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High-throughput experiments enable researchers to explore complex multifactorial diseases through large-scale analysis of omics data. Challenges for such high-dimensional data sets include storage, analyses, and sharing. Recent innovations in computational technologies and approaches, especially in cloud computing, offer a promising, low-cost, and highly flexible solution in the bioinformatics domain. Cloud computing is rapidly proving increasingly useful in molecular modeling, omics data analytics (eg, RNA sequencing, metabolomics, or proteomics data sets), and for the integration, analysis, and interpretation of phenotypic data. We review the adoption of advanced cloud-based and big data technologies for processing and analyzing omics data and provide insights into state-of-the-art cloud bioinformatics applications.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, which is marked by the dysregulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Therefore, reducing inflammation, possibly through an immunoregulatory agent, may play a role in T2DM treatment. Butyrate is the most potent short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), and it exerts anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting histone deacetylase activity. As an immunoregulatory agent, sodium butyrate can inhibit nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) activation and reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in immune cells. The aim of the study was to measure the level of plasma butyrate in poorly controlled T2DM and normoglycemic participants and to compare the response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to sodium butyrate treatment between the groups by measuring production of the following cytokines: tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-13, and IL-10. The in vitro study examined the PBMCs of 15 participants with poorly controlled T2DM and 15 normoglycemic participants. PBMCs were cultured with the following stimulations for two days at a temperature of 37°C and 5% CO2: 100 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 1 mM sodium butyrate, or a combination of 100 ng/mL LPS and 1 mM sodium butyrate. Plasma butyrate was measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and cytokines from culture supernatant were analyzed using magnetic beads multiplex assay. Plasma butyrate levels in participants with poorly controlled T2DM did not significantly differ from those in normoglycemic participants (p = 0.105). Compared to treatment with an LPS-stimulated PBMC culture, treatment with 1 mM sodium butyrate reduced the levels of TNF-α (p < 0.039) and IFN-γ (p < 0.038) in normoglycemic participants. The same general trend was seen in PBMC from participants with poorly controlled T2DM, but higher variability appeared to preclude statistical significance. These data suggest that butyrate may modulate inflammatory cytokine production in human PBMCs, but more research is needed to determine if butyrate is anti-inflammatory in poorly controlled T2DM.

BackgroundPlasmodium vivax occurs as a latent infection of liver and a patent infection of red blood cells. Radical cure requires both blood schizontocidal and hypnozoitocidal chemotherapies. The hypnozoitocidal therapies available are primaquine and tafenoquine, 8-aminoquinoline drugs that can provoke threatening acute hemolytic anemia in patients having an X-linked G6PD-deficiency. Heterozygous females may screen as G6PD-normal prior to radical cure and go on to experience hemolytic crisis.Methods & findingsThis study examined G6PD phenotypes in 1928 female subjects living in malarious Sumba Island in eastern Indonesia to ascertain the prevalence of females vulnerable to diagnostic misclassification as G6PD-normal. All 367 (19%) females having ConclusionsIn this population, most G6PD heterozygosity in females occurred between 30% and 70% of normal (69·3%; 183/264). The prevalence of females at risk of G6PD misclassification as normal by qualitative screening was 9·5% (183/1928). Qualitative G6PD screening prior to 8-aminoquinoline therapies against P. vivax may leave one in ten females at risk of hemolytic crisis, which may be remedied by point-of-care quantitative tests.

Myoepithelial cells prevent tumour growth and invasion in DCIS. Here, the authors show that p63 and TCF7 cooperate to regulate a transcription factor network for the maintenance of normal myoepithelial function and altered expression of these genes perturb myoepithelial function in DCIS to promote invasive progression.

