upon salt augmentation were followed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Secondary structural elements estimations obtained from amide I assignments were correlated with those from amide III assignments. Upon salt increase, no differences in secondary structure were observed without heating, whereas upon heating and without salt increase, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data revealed an increase in intermolecular β-sheets at the cost of β-turns and random coils, with no change in a-helical structures. However, NaCl addition along with dynamic heat treatment of WPI dispersion showed a stabilizing effect on the secondary structural elements of both amide I and amide III bands. Whey protein isolate dispersions in water were also characterized by transmission electron microscopy by a spherical shape with 2 populations (6 and 70 nm). Salt increase alone resulted in the formation of denser aggregates, whereas a transition from spherical/compact protein aggregates to linear ones was observed due to combined salt/heat effect. The important size of these edifices was confirmed by microscopy and light-scattering techniques. Moreover, protein surface hydrophobicity related to the number of hydrophobic sites available decreased significantly. Finally, experimental results demonstrated the strong interaction between ionic strength and dynamic thermal treatment on protein functional properties and their careful adjustment could enable the food industry to effectively use WPI as a gelling agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adult hospitalizations in the U.S. from 2007-2009. A new program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services called Partnership for Patients: Better Care, Lower Costs, aims to reduce the number of preventable VTE case in hospitals. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) analyzed data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) regarding VTE. The analysis determined an average of 547,596 VTE hospitalizations.

More than one-third of the world's population, or over 2 billion people, are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative pathogen of tuberculosis in humans. Why only 10% of those infected develop active disease while the remainder harbor latent infection remains one of the greatest scientific and public health mysteries. Bacterial persistence is characterized by a dynamic state of immunological tolerance between pathogen and host. The critical role of CD4+ T cells in defense against intracellular pathogens became evident during epidemiological studies of HIV-1 infection, which showed a clear inverse relationship between CD4+ T-cell count in peripheral blood and increased risk of infection with M. tuberculosis, pneumocystis and Toxoplasma gondii. There is also growing evidence of a common mucosal immune system, whereby immune cells activated at one mucosal site may disseminate to remote effector sites. In this commentary, we review emerging evidence from human studies that the outcome of M. tuberculosis infection is influenced by concurrent mucosal infections, using Helicobacter pylori and geohelminths as examples. Understanding how the complexity of microbial exposures influences host immunity may have important implications for vaccine development and therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A substantial dropout from the first dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP1) to the 3rd dose of DTP (DTP3) immunization has been recorded in Pakistan. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to assess the effects of providing a substantially redesigned immunization card, centre-based education, or both interventions together on DTP3 completion at six rural expanded programme on immunization (EPI) centres in Pakistan. Mother-child pairs were enrolled at DTP1 and randomized to four study groups: redesigned card, centre-based education, combined intervention and standard care. Each child was followed up for 90 days to record the dates of DTP2 and DTP3 visits. The study outcome was DTP3 completion by the end of follow-up period in each study group. We enrolled 378 mother-child pairs in redesigned card group, 376 in centre-based education group, 374 in combined intervention group and 378 in standard care group. By the end of follow-up, 39% of children in standard care group completed DTP3. Compared to this, a significantly higher proportion of children completed DTP3 in redesigned card group (66%) (crude risk ratio [RR] = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.5, 2.0), centre-based education group (61%) (RR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.3, 1.8) and combined intervention group (67%) (RR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.4, 2.0). Improved immunization card alone, education to mothers alone, or both together were all effective in increasing follow-up immunization visits. The study underscores the potential of study interventions' public health impact and necessitates their evaluation for complete EPI schedule at a large scale in the EPI system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rehydration of native micellar casein and native whey isolate protein powders was followed in different ionic environments. Solutions of NaCl and CaCl2 in the concentration range of 0 to 12% (wt%) were used as rehydration media. The rehydration profiles obtained were interpreted in terms of wetting, swelling, and dispersion stages by using a turbidity method. Two behaviors were observed depending on the salt concentration. For native micellar casein powder, a significant change was observed between 3 and 6% NaCl and between 0.75 and 1.5% CaCl2. The first behavior (low salt concentration) presents a typical rehydration profile: quick wetting, swelling, and long dispersion stage. The dispersion stage of the second behavior (high salt concentration) was significantly shortened, indicating a strong modification of the protein backbone. The rehydration of whey protein powder was less influenced by salts. At low salt concentrations, a typical profile for whey powders was observed: wetting with lump formation and no swelling followed by a quick dispersion. At high CaCl2 concentrations, no turbidity stabilization was observed, indicating a possible protein unfolding and denaturation. Additionally, the changes in secondary structures of the 2 proteins upon salt increase were followed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and confirmed the different profiles observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We