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Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. OBJECTIVES: The study compared the performance for detection and grading of coronary stenoses using artificial intelligence-enabled quantitative coronary computed tomography angiography (AI-QCT) analyses to core lab-interpreted coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA), core lab quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), and invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR). BACKGROUND: Clinical reads of coronary CTA, especially by less experienced readers, may result in overestimation of coronary artery disease stenosis severity compared with expert interpretation. AI-based solutions applied to coronary CTA may overcome these limitations. METHODS: Coronary CTA, FFR, and QCA data from 303 stable patients (64 ± 10 years of age, 71% male) from the CREDENCE (Computed TomogRaphic Evaluation of Atherosclerotic DEtermiNants of Myocardial IsChEmia) trial were retrospectively analyzed using an Food and Drug Administration-cleared cloud-based software that performs AI-enabled coronary segmentation, lumen and vessel wall determination, plaque quantification and characterization, and stenosis determination. RESULTS: Disease prevalence was high, with 32.0%, 35.0%, 21.0%, and 13.0% demonstrating ≥50% stenosis in 0, 1, 2, and 3 coronary vessel territories, respectively. Average AI-QCT analysis time was 10.3 ± 2.7 minutes. AI-QCT evaluation demonstrated per-patient sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of 94%, 68%, 81%, 90%, and 84%, respectively, for ≥50% stenosis, and of 94%, 82%, 69%, 97%, and 86%, respectively, for detection of ≥70% stenosis. There was high correlation between stenosis detected on AI-QCT evaluation vs QCA on a per-vessel and per-patient basis (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.73 and 0.73, respectively; P < 0.001 for both). False positive AI-QCT findings were noted in in 62 of 848 (7.3%) vessels (stenosis of ≥70% by AI-QCT and QCA of

BACKGROUND. Deep learning frameworks have been applied to interpretation of coronary CTA performed for coronary artery disease (CAD) evaluation. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to compare the diagnostic performance of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and coronary CTA with artificial intelligence quantitative CT (AI-QCT) interpretation for detection of obstructive CAD on invasive angiography and to assess the downstream impact of including coronary CTA with AI-QCT in diagnostic algorithms. METHODS. This study entailed a retrospective post hoc analysis of the derivation cohort of the prospective 23-center Computed Tomographic Evaluation of Atherosclerotic Determinants of Myocardial Ischemia (CREDENCE) trial. The study included 301 patients (88 women and 213 men; mean age, 64.4 ± 10.2 [SD] years) recruited from May 2014 to May 2017 with stable symptoms of myocardial ischemia referred for nonemergent invasive angiography. Patients underwent coronary CTA and MPI before angiography with quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) measurements and fractional flow reserve (FFR). CTA examinations were analyzed using an FDA-cleared cloud-based software platform that performs AI-QCT for stenosis determination. Diagnostic performance was evaluated. Diagnostic algorithms were compared. RESULTS. Among 102 patients with no ischemia on MPI, AI-QCT identified obstructive (≥ 50%) stenosis in 54% of patients, including severe (≥ 70%) stenosis in 20%. Among 199 patients with ischemia on MPI, AI-QCT identified nonobstructive (1-49%) stenosis in 23%. AI-QCT had significantly higher AUC (all p < .001) than MPI for predicting ≥ 50% stenosis by QCA (0.88 vs 0.66), ≥ 70% stenosis by QCA (0.92 vs 0.81), and FFR < 0.80 (0.90 vs 0.71). An AI-QCT result of ≥ 50% stenosis and ischemia on stress MPI had sensitivity of 95% versus 74% and specificity of 63% versus 43% for detecting ≥ 50% stenosis by QCA measurement. Compared with performing MPI in all patients and those showing ischemia undergoing invasive angiography, a scenario of performing coronary CTA with AIQCT in all patients and those showing ≥ 70% stenosis undergoing invasive angiography would reduce invasive angiography utilization by 39%; a scenario of performing MPI in all patients and those showing ischemia undergoing coronary CTA with AI-QCT and those with ≥ 70% stenosis on AI-QCT undergoing invasive angiography would reduce invasive angiography utilization by 49%. CONCLUSION. Coronary CTA with AI-QCT had higher diagnostic performance than MPI for detecting obstructive CAD. CLINICAL IMPACT. A diagnostic algorithm incorporating AI-QCT could substantially reduce unnecessary downstream invasive testing and costs. TRIAL REGISTRATION. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02173275.

