Search

The pandemic outbreak of coronavirus (SARS CoV-2) has been going on over the last 3 years. The people are vaccinated with different vaccines targeting the S protein. Aim. Therefore, it is essential to have an assay that can detect different parts of the virus as a serological assay and can be performed as a point of care test. Hence, in this work, we decided to develop such an assay with the help of magnetic beads. Methods. The magnetic beads ELISA (MB ELISA) was developed in a microtube. The viral ligand-specific magnetic beads were used to detect the nucleoprotein (NP)-specific IgG antibodies in human plasma samples. The results were read with the naked eye as well as with professional ELISA readers. Results. 7 μL magnetic beads were suitable to detect the presence of NP-specific antibodies. The assay needs only a magnetic rack and a pipettor to be performed. The results were available within 30 min. The positive results were observed as yellow color visually but also read in ELISA reader as OD values. The sensitivity of this assay was 1:108 dilutions. The cross-reaction panel was negative with different pathogens and negative human plasma. Conclusions. This work may be the first report in literature about the development of a magnetic beads ELISA as a point of the care assay, which is reproducible, highly sensitive, robust, and easy to perform. It was used to detect the presence of NP-specific IgG antibodies in the plasma samples successfully. This assay can be used as a professional assay, where the results can be measured with an ELISA reader. This assay may be suitable in small clinics also under field conditions. It can be used to detect the SARS CoV-2 infection in vaccinated persons (S protein-based vaccines) along with non-vaccinated population in latent and active phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on human–wildlife interactions has largely focused on the magnitude of wildlife‐caused damage, and the patterns and correlates of human attitudes and behaviors. We assessed the role of five pathways through which various correlates potentially influence human responses toward wild animals, namely, value orientation, social interactions (i.e. social cohesion and support), dependence on resources such as agriculture and livestock, risk perception and nature of interaction with the wild animal. We specifically evaluated their influence on people's responses toward two large carnivores, the snow leopard Panthera uncia and the wolf Canis lupus in an agropastoral landscape in the Indian Trans‐Himalaya. We found that the nature of the interaction (location, impact and length of time since an encounter or depredation event), and risk perception (cognitive and affective evaluation of the threat posed by the animal) had a significant influence on attitudes and behaviors toward the snow leopard. For wolves, risk perception and social interactions (the relationship of people with local institutions and inter‐community dynamics) were significant. Our findings underscore the importance of interventions that reduce people's threat perceptions from carnivores, improve their connection with nature and strengthen the conservation capacity of local institutions especially in the context of wolves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LLDN) has become the standard of care and is popular among most of the transplant centers across the globe. Despite proven advantages of LLDN, some transplantation centers hesitate to start the program because of issues concerning donor safety and allograft function. Objective: To discusses the main barriers for creating a successful LLDN program, strategies that allowed us to start a successful LLDN program along with the study results. Methods: The donors undergoing LLDN from December 2016 to February 2018 were enrolled in the study and prospectively evaluated. LLDN were performed by two senior surgeons alternately with assistance by the laparoscopic urologist in all cases. Also, in the present study, two technical alterations were done in the standard surgical technique of transperitoneal LDN. The first important modification made was the use of two additional ports for use by laparoscopic urologists. The second modification involved dissection on both poles of the kidney before hilar dissection. Results: A total of 112 transperitoneal LLDN were performed during the study period. The mean (range) of operation time was 117.5 (81-158) min; the ischemia time was 194 (171-553) sec. Only one patient needed conversion to open surgery. No other major peri-operative or posto-perative complications occurred. All kidney grafts were functioning well. Conclusion: With proper planning, team approach, and few technical modifications, introduction of LLDN is safe and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a pivotal regulator of innate and adaptive immunity. We conducted a prospective open-label, phase II clinical trial of electroporated plasmid IL-12 in advanced melanoma patients (NCT 01502293). Patients with stage III/IV melanoma were treated intratumorally with plasmid encoding IL-12 (tavokinogene telseplasmid; tavo), 0.5 mg/ml followed by electroporation (six pulses, 1500 V/cm) on days 1, 5, and 8 every 90 days in the main study and additional patients were treated in two alternative schedule exploration cohorts. Correlative analyses for programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), flow cytometry to assess changes in immune cell subsets, and analysis of immune-related gene expression were carried out on pre- and post-treatment samples from study patients, as well as from additional patients treated during exploration of additional dosing schedules beyond the pre-specified protocol dosing schedule. Response was measured by study-specific criteria to maximize detection of latent and potentially transient immune responses in patients with multiple skin lesions and toxicities were graded by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0 (CTCAE v4.0). The objective overall response rate was 35.7% in the main study (29.8% in all cohorts), with a complete response rate of 17.9% (10.6% in all cohorts). The median progression-free survival in the main study was 3.7 months while the median overall survival was not reached at a median follow up of 29.7 months. A total of 46% of patients in all cohorts with uninjected lesions experienced regression of at least one of these lesions and 25% had a net regression of all untreated lesions. Transcriptomic and immunohistochemistry analysis showed that immune activation and co-stimulatory transcripts were up-regulated but there was also increased adaptive immune resistance. Intratumoral Tavo was well tolerated and led to systemic immune responses in advanced melanoma patients. While tumor regression and increased immune infiltration were observed in treated as well as untreated/distal lesions, adaptive immune resistance limited the response. • Intratumoral pIL-12 electroporation (Tavo) results in an ORR of 35.7% with CR in 17.9%. • 46% of patients have regression in at least 