sought to determine whether Hispanic-White HIV testing disparities exist and to identify characteristics associated with newly diagnosed HIV among Hispanics. Methods. We used 2007 HIV Counseling and Testing System data to compare test-level records of Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites, and we conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify characteristics associated with newly diagnosed HIV. Results. Relative to Whites, Hispanics were more likely to have had a positive HIV test result (1.2% versus 0.8%), to have newly diagnosed HIV (0.8% versus 0.6%), and to have test results returned and receive posttest counseling more than 2 weeks after testing (24.3% versus 21.5%). Newly diagnosed HIV among Hispanics was most strongly associated with being a man who has sex with men (MSM; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.8; 95% confidence interval [Cl] = 6.1, 7.6), being both an MSM and an injection drug user (AOR = 3.7; 95% Cl = 2.6, 5.3), and being aged 40 to 49 years (AOR = 6.4; 95% Cl = 4.9, 8.2). Conclusions. Hispanic-White disparities exist with respect to rates of positive HIV test results and late return of results. HIV prevention strategies such as rapid testing should focus on Hispanic MSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective In Pakistan, a high proportion of children fail to complete third dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) after having received the first dose (DTP1). A cohort study was conducted to identify the factors predicting three doses of diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis (DTP3) completion among children who have received DTP1 at six centres of Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in rural Pakistan. Method We analyzed a cohort of mother–child pairs enrolled at DTP1 between November 2005 and May 2006 in the standard care group of a larger randomized controlled trial. Data were collected from mothers on a structured questionnaire at enrolment, and each child was followed up at clinic visits for 90 days to record dates of DTP2 and DTP3. Multivariable log-binomial regression analysis was performed to identify the independent predictors of DTP3 completion. Results Only 39% (149/378) of enrolled children completed DTP3 during the follow-up period. After adjusting for the centre of enrolment in multivariable analysis, DTP3 completion was higher among children who were ≤60 days old at enrolment [adjusted risk ratio (Adj. RR) 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–1.82], who were living in a household with monthly household income >Rs. 3000 (US$ 50) (Adj. RR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.16–2.65), and who were living ≤10 min away from EPI centre (Adj. RR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.04–1.66). Conclusions Interventions targeting childhood immunization dropouts should focus on bringing more children to EPI centres on-time for initial immunization. Relocation of existing EPI centres and creation of new EPI centres at appropriate locations may decrease the travel time to the EPI centres and result in fewer immunization dropouts. Objectivo: Identificar los factores que predicen el completar la DTP3 entre niños que han recibido DTP1 en seis centros del Programa Ampliado de Inmunización (PAI) en áreas rurales de Pakistán. Método: Estudio de cohortes de pares madre-hijo que recibieron DTP1 entre Noviembre 2005 y Mayo 2006 dentro del grupo de cuidados estándar de un ensayo aleatorizado y controlado más grande. Los datos fueron recolectados de las madres mediante un cuestionario estructurado en el momento de la inclusión en el estudio, y cada niño fue seguido mediante visitas clínicas durante 90 días para tomar datos de las fechas en las que recibieron DTP2 y DTP3. Se realizó un análisis de regresión binomial-logística múltiple para identificar vaticinadores independientes de completar DTP3. Resultados: Solo 39% (149/378) de los niños incluidos en el estudio completaron DTP3 durante el periodo de seguimiento. Después de ajustar para el centro de inclusión en un análisis multivariable, el haber completado DTP3 fue mayor entre los niños que eran ≤60 días en el momento de incluirles en el estudio (tasa de riesgo ajustada [Adj. RR] 1.39, 95% intervalo de confianza [IC]: 1.06-1.82), que vivían en una casa con un ingreso mensual >Rs. 3000 (US$ 50) (Adj. RR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.16-2.65), y que vivían a ≤ 10 minutos del centro de PAI (Adj. RR 1.31, 95% IC: 1.04-1.66). Conclusiones: Las intervenciones centradas en atacar el problema del abandono durante el proceso de inmunización infantil deberían centrarse en traer más niños a los centros de PAI a tiempo para la primera dosis. La reubicación de centros de PAI ya existentes y la creación de nuevos centros en lugares apropiados podría disminuir el tiempo de viaje a los centros PAI y resultar en menos abandonos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basic ideology involved behind this experimental scheme was to investigate the observed re-corrosion of the repaired reinforced concrete patches in actual field concrete works. From the experiment results it was found that the specimens having no chloride content at the middle portion showed high corrosion potential, and chloride-contaminated both sides of the specimen showed even more corrosion than before being repaired due to the separation of anode and cathode and development of a macro-cell. The research indicates that much of the needed research should focus on identification of corrosion mechanisms to effectuate the successful patch repair in reinforced concrete structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Muscarinic stimulation increases myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity with no apparent inotropic response in normal rat myocardium. Increased myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity is a molecular mechanism promoting increased contractility in failing cardiac tissue. Thus, muscarinic receptor activation could elicit inotropic responses in ventricular myocardium from rats with heart failure, through increasing phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC). Experimental approach: Contractile force was measured in left ventricular papillary muscles from male Wistar rats, 6 weeks after left coronary artery ligation or sham surgery. Muscles were also frozen, and MLC-2 phosphorylation level was quantified. Key results: Carbachol (10 µmol·L−1) evoked a positive inotropic response only in muscles from rats with heart failure