Blind and visually impaired people find difficulty in detecting obstacles and recognizing people in their way, which makes it dangerous for them to walk, to work, or to go in a crowded area/place. They have to be cautious all the time to move, while avoiding any solid obstacles in their way. Typically, they use different aid devices to reach their destination or to accomplish their daily task. The normal stick is useless for blind and visually impaired people since it cannot detect barriers or people's faces. Visually impaired individuals are unable to distinguish between different types of objects in front of them. They are unable to gauge the size of an object or its distance from them. Several works have been done by public individuals and scientific investigators but their work is dearth in technological aspect. This technological aspect need to be addressed by adding artificial intelligence (AI). This prototype aims to help blind and visually impaired individuals in several aspects to simply obtain/perform everyday tasks and help these individuals to live with the same confidence as sighted people live.Therefore, this study inclined deep learning Mobile-Net Single Shot MultiBox detection (SSD) algorithm for object recognition and Dlib library for face recognition. Subsequently, the proposed solution is using an Open CV and Python. Additionally, Ultrasonic sensors are used for distance measurement, which can be a great help for visually impaired people. These components are grouped together to work effectively and efficiently for the development of visually impaired people. The recognition procedure was revealed through headphones, which notifies the visually impaired when face or any object get recognized. Inclusively, the innovative solution would be a great aid for the blind and visually impaired individuals. As a result, to test and validate the accuracy of the smart navigational stick, several experiments have been conducted on a range of objects and faces. Hence, this study’s modified navigational system was adequate and valid for visually impaired people.

OBJECTIVE This study evaluates the relationship between atherosclerotic plaque characteristics (APCs) and angiographic stenosis severity in patients with and without diabetes. Whether APCs differ based on lesion severity and diabetes status is unknown. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 303 subjects from the Computed TomogRaphic Evaluation of Atherosclerotic Determinants of Myocardial IsChEmia (CREDENCE) trial referred for invasive coronary angiography with coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) and classified lesions as obstructive (≥50% stenosed) or nonobstructive using blinded core laboratory analysis of quantitative coronary angiography. CCTA quantified APCs, including plaque volume (PV), calcified plaque (CP), noncalcified plaque (NCP), low-density NCP (LD-NCP), lesion length, positive remodeling (PR), high-risk plaque (HRP), and percentage of atheroma volume (PAV; PV normalized for vessel volume). The relationship between APCs, stenosis severity, and diabetes status was assessed. RESULTS Among the 303 patients, 95 (31.4%) had diabetes. There were 117 lesions in the cohort with diabetes, 58.1% of which were obstructive. Patients with diabetes had greater plaque burden (P = 0.004). Patients with diabetes and nonobstructive disease had greater PV (P = 0.02), PAV (P = 0.02), NCP (P = 0.03), PAV NCP (P = 0.02), diseased vessels (P = 0.03), and maximum stenosis (P = 0.02) than patients without diabetes with nonobstructive disease. APCs were similar between patients with diabetes with nonobstructive disease and patients without diabetes with obstructive disease. Diabetes status did not affect HRP or PR. Patients with diabetes had similar APCs in obstructive and nonobstructive lesions. CONCLUSIONS Patients with diabetes and nonobstructive stenosis had an association to similar APCs as patients without diabetes who had obstructive stenosis. Among patients with nonobstructive disease, patients with diabetes had more total PV and NCP.

Objectives: This study evaluates the relationship between atherosclerotic plaque characteristics (APCs) and angiographic stenosis severity in patients with and without diabetes. Background: Whether APCs differ based on lesion severity and diabetic status is unknown. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 303 subjects from the CREDENCE trial referred for invasive coronary angiography with coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) and classified lesions as obstructive (>50% stenosed) or non-obstructive using blinded core laboratory analysis of quantitative coronary angiography. CCTA quantified APCs including plaque volume (PV), calcified plaque (CP), noncalcified plaque (NCP), low density noncalcified plaque (LD-NCP), lesion length, positive remodeling (PR), high-risk plaque (HRP) and percent atheroma volume (PAV; plaque volume normalized for vessel volume). The relationship between APCs, stenosis severity and diabetic status was assessed. Results: Among the 303 patients, 95 (31.4%) had diabetes. There were 117 lesions in the diabetic cohort, 58.1% of which were obstructive. Patients with diabetes had greater plaque burden (p=0.004). Patients with diabetes and nonobstructive disease had greater PV (p=0.02), PAV (p=0.02), NCP (p=0.03), PAV NCP (p=0.02), diseased vessels (p=0.03), and max stenosis (p=0.02) than nondiabetic patients with nonobstructive disease. APCs were similar between diabetics with non-obstructive disease and non-diabetic patients with obstructive disease. Diabetic status did not affect HRP or PR. Patients with diabetes had similar APCs in obstructive and non-obstructive lesions. Conclusions: Patients with diabetes and non-obstructive stenosis had an association to similar APCs as patients without diabetes who have obstructive stenosis. Among patients with non-obstructive disease, patients with diabetes had more total PV and NCP.