1 uninjected lesion. • 25% of patients have regression in all uninjected lesions. • Upregulation of immune activation and co-stimulation but also adaptive resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axoplasmic fluid properties for neuronal excitation have been investigated with respect to temperature. Density, the mass fraction of ions and rate of addition of ions are the parameters considered for characterizing axoplasmic fluid properties. The behavior of these parameters has been analyzed with respect to the changes in temperature ranging from -5 degree Celsius to 35 degree Celsius. The temperature has been defined using Q10of3 coefficient as done in the Hodgkin-Huxley model. The trend of these parameters at different temperatures has been depicted along the axonal length represented through x-axis of the graphs. The conduction velocities of the above said parameters have also been recorded at different temperatures. The range [-5, 35] degree Celsius has been increased by 20 degrees, 10 degree on the lower side and 10 degree on the upper side of the range [-5, 25] degree Celsius and it is found that temperature dependency using Q10of3 coefficient for said parameters is valid only in the temperature ranging from 5 degree Celsius to 25 degree Celsius as it is for membrane voltage in the Hodgkin-Huxley model. These findings strongly support the obtained results and also suggest obtaining the temperature coefficient value which is applicable for a wider range of temperatures impacting neuronal excitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New selenoxopyrimidines were synthesized by one-pot multicomponent reaction of ethyl aceto-acetate, with aromatic aldehydes and selenourea in acidic medium. The synthesized compounds were shown to possess a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity in vitro. The in vitro anticancer activity of some compounds was studied against MCF-7 human breast cell line using MTT assay. All tested compounds have shown a significant anticancer activity, and 4-phenyl-substituted derivative was found to be most effective anticancer agent (cell viability 50% against 41% for Paclitaxel). The structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis showed that electron-donating substituents favor anticancer and antibacterial activity and that electron-withdrawing substituents favor antifungal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a novel theory to predict the density dependence of the diffusivity of simple fluids in a molecularly sized nanopore with diffusely reflecting walls, incorporating nearest neighbor intermolecular interactions within the framework of the recent oscillator model of low density transport arising from this laboratory. It is shown that when the pore width is about two molecular diameters, at sufficiently high densities these interactions lead to a repulsive inner core, as a result of which the diffusing molecules undergo more frequent reflections at the wall. This leads to a reduction in diffusivity with increase in density, which is consistent with molecular dynamics simulation results, and contrasts with the behavior in larger pores where the transport coefficient has previously been shown to increase with increase in density due to viscouslike intermolecular interactions. At low densities the behavior is opposite, with the inner core becoming more attractive with increase in density, which can lead to an increase in diffusivity. The theory consistently explains molecular dynamics simulation results when the inhomogeneous pair distribution function of moving particles in the pore is axially periodic, suggesting concerted motion of neighboring molecules. It is also shown that a potential of mean force concept is inadequate for describing the influence of intermolecular interactions on transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important feature of improving lattice gas models and classical isotherms is the incorporation of a pore size dependent capacity, which has hitherto been overlooked. In this paper, we develop a model for predicting the temperature dependent variation in capacity with pore size. The model is based on the analysis of a lattice gas model using a density functional theory approach at the close packed limit. Fluid-fluid and solid-fluid interactions are modeled by the Lennard-Jones 12-6 potential and Steele's 10-4-3, potential respectively. The capacity of methane in a slit-shaped carbon pore is calculated from the characteristic parameters of the unit cell, which are extracted by minimizing the grand potential of the unit cell. The capacities predicted by the proposed model are in good agreement with those obtained from grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation, for pores that can accommodate up to three adsorbed layers. Single particle and pair distributions exhibit characteristic features that correspond to the sequence of buckling and rhombic transitions that occur as the slit pore width is increased. The model provides a useful tool to model continuous variation in the microstructure of an adsorbed phase, namely buckling and rhombic transitions, with increasing pore width. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inguinal hernias are frequently encountered in surgical practice. Early analysis and elective repair is a safe and effective approach for patients of all ages that keep away from incarceration, strangulation, and complications and reduces morbidity and mortality. Aim and Objective: To study inguinal hernias and their management at a tertiary care hospital at NCMCH. Material and Methods: 60 cases of inguinal hernia admitted in NC Medical College and Hospitals were selected by purposive sampling method. All the cases were clinically suspected and diagnosed with inguinal hernia, above 12 years of age. All subjects underwent detailed clinical and radiologist examination and data was recorded. Post-operative follow-up was done to assess the complications. Result: Our study showed that indirect inguinal hernia (80%) was the more common than direct inguinal hernia (20%). 96.67% was reported unilateral hernia (Right 56.67% and Left 33.33%) and bilateral hernia in 6.67% of the cases. In 58.33% of cases, the bowel was the hernial content and in 41.67% of cases, omentum was the hernial content. It was observed that postoperative complications were very minimal i.e. wound infections (5%), groin pain (3.33%), hematoma (3.33%), scrotal swelling (1.67%), and recurrence (1.67%). Conclusion: The prevalence of inguinal hernia is increasing nowadays. The study concluded that hernioplasty (51.67%) is a better surgical choice for controlling hernia. For the better management of hernia, there is a need for awareness in the population that might also help detect it at an advanced stage and reduce the disorder's morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anal fissures are most caused by damage to the lining of the anus or anal canal, the last part of the large intestine. Most cases occur in people who have constipation when a particularly hard or large stool tears the lining of the anal canal. Postoperative pain relief especially using analgesic drugs with minimal side effects has considerable clinical importance. Aim: - This study was undertaken to compare the role of paracetamol and diclofenac sodium in post-anal fissure surgery pain. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted at NCMCH, Panipat This study included 50 patients who were admitted to IPD, and underwent anal fissure surgery at age 25-60 years. All measurements were performed using standard methods in the literature. A visual analog scale was used to assess the pain score. Side effects of drugs were noted. Results: The study results confirm that Paracetamol was more effective in the management of post-surgical pain. We divided 50 patients into two groups. Group 1 was treated for the management of post-surgical pain with diclofenac sodium and Group 2 with paracetamol. Our findings revealed a statistically significant improvement of 85% in Group 2 as compared to Group 1. Conclusion: - In conclusion, the agent PCM to be used for the management of postoperative anal fissure surgical pain is desired to relieve the pain effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce and study certain new notions of Sθrs (I2), S2(I*2) and Srs (I*2) - convergence for double sequences with the help of double lacunary sequences and ideals. We also find conditions on the double lacunary sequence θrs and on the ideal I2 to obtain some inclusion relations between aforementioned methods. We also provide an example that shows our method of convergence is more general for double sequences of numbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inactivated vaccine was developed using the rgH5N2 virus (6 + 2 reassortant) generated by plasmid based reverse genetics system (RGS) with WSN/33/H1N1 as backbone virus. Following mutation of the basic amino acid cleavage site RRRKKR*GLF to IETR*GLF, the H5-HA (haemagglutinin) gene of the selected donor H5N1 virus (A/chicken/West Bengal/80995/2008) of antigenic clade 2.2 was used along with the N2-NA gene from H9N2 field isolate (A/chicken/Uttar Pradesh/2543/2004) for generation of the rgH5N2 virus. A single dose (0.5 ml/bird) of the inactivated rgH5N2 vaccine protected 100% of the vaccinated chickens (n = 10) on 28 th dpv (early challenge) and 90% of the vaccinated chickens (n = 10) on 200 th dpv (late challenge) against high dose challenge with HPAI virus (10 9 EID 50 /bird). Challenge virus shedding via oropharynx and cloaca of the vaccinated chickens was detectable by realtime RT-PCR during 1–5 dpc and 1–9 days dpc in the early and the late challenge, respectively. The protective level of antibodies (mean HI titre > 128) was maintained without booster vaccination for 200 days. The present study provides the experimental evidence about the extent of protection provided by a reverse genetics based vaccine for clade 2.2 H5N1 viruses against challenge with high dose of field virus at two different time points (28 dpv and 200 dpv). The challenge study is uniquely different from the previous similar experiments on account of 1000 times higher dose of challenge and protection at 200 dpv. The protection and virus shedding data of the study may be useful for countries planning to use H5 vaccine in poultry especially against the clade 2.2 H5N1 viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that investigated the magnetoconductivity of polycrystalline Bi[sub2]Sr[sub2]Ca[sub1-x]Y[subx]Cu[sub2]O[sub8+...] in fluctuation regime. Experimental data; Results of the study.

AC133 is a prominent surface marker of CD34+ and CD34- hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) subsets. AC133+ HSPCs contain high progenitor cell activity and are capable of hematopoietic reconstitution. Furthermore, AC133 is used for prospective isolation of tumor-initiating cells in several hematological malignancies. Nucleolin is a multifunctional factor of growing and cancer cells, which is aberrantly active in certain hematological neoplasms, and serves as a candidate molecular target for cancer therapy. Nucleolin is involved in gene transcription and RNA metabolism and is prevalently expressed in HSPCs, as opposed to differentiated hematopoietic tissue. The present study dissects nucleolin-mediated activation of surface AC133 and its cognate gene CD133, via specific interaction of nucleolin with the tissue-dependent CD133 promoter P1, as a mechanism that crucially contributes to AC133 expression in CD34+ HSPCs. In mobilized peripheral blood (MPB)-derived HSPCs, nucleolin elevates colony-forming unit (CFU) frequencies and enriches granulocyte-macrophage CFUs. Furthermore, nucleolin amplifies long-term culture-initiating cells and also promotes long-term, cytokine-dependent maintenance of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Active β-catenin, active Akt and Bcl-2 levels in MPB-derived HSPCs are nucleolin-dependent, and effects of nucleolin on these cells partially rely on β-catenin activity. The study provides new insights into molecular network relevant to stem/progenitor cells in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to establish some new common fixed point theorems for four self mappings satisfying an implicit contractive condition in fuzzy metric spaces by using common limit in range property and give some examples. Our results do not require the condition of closedness of range and so our theorems generalize, unify and extend many results in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arylacetonitrile-hydrolyzing nitrilase (E.C. 3.5.5.5) of Alcaligenes sp. MTCC 10675 has been purified by up to 46-fold to homogeneity and 32% yield using ammonium sulfate fractionation, Sephacryl S-300 gel permeation, and anion exchange chromatography. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was estimated to be 520 ± 60 kDa. The subunit has a molecular weight of 60 ± 14 kDa in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The optimum pH and temperature of the purified enzyme were 6.5 and 50 °C, respectively. The purified arylacetonitrilase has a half-life of 3 H 20 Min at its optimum temperature. The value for Vmax, Km, kcat, and ki of enzyme for mandelonitrile as a substrate was 50 ± 05 µmol/Min/mg, 13 ± 02 mM, 26 ± 03 Sec−, and 32.4 ± 03 mM, respectively. Alcaligenes sp. MTCC 10675 arylacetonitrilase amino acid sequence has variations from other reported arylacetonitrilase, namely, A11G, N21H, D149N, S170T, P171R, S179A, Q180N, and S191A, and it has a high thermal stability and catalytic rate as compared with the already purified arylacetonitrilase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcaligenes sp. MTCC 10675 has been isolated from soil sample using enrichment method and has nitrilase catalytic system which is highly specific for the hydrolysis of arylaliphatic nitriles. Optimization of culture conditions using response surface methodology and inducer-mediated approach enhanced arylacetonitrilase production significantly (2.4-fold). Isobutyronitrile acted as an effective inducer for the induction of arylacetonitrilase, and it is highly specific for arylacetonitriles (phenyl acetonitrile and mandelonitrile). Arylacetonitrilase has no effect on its relative velocity ( V) up to 20 mM substrate (mandelonitrile) concentration and at 30 mM mandelonitrile, 23.4 % degree of inhibition ( I) was recorded. Half life of arylacetonitrilase of Alcaligenes sp. MTCC 10675 was 27.5 h at 25 °C. Hg, Ag, Pb, and Co were strong inhibitor of arylacetonitrilase activity which resulted into 100 %, 91 %, 84 %, and 83 % inhibition, respectively. Polar protic solvent (dichloromethane, dimethylsulphooxide, and n-butanol) reduce arylacetonitrilase activity up to 80-94 % at 10 % concentration. Alcaligenes sp. MTCC 10675 has higher biocatalytic activity, i.e., 3.9 gg dcw, which is highest in comparison to till reported organism. Arylacetonitrilase -mediated hydrolysis of racemic mandelonitrile resulted into R-(-) mandelic acid with 99.0 % enantiomeric excess (e.e.