Ketut Suastika,1 I Made Siswadi Semadi,1 I Made Pande Dwipayana,1 Made Ratna Saraswati,1 Wira Gotera,1 Anak Agung Gde Budhiarta,1 Kinuyo Matsumoto,2 Naemi Kajiwara,2 Hiroshi Taniguchi31Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University/Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia; 2Graduate School of Life Science, Kobe Women’s University, Kobe, Japan; 3Department of Diabetology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University, Kobe, JapanCorrespondence: Ketut SuastikaDivision of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University/Sanglah Hospital, Jalan Kamboja, Denpasar, Bali, IndonesiaTel +62 81 138 0916Email ksuas@unud.ac.idPurpose: To establish the lipid pattern in subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM) and factors that are correlated with insulin resistance and lipid disorders in a population of Bali.Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study which enrolled 1840 subjects (age 13–100 years) from 7 villages was carried out. Several clinical parameters were measured including age, gender, body mass index, waist circumference (WC), fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein (apo) A (apoA), apoB, non-HDL-C, T/HDL-C ratio, LDL-C/apoB ratio, apoB/A ratio, plasma insulin, and homeostasis of model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).Results: TC, TG, and non-HDL-C levels were higher in DM subjects than in normal glucose tolerance (NGT) subjects in both genders; total/HDL-C ratio was higher in subjects with DM than in NGT subjects only in men; LDL-C levels, apoB levels, and apoB/A ratios were higher and LDL/apoB was lower in subjects with DM than in NGT in women. In subjects with DM, the target for LDL-C (79%), non-HDL-C (85.2%), apoB (80%), HDL-C (34.9%), TG (46.7%), and small-dense low density lipoprotein (42.2%) was not achieved.Conclusion: FBG was correlated with TC, TG, LDL-C, apoB, non-HDL-C levels, LDL/apoB, and apoB/apoA ratios. Subjects with DM had higher levels of TC, TG, and non-HDL-C levels in both genders; T/HDL-C ratio only in men; LDL-C, apoB/apoA ratio and lower LDL/apoB ratio only in women. Obesity was correlated with lipid levels. WC was correlated with LDL/apoB ratio, insulin level, HOMA-IR, and TG; highest absolute strength of correlation was with LDL/apoB ratio. Insulin resistance was correlated with lipid levels or ratios, especially in women. In women, HOMA-IR had a positive correlation with total/HDL-C ratio, non-HDL-C, apoB, and a negative correlation with HDL-C levels.Keywords: HOMA-IR, dyslipidemia, diabetes

Abstract Background Improved cancer survival in patients treated with thoracic ionizing radiation (XRT) has resulted in unanticipated surge of aortic stenosis. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has revolutionized the management of severe aortic stenosis. However, long-term clinical outcomes in radiation-exposed cohorts undergoing TAVR are unknown. We compared the all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with prior chest XRT (C-XRT) undergoing TAVR. Methods This is an observational cohort study in subjects who underwent TAVR for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis from 2012 to 2017 in a tertiary care referral center. We examined the all-cause mortality and MACE using cox proportional hazard analysis to identify the clinical predictors of survival in the cohort of patients who had a history of prior C-XRT for malignancy. Results Of the 610 patients who underwent TAVR for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, 75 had prior C-XRT. The majority of C-XRT patients had prior breast cancer (44%) followed by Hodgkin’s lymphoma (31%), with the median time from XRT to TAVR of 19.0 years. During a mean follow up of 17.1 months after TAVR, all-cause mortality was 17%. Those with prior C-XRT had higher all-cause mortality (XRT: 29%; non-XRT:15%, p

Abstract Background Ethosomes have been widely used in Transdermal Drug Delivery System (TDDS) as they increase the permeation of drug across the skin. Methods Flurbiprofen loaded vesicular ethosomes were formulated, optimized and characterized for particle size, entrapment efficiency, poly dispersive index (PDI), microscopy using Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Interaction of drug and excipients were studied using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Differential scanning colorimetry (DSC), Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). Further, ethosomal formulations of flurbiprofen were evaluated for stability study of three months and in vitro drug permeation study was carried out using albino rat skin. In addition, skin irritation test was evaluated by Draize test and in vivo study of prepared formulation was examined through paw edema assay by inducing carrageenan and cold plate method. Results Amongst all formulations, EF5 formulation exhibited ideal surface morphology, with maximum entrapment efficiency (95%) with optimal excipient concentration i.e. 200 mg phospholipid and 35% ethanol. The ideal vesicle size was achieved as 162.2 ± 2 nm, with zeta potential − 48.14 ± 1.4 mV with the PDI of 0.341. In-vitro permeation study shows a release of 82.56 ± 2.11 g/cm2 in 24 h and transdermal flux was found as 226.1 μg/cm2/h. Cold plate test indicates that the formulation EF5 showed a marked analgesic activity and Carrageenan induced paw edema test indicates that the formulation EF5 inhibits the increase in paw edema. Ethosomal suspension at 4 °C showed maximum stability. Conclusions The overall study concluded that this ethosomal approach offers a new delivery system for sustained and targeted delivery for flurbiprofen.