This paper is based on the Critical Discourse Analysis approach to explore Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s speech at the UN in 2021 in a sociopolitical context. The researchers, by applying Fairclough’s 3D model, investigate Arab Israel community reflection through textual or stylistic strategies in speech and explore the level of Islamic ideology reflected in Shah Mehmood Qureshi speech through linguistic choices. The study further explores the representation of stylistic features in a speech that depicts the political and socio-cultural relationship between Palestine and the Israeli community. Findings of the study suggest that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi used different devices like textual and stylistic to give his ideology more explicatively. The sophisticated manners of ideology are propagated through the speech with all its prerequisites. It was syntactically well organized and produces a thematic message that was based on religious sociocultural and political discrimination and biased as well as inequality in cohesion. The expressive speaker values and relational indications were ordered according to the situation.

Critical Discourse Analysis considers language use to be a form of social practice, and it is frequently used in political discourse, including written, verbal and visual public speeches. The last sermon of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is presented in this article as a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) in the perspective of social discrimination, inequity and racism. The study explores how the sermon brings about the true picture of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad’s view has been reflected through textual and stylistic discussion in the study. This study also focuses the ideology of Prophet Muhammad PBUH that is revealed through the linguistic choices in the sermon and how the relationship between Muslim and Non-Muslim in the broader socio-cultural and political sense is represented. To achieve the goals of the study Fairclaugh’s 3D Model was opted. The Prophet (PBUH) teaches his followers how to live-in peace with others, connect with them, and communicate with them without jeopardizing their own identities or the Muslims' sense of self. The findings of the study are that the Prophet's Farewell Sermon is seen as a road map for humankind, ensuring happiness, well-being, and prosperity for all people regardless of race, color, language, or other factors. The Prophet’s expert use of the available media at the time added to the sermon's effectiveness. Teaching His disciples how to communicate and disseminate the sermon's teachings throughout the world. Furthermore, the study found that the Prophet's tremendous rhetorical and linguistic eloquence in placing words, phrases, sentences, and other elements in their right contexts played a crucial part in expressing His intended meanings to His audience. The study has some limitations as researchers could not analyse each element at the textual level, although they had given a little detail in the quantitative analysis of the text. The researchers suggest that future researchers go for complete analysis at the textual level and explore other potential areas.

Background: The Iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) is most commonly due to May-Thurner variant, an anatomic variant where in the right common iliac artery overlies the left common iliac vein and compresses it against the lumbar spine. The compression of the common venous outflow tract of the left lower extremity may cause discomfort, swelling, or deep vein thrombosis in the iliofemoral veins. The role of the pelvic surgery particularly the lumbar hardware in the development of symptomatic Venous compression syndrome in patients with May-Thurner syndrome is not well understood. The incidence is presumably very low. Herein, we present six patients who developed IVCS after Lumbar hardware. Method: The cases were diagnosed between Nov. 2016 to Oct. 2019 in the Outpatient Cath Lab of McKinney, TX. The patient’s medical records were retrospectively analyzed looking for risk factors, clinical features, venogram findings, and post venogram. The evaluation of each case was described, and common trends were later presented in a cross-case analysis. Conclusion: The cases presented in this report suggest that the hardware used in lumbar/spinal surgery could lead to an IVCS. Patient’s symptoms are unspecific. Venogram/venoplasty is the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment. It is imperative having a high level of suspicion and familiarizing with the natural history of IVCS due to the invasive nature of venogram and the relevance of an early diagnosis to reduce the occurrences of complications. Keywords: Venous disease, Iliac vein compression, May-Thurner syndrome, Lumbar surgery complications, Unexplained edema of left leg, May-Thurner Syndrome, Lumbar hardware, Venous compression, IVUS, Venogram, Angioplasty