approximating 36% of that elicited by 1 µmol·L−1 isoproterenol (20 ± 1.5% and 56 ± 6.1% above basal respectively). Carbachol-evoked inotropic responses did not correlate with infarction size but did correlate with increased left ventricular end diastolic pressure, heart weight/body weight ratio and lung weight, primary indicators of the severity of heart failure. Only muscarinic receptor antagonists selective for M2 receptors antagonized carbachol-mediated inotropic effects with the expected potency. Carbachol-evoked inotropic responses and increase in phosphorylated MLC-2 were attenuated by MLC kinase (ML-9) and Rho-kinase inhibition (Y-27632), and inotropic responses were abolished by Pertussis toxin pretreatment. Conclusion and implications: In failing ventricular muscle, muscarinic receptor activation, most likely via M2 receptors, provides inotropic support by increasing MLC phosphorylation and consequently, myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. Enhancement of myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, representing a less energy-demanding mechanism of inotropic support may be particularly advantageous in failing hearts. Mandarin translation of abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the challenges related to knowledge, attitudes and practices of physicians regarding pharmacovigilance activities in Lahore, Pakistan. Majority of the physicians were unaware of ADR reporting system and only a handful had the concept of ADR reporting. [Extracted from the article]

Objective. Risk factors for underimmunization at 3 months of age are not well described. This study examines coverage rates and factors associated with underimmunization at 3 months of age in four medically underserved areas. Methods. During 1997-1998, cross-sectional household surveys using a two-stage cluster sample design were conducted in four federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas. Respondents were parents or caregivers of children ages 12-35 months: 847 from northern Manhattan, 843 from Detroit, 771 from San Diego, and 1,091 from rural Colorado. A child was considered up-to-date (UTD) with vaccinations at 3 months of age if documentation of receipt of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, polio, haemophilus influenzae type B, and hepatitis B vaccines was obtained from a provider or a hand-held vaccination card, or both. Results. Household response rates ranged from 79% to 88% across sites. Vaccination coverage levels at 3 months of age varied across sites: 82.4% in northern Manhattan, 70.5% in Detroit, 82.3% in San Diego, and 75.8% in rural Colorado. Among children who were not UTD, the majority (65.7% to 71.5% per site) had missed vaccines due to missed opportunities. Factors associated with not being UTD varied by site and included having public or no insurance, ≥2 children living in the household, and the adult respondent being unmarried. At all sites, vaccination coverage among WIC enrollees was higher than coverage among children eligible for but not enrolled in WIC, but the association between UTD status and WIC enrollment was statistically significant for only one site and marginally significant for two other sites. Conclusions. Missed opportunities were a significant barrier to vaccinations, even at this early age. Practice-based strategies to reduce missed opportunities and prenatal WIC enrollment should be focused especially toward those at highest risk of underimmunization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY In order to identify T cell epitopes within the Mycobacterium leprae 45-kD serine-rich antigen, we analysed responses to overlapping 17-mer peptides encompassing the whole antigen in non-exposed UK controls, Pakistani leprosy patients and tuberculosis patients in both the United Kingdom and Pakistan. This antigen has been described as M. leprae -specific, although it has a hypothetical homologue in M. tuberculosis . Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with peptide for 5 days and IFN-γ measured in supernatants by ELISA. Some peptides were recognized more frequently by T cells from tuberculoid leprosy patients than those from UK controls, suggesting that such T cell epitopes might have diagnostic potential, while other peptides induced greater responses among UK control subjects. Short-term cell lines confirmed that these assays detected specific T cell recognition of these peptides. However, many tuberculosis patients also recognized these potentially specific peptides suggesting that there could be a true homologue present in M. tuberculosis . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cachexia is one of the prominent features of advanced tuberculosis (TB) seen in association with increased expression of the monokine TNF-α. Several mycobacterial proteins, including PPD, stimulate TNF-α secretion from monocytes. Host factors that may play a role in cytokine expression from monocytes remain largely unknown. One such factor is the opsonizing antibodies. Monocytes have high-affinity receptors (FcγI and FcγIII) for IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies that mediate antigen uptake. We have reported selective up-regulation of IgG1 (which bind to Fcγ receptors) in advanced TB and have recently shown the ability of PPD-specific IgG1 antibodies to augment TNF-α expression in PPD-stimulated monocytes. These observations have now been extended to other cytokines with semipurified fractions from secreted antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (containing 30 kD and 58 kD) that were devoid of lipids, glycolipids and carbohydrates. In the presence of heat-inactivated TB plasma containing known amounts of antigen-specific IgG1 antibodies, these fractions induced significantly increased TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 secretion. Absorption of IgG1 with Protein ‘A’ removed the augmenting activity for TNF-α and IL-6 secretion from the TB plasma samples. In the case of IL-10, removal of IgG1 resulted in increased rather than decreased IL-10 secretion. These results suggest a possible pathogenic role for antibodies in TB by enhancing proinflammatory and blocking down-regulatory cytokines such as IL-10 cytokines during the chronic phase of TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the role of immunoglobulin G1 antibody subclass in the upregulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) expression in PPD-stimulated monocytes. Possible link with disease pathogenesis in tuberculosis; Role of opsonizing antibodies in modulating TNF alpha expression.