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For any lacunary sequence θ = (kr), we define the concepts of Sθ-limit point and Sθ--cluster point of a sequence of fuzzy numbers X = (Xk). We introduce the new sets ΛFθ (X), Γ Fθ (X) and prove some inclusion relaions between these and the sets ΛFθ (X), Γ Fθ (X) introduced in [3] by Aytar [S. Aytar, Statistical limit points of sequences of fuzzy numbers, Inform. Sci. 165 (2004) 129-138]. Later, we find restriction on the lacunary sequence θ = (kr) for which the sets ΛFθ (X) and Γ Fθ (X) respectively coincides with the sets ΛFθ (X) and Γ Fθ (X). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B Background: b Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) has been widely used to assess white matter (WM) microstructure in AD. [Extracted from the article]

In this paper, employing the common (E.A.) property, we prove a common fixed theorem for weakly compatible mappings via an implicit relation in intuitionistic fuzzy metric space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the literature so far available, most of the authors have studied the integrability and L¹-convergence of cosine trigonometric series using different classes of coefficient sequences. However, very few of them have studied the L¹-convergence of sine trigonometric series. In this paper, we study the L¹-convergence of sine trigonometric series by using a newly introduced modified cosine trigonometric sum under a new class J of coefficient sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lenti-virus (a member of the retrovirus family) that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a critical condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections. Over the past few years HIV has been spreading rapidly in the population. Almost, everyday there are thousands of new human cases of HIV infection being recorded in the world and these occur in almost every country of the world. However, the spread of HIV is relatively faster in the developing countries as compared to developed countries because developing countries have limited resources. Worldwide, 70% of HIV infections in the adults have been transmitted through heterosexual contact and vertical transmission accounts for more than 90% of global infection in infants and children. In this paper, we propose a nonlinear mathematical model to study the spread of HIV by considering transmission of disease by heterosexual contact and vertical transmission. A stage structured model is proposed and analyzed by considering the total population variable and dividing the whole population under consideration into three stages: children, adults and old. Also, in this paper it is assumed that the rates of recruitment are different in different groups of population. Equilibria of the model and their stability are also discussed. Using the stability theory of differential equations and computer simulation, it is shown that due to the increase in the awareness of the disease in the adult class the total infective population decreases in the region under consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study illustrates the genetic diversity and relationships within and among six Indian sheep breeds of the northwestern arid region of Rajasthan, based on microsatellite markers. The range of allele diversity was 7.72-9.56, and gene diversity was 0.686-0.766, revealing that these breeds possessed substantial amounts of genetic diversity. Positive F values suggested a deficit of heterozygotes in all six breeds. Despite the declining status of the Marwari, Chokla, Jaisalmeri, Magra and Pugal breeds, an absence of a recent genetic bottleneck was evident from the data. The genetic differentiation estimate ( F = 6.1%) suggested low levels of differentiation between the breeds. Genetic distance estimates revealed a close relationship between the Magra-Pugal and Nali-Jaisalmeri breed pairs. This information forms a framework for designing genetic management and conservation programs for these valuable ovine breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempts to provide a comprehensive insight into the prevailing genetic status of Indian sheep breeds using microsatellite markers. Seventeen Indian sheep breeds from 3 agroecological zones were analysed using a panel of 25 microsatellite markers. All of the sheep breeds investigated were genetically diverse, as evident from the high allele (>6) and gene (>0.6) diversity values. The gene diversity values for all breeds ranged from 0.621 to 0.780. The within-population heterozygote deficit ( F) varied from −0.098 to 0.234, reflecting significant levels for 12 of the 17 breeds investigated. The average genetic differentiation between all breeds ( F) was 11.1%, revealing moderate discrimination between the indigenous sheep breeds. The genetic distance and principal component analysis revealed a separation of sheep breeds based on geographical propinquity. The Bayesian clustering approach suggested poor breed differentiation in the north-western arid and semi-arid region when compared to the breeds from the eastern and southern peninsular regions. The observed results mirror the divergent management strategies in the different agroecological regions, lack of specific selection policies, and intermixing of breeds in close proximity. Immediate steps to curb the intermixing and erosion of breed purity for some of these breeds need to be implemented, for example, by introducing measures like making proven rams available and ensuring their frequent exchange between flocks. The data generated here provides valuable information about the genetic structure of the 17 Indian sheep breeds and this can be used for designating priorities for their conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a two-and-a-half-year-old child who was admitted at the hospital due to a six-day fever and a dry spasmodic cough for 4 days. It notes that the patient started her respiratory problems at the age of 6 months when she was admitted for bronchiolitis. The article discusses hepatoxicity related to antitubercular drug therapy.