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors Objectives: To determine whether coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) scanning, scan preparation, contrast, and patient based parameters influence the diagnostic performance of an artificial intelligence (AI) based analysis software for identifying coronary lesions with ≥50% stenosis. Background: CCTA is a noninvasive imaging modality that provides diagnostic and prognostic benefit to patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The use of AI enabled quantitative CCTA (AI-QCT) analysis software enhances our diagnostic and prognostic ability, however, it is currently unclear whether software performance is influenced by CCTA scanning parameters. Methods: CCTA and quantitative coronary CT (QCT) data from 303 stable patients (64 ± 10 years, 71% male) from the derivation arm of the CREDENCE Trial were retrospectively analyzed using an FDA-cleared cloud-based software that performs AI-enabled coronary segmentation, lumen and vessel wall determination, plaque quantification and characterization, and stenosis determination. The algorithm's diagnostic performance measures (sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy) for detecting coronary lesions of ≥50% stenosis were determined based on concordance with QCA measurements and subsequently compared across scanning parameters (including scanner vendor, model, single vs dual source, tube voltage, dose length product, gating technique, timing method), scan preparation technique (use of beta blocker, use and dose of nitroglycerin), contrast administration parameters (contrast type, infusion rate, iodine concentration, contrast volume) and patient parameters (heart rate and BMI). Results: Within the patient cohort, 13% demonstrated ≥50% stenosis in 3 vessel territories, 21% in 2 vessel territories, 35% in 1 vessel territory while 32% had 400 mg/ml 95.2%; p = 0.0287) in the context of low injection flow rates. On a per patient basis there were no significant differences in AI diagnostic performance measures across all measured scanner, scan technique, patient preparation, contrast, and individual patient parameters. Conclusion: The diagnostic performance of AI-QCT analysis software for detecting moderate to high grade stenosis are unaffected by commonly used CCTA scanning parameters and across a range of common scanning, scanner, contrast and patient variables. Condensed abstract: An AI-enabled quantitative CCTA (AI-QCT) analysis software has been validated as an effective tool for the identification, quantification and characterization of coronary plaque and stenosis through comparison to blinded expert readers and quantitative coronary angiography. However, it is unclear whether CCTA screening parameters related to scanner parameters, scan technique, contrast volume and rate, radiation dose, or a patient's BMI or heart rate at time of scan affect the software's diagnostic measures for detection of moderate to high grade stenosis. AI performance measures were unaffected across a broad range of commonly encountered scanner, patient preparation, scan technique, intravenous contrast and patient parameters. publishersversion published

Buckwheat is a precious source of various bioactive compounds like phenolics, flavonoids, rutin, and quercetin, etc. This research work was performed to harvest the nutraceutical potential of indigenous buckwheat varieties and their milling fractions (fine flour, coarse flour, bran flour, and husk). Common buckwheat (CBW) and Tartary buckwheat (TBW) were analyzed in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and DPPH scavenging activity. When compared to common buckwheat, Tartary buckwheat had a higher total phenolic content (2101.421 mg GAE/100 g), total flavonoid content (1233.990 mg QEQ/100 g), and DPPH scavenging activity (44.51%).In the same context, throughout comparisons among milling fractions, the highest TPC and TFC were observed in the husk part of Tartary buckwheat while the lowest was found in common buckwheat. During the comparison of different solvents and their concentrations, it was observed that Ethanol 70% extracted a greater quantity of phytochemicals as compared to the rest of the other solvents and concentrations. This study recognized variability among buckwheat varieties and milling fractions for nutraceutical potential and nutritional qualities that can be used in the treatment of different maladies and food products.`

ObjectiveThe study evaluates the relationship of coronary stenosis, atherosclerotic plaque characteristics (APCs) and age using artificial intelligence enabled quantitative coronary computed tomographic angiography (AI-QCT).MethodsThis is a post-hoc analysis of data from 303 subjects enrolled in the CREDENCE (Computed TomogRaphic Evaluation of Atherosclerotic Determinants of Myocardial IsChEmia) trial who were referred for invasive coronary angiography and subsequently underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA). In this study, a blinded core laboratory analysing quantitative coronary angiography images classified lesions as obstructive (≥50%) or non-obstructive (ResultsThe cohort was 64.4±10.2 years and 29% women. Overall, patients >65 had more PV and CP than patients 65 had more CP than younger patients in both obstructive (29.2 mm3 vs 48.2 mm3; p3 vs 49.4 mm3; pConclusionAI-QCT identifies a unique APC signature that differs by age and degree of stenosis and provides a foundation for AI-guided age-based approaches to atherosclerosis identification, prevention and treatment.