The sex of surviving children is an important determinant of reproductive behaviour in South Asia in general and Pakistan in particular. This cohort study evaluates the role of the sex of children on reproductive intentions and subsequent behaviour of women in urban slums of Karchi, Pakistan. The analysis is based on two rounds of surveys conducted in 1990-91 and 1995 of a cohort of married women aged 15-49 years. The results show that pregnancies became increasingly unwanted as the number of surviving sons increased. The sex of surviving children was strongly correlated with subsequent fertility and contraceptive behaviour. However, rather than an exclusive son preference, couples strove for one or more sons and at least one surviving daughter. The policy implications of the link between overt son preference and low status of women are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates the role of sex of children on reproductive intentions and subsequent behavior of women in urban slums of Karachi, Pakistan. Relationship between unwanted pregnancies and number of surviving sons; Correlation of sex of surviving children with subsequent fertility and contraceptive behavior; Link between son preference and status of women.

Objectives. This study was done to assess progress in hepatitis B vaccination of children from 1994 through 1997. Methods. We used data from the National Immunization Survey (NIS), a random-digit-dialed telephone survey that includes a mail survey to verify vaccination providers' records. The NIS is conducted in 78 geographic areas (50 states and 28 selected urban areas) in the United States. Results. A total of 32 433 household interviews were completed in the 1997 NIS. An estimated 83.7% of children aged 19 to 35 months received 3 or more doses of hepatitis B vaccine. Coverage with 3 doses was greater (86.7%) among children in states that had day care entry requirements for hepatitis B vaccination than among children in states without such requirements (83.0%) and was greater among children from families with incomes at or above the poverty level (85.0%) than among children below the poverty level (80.6%). Hepatitis B vaccination of children increased from 1994 through 1996, from 41% to 84%, but coverage reached a constant level of 84% to 85% in 1996/97. Conclusion. Although substantial progress has been made in fully vaccinating children against hepatitis B, greater efforts are needed to ensure that all infants receive 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine. (Am J Public Health. 1999;89: 1684-1689) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. This study assessed the association between maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy and the risk of invasive meningococcal disease during early childhood. Methods. Using a retrospective cohort study design. cases from. an active surveillance project monitoring all, invasive meningococcal disease in. the metropolitan Atlanta area from 1989 to 1995 were merged with linked birth and death certificate data files. Children who had not died or acquired meningococcal disease were assumed to be alive and free of the illness. The Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to assess the independent association between maternal smoking and meningococcal disease. Results. The crude rate of meningococcal disease was 5 times higher for children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy than for children whose mothers did not smoke (0.05% VS 0.01%). Multivariate analysis revealed that maternal smoking (risk ratio [RR] = 2.9; 95% confidence inter- val [CI] 1.5, 5.7) and a mother's having fewer than 12 years of education (RR = 2. 1; 95% CI = 1.0, 4.2) were independently associated with invasive nieningococcal disease. Conclusions. Maternal smoking, a likely surrogate for tobacco smoke exposure following delivery, appears to be a modifiable risk factor for sporadic meningococcal disease in young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IgG subclasses are known to be differentially regulated by cytokines (elaborated by activated I cells), which act as growth factors and immunoglobulin switch factors on B cells. In leprosy, we have previously shown that IgG subclass antibodies to a purified recombinant antigen of Mycobacierium leprae (18 000 MW) are restricted to IgG1 and IgG3 across the disease spectrum. The only significant difference observed was that lepromatous patients with low to undetectable T-cell responses showed a strong correlation between IgG1 and IgG3 (P < 0.001) antibodies while tuberculoid patients who showed strong T-cell responses did not show such a correlation. To examine if these differences were related to T-cell-mediated class switching in tuberculoid leprosy patients, we have studied epitope recognition by IgG1 and IgG3 using a panel of synthetic peptides spanning the 18000MW molecule in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In lepromatous patients there was little similarity in peptide recognition by IgG1 and IgG3, with IgG1 recognition being restricted to a single dominant carboxy-terminal peptide while the IgG3 antibodies recognized a diverse set of peptides in the N-terminal half of the 18 000 MW molecule. In tuberculoid patients both IgG1 and IgG3 antibody showed recognition of similar peptides in the N-terminal half of the 18 000 MW molecule. Our results therefore support the hypothesis that immunoglobulin class switching is occurring in tuberculoid but not in lepromatous patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IgG subclass responses to Mycobacterium leprae 18000MW recombinant antigen (18K) were determined in sera from untreated leprosy patients using an ELISA-based assay with specific monoclonal antibodies. Antibodies to M. leprae 18K were restricted to IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies with higher seropositivity in lepromatous patients (25.5% for IgG1 and 12.8% for IgG3) compared to patients with tuberculoid disease (11.5% for IgG1 and 5% for IgG3). No significant antibody response was detectable in IgG2 and IgG4 in patients with either lepromatous or tuberculoid leprosy. The selective production