Abstract Background Vitamin D deficiency has been observed worldwide in pregnant women and their newborns. Maternal vitamin D deficiency can lead to deficiency in their newborn baby and has been linked with various complications during pregnancy and delivery. There is risk of premature delivery and it is associated with high neonatal mortality. Methods Seventy-nine pregnant women who were admitted to the Siddhi Memorial Hospital for delivery and their newborn babies were enrolled in the study. Maternal blood samples were taken before delivery while umbilical cord blood samples of their babies were taken after delivery. Serum vitamin D level and calcium level were assessed by fluorescence immunoassay using Ichromax vitamin D kit and endpoint method, respectively in the Siddhi Memorial Hospital laboratory. Results Mean +/− SD serum vitamin D and calcium levels in pregnant mother before delivery were 14.6 +/− 8.5 ng/ml and 8.0 +/− 0.5 mg/dl, respectively, and in the cord blood were 25.7 +/− 11.2 ng/ml and 8.6 +/− 0.9 mg/dl, respectively. Eighty-one percent of the mothers and 35.8% of their babies were found to have vitamin D deficiency. Although 97.5% of the pregnant women were taking calcium supplementation, serum calcium was found lower than the normal reference value in 67% of the pregnant women and 64.2% of their babies. There were a linear relationship between the maternal and baby’s serum vitamin D (P

Maize is the second most important cereal crop of Nepal. Its growth and production is severely affected by Turcicum leaf blight caused by Exserohilum turcicum at pre-harvest stage. A total of 6 botanicals, 4 chemical fungicides and 1 bio-control agent were evaluated for efficacy against Exserohilum turcicum under in vitro conditions following poisoned food technique at National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Nepal. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with 5 replications. All the tested botanicals, fungicides and bio-control agent exhibited fungicidal action and significantly inhibited mycelial growth of the test pathogen over untreated control. Among botanicals, extract of Acorus calamus L. at 1% W/V checked the pathogen growth completely in-vitro. The mycelial growth inhibition percent of Artimisia indica Willd, Lantana camera L., Allium sativum L., Xanthoxylum armatum DC., and Azadirachta indica A. Juss. at the concentration of 2.5% W/V on PDA was 75.18%, 74.00%, 44.68%, 44.21% and 37.59% respectively. Among fungicides, the mycelial growth inhibition percent of E. turcicum due to ACME-COP (Copper oxychloride 50% WP), SAAF (Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% WP), Dithane M-45 (Mancozeb 75% WP) and Bavistin (Carbendazim 50% WP) at the concentration of 1000 ppm on PDA was 70.69%, 68.44%, 61.23%, and 60.52% respectively. Antagonist Trichoderma viride developed more rapidly than E. turcium in single as well as in dual cultures. T. viride caused significantly inhibition of 35% of the pathogen E. turcicum on the 5th day of incubation. These results have important implications for the management of turcicum leaf blight disease in maize.

Cloud seeding activities have been carried out in the form of experiments and operation activities as part of water resource management in some parts of the world. Recently, a new method of cloud seeding using a ground-based generator (GBG) was introduced in Indonesia. This method is used to seed orographic clouds with the aid of a 50 m GBG tower located in a mountainous area. By taking advantage of the topography and local circulation, the GBG tower will introduce hygroscopic seeding materials into orographic clouds to accelerate the collision and coalescence process within the clouds, increasing the cloud’s rainfall amount. The hygroscopic ground-based cloud seeding was conducted over the Larona Basin in Sulawesi, Indonesia, from December 2019 to April 2020. There were five towers installed around Larona Basin, located over 500 m above sea level. The results show that there was an increase in monthly rainfall amount from the GBG operation period in January, February, and March compared to its long-term average of as much as 79%, 17%, and 46%, respectively. Meanwhile, despite an increase of 0.4% in Lake Towuti water level, it is still not concluded that the GBG cloud seeding operation was involved in the lake water level raise. Therefore, more studies need to be performed in the future to answer whether the cloud seeding affected the lake water level.

Abstract Background Cancer survivors treated with thoracic ionizing radiation are at higher risk of premature death due to myocardial ischemia. No therapy is currently available to prevent or mitigate these effects. We tested the hypothesis that an endogenous tetrapeptide N-acetyl-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro (Ac-SDKP) counteracts radiation-induced coronary vascular fibrosis and endothelial cell loss and preserves myocardial blood flow. Methods We examined a rat model with external-beam-radiation exposure to the cardiac silhouette. We treated a subgroup of irradiated rats with subcutaneous Ac-SDKP for 18-weeks. We performed cardiac MRI with Gadolinium contrast to examine resting myocardial blood flow content. Upon sacrifice, we examined coronary endothelial-cell-density, fibrosis, apoptosis and endothelial tight-junction proteins (TJP). In vitro, we examined Ac-SDKP uptake by the endothelial cells and tested its effects on radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In vivo, we injected labeled Ac-SDKP intravenously and examined its endothelial localization after 4-h. Results We found that radiation exposure led to reduced resting myocardial blood flow content. There was concomitant endothelial cell loss and coronary fibrosis. Smaller vessels and capillaries showed more severe changes than larger vessels. Real-time PCR and confocal microscopy showed radiation-induced loss of TJ proteins including- claudin-1 and junctional adhesion molecule-2 (JAM-2). Ac-SDKP normalized myocardial blood flow content, inhibited endothelial cell loss, reduced coronary fibrosis and restored TJ-assembly. In vitro, Ac-SDKP localized to endothelial cells and inhibited radiation-induced endothelial ROS generation. In vivo, labeled Ac-SDKP was visualized into the endothelium 4-h after the intravenous injection. Conclusions We concluded that Ac-SDKP has protective effects against radiation-induced reduction of myocardial blood flow. Such protective effects are likely mediated by neutralization of ROS-mediated injury, preservation of endothelial integrity and inhibition of fibrosis. This demonstrates a strong therapeutic potential of Ac-SDKP to counteract radiotherapy-induced coronary disease.

Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) is the noninvasive technique of choice for early detection of cardiac involvement in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD and BMD, respectively), but is seldom used in routine clinical practice in the Indian context. We sought to determine the prevalence of CMRI abnormalities in patients with DMD and BMD and to compare the CMRI parameters with the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted on patients genetically diagnosed with DMD and BMD who could complete CMRI between March 2020 and March 2022. Abnormal CMRI was the presence of any late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) that signifies myocardial fibrosis (LGE positivity), regional wall motion abnormality, or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF Results: A total of 46 patients were included: 38 patients with DMD and eight with BMD. Cardiac abnormality was seen in 23 (50%) patients. LGE was more common than impaired LVEF in DMD (16, 42.1%), while impaired LVEF was more common in BMD (5, 62.5%). LGE was most frequently found in lateral wall (18/19) followed by inferior (6/19), septal (5/19), anterior (2/19), and apex (1/19). Among the various clinicodemographic parameters, only age (r = 0.495, P = 0.002) and disease duration (r = 0.407, P = 0.011) were found to significantly correlate with LGE in patients with DMD. No association was found between the various CMRI parameters and the genotype. Conclusions: The current study highlights the differences in myocardial fibrosis and LV dysfunction between DMD and BMD, along with other CMRI parameters. Notably, a genotype-CMRI correlation was not found in the current cohort, which needs to be further explored. Keywords: Dystrophinopathy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, cardiomyopathy, cardiac MRI, Author(s): Manu Santhappan Girija [1]; Deepak Menon (corresponding author) [1]; Kiran Polavarapu [1,2]; Veeramani Preethish-Kumar [1]; Seena Vengalil [1]; Saraswati Nashi [1]; Madassu Keertipriya [1]; Mainak Bardhan [1]; Priya Treesa [...]

Author(s): Deepak Menon (corresponding author) [1]; Priyanka Chakkera [1]; Shreyashi Jha [2]; B Pradeep Kumar [1]; JSS Anjusha [1]; M Chandra Sena [3]; Shilpa Rao [4]; Faheem Arshad [1]; Saraswati [...]

Since the approval of the first immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) 9 years ago, ICI-therapy have revolutionized cancer treatment. Lately, antibodies blocking the interaction of programmed cell death protein (PD-1) and ligand (PD-L1) are gaining momentum as a cancer treatment, with multiple agents and cancer types being recently approved for treatment by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unfortunately, immunotherapy often leads to a wide range of immune related adverse events (IRAEs), including several severe cardiac effects and most notably myocarditis. While increased attention has been drawn to these side effects, including publication of multiple clinical observational data, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In the event of IRAEs, the most widely utilized clinical solution is administration of high dose corticosteroids and in severe cases, discontinuation of these ICIs. This is detrimental as these therapies are often the last line of treatment options for many types of advanced cancer. In this review, we have systematically described the pathophysiology of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis (including a historical perspective) and cardiac effects in pre-clinical models, clinical trials, autoimmune mechanisms, and immunotherapy in combination with other cancer treatments. We have also reviewed the current challenges in the diagnosis of cardiac events and future directions in the field. In conclusion, this review will delve into this expanding field of cancer immunotherapy and the emerging adverse effects that should be quickly detected and prevented.

Fluctuation of the availability and prices of chili happen because the poor of the value chains. This research intended to know the mechanism related to the product, financial and information flow and development strategy to solve the problem of the chili’s value chain on the slopes of Mount Merapi. This research was conducted in Pakem District, Sleman Regency from May-August 2017. The method to determine the farmer respondents is random sampling while the merchants chosen by snowball sampling. The research used descriptive and SWOT analysis. The results showed that the most efficient marketing channels when farmers sell chili to the consumers through the retailers. Overall, the chili’s value chain included in the current category. Unfortunately, there are still some problems such as weak of the farmer cultivation ability and fluctuation of production and price. To solve this problem, the local government need make intensive counseling and training of chili cultivation, post-harvest handling in a professional and strengthen the auction market in Sleman Regency.