Key PointsQuestionAre atherosclerotic plaque measurements associated with physiologic measures of invasive fractional flow reserve? FindingsIn this analysis of the CREDENCE clinical trial that included 612 patients, nonobstructive and obstructive measures of atherosclerotic plaque were significantly associated with invasive fractional flow reserve. A comprehensive set of atherosclerotic plaque features improved the accuracy of classifying vessel-specific reduced fractional flow reserve vs rest/stress myocardial perfusion imaging measurements. MeaningUsing coronary computed tomographic angiography for detection of atherosclerotic plaque features associated with coronary physiology may improve diagnostic certainty and guide clinical management of symptomatic patients.ImportanceStress imaging has been the standard for diagnosing functionally significant coronary artery disease. It is unknown whether novel, atherosclerotic plaque measures improve accuracy beyond coronary stenosis for diagnosing invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement. ObjectiveTo compare the diagnostic accuracy of comprehensive anatomic (obstructive and nonobstructive atherosclerotic plaque) vs functional imaging measures for estimating vessel-specific FFR. Design, Setting, and ParticipantsControlled clinical trial of diagnostic accuracy with a multicenter derivation-validation cohort of patients referred for nonemergent invasive coronary angiography. A total of 612 patients (64 [10] years; 30% women) with signs and symptoms suggestive of myocardial ischemia from 23 sites were included. Patients were recruited from 2014 to 2017. Data analysis began in August 2018. InterventionsPatients underwent invasive coronary angiography with measurement of invasive FFR, coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) quantification of atherosclerotic plaque and FFR by CT (FFR-CT), and semiquantitative scoring of rest/stress myocardial perfusion imaging (by magnetic resonance, positron emission tomography, or single photon emission CT). Multivariable generalized linear mixed models were derived and validated calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve. Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary end point was invasive FFR of 0.80 or less. ResultsOf the 612 patients, the mean (SD) age was 64 (10) years, and 426 (69.9%) were men. An invasive FFR of 0.80 or less was measured in 26.5% of 1727 vessels. In the derivation cohort, CCTA vessel-specific factors associated with FFR 0.80 or less were stenosis severity, percentage of noncalcified atheroma volume, lumen volume, the number of lesions with high-risk plaque (>= 2 of low attenuation plaque, positive remodeling, napkin ring sign, or spotty calcification), and the number of lesions with stenosis greater than 30%. Fractional flow reserve-CT was not additive to this model including stenosis and atherosclerotic plaque. Significant myocardial perfusion imaging predictors were the summed rest and difference scores. In the validation cohort, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.81 for CCTA vs 0.67 for myocardial perfusion imaging (P

Neuron-invading viruses usually enter via the peripheral organs/tissues of their mammalian hosts and are transported to the neurons. Virus trafficking is critical for transport or spread within the nervous system. Primary culture of neurons is a valuable and indispensable method for neurobiological research, allowing researchers to investigate basic mechanisms of diverse neuronal functions as well as retrograde and anterograde virus transport in neuronal axons. Primary ganglion sensory neurons from mice can be cultured in a compartmentalized culture device, which allows spatial fluidic separation of cell bodies and distal axons. These neurons serve as an important model for investigating the transport of viruses between the neuronal soma and distal axons. Alphaherpesviruses are fascinating and important human and animal pathogens, they replicate and establish lifelong latent infection in the peripheral nervous system, the mechanism of the viral transport along the axon is the key to understand the virus spread in the nervous system. In this review, we briefly introduce and evaluate the most frequently used compartmentalization tools in viral transport research, with particular emphasis on alphaherpesviruses.

Traditional views suggest that growth hormone and the growth hormone receptor (GH/GHR complex) exert their functions only on the plasma membrane. This paradigm, however, has been challenged by recent new findings that the GH/GHR complex could translocate into cell nuclei where they could still exhibit important physiological functions. We also reported the nuclear localization of porcine GH/GHR and their potential functions in porcine hepatocytes. However, the basic path of pGH/GHR's nuclear translocation remains unclear. Combining previous research results and our current findings, we proposed two basic routes of pGH/GHR's nuclear transportation as follows: 1) after pGH binding to GHR, pGH/GHR enters into the cytoplasm though clathrin- or caveolin-mediated endocytosis, then the pGH/GHR complex enters into early endosomes (Rab5-positive), and the endosome carries the GH/GHR complex to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). After endosome docking on the ER, the endosome starts fission, and the pGH/GHR complex enters into the ER lumen. Then the pGH/GHR complex transports into the cytoplasm, possibly by the ERAD pathway. Subsequently, the pGH/GHR complex interacts with IMPα/β, which, in turn, mediates GH/GHR nuclear localization; 2) pGH binds with the GHR on the cell membrane and, subsequently, pGH/GHR internalizes into the cell and enters into the endosome (this endosome may belong to a class of endosomes called envelope-associated endosomes (NAE)). Then, the endosome carries the pGH/GHR to the nuclear membrane. After docking on the nuclear membrane, the pGH/GHR complex fuses with the nuclear membrane and then enters into the cell nucleus.