of antibodies in IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses could not be related to polyclonal activation in these subclasses as all IgG subclasses showed similar elevated levels at the polyclonal level. The major difference noted between lepromatous and tuberculoid leprosy patients with the IgG subclass antibody response was a strong linear correlation between IgG1 and IgG3 responses to M. leprae 18K in lepromatous patients (r = 0.703, P < 0.001) but not in tuberculoid leprosy patients (r = 0.007, P > 0.10) which may be related to immunoglobulin class switching of IgG3 to IgG1 rather than selective shifts in T-helper subsets. Our results therefore, do not support the hypothesis that activation of Th2 cells occurs in lepromatous leprosy; this issue needs further examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the relative species specificities of the IgE and IgG antibody responses to helminth infections in man, we studied four pools of sera from patients infected with Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Onchocerca volvulus or Ascaris lumbricoides and ten individual sera from patients with onchocerciasis. IgE antibodies were detected by radioallergosorbent test (RAST) analysis and IgO antibodies by a Staphylococcus protein A radioimmunoassay (Staph A-RIA). Analysis of the binding curves with four different immunosorbents (prepared from antigens of B. malayi, O. volvulus, Dipesalonema viteae and A. lwnbricoides) in the RAST and the binding curves with these same four antigens in the Staph A-RIA confirmed the relative species specificities for both the IgE and IgO antibody responses. Then determination of these antibody levels after specific absorption of the sera with both homologous and heterologous antigens showed that in all instances there was significantly less cross-reactivity with heterologous parasite antigens (i.e. higher species specificity) in the IgE antibody. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modified version of a Neutrosophic Set (NS), a Complex Neutrosophic Set (CNS) offers a more accurate description of ambiguous situations than established fuzzy sets (FSs). It is widely applied in uncertain control. This study offers the idea of Single-Valued Complex Neutrophilic Graph Structure (SVCNGS). Further research is done into the relationship between an ηJ - edge regular SVCNGS degree and the ηJ -degree of a vertex. Also, we introduce the notions of totally ηJ - edge regular and regular ηJ - edge SVCNGS. There is an explanation of the conditions in which ηJ - edge regular SVCNGS and totally ηJ - edge regular SVCNGS are same. Moreover, this study several ηJ - edge regular and totally ηJ - edge regular SVCNGS properties using an example, and we have discussed their application in SVCNGS. Finally, we develop an algorithm that explains the fundamental workings of our application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide approximately 6 lac new patients are diagnosed annually with squamous cell head and neck cancer. RT and surgery are the major curative modalities in treatment of head and neck cancer. With the currently available photon technology, sparing of nontarget tissues is frequently difficult, as target volumes in head and neck cancers are generally large, complex in shape, and surrounded by critical normal structures which may lead to higher incidence of toxicities. So patients suffer from both acute and late toxicities during and following radiotherapy like mucositis, xerostomia, radiation dermatitis, trismus etc. which largely compromise their qualities of life. Hence necessitates the emergence of new and modified radiation techniques along with some pharmacological approaches and life-style modifications to combat this problem. Over the last few decades, conventional RT which used simpler rectangular treatment fields has changed significantly to conformal RT techniques. The use of 3D CRT, IMRT, IGRT, Adaptive RT, VMAT, Proton beam therapy etc. and improved imaging techniques for target volume and organ at risk delineation have accompanied efficacy improvements in decreasing acute and late toxicities by sparing normal tissues and hence dose escalation to tumors. Along with advancements in RT techniques, some simple life-style modifying education and a few pharmacological approaches also help to alleviate poor quality of life of these patients. In this context, this article will focus on some of these technical advancements along with other general approaches to minimize post-RT complications in head-neck cancer patients. The scope of improved treatment delivery in the perspective of Bangladesh will also be mentioned briefly [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a chronic degenerative condition that is associated with age, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and tobacco use. Mobile calcified lesions can be mistaken for endocarditis on trans-thoracic echocardiogram (TTE), creating a unique diagnostic challenge. In this case, we describe a young dialysis patient who presented with dyspnea on exertion with no obvious etiology on initial work-up. TTE was obtained, which showed mobile lesions on the mitral and aortic valves, initially thought to be endocarditis, but later diagnosed as MAC. Trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a useful modality to differentiate mobile masses on the mitral valve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quadripartitioned neutrosophic set is the partition of indeterminacy function of the neutrosophic set into contradiction part and ignorance part. In this work, the concept of quadripartitioned neutrosophic graph structures and its properties are invented. The strong, tree, ϕ - permutation and ϕ - complement of quadripartitioned neutrosophic graph structure are investigated. The operations like Cartesian Product, cross product, lexicographic product, composition in graph structures and join operations are established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Clinical severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may vary over time; trends in clinical severity at admission during the pandemic among hospitalized