Blocking tumor angiogenesis is an appealing therapeutic strategy, but to date, success has been elusive. We previously identified HEYL, a downstream target of Notch signaling, as an overexpressed gene in both breast cancer cells and as a tumor endothelial marker, suggesting that HEYL overexpression in both compartments may contribute to neoangiogenesis. Carcinomas arising in double transgenic Her2-neu/HeyL mice showed higher tumor vessel density and significantly faster growth than tumors in parental Her2/neu mice. Providing mechanistic insight, microarray-based mRNA profiling of HS578T-tet-off-HEYL human breast cancer cells revealed upregulation of several angiogenic factors including CXCL1/2/3 upon HEYL expression, which was validated by RT-qPCR and protein array analysis. Upregulation of the cytokines CXCL1/2/3 occurred through direct binding of HEYL to their promoter sequences. We found that vessel growth and migration of human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) was promoted by conditioned medium from HS578T-tet-off-HEYL carcinoma cells, but was blocked by neutralizing antibodies against CXCL1/2/3. Supporting these findings, suppressing HEYL expression using shRNA in MDA-MB-231 cells significantly reduced tumor growth. In addition, suppressing the action of proangiogenic cytokines induced by HEYL using a small molecule inhibitor of the CXCl1/2/3 receptor, CXCR2, in combination with the anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody, bevacizumab, significantly reduced tumor growth of MDA-MB-231 xenografts. Thus, HEYL expression in tumor epithelium has a profound effect on the vascular microenvironment in promoting neoangiogenesis. Furthermore, we show that lack of HEYL expression in endothelial cells leads to defects in neoangiogenesis, both under normal physiological conditions and in cancer. Thus, HeyL-/- mice showed impaired vessel outgrowth in the neonatal retina, while the growth of mammary tumor cells E0771 was retarded in syngeneic HeyL-/- mice compared to wild type C57/Bl6 mice. Blocking HEYL’s angiogenesis-promoting function in both tumor cells and tumor-associated endothelium may enhance efficacy of therapy targeting the tumor vasculature in breast cancer.

LONELY GUY has been previously characterized in flowering plants to be involved in the direct activation of cytokinins. In this study, the function of the only LONELY GUY gene (CvarLOG1) from unicellular green microalga Chlorella variabilis NC64A has been investigated. CvarLOG1 expressed mainly in the lag and log phases of growth and was confirmed to be a cytokinin-activating enzyme. Overexpression of CvarLOG1 in Chlorella led to extended life in culture by almost 10–20 days, creating a “stay-green” phenotype. In the transformed alga, the cell cycle was lengthened due to delayed entry into the G2/M phase contrary to the known role of cytokinins in stimulating G2/M transition possibly due to excessive levels of this hormone. However, due to the sustained growth and delayed senescence, there was an increase in cell number by 11% and in biomass by 46% at the stationary phase, indicating a potential application for the biofuel industry. The total carbohydrate and lipid yield increased by approximately 30 and 20%, respectively. RNA-Seq-based transcriptomic analysis revealed that the genes associated with light and dark reactions of photosynthesis were upregulated, which may be the reason for the increased biomass. These data show that LOG plays an essential role during the cell cycle and in the functioning of the chloroplast and that the pathway leading to direct activation of cytokinins via LOG is functional in algae.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi pengaruh pakan sumber protein berbeda terhadap laju pakan, kecernaan protein dan retensi N ayam lokal persilangan. Materi yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah 126 ekor ayam lokal persilangan unsexed umur 2 minggu dengan rata-rata bobot badan 129 ± 6,34 g (CV= 5,08%) dan diberi perlakuan selama 8 minggu. Penelitian dilaksanakan menggunakan metode Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) dengan 3 perlakuan dan 7 ulangan, sehingga terdiri dari 21 unit percobaan dengan masing-masing unit percobaan berisi 6 ekor ayam. Bahan pakan sumber energi yang digunakan adalah jagung dan bekatul sera feed supplement berupa CaCO3. Perlakuan yang dicobakan yaitu: T1 (dua sumber protein, tepung ikan dan bungkil kedelai), T2 (tiga sumber protein (tepung ikan, bungkil kedelai, dan MBM) dan T3 (empat sumber protein (tepung ikan, bungkil kedelai, MBM, dan PMM). Parameter yang diamati adalah laju pakan, kecernaan protein dan retensi nitrogen. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis menggunakan analisis ragam dan diuji dengan uji F taraf 5%, apabila perlakuan berpengaruh nyata terhadap parameter dilanjutkan dengan uji jarak berganda dari Duncan taraf 5%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perlakuan berpengaruh nyata (P0,05) terhadap kecernaan protein lokal persilangan. Kesimpulan hasil penelitian ini adalah dengan bahan pakan sumber protein yang bervariasi dan sumber energi yang sama dapat memperlambat laju pakan, meningkatkan retensi N, tetapi menghasilkan kecernaan protein yang sama. Kata kunci : pakan sumber protein berbeda, laju pakan, kecernaan protein, retensi N, ayam lokal persilangan.