Meat is a rich source of protein, fatty acids and carbohydrates for human needs. In addition to necessary nutrients, high fat contents in pork increase the tenderness and juiciness of the meat, featuring diverse application in various dishes. This study investigated the transcriptomic profiles of intramuscular adipose tissues in Jinhua and Landrace pigs by employing advanced RNA sequencing. Results showed significant interesting to note that there were significant differences in the expression of genes. 1,632 genes showed significant differential expression, 837 genes were up-regulated and 195 genes were down-regulated. Variations in genes responsible for cell aggregation, extracellular matrix formation, cellular lipid catabolic process, and fatty acid binding strongly supported that both pig breeds feature variable fat and muscle metabolism. Certain differentially expressed genes are included in the pathway of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway and insulin pathway. Results from real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction also validated the differential expression of 17 mRNAs between meats of the two pig breeds. Overall, these findings reveal significant differences in fat and protein metabolism of intramuscular adipose tissues of two pig breeds at the transcriptomic level and suggest diversification at the genetic level between breeds of the same species.

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis (TME) of susceptible mouse strains is a commonly used infectious animal model for multiple sclerosis. The study aim was to test the hypothesis whether cytotoxic T cell responses account for the limited impact of regulatory T cells on antiviral immunity in TME virus-induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD) resistant C57BL/6 mice. TME virus-infected C57BL/6 mice were treated with (i) interleukin-2/-anti-interleukin-2-antibody-complexes to expand regulatory T cells ("Treg-expansion"), (ii) anti-CD8-antibodies to deplete cytotoxic T cells ("CD8-depletion") or (iii) with a combination of Treg-expansion and CD8-depletion ("combined treatment") prior to infection. Results showed that "combined treatment", but neither sole "Treg-expansion" nor "CD8-depletion," leads to sustained hippocampal infection and virus spread to the spinal cord in C57BL/6 mice. Prolonged infection reduces myelin basic protein expression in the spinal cord together with increased accumulation of β-amyloid precursor protein in axons, characteristic of myelin loss and axonal damage, respectively. Chronic spinal cord infection upon "combined treatment" was also associated with increased T and B cell recruitment, accumulation of CD107b+ microglia/macrophages and enhanced mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor α. In conclusion, data revealed that the suppressive capacity of Treg on viral elimination is efficiently boosted by CD8-depletion, which renders C57BL/6 mice susceptible to develop chronic neuroinfection and TMEV-IDD.

The marine compressed natural gas (CNG) was initially envisioned to target small volumes of gas located in relatively closed proximity to markets. However, the recent breakthroughs in this technology have suggested, and in some cases validated, marine CNG's potential to cost effectively ship much larger volumes of gas over much greater distances. The creative solutions have been proposed by many companies for the choice of materials and configuration of gas containers, as well as for container loading and offloading techniques because this part of a marine CNG project consumes almost 70-80% of the investment. But for commercial success of transportation projects it is important to reduce the operating costs as well. The ship's expenses account for 65-70% of operating costs. Therefore, the charges for fuel used by the ship contribute to a higher extent in overall operating costs of a project. In this paper, a Non-Linear Programming Model (NLPM) has been proposed which focuses upon the optimization of fuel consumption of CNG ships during transportation. The objective function, taking into account the total fuel consumed by the ship engines, is proposed. The optimization problem stated consists in evaluating the number of simultaneously operating ship engines and determining such a distribution of the capacity that total unit fuel consumed by each engine is minimized subject to the constraints imposed. NLPM presents an algorithm of automatic search for the optimal values of the operating parameters of engines. The proposed algorithm can be implemented on a digital computer.

With about 200 million infections globally, Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global health threat. The relative prevalence of hepatitis and HCV genotypes/subtypes varies among different geographic regions. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C and HCV genotypes/subtypes in District Dir (Lower), Pakistan. Blood samples from HCV positive patients were genotyped through multiplex PCR using specific primers for HCV core region. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the patients and data was statistically analyzed for different epidemiological parameters. The molecular evaluation results suggested the prevalence of genotype 3 in this study. The frequency of hepatitis C was found higher in males (P

The primary sources of economics are human thinking and observation through sense-perception. Economics does not accept any super-sensory source as a valid field of enquiry. However, divine revelation granted toProphets by God, is a source of knowledge that deals with wide-ranging issues including the economic problem. Themain argument of the paper is that by integrating human understanding of the divine revelation with conventionaleconomics, existing frontiers of the subject can be expanded. Although the divine revelation is found in the basictexts of all revealed religions, yet the present paper deals with the Islamic primary sources (the Qur’an2 and thehadith3) only. The paper enumerates, by way of example, six problem areas where the Qur’anic revelation can givea lead. These areas are: inequality, human happiness and unhappiness, economic balance, philanthropy, financialcrises and stock exchange instability, and waste in human society. However, such a conclusion would firstly requireovercoming prejudice against religion and non-conventional fields of enquiry.