Abstract: This study examines the genetic profiles of seven sheep breeds/populations of the Northwestern semi arid zone of India based on microsatellite markers. The coarse wooled sheep viz., Jalauni, Sonadi, Muzzafarnagri, Patanwadi, Kheri, Malpura and Munjal were analyzed with 25 microsatellite markers to determine within breed variability, genetic differentiation and relationships among them. The mean number of alleles across all the populations ranged from 6.8 to 8.7, whereas the gene diversity varied from 0.657 to 0.744. These observations reveal a considerable amount of genetic diversity available within these seven breeds/populations. Significant positive within population inbreeding estimates (F IS) were observed for all the breeds/populations which suggested a deficiency in the number of heterozygotes. The relative magnitude of global genetic differentiation was 7.9% thereby implying moderate levels of discrimination among all populations. The pair-wise genetic distance (D A) and genetic differentiation (F ST) between these breeds/populations revealed Kheri and Malpura to be the closest, whilst the highest degree of genetic differentiation was found between Muzzafarnagri and Sonadi which was also supported by the tree topology. The generated information sheds light into the current genetic status and relationship between these sheep and can be utilized for their effective conservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH) is a rare disorder (triad of iron-deficiency anemia, hemoptysis, and alveolar infiltrates). A 3-year-old male presented with mild fever, breathlessness, dry cough, and bluish nail discoloration for 8 days. He had required five blood transfusions in the past 1 year (last transfusion was given 4 months ago). He had a respiratory rate of 58/min with respiratory distress, cyanosis, and grade III clubbing. Respiratory system examination was normal. Several previous reports of hemoglobin were as low as 3.6 g/dl with hypochromic and microcytic anemia. There were transient increases in the hemoglobin and normalization of red cell morphology with blood transfusions. Serum iron, G6PD enzyme assay, hemoglobin electrophoresis, the sickling test, Coomb's test, stool and urine analysis, and a Meckel's scan were normal. HIV antibody and dsDNA were negative. The chest radiograph revealed symmetrical patchy infiltrates sparing lung apices (confirmed on high-resolution computed tomography). Lung biopsy diagnosed pulmonary hemosiderosis (interstitial lung disease with hemosiderin-laden macrophages scattered in the alveoli and areas of fibrosis in the alveolar septa). The patient showed marked clinical improvement in 10 days of therapy with prednisolone. IPH should be listed in the differential diagnosis of a child presenting with unexplained hypochromic, microcytic anemia and respiratory symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The adsorption of SO2 and NO onto palm shell activated carbon supported with cerium oxide (Ce/PSAC) was studied in a fixed bed adsorber. This paper reports the adsorption equilibrium of SO2 and NO in a simulated flue gas on Ce/PSAC. The experimental results show that within the experimental conditions at different inlet concentration of SO2/NO, the adsorption capacities of Ce/PSAC can be well fitted by Langmuir compared to Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The binary mixtures of SO2 and NO at different initial concentration can be well-correlated by the extended Jain and Snoeyink (JS) Langmuir model compared to extended Langmuir model. The physical properties of Ce/PSAC were calculated and it was consistent with the isotherm parameters obtained from the adsorption results. The adsorption was controlled by physisorption. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The simultaneous removal of SO2 and NO from simulated flue gas by cerium oxide supported over palm shell activated carbon (Ce/PSAC) was studied in a fixed bed adsorber. The effects of adsorber temperature, presence of humidity, feed gas concentration and space velocity were studied as the process parameter. The results were illustrated as sorption breakthrough curves. From the experimental results, it was found that at higher space velocity, the SO2 and NO sorption capacity was reduced. Humidity enhanced the SO2 sorption capacity but deterred the NO sorption at percentage more than 15%. Temperature played an important role in the simultaneous removal of SO2 and NO by cerium supported over PSAC. The maximum simultaneous sorption capacity of SO2 and NO was achieved at temperature 150°C with 121.7 and 3.5mg/g, respectively. This study shows that cheap biomass based activated carbon can be a potential sorbent for simultaneous removal of SO2 and NO from flue gas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Recombinant antibody specific for the capsid (CA) protein of bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) was generated in the form of single-chain fragment variable (ScFv) using the phage display technique for affinity selection. The variable heavy (V H) and variable light (V L) chain gene fragments were recovered from cells of CA-specific hybridoma (9G10) described previously. The V H and V L DNA fragments were assembled through a flexible linker DNA to generate ScFv fragment which was cloned in a phagemid expression vector to express ScFv protein. The specific reactivity of the expressed ScFv to the CA antigen was confirmed by Western blot, and the ScFv fragment was used to develop a competitive inhibition ELISA for detection of antibodies to BIV in cattle and buffalo. The recombinant antibody was shown to be more than four times sensitive than its parent monoclonal antibody (MAb, 9G10) by testing of spiked samples of reference positive sera. The improved sensitivity of the recombinant antibody-based ELISA was confirmed by the detection of a larger proportion of animals with BIV antibody by it than by the MAb-based ELISA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have measured the magnetic susceptibility ( χ) and heat capacity ( Cp) of β-Cu2− xZn xV2O7 ( x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.3, 2) in the temperature range 2–300 K. A one-dimensional alternating exchange Heisenberg antiferromagnetism (HAF) is observed in all compositions with chains of infinite length. The intra-chain exchange remains uniform and decreases marginally with dilution of the magnetic state. A cooperative ordering is seen in the magnetic chains for all Zn concentrations ( x ≤ 0.3). The temperature of occurrence of this transition decreases with increasing Zn concentration. Though the conventional spin-wave theory has been used here to describe the properties of the ordered phase, the presence of some contributions like the lattice heat capacity in Cp and the Curie-Weiss term in susceptibility introduces some uncertainties in the estimation of the proportions contributed by the spin system. Therefore, the nature of the ordered phase could not be ascertained unambiguously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This work examines the impregnated carbon-based sorbents for simultaneous removal of SO2 and NOx from simulated flue gas. The carbon-based sorbents were prepared using palm shell activated carbon (PSAC) impregnated with several metal oxides (Ni, V, Fe and Ce). The removal of SO2 and NOx from the simulated flue gas was investigated in a fixed-bed reactor. The results showed that PSAC impregnated with CeO2 (PSAC-Ce) reported the highest sorption capacity among other impregnated metal oxides for the simultaneous removal of SO2 and NOx. PSAC-Ce showed the longest breakthrough time of 165 and 115min for SO2 and