Objectives: To explore how informal waste workers (IWWs) working in Kathmandu Valley perceive risks associated with waste work and what they do to mitigate them. Study design: Qualitative Study Design. Methods: A mix of one-to-one semi-structured interviews (n ​= ​18) and focus group discussions (n ​= ​4) with IWWs were undertaken. Participants were recruited purposively using snowball sampling. All interviews and discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated and subsequently analysed thematically. Results: The IWWs perceived discrimination and health risks as the main risks associated with waste work. IWWs reported considerable stigma and discrimination not only from the wider society but also from family members and within their own profession. Similarly, the occupational risks most frequently recognized were physical injuries and cuts from working with waste. However, the potential risks from hazardous chemicals present in or generated from waste were not articulated by participants. Mitigation strategies to combat the risks included avoidance, greater care and the use of informal means of “protection”. Awareness of the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) was limited. The key barriers to the use of PPE identified included costs, the lack of easy availability of PPE and the inconvenience of working with PPE. Conclusions: The vulnerability of informal waste workers in Nepal is multifaceted. A range of policy and regulatory measures, along with interventions that promote greater social inclusion and occupational support are needed to promote IWW’s health and safety.

Introduction The majority of blindness worldwide could be prevented or reversed with early diagnosis and treatment, yet identifying at-risk and prevalent cases of eye disease and linking them with care remain important obstacles to addressing this burden. Leading causes of blindness like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration have detectable early asymptomatic phases and can cause irreversible vision loss. Mass screening for such diseases could reduce visual impairment at the population level.Methods and analysis This protocol describes a parallel-group cluster-randomised trial designed to determine whether community-based screening for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration reduces population-level visual impairment in Nepal. A door-to-door population census is conducted in all study communities. All adults aged ≥60 years have visual acuity tested at the census visit, and those meeting referral criteria are referred to a local eye care facility for further diagnosis and management. Communities are subsequently randomised to a community-based screening programme or to no additional intervention. The intervention consists of a single round of screening including intraocular pressure and optical coherence tomography assessment of all adults ≥60 years old with enhanced linkage to care for participants meeting referral criteria. Four years after implementation of the intervention, masked outcome assessors conduct a repeat census to collect data on the primary outcome, visual acuity. Individuals with incident visual impairment receive a comprehensive ophthalmological examination to determine the cause of visual impairment. Outcomes are compared by treatment arm according to the originally assigned intervention.Ethics and dissemination The trial has received ethical approval from the University of California San Francisco Institutional Review Board, Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh and the Nepal Health Research Council. Results of this trial will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at local and international meetings.Trial registration number NCT03752840

We present an experimental approach toward the realization of GaAs nanowires in the form of square, hexagonal, and honeycomb lattices for photonic integration toward enhanced optical properties. We have carried out a design and fabrication process on GaAs wafers using electron beam lithography patterning, reactive ion etching for hard mask removal, and inductively coupled plasma etching of the material. The resulting photonic crystals are analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Nanowire array designs in a square, hexagonal, and honeycomb lattice with a variable height of nanowires have been studied. Using finite-difference time-domain simulation, we can derive the comparative optical absorption properties of these nanowire arrays. A very high broadband absorbance of >94% over the 400 nm–1000 nm wavelength range is studied for hexagonal and honeycomb arrays, while a square lattice array shows only a maximum of 85% absorption. We report a minimum of 2% reflectance, or 98% optical absorbance, over 450 nm–700 nm and over a wide angle of 45° through hexagonal and honeycomb lattice integration in GaAs. These results will have potential applications toward broadband optical absorption or light trapping in solar energy harvesting.