patients in the United States have been incompletely described, so a historical record of severity over time is lacking. Methods We classified 466677 hospital admissions for COVID-19 from April 2020 to April 2021 into 4 mutually exclusive severity grades based on indicators present on admission (from most to least severe): Grade 4 included intensive care unit (ICU) admission and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV); grade 3 included non-IMV ICU and/or noninvasive positive pressure ventilation; grade 2 included diagnosis of acute respiratory failure; and grade 1 included none of the above indicators. Trends were stratified by sex, age, race/ethnicity, and comorbid conditions. We also examined severity in states with high vs low Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant burden. Results Severity tended to be lower among women, younger adults, and those with fewer comorbidities compared to their counterparts. The proportion of admissions classified as grade 1 or 2 fluctuated over time, but these less-severe grades comprised a majority (75%–85%) of admissions every month. Grades 3 and 4 consistently made up a minority of admissions (15%–25%), and grade 4 showed consistent decreases in all subgroups, including states with high Alpha variant burden. Conclusions Clinical severity among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 has varied over time but has not consistently or markedly worsened over time. The proportion of admissions classified as grade 4 decreased in all subgroups. There was no consistent evidence of worsening severity in states with higher vs lower Alpha prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which details the accuracy and precision of sonographic fetal biometry performed by nine paramedics from rural Bangladesh. It notes that 180 women, at 7 to 31 weeks' gestation were the participants of this study. Measurements of each fetus were taken by a highly-trained medical doctor and paramedics. It reveals that both inter-and intraobserver measurement errors were within the range reported in literature of studies conducted by technical staff and medical doctors.

Chronic inflammation associated with cachexia, weight loss, fever and arthralgia is the hallmark of advanced mycobacterial diseases. These symptoms are attributed to the chronic stimulation of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)- α. Mycobacterial components directly stimulate adherent cells to secrete TNF- α. We have shown recently that IgG1 antimycobacterial antibodies play a role in augmenting TNF- α in purified protein derivative (PPD)-stimulated adherent cells from non-BCG-vaccinated donors. We now show that IgG1 antibodies can also augment TNF- α expression in stimulated adherent cells obtained from BCG-vaccinated donors and this augmentation is not linked to interleukin (IL)-10 secretion. In addition IgG1 antimycobacterial antibodies can reverse the effect of TNF- α blockers such as pentoxifylline and thalidomide. These studies therefore have clinical implications for anti-inflammatory drug treatments which are used increasingly to alleviate symptoms associated with chronic inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cohort studies have indicated that the survival of individuals with Down's syndrome has dramatically increased over the past 50 years. Early childhood survival in particular has shown major improvement, due largely to advances in cardiac surgery and in general health management. The present study was based on a continuous cohort of 1332 people with Down's syndrome in Western Australia, registered for intellectual disability services between 1953 and 2000. Their life expectancy was 58.6 years, 25% lived to 62.9 years, and the oldest living person is 73 years of age. Life expectancy for males was greater than females by 3.3 years. The substantial increase in survival across the study period means that the life expectancy of people with Down's syndrome is approaching that of the general population, but accompanied by a range of significant mid-life health problems. The findings are of relevance to all developed countries and have considerable implications in terms of the counselling information provided to families at risk of having a child with Down's syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Klippel-Feil syndrome (KF) is defined as the congenital fusion of two or more vertebrae. Due to skeletal abnormalities, patients with KF syndrome may potentially present with hearing loss. To the best of our knowledge, this is a rare case of an adolescent patient with underlying KF syndrome and cholesteatoma. Our patient underwent three successive mastoid operations, primarily due to middle ear disease, with cochlear implantation for hearing rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report on the preparation and study of Mg doped Co-Zn Nano-ferrites. Properties of nano ferrites strongly depend upon synthesis methods and conditions. To get better properties of prepared samples, Co-Zn ferrite nano particles having composition Co0.5Zn0.5-xMgxFe2O4 (with x= 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) were prepared by using simplified sol-gel process. The cations in synthesized composition of spinel ferrites occupy appropriate lattice sites and results in exchange coupling. The crystallite size of the specimen increased by sintering the samples at 700 °C for 3 hours. The dielectric loss and dielectric constant of sintered samples were increased with the Mg doping concentration. Saturation magnetization was decreased while coercivity increased with Mg doping concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic real-time methodology is adopted for leak detection in underground buried pipes. The wireless communication system is used to analyze the system performance based on the received power by monopole antenna deployed at the receiving side. Instrumentation designed for underground measurement and control such as leak and materials loss detection needs wireless communications to aboveground in both ways and in real-time mode. This constitutes one of the timely and challenging issues of battery-operated