In general, traditional growth hormone receptor antagonist can be divided into two major classes: growth hormone (GH) analogues and anti-growth hormone receptor (GHR) antibodies. Herein, we tried to explore a new class of growth hormone receptor (GHR) antagonist that may have potential advantages over the traditional antagonists. For this, we developed a monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody growth hormone, termed CG-86. A series of experiments were conducted to characterize and evaluate this antibody, and the results from a competitive receptor-binding assay, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) and epitope mapping demonstrate that CG-86 behaved as a typical Ab2β. Next, we examined its antagonistic activity using in vitro cell models, and the results showed that CG-86 could effectively inhibit growth hormone receptor-mediated signalling and effectively inhibit growth hormone-induced Ba/F3-GHR638 proliferation. In summary, these studies show that an anti-idiotypic antibody (CG-86) has promise as a novel growth hormone receptor antagonist. Furthermore, the current findings also suggest that anti-idiotypic antibody may represent a novel strategy to produce a new class of growth hormone receptor antagonist, and this strategy may be applied with other cytokines or growth factors.

Microglia and macrophages play a central role for demyelination in Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis (TME) virus infection, a commonly used infectious model for chronic-progressive multiple sclerosis. In order to determine the dynamic changes of microglia/macrophage polarization in TME, the spinal cord of Swiss Jim Lambert (SJL) mice was investigated by gene expression profiling and immunofluorescence. Virus persistence and demyelinating leukomyelitis were confirmed by immunohistochemistry and histology. Electron microscopy revealed continuous myelin loss together with abortive myelin repair during the late chronic infection phase indicative of incomplete remyelination. A total of 59 genes out of 151 M1- and M2-related genes were differentially expressed in TME virus-infected mice over the study period. The onset of virus-induced demyelination was associated with a dominating M1 polarization, while mounting M2 polarization of macrophages/microglia together with sustained prominent M1-related gene expression was present during the chronic-progressive phase. Molecular results were confirmed by immunofluorescence, showing an increased spinal cord accumulation of CD16/32(+) M1-, arginase-1(+) M2- and Ym1(+) M2-type cells associated with progressive demyelination. The present study provides a comprehensive database of M1-/M2-related gene expression involved in the initiation and progression of demyelination supporting the hypothesis that perpetuating interaction between virus and macrophages/microglia induces a vicious circle with persistent inflammation and impaired myelin repair in TME.

MicroRNA (miRNA) is critically involved in lipogenesis occurring in various body parts of humans and animals. In this study, to further investigate the role and distribution of miRNA in porcine intramuscular adipose tissue, small RNAs were extracted from Jinhua and Landrace pigs to identify the expression profiles of miRNAs. miRNA expression profiles revealed that 558 miRNAs including 287 known and 271 novel miRNAs were identified, and 220 of them showed differential expression in the pigs. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs were involved in fatty metabolism. In conclusion, the current study reveals the active participation of miRNAs in the regulation of adipogenesis in the intramuscular adipose tissue of Jinhua and Landrace pigs.

A study was conducted in 2015 to assess prevalence of common gastrointestinal parasites in 186 working horses and donkeys in Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan and Peshawar Districts of Pakistan. Fresh faecal samples were collected from the ground and examined for gastrointestinal worms using McMaster Technique. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was non-significant higher in Peshawar (95%) followed by Gujranwala (85.7%), Lahore (84.3 %) and Multan (51.3%) respectively. There was a significant difference (p

Islamic economics as a subject has deep historical roots. However, the present body of knowledge known as ‘Islamic economics’ originated in the second half of the last century. During the last four decades, a lot of literature has appeared. However, most of it can be accepted as ‘Islamic economic teachings’ and not ‘Islamic economics’ as a social science. Based on this literature a beginning can be made in developing Islamic economics as a social science. The paper presents a tentative proposal for doing this.

Salmonella is a zoonotic disease widely spread in the environment, causing serious economic losses to the world. Objective: To improve people's understanding of Salmonella disease and reduce economic losses. Methods: Based on the recent research progress, the biochemical characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory detection methods and preventive measures of bacteria were discussed in this paper. Conclusion: Salmonella infection in China is becoming more and more serious, which has caused great harm to pig industry and even human beings.