Background Home-based newborn care has been found to reduce neonatal mortality in rural areas. Study evaluated effectiveness of home-based care delivered by specially recruited newborn care workers- Shishu Rakshak (SR) and existing workers- anganwadi workers (AWW) in reducing neonatal and infant mortality rates.Methods This three-arm, community-based, cluster randomised trial was conducted in five districts in India. Intervention package consisted of pregnancy surveillance, health education, care at birth, care of normal/low birthweight neonates, identification and treatment of sick neonates and young infants using oral and injectable antibiotics and community mobilisation. The package was similar in both intervention arms—SR and AWW; difference being healthcare provider. The control arm received routine health services from the existing health system. Primary outcomes were neonatal and young infant mortality rates at ‘endline’ period (2008–2009) assessed by an independent team from January to April 2010 in the study clusters.Findings A total of 6623, 6852 and 5898 births occurred in the SR, AWW and control arms, respectively, during the endline period; the proportion of facility births were 69.0%, 64.4% and 70.6% in the three arms. Baseline mortality rates were comparable in three arms. During the endline period, the risk of neonatal mortality was 25% lower in the SR arm (adjusted OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.99); the risks of early neonatal mortality, young infant mortality and infant mortality were also lower by 32%, 27%, and 33%, respectively. The risks of neonatal, early neonatal, young infant, infant mortality in the AWW arm were not different from that of the control arm.Interpretation Home-based care is effective in reducing neonatal and infant mortality rates, when delivered by a dedicated worker, even in settings with high rates of facility births.Trial registration number The study was registered with Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2011/12/002181).

Introduction: Cesarean section is the surgical delivery of a baby through an incision made in the mother's abdomen and uterus. Repeat cesarean section has recently increased, partly because of concern about increased risk of uterine rupture in women attempting vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. Among the women who underwent cesarean section in their first delivery, 80-96% had a second surgical delivery. Therefore, the present study aimed to describe the prevalence of repeat cesarean section among Nepali women presented at Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital who had a previous cesarean section. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital from 1st of February to 31st of May 2020. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee of the Kathmandu Medical College. Convenient sampling was done. All pregnant patients between gestational ages of 37-40 weeks with previous cesarean section admitted for safe confinement were included in the study. Results: Among the 104 women, who had prior cesarean section, 99 (95.19%) had second cesarean section and 5 (4.81%) had vaginal birth after cesarean. The most common indication for the first cesarean section was fetal distress 31 (29.81%) while the indication for the second cesarean section among previously cesarean section women was cephalo pelvic disproportion 39 (39.40%). Conclusions: The proportion of cesarean section in both first and subsequent delivery is quite high. This high rate may compromise the reproductive future of the women who underwent consecutive cesarean section with possible consequent complications.

Study region: This study considers the Khando River (a tributary of Koshi River) in eastern Nepal. Study focus: To quantify the hazard and vulnerabilities across one of the frequently flooding catchments, i.e. Khando River, we conducted flood hazard assessment for 20, 50, 100, and 200 years return periods. We coupled flood hazard analysis with vulnerability analysis of the most dominant construction system along the river channel, i.e. wattle and daub houses. Based on the measured inundation depths, we created vulnerability and fragility functions. The flood hazard maps, damage mechanisms due to the 2017 flood, and vulnerability, as well as fragility, curves are reported in this paper. New Hydrological Insights for the Region: The flood hazard analysis highlighted that the 2017 flood was equivalent to 20 years return period flood. Flood hazard analysis shows that the variation in the maximum inundation depth is not so wide between 20 and 200 years return periods for the Khando River catchment. Flood vulnerability analysis of residential houses along the riverbank highlighted that the wattle and daub construction system is highly vulnerable even for 20 years return period flood. Thus, the floods equivalent to 50, 100, and 200 years may have detrimental consequences in the future.

Background: Relapse prevention in alcoholism is recognised as an important component of management. Use of pharmacotherapies to prevent relapse in combination to psychological intervention is emerging. Disulfiram and Naltrexone are two of three FDA approved drugs for pharmacotherapy. The aim of the study is to compare the effectiveness of these two drugs in preventing relapse in alcohol dependence syndrome cases. Methods: A prospective crossectional study was conducted to compare disulfiram and naltrexone in alcohol dependent patients in tertiary institution. Cases of alcohol dependence syndrome were diagnosed based on ICD-10 DCR presenting to psychiatry department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, over the period of 6 months. After detoxification and fulfillment of inclusion criteria, semi structured proforma, Severity of alcohol dependence questionnaire, Stages of change readiness and treatment eagerness scale, Obsessive compulsive drinking scale were applied. Drug allocation was based on simple random method and on subsequent follow ups done at 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th week semi structured proforma, Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale were completed and psychological intervention continued. After data collection, analysis and final results were computed. Results: Both drugs reduced craving (p0.05). Side effects were more with disulfiram (p