systems. The purpose of this work is to characterize the radio transmission between underground buried pipes and base station using multi-layer media including both theoretical and experimental approaches by utilizing various modulation schemes. The objective is to identify the range of operating communication frequencies having lower energy loss, lower resulting bit error rate, and the power needed to transfer packets designed to carry data through the media. This will support the on-device power management to secure large autonomy operations. Experimental tests have shown that the overall received energy was mixed with ambient energy if the latter is sent at the same frequency and that the optimum frequency range used to transmit energy was rather at low frequency range of 100–200 MHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In human, mice and different veterinary species, T cells are subdivided into phenotypically different subpopulations based on their expressed T cell receptor and cell specific surface markers. As no data were available regarding the existence of T cell subpopulations in the peripheral blood of dromedary camels, the current study aimed at the identification of camel blood T cell subpopulations and the analysis of their adhesion molecules expression patterns. Using monoclonal antibodies crossreactive with camel CD antigens, camel blood WC1-positive T cells and CD4- positive αβ T cells and their expression pattern of adhesion molecules were identified by flow cytometry. Under camel CD4-positive T cells, a major fraction (83%) with naïve phenotype (CD4+ CD11alo CD44lo) and minor fraction (13%) with effector phenotype (CD4+ CD11ahi CD44hi) were identified. In addition, the analysis of age related effects on the proportion of lymphocyte subsets indicates that camels belong to the T cell high species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was performed to know the prevalence of coccidiosis and efficacy of anti-coccidial drugs in the capital city of Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. A total of 573 broiler birds of different age groups were sampled from the study area farms and processed accordingly. Fecal flotation and McMaster egg counting techniques were used for Oocyst identification and counting, respectively. Postmortem of birds was performed to know the lesions and type of coccidiosis present in the birds. Drug trial was also carried out to evaluate the efficacy of anti-coccidial drugs available in the study area market. An overall 19.37% (111/573) prevalence of Coccidiosis was observed in study area. Among different age groups, broilers below three weeks of age were found more susceptible to infection. During summer season higher prevalence was recorded. Different risk factors were found associated with coccidial infection in the study area. Five anticoccidial drugs available in the market have been found effective with different efficacy level. Among the anticoccidial drugs used during the present investigation, Sulphadimerazine 86% had shown better effect. Besides these anticoccidial drugs, a herbal plant locally known as Sumbal was also used and found potent against Coccidiosis. This is a good alternate choice used in field conditions along with synthetic anti-coccidial for the treatment and control of coccidiosis. It was deduced that prevalence of coccidiosis recorded in study area was comparatively lower than prevalence recorded in other parts of the world. Furthermore, Sulphadimerazine 86% have shown comparatively better efficacy than other drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most prevalent mineral in the earth's mantle is silicon, which ranks second only to oxygen, but unlike oxygen, it has not been shown to be necessary for plant development. Plants can only absorb silicon in one of two forms: silicic acid (Si (OH) 4) or mono silicic acid (H4SiO4), neither of which is found in the planet's crust as silicon dioxide (SiO2). Silicon fertilizer has been shown to boost agricultural output and sustainability, and its use has been met with widespread praise. When water is lost via the stomata of a plant, the gel that has been polymerized from the silicon solution in the roots is precipitated out of solution. It has been shown that polymerized gel has no significant part in the physical functions of the plant system. This article reviews the function that silicon in soil, water, and plants plays in protecting ecosystems against abiotic and biotic pressures. The interplay between silicon, plant species, and environments is nuanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to cell surface molecules have been proven as a key tool for phenotypic and functional characterization of the cellular immune response. One of the major difficulties in studying camel cellular immunity consists in the lack of mAbs that dtect their leukocyte differentiation antigens. In the present study two-parameter flow cytometry was used to screen existing commercially available mAbs to human leukocyte antigens and major histocompatibility molecules (MHC) for their reactivity with camel leukocytes. The comparison of patterns of reactivity obtained after labelling human and camel leukocytes have shown that mAbs specific to human cluster of differentiation (CD) 18, CD11a, CD11b and CD14 are predicted to be cross-reactive with homologous camel antigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromosomal INstability (CIN), a hallmark of cancer, refers to cells with an increased rate of gain or loss of whole chromosomes or chromosome parts. CIN is linked to the progression of tumors with poor clinical outcomes such as drug resistance. CIN can give tumors the diversity to resist therapy, but it comes at the cost of significant stress to tumor cells. To tolerate this, cancer cells must modify their energy use to provide adaptation against genetic changes as well as to promote their survival and growth. In this study, we have demonstrated that CIN induction causes sensitivity to metabolic stress. We show that mild metabolic disruption that does not affect normal cells, can lead to high levels of oxidative stress and subsequent cell death in CIN