Background Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) allows for non-invasive assessment of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) beyond measures of stenosis severity alone. This assessment includes atherosclerotic plaque characteristics (APCs) and calculation of fractional flow reserve (FFR) from CCTA (FFRCT). Similarly, stress imaging by myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) provides vital information. To date, the diagnostic performance of integrated CCTA assessment versus integrated MPS assessment for diagnosis of vessel-specific ischemia remains underexplored. Methods CREDENCE will enroll adult individuals with symptoms suspicious of CAD referred for non-emergent invasive coronary angiography (ICA), but without known CAD. All participants will undergo CCTA, MPS, ICA and FFR. FFR will be performed for lesions identified at the time of ICA to be ≥40 and

Most of the literature published under the nomenclature of ‘Islamic economics’ deals with Islamic guidelines that address Muslims only. However, there is a vast area of economic subjects dealt in the Qur’an and (also hadith of the Prophet) that addresses the entire humanity in the form of positive statements. The paper suggests a methodology for building Islamic economics as a social science from these statements. For sake of illustration, the paper first presents a selection of positive statements derived from the Qur’an having an obvious or direct relevance for human happiness and misery both at macro and micro levels. The Invisible Hand of God, that responds to human behavior expressed through such variables as faith in the Unity of God, ethical values, gratitude for God’s graciousness, God-consciousness, contentment and patience and spending on others, acts as an over-arching factor and influences human decision-making and outcome of the decisions. The paper argues that by understanding the operation of the Invisible Hand of God, the humanity would enhance its understanding about the prevalent prosperity and misery across nations and among individuals. For benefitting from the Islamic economic statements the paper suggests a methodology which could help transform these statements into economic theory.

While claiming to develop Islamic economics as a social science based on the Qur’an and the hadith, Muslim scholars have actually ended up presenting ‘Islamic economic teachings’ in modern jargon. Although it is a valuable contribution, yet they did not adjust the meanings and interpretations of the primary texts in light of socio-economic developments that had taken place since the beginning of Islam. Besides presenting archaic interpretations of the Qur’an and the hadith, they relied heavily on the Islamic law (fiqh) without realizing the fact that the social context of the legal thought was outdated by several centuries. Human social and economic developments have evolved into new dimensions since then. New problems and challenges have emerged which require innovative thinking (ijtihad) and fresh interpretation of the primary sources. The paper gives examples of at least six priority areas where ijtihad is required. These areas are: shari’ah and maqasid al-shari’ah; definition of riba; zakah law; distribution of profit and loss under musharaka; Islamic commercial law; and implementation of the law of inheritance. The paper proposes a plan for creating necessary infrastructure for ijtihad.

Methodology, concept and practice of performance auditing evolved during the last four decades or so in response to developments in capitalist system, democratic traditions, public administration, financial auditing, performance evaluation, computer technology, and internet. In Pakistan it evolved around audit of public enterprises and development projects by using methodology developed by expatriate consultants. Main achievements of SAI of Pakistan are in training of auditors and development of indigenous methodology. Despite thirty years of practice, there are challenges ahead.

BACKGROUND Many patients have symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease (CAD) and are often evaluated with the use of diagnostic testing, although there are limited data from randomized trials to guide care. METHODS We randomly assigned 10,003 symptomatic patients to a strategy of initial anatomical testing with the use of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) or to functional testing (exercise electrocardiography, nuclear stress testing, or stress echocardiography). The composite primary end point was death, myocardial infarction, hospitalization for unstable angina, or major procedural complication. Secondary end points included invasive cardiac catheterization that did not show obstructive CAD and radiation exposure. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 60.8±8.3 years, 52.7% were women, and 87.7% had chest pain or dyspnea on exertion. The mean pretest likelihood of obstructive CAD was 53.3±21.4%. Over a median follow-up period of 25 months, a primary end-point event occurred in 164 of 4996 patients in the CTA group (3.3%) and in 151 of 5007 (3.0%) in the functional-testing group (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.83 to 1.29; P = 0.75). CTA was associated with fewer catheterizations showing no obstructive CAD than was functional testing (3.4% vs. 4.3%, P = 0.02), although more patients in the CTA group underwent catheterization within 90 days after randomization (12.2% vs. 8.1%). The median cumulative radiation exposure per patient was lower in the CTA group than in the functional-testing group (10.0 mSv vs. 11.3 mSv), but 32.6% of the patients in the functional-testing group had no exposure, so the overall exposure was higher in the CTA group (mean, 12.0 mSv vs. 10.1 mSv; P