Dhindo is a thick pasty Nepalese porridge prepared by cooking grounded, millet, or cornmeal flour. It is a staple meal in various parts of Nepal, especially in hilly areas. It is prepared by gradually adding flour to boiling water while stirring. Due to its soft pasty nature, it can be eaten by any age of people; in particular, it is good for old age people. As majority of the world population has been suffering from diabetes and dhindo being believed to have less carbohydrate content, hence, this study can serve as great nutritional value to a large number of diabetic patients. The present study was undertaken to determine nutrient contents from the novel food dhindo, which is prepared from different flours (maize, wheat, millet, and buckwheat) and to compare its nutrients with rice. Dhindo and rice were prepared and analyzed for total carbohydrate, reducing sugar, protein, and fiber. Here, we compared all the nutrients of dhindo and rice as well as determined the effect of heat on the contents of dhindo and rice. Dhindo and rice were cooked, and all the samples were evaluated for the nutritional contents. Dietary fiber was determined from the gravimetric method. The millet form of dhindo contained a high amount of dietary fiber, which was found to be 0.835 gm by the firewood method and 0.82 gm by LPG gas. Total carbohydrate, reducing sugar, and protein were determined from the UV visible spectrophotometer. Rice contained a high amount of total and reducing sugar and was found to be 31.8 mg/3 gm and 30.03 mg/3 gm by LPG and firewood, respectively, for total carbohydrates and 0.218 mg/3 gm and 0.214 mg/3 gm by LPG and firewood, respectively, for reducing sugars. The protein was found to be maximum in the buckwheat form of dhindo, which was 15.892 mg/1 gm and 15.375 mg/1 gm by LPG and firewood, respectively. From this study, we can conclude that consuming dhindo would be advantageous for a diabetic patient than rice.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death and the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Due to a lack of diagnostic biomarkers and understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms, CRC’s mortality rate continues to grow. CRC occurrence and progression are dynamic processes. The expression levels of specific molecules vary at various stages of CRC, rendering its early detection and diagnosis challenging and the need for identifying accurate and meaningful CRC biomarkers more pressing. The advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies have been used to explore novel gene expression, targeted treatments, and colon cancer pathogenesis. Such approaches are routinely being applied and result in large datasets whose analysis is increasingly becoming dependent on machine learning (ML) algorithms that have been demonstrated to be computationally efficient platforms for the identification of variables across such high-dimensional datasets. Methods: We developed a novel ML-based experimental design to study CRC gene associations. Six different machine learning methods were employed as classifiers to identify genes that can be used as diagnostics for CRC using gene expression and clinical datasets. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, F1 score, and area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve were derived to explore the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for CRC diagnosis. Gene ontology enrichment analyses of these DEGs were performed and predicted gene signatures were linked with miRNAs. Results: We evaluated six machine learning classification methods (Adaboost, ExtraTrees, logistic regression, naïve Bayes classifier, random forest, and XGBoost) across different combinations of training and test datasets over GEO datasets. The accuracy and the AUROC of each combination of training and test data with different algorithms were used as comparison metrics. Random forest (RF) models consistently performed better than other models. In total, 34 genes were identified and used for pathway and gene set enrichment analysis. Further mapping of the 34 genes with miRNA identified interesting miRNA hubs genes. Conclusions: We identified 34 genes with high accuracy that can be used as a diagnostics panel for CRC.

Of late, ZnO nanoparticles have been regarded as favourable material for designing highly sensitive and selective gas sensors owing to their striking and multifunctional features. A facile sol–gel process chemical technique was used in this study for the preparation of undoped ZnO nanoparticles. By deploying x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–visible near infrared and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), we examined the optical attributes and structural characterisation of the undoped ZnO nanoparticles through a change in the concentration of the KOH solution. The typical peaks inspected in the XRD spectrum corroborate the wurtzite hexagonal arrangement in the undoped ZnO nanoparticles. Moreover, ZnO nanoparticles possess a non-agglomerated crystalline with spherical morphology, as acquired by TEM. In addition, the vibrational modes in FTIR spectra vary with the change of concentration of KOH solution in ZnO NPs. The Raman spectroscopic techniques were used to characterise the ZnO nanoparticles, which revealed their nanocrystalline nature.

The writing of this paper is motivated by the rising amount of YouTube vloggers and its viewers about learning and introducing one country’s culture virtually. The increasing spread of these cultures is supported by a simple way of seeking out inspiration and things people are interested about, which mainly seek out on YouTube for clearly image. This also includes vlogs where people film their daily life and so their viewers are able to notice and perceive the country or cultural activities they convey. We’re seen that YouTube is prospectively new media for learning in culture and in some way also fosters its vlogger nation culture. The distinction of this research led by Silent Vlogger who unintentionally introduced one country culture. More specifically, the research is analysing Choki’s channel, a Japanese woman who has more than 1 million subscribers. We disclose from her videos, bringing out to the viewers about Japanese culture in interesting and lifeful approach. We also conducted a questionnaire survey to college students in order to maximize the results. The results show that her videos on YouTube is acceptable to be used as new media for promoting as well as learning media of Japanese cultures.