NOx, respectively. The properties of the pure and impregnated PSAC were analyzed by BET, FTIR and XRF. The physical–chemical features of the PSAC-Ce sorbent indicated a catalytic activity in both the sorption of SO2 and NOx. The formation of both sulfate (SO4 2−) and nitrate (NO3−) species on spent PSAC-Ce further prove the catalytic role played by CeO2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The genetic polymorphism of the β-lactoglobulin (β- LG) gene was determined in 638 animals belonging to 15 native Indian sheep breeds reared in different agroecological regions for various production traits. Variants of β- LG were found using PCR–RFLP of genomic DNA. Rsa1 restriction enzyme digestion of a 120-bp PCR fragment of exon 2 of β- LG revealed two genetic variants, A (0.37) and B (0.63), and the three genotypes AA (0.175), AB (0.389), and BB (0.436). The differences in allelic frequency were not significant across the breeds, irrespective of their geographic origin and utility (χ2 test, P > 0.05). The pattern of occurrence of allelic variants revealed that the B allele was more frequent in the majority of the Indian breeds than in breeds reported from countries of Southwest Asia, Eastern and Central Europe, and the Mediterranean. A higher level of heterozygosity (0.422) was discerned, despite the declining status of several of the Indian breeds. These findings revealed that Indian sheep are predominantly of the β- LG B type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porphyran, sulfated polysaccharide, is derived from the cell wall and intercellular regions of Porphyra and known to be closely related to agarose in its basic structure, whereas it is very different in terms of having L-galactose-6-sulfate. Besides of various physiological effects, it is having wide pharmaceutical applications. Its structure-related gelling and emulsification properties have given birth to a new polymer in polymeric science. Porphyran uses are based on their unique properties to form strong gels after desulfation in an aqueous solution. This gel results from peculiar regular chemical structures, specific ordered molecular conformations, and aggregations. Now a days, new methodologies and instruments have provided a more accurate view of the relationships between the chemical structure and the gelling characteristics of these complex hybrid and heterogeneous polysaccharides. NMR is the single most powerful technique for solving the structures of intact polysaccharides. Developments in the NMR render the determination of structural distribution of this galactan more accessible. Such techniques also yield new information on the aggregate formation of these sulfated polysaccharides. These and other data question the existence of the generally assumed intertwined double helical conformations of these galactans during gel formation. Currently, porphyran availability is not known because of several problems such as its high molecular weight and viscosity that are suppressing its growth in world market. Hence, world market needs development of this novel compound to improve its pharmaceutical applications though this is an area of algal utilization that demands more research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Optimizing the production of microporous activated carbon from waste palm shell was done by applying experimental design methodology. The product, palm shell activated carbon was tested for removal of SO2 gas from flue gas. The activated carbon production was mathematically described as a function of parameters such as flow rate, activation time and activation temperature of carbonization. These parameters were modeled using response surface methodology. The experiments were carried out as a central composite design consisting of 32 experiments. Quadratic models were developed for surface area, total pore volume, and microporosity in term of micropore fraction. The models were used to obtain the optimum process condition for the production of microporous palm shell activated carbon useful for SO2 removal. The optimized palm shell activated carbon with surface area of 973m2/g, total pore volume of 0.78cc/g and micropore fraction of 70.5% showed an excellent agreement with the amount predicted by the statistical analysis. Palm shell activated carbon with higher surface area and microporosity fraction showed good adsorption affinity for SO2 removal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to develop a competitive inhibition ELISA (CI-ELISA) for detection of antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) using the helicase domain of NS3 (non-structural) protein and monoclonal antibody (MAb) against it and to estimate its sensitivity and specificity using two commercial ELISA kits as independent references. The 45-kDa helicase domain of NS3 protein of BVDV was expressed in Escherichia coli and 18MAbs were developed against it. MAb-11G8 was selected for use in CI-ELISA on the basis of maximum inhibition (90%) obtained with BVDV type 1 infected calf serum. Based on the distribution of percent inhibition of known negative sera (n =166), a cut-off value was set at 40% inhibition. In testing 914 field serum samples of cattle (810) and buffaloes (104), the CI-ELISA showed a relative specificity of 95.75% and 97.38% and sensitivity of 96% and 94.43% with Ingenesa kit and Institut Pourquier kit, respectively. This study proved that the use of helicase domain of NS3 (45-kDa) is equally good as the whole NS3 protein (80-kDa) used in commercial kits for detection of BVDV antibodies in cattle and buffaloes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to develop a more specific and sensitive competitive inhibition ELISA (CI-ELISA) than the currently used indirect ELISA for detection of antibodies to bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) in cattle and buffaloes. Murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were generated against a recombinant capsid (CA) protein of bovine immunodeficiency virus. Of the 13 anti-CA MAbs developed, MAb-9G10 was selected for CI-ELISA based on the maximum inhibition (98%) obtained with reference BIV antibody positive serum. Based on the distribution of percent inhibition of known negative sera (n =50), a cut-off value was set at 40% inhibition. The MAb-based CI-ELISA showed much higher agreement (concordance: 95.4%) than the indirect ELISA (concordance: 77.8%) with Western blot. Out of 672 sera of cattle and buffaloes tested by CI-ELISA from four states of India, 22% (113/516) of cattle and 19% (30/156) of buffalo were sero-positive for BIV with an overall seroprevalence of 21% (143/672) in India. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fatty acid esterification is increasingly realized as a reactive distillation (RD) process because of its formation being affected by the chemical equilibrium. The reactive distillation column performance for the production of isopropyl palmitate by esterification of the palmitic acid with isopropanol has been studied in the present research. The reaction was catalyzed in the presence of zinc acetate supported on functionalized silica gel catalyst. The process parameters such as total feed flow rate, reboiler temperature, palmitic acid feed composition, palmitic acid feed temperature, molar ratio of isopropanol feed to palmitic acid feed and reflux ratio were studied experimentally in the catalytic distillation column. Two types of models were used for the simulation of catalytic distillation column. These were (a) equilibrium stage model and (b) rate-based model. The predictions from the rate-based model matched with the experimental results qualitatively and quantitatively. The simulation study was also carried out to determine the effects of other important parameters and design factors such as the column pressure, distillate to feed ratio, feed location, catalyst weight, height of reactive zone and height of separation zones. A technically optimized RD process for the production of isopropyl palmitate has been proposed on the basis of the experimental and simulated data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Research Question: What are the health-related problems of the aged and why do they feel lonely? Objective: To study the health-related problems and loneliness among the elderly in different micro-environment groups. Participants: Aged persons of age 65 years and above. Setting: Urban and rural area of Chandigarh. Design: Cross-sectional. Statistical Analysis: t-test and Z test. Results: During the study, it was found that out of the total 361 aged persons of Chandigarh, 311 (86.1%) persons reported one or more health-related complaints, with an average of two illnesses. The illness was higher among the females (59.5%) as compared to males (40.5%). The main health-related problems were disorders of the circulatory system (51.2%), musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (45.7%). It was also found that loneliness was prevalent more in females (72.8%) as compared to males (65.6%). Loneliness was more prevalent among persons who lived alone (92.2%) as compared to those who lived with their spouse (58.9%) or when husband and wife lived with the family (61.4%). It was higher among the widows (85.2%) and widowers (75.8%) who lived with the family as compared to the aged who lived with the spouse (58.9%) and the aged husband and wife who lived with the family (61.4%). Conclusion: Special geriatric services should be started in the hospitals as the majority of the aged have one or more health-related problems. The aged persons should be involved in social activities to avoid loneliness among them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The fatty acid esters produced using monohydric alcohols have a wide range of applications in the cosmetic and personal care products. The conventional method for the production of esters has several drawbacks such as product quality degradation due to relatively long exposure to heat, necessity of catalyst neutralization and relative high alcohol demand. The reactive distillation (RD) process for the production of fatty acid esters overcomes these drawbacks. The production of isopropyl palmitate (IPP) in the RD column is reported in the present study. The reaction was catalyzed by the zinc acetate supported on silica gel. A pilot plant RD column of 102mm diameter with a packing height of 3m was designed, fabricated and used for the experimental studies. The process parameters total feed flow rate (30–100mol/h), reboiler duty (0.5–2.0kW), palmitic acid (PA) feed composition (40–100mol%), PA feed temperature (80–), molar ratio of isopropanol feed to PA feed (1–2) and reflux ratio (0.5–2.5) were varied during the experimental study. The experimental optimum values of these parameters obtained were 50mol/h, 0.64kW, 100mol%, , 2 and 0.5, respectively within the range of study. The average IPP purity of 86mol% and PA conversion of 94% were obtained at the optimum operating conditions. The experimental data were used to validate the theoretical predictions obtained from steady-state model and rate-based model. The predictions from the rate-based model matched with the experimental results qualitatively and quantitatively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present results of the reconstruction of a saccharose-based activated carbon (CS1000a) using hybrid reverse Monte Carlo (HRMC) simulation, recently proposed by Opletal et al. [1]. Interaction between carbon atoms in the simulation is modeled by an environment dependent interaction potential (EDIP) [2,3]. The reconstructed structure shows predominance of sp 2 over sp 3 bonding, while a significant proportion of sp hybrid bonding is also observed. We also calculated a ring distribution and geometrical pore size distribution of the model developed. The latter is compared with that obtained from argon adsorption at 87 K using our recently proposed characterization procedure [4], the finite wall thickness (FWT) model. Further, we determine self-diffusivities of argon and nitrogen in the constructed carbon as functions of loading. It is found that while there is a maximum in the diffusivity with respect to loading, as previously observed by Pikunic et al. [5], diffusivities in the present work are 10 times larger than those obtained in the prior work, consistent with the larger pore size as well as higher porosity of the activated saccharose carbon studied here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: High performance sorbents for flue gas desulfurization can be synthesized by hydration of coal fly ash, calcium sulfate, and calcium oxide. In general, higher desulfurization activity correlates with higher sorbent surface area. Consequently, a major aim in sorbent synthesis is to maximize the sorbent surface area by optimizing the hydration conditions. This work presents an integrated modeling and optimization approach to sorbent synthesis based on statistical experimental design and two artificial intelligence techniques: neural network and genetic algorithm. In the first step of the approach, the main and interactive effects of three hydration variables on sorbent surface area were evaluated using a full factorial design. The hydration variables of interest to this study were hydration time, amount of coal fly ash, and amount of calcium sulfate and the levels investigated were 4–32h, 5–15g, and 0–12g, respectively. In the second step, a neural network was used to model the relationship between the three hydration variables and the sorbent surface area. A genetic algorithm was used in the last step to optimize the input space of the resulting neural network model. According to this integrated modeling and optimization approach, an optimum sorbent surface area of 62.2m2 g−1 could be obtained by mixing 13.1g of coal fly ash and 5.5g of calcium sulfate in a hydration process containing 100ml of water and 5g of calcium oxide for a fixed hydration time of 10h. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery in obese patients with documented coronary artery disease (CAD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among patients with class II or III obesity who underwent bariatric surgery between March 1995 and January 2002 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, the rates of major in-hospital cardiovascular complications and mortality of 52 patients with clinical CAD were compared with those of 507 patients without CAD. The efficacy of bariatric surgery was measured by changes in body weight and other cardiovascular risk factors at follow-up. RESULTS: There were no in-hospital deaths in either group. Three patients with documented CAD (5.8%; 95% confidence interval, 0%-12.2%) and 7 patients without CAD (1.4%; 95% confidence interval, 0.4%-2.4%) had cardiovascular complications (P=.06). After a mean follow-up of 2.5 years (range, 77-2403 days) of patients with CAD, the following values decreased postoperatively (all at P<.001): weight, from 147+/-36 kg to 103+/-22 kg; body mass index, from 50+/-11 kg/m2 to 36+/-9 kg/m2; fasting serum glucose, from 149+/-52 mg/dL to 113+/-31 mg/dL; glycosylated hemoglobin, from 9%+/-3% to 6%+/-2%; and blood pressure, from 142/82 mm Hg to 132/73 mm Hg. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased postoperatively from 116+/-31 mg/dL to 75+/-26 mg/dL, and triglycerides decreased from 198+/-85 mg/dL to 119+/-52 mg/dL (P<.01 for both). CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery should be considered for treating patients with CAD and class II or III obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction between SO2and sorbent prepared from coal fly ash, CaO and CaSO4were investigated and modeled. The experiments were conducted using thermogravimetric analysis at isothermal conditions, where the rate measurements were carried out in the temperature range from 60 to 140°C. The kinetics of the sulfation reaction is characterized by a dramatic decrease in the rate of reaction at the initial period of reaction time and the sorbent is left partially converted. Using isoconversional method, the activation energy of the sulfation reaction was found to be independent on the conversion of the sorbent. A one step global model was then proposed and the model based on almost second order (n=2.2) reaction was found to fit the kinetic data. Based on the propose model, the activation energy and frequency factor for the sulfation reaction was found to be 22.9 kJ mol-1and 64.4 min-1respectively. The model was found to give a good prediction of the conversion-time curve for experimental run not used in the development of the model. The value of activation energy obtained using the proposed model was found to be in agreement with the value calculated using the isoconversional method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic characterization of Muzzafarnagri—the heaviest sheep breed in India—was established on the basis of individual genotypes at 25 Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO, United Nations) recommended microsatellites, the most useful markers of choice for wide range of molecular genetic studies. High level of genetic variation was evident within the investigated breed as assessed from various genetic diversity measures. The mean number of observed alleles per microsatellite marker was 5.04 and number of effective alleles (3.64) as usual was less than the observed values. The average observed and expected heterozygosity values were 0.652 and 0.697, respectively. High heterozygosity values indicated low level of inbreeding, low or no selection pressure and large number of alleles. Within population inbreeding estimate (FIS=0.058) further supported low rate of inbreeding in the investigated population. The mean polymorphism information content (PIC) value (0.636) further reflected high level of genetic variability. Microsatellite based quantification of Muzzafarnagri breed structure is a step towards ongoing estimation of genetic distances and relationships among Indian sheep breeds to contribute to the establishment of their own conservation plans. In addition, wide range of variation depicted by various parameters of genetic variability suggested effectiveness of FAO recommended microsatellites for measurement of intra-breed genetic diversity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Activating mutations in the RAS oncogenes are among the most common genetic alterations in human cancers, including patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We sought to define the frequency and spectrum, and possible prognostic importance, of N and K-RAS mutations in children with ALL treated with contemporary therapy. Leukemic blast DNA from 870 children was analyzed for the presence of activating mutations in the N- or K-RAS oncogenes using a sensitive mutation detection algorithm. RAS mutations were present in the blasts of 131 (15.1%) pediatric ALL patients. The spectrum of mutations included 81 (9.3%) mutations of codons 12/13 of N-RAS, 12 (1.4%) mutations of codon 61 of N-RAS, 39 (4.5%) mutations of codons 12/13 of K-RAS, and 2 (0.2%) mutations of codon 61 of K-RAS. The presence of N- or K-RAS mutations was not associated with white blood cell count at diagnosis, sex, race, extramedullary testicular involvement, central nervous system disease, or NCI/CTEP ALL Risk Group. Patients with an exon 1 K-RAS mutation (codons 12/13) were significantly younger at diagnosis (P=0.001) and less frequently B-lineage phenotype (P=0.01). RAS mutation status did not predict overall survival, event-free survival and disease-free survival. While N- and K-RAS mutations can be identified in 15% of children with newly diagnosed ALL, they do not represent a significant risk factor for outcome using contemporary chemotherapy regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the immediate and long-term effects of adding sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, to the medical regimen of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with PAH received empirical adjunctive sildenafil treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, between November 1, 2000, and August 31, 2001. All received a 25-mg dose of sildenafil, increased by 25 mg at 8-hour intervals, if tolerated, up to 100 mg during hemodynamic monitoring for 24 to 48 hours. Long-term effects on right heart hemodynamics were assessed by noninvasive right ventricular systolic pressure, right ventricular index of myocardial performance, and a 6-minute walk test. RESULTS: Sildenafil significantly increased cardiac output (CO) (P = .04) and decreased pulmonary artery systolic pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and mean arterial pressure (P < or = .01) at peak measurements (obtained 1-2 hours after highest dose). At trough measurements (obtained 8 hours after highest dose), sildenafil significantly decreased pulmonary artery systolic pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and mean arterial pressure (P = .01). Ten patients discharged from the hospital were taking the highest-tolerated dose of sildenafil every 8 hours. The right ventricular systolic pressure and right index of myocardial performance showed no significant improvement at follow-up (117 +/- 70 days), although concomitant treatment with epoprostenol could be tapered in 2 patients. Changes in New York Heart Association classes were inconsistent, and improvements in the 6-minute walk test were not significant. CONCLUSION: Sildenafil has an immediate pulmonary vasodilator effect in patients already receiving vasodilators for PAH. Its long-term effects on right heart function and functional status are equivocal. A large, prospective, well-designed study is needed to determine the effects of sildenafil on PAH, both in untreated and concurrently treated patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe 2 patients who presented with symptoms and clinical evidence of pulmonary hypertension. The first patient, who had severe pulmonary hypertension, underwent correction of an acquired arteriovenous (AV) fistula, which led to improvement according to clinical and noninvasive hemodynamic criteria. The second patient had severely symptomatic pulmonary hypertension associated with a large, previously unrecognized, superior mesenteric AV fistula after intra-abdominal surgery. Surgical correction of the fistula resulted in normalization of pulmonary hemodynamics assessed by right heart catheterization. Truly reversible substrates of pulmonary hypertension are rare. Acquired systemic AV fistulas are a less recognized cause of secondary pulmonary hypertension. It is unknown whether high blood flow peripheral AV shunts ultimately lead to endothelial proliferation, vascular smooth muscle hypertrophy, plexiform lesions, and other histopathologic changes that are seen in patients with left-to-right shunts due to atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, and patent ductus arteriosus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]