cells because they are already managing elevated stress levels. Altered metabolism is a differential characteristic of cancer cells, so our identification of key regulators that can exploit these changes to cause cell death may provide cancer-specific potential drug targets, especially for advanced cancers that exhibit CIN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO2), co-doped with carbon (C) and yttrium (Y) were prepared by hydrothermal method using titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP), glucose and Y2O3 as precursors. The prepared samples calcined at 5000C were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). XRD results showed anatase phase of TiO2 nanoparticles and crystallite size of TiO2 nanoparticles were decreased with doping of C and Y. The decrease of particle size was also confirmed by TEM. FTIR measurements demonstrate the identification of functional groups present at the surface of TiO2. Absorption spectra showed a red shift of absorption band edge in visible light region due to synergistic effects of Y and C. The photocatalytic activity measurements were performed for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye under visible light illumination. The results obtained demonstrated that photocatalytic activity was enhanced due to doping and codoping of C and Y. It is expected that this work will give new insights in the developments of novel visible light active photocatalysts for environmental issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant clinical and public health concern. We evaluated a variety of multilevel factors—demographics, clinical and insurance status, preexisting comorbid conditions, and hospital characteristics—for VTE diagnosis among hospitalizations of US adults. Methods: We generated adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and determined sources of outcome variation by conducting multilevel logistic regression analysis of data from the 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample that included 6,710,066 hospitalizations of US adults nested within 1,039 hospitals. Results: Among hospitalizations of adults, age, sex, race or ethnicity, total days of hospital stay, status of health insurance, and operating room procedure were important determinants of VTE diagnosis; each of the following preexisting comorbid conditions—acquired immune deficiency syndrome, anemia, arthritis, congestive heart failure, coagulopathy, hypertension, lymphoma, metastatic cancer, other neurological disorders, obesity, paralysis, pulmonary circulation disorders, renal failure, solid tumor without metastasis, and weight loss—was associated independently with 1.04 (95% CI: 1.02−1.06) to 2.91 (95% CI: 2.81−3.00) times increased likelihood of VTE diagnosis than among hospitalizations of adults without any of these corresponding conditions. The presence of 2 or more of such conditions was associated a 180%−450% increased likelihood of a VTE diagnosis. Hospitalizations of adults who were treated in urban hospitals were associated with a 14%−15% increased likelihood of having a VTE diagnosis than those treated in rural hospitals. Approximately 7.4% of the total variation in VTE diagnosis occurred between hospitals. Conclusion: The presence of certain comorbidities and hospital contextual factors is associated with significantly elevated likelihood of VTE diagnosis among hospitalizations of adults. The findings of this study underscore the importance of clinical risk assessment and adherence to evidence-based clinical practice guidelines in preventing VTE, as well as the need to evaluate potential contextual factors that might modify the risk of VTE among hospitalized patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital abnormality, affecting approximately 7 in 1,000 live births. Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is the most commonly diagnosed cyanotic heart defect in neonates. We propose that TGA has a genetic cause, likely to be de novo or in genes causing heterotaxy syndrome.Purpose: Exomes of 9 subjects diagnosed with TGA with no family history of CHD and their unaffected parents (trios) were subject to sequencing. The project aims were to: implement the exome bioinformatic analysis pipeline to identify de novo mutations (DNMs) and validate variants called by the pipeline. This is the first study investigating de novo changes in TGA patients.Methods: Bioinformatic pipeline was set up to analyse sequencing performed on Illumina GAIIX following exon capture. Programs used included Casava-Gerald after base calling, NovoAlign/BWA for alignment, SAMtools for variant calling. Integrated Genomics Viewer was used to inspect the variants. Polymerase chain reactions were performed prior to sending off for validation by Sanger sequencing.Results: Bioinformatic pipeline identified on average 188 DNMs per trio. 17 variants were chosen for validation. 1 trio had 2 de novo mutations: 1 nonsense in ZNF227 and 1 missense in PHLPP2. 1 trio had a de novo change in RBP5 gene. 1 trio had an inherited splice site change in RTTN, a candidate gene.Conclusions: The presence of de novo and inherited mutations suggests a complex polygenic cause of TGA. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A novel Ce-TiO2/graphene composite photocatalyst was synthesized by method of hydrothermal. The synthesized catalysts were analyzed by TEM, XRD, and XPS, DRS and PL spectroscopy, TGA and GC-MS. The results demonstrate that Ce-TiO2/graphenecatalysts showed enhanced absorption of light energy in visible region, also inhibited the recombination of charge carrier due to cooperative effects of graphene and cerium. The photocatalytic action of prepared catalysts was investigated by degradation of dye methylene blue (MB) under solar irradiation. The GC-MS results shows that the dye Methylene Blue has completely mineralized to CO2 and H2O. The synthesized composites of Ce-TiO2/graphene showed enhanced catalytic activity for MB degradation compared to Ce-TiO2 and pure TiO2. The improved photocatalytic degradation of MB can be attributed to excellent properties of graphene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]