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Pakistan occupies a significant global position in the growing of high quality cotton. The extensive application of pesticides on agricultural products leads to environmental risk due to toxic residues in air, water and soil. This study examined the chemodynamic effect of Deltamethrin on cotton fields. Samples were collected from the cotton fields of D.G. Khan, Pakistan and analyzed for heavy metal speciation patterns. Batch experiments were administered in order to study the adsorption of Deltamethrin in cotton fields. The effect of different factors including pH, adsorbate dose, and adsorbent mass on adsorption were studied. It was observed that in general, adsorption increased with increases in the mass of adsorbate, although the trends were irregular. Residual fractions of deltamethrin in the soil and water of cotton fields were analyzed to assess concentrations of xenobiotics bound to soil particles. Results indicated that such residues are significantly higher in soil samples due to high Koc in comparison to water, indicating the former is an efficient degradation agent. Results from the batch experiment resulted in 95% removal with alkaline pH and an adsorbent-adsorbate ratio of 250:1. These results may be used to environment friendly resource management policies. more...

In this study, we conducted first-principles calculations interfaced with Boltzmann transport theory to examine the carrier-dependent thermoelectric properties of CrS 2- x ript> Te x ( x : 0, 1, 2) dichalcogenides monolayers. We conducted a systematic analysis of the structural, phonon band structures, elastic properties, electronic structures, and thermoelectric properties, of electron (e) and hole (h) doped CrS 2- x Te x ( x : 0, 1, 2) dichalcogenides monolayers. The studied 2D TMDCs exhibit structural stability, as indicated by the negative formation energy. Additionally, the phonon band structures indicate no negative frequencies along any wave vector, confirming the dynamic stability of the CrS 2- x Te x monolayers. CrS 2 and CrTe 2 monolayers are semiconductors with direct bandgaps of 1.01 and 0.67 eV, respectively. A Janus CrSTe monolayer has a smaller bandgap of 0.21 eV. Temperatures range between 300 and 500 K, and concentrations of e(h) doped in the range of 1.0 × 10 18 -1.0 × 10 20 cm -3 are used to compute the thermoelectric transport coefficients. The low lattice thermal conductivity is predicted for the studied compounds, among which Janus CrSTe and CrTe 2 have the minimum value of κ lat ≈ 1 W/mK @ 700 K. The figure-of-merit ZT projected value at the optimal e(h) doping concentration for the CrS 2 monolayer is as high as 0.07 (0.09) at 500 K. Our findings demonstrate how to design improved thermoelectric materials suitable for various thermoelectric devices., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.) more...

Introduction: The data on the pattern of primary hematologic malignancies in Bahrain is sparse, although previously published studies suggested rising trends in their incidence. This study aimed to compare with regional and world data and identify any changing trends., Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional chart analysis study was done on all cases of primary hematologic malignancies of bone marrow origin of Bahraini nationals presenting during the 10-year period from January 2005 to December 2014 at the sole oncology referral center in Bahrain during the study period., Results: In a total of 272 cases, the primary hematologic malignancies in decreasing order of frequency with respective median ages at diagnosis were: acute myeloid leukemia (AML; 26.1%, 39 years), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL; 22.8%, 9 years), multiple myeloma (MM, 16.2%, 57 years), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML, 14%, 39.5 years), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS; 12.5%, 56 years) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; 5.5%, 65 years). The overall crude annual incidence rate of these malignancies was 4.8/10 5 population. Age-specific incidence rates were found to increase dramatically with age, except for ALL, for which it peaked in the pediatric age group. The age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) per 10 5 per year were 1.47 (AML), 1.13 (MM), 0.93 (ALL), 0.85 (MDS), 0.81 (CML) and 0.44 (CLL)., Conclusion: The pattern of primary hematologic malignancies in Bahrain shows unique features that distinguish it from trends reported in Eastern and Western world populations. Compared to previously published reports, ASIR trends decreased in CML and ALL but increased in MDS and MM., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest None., (Copyright © 2022 Associação Brasileira de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.) more...

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess mammography performance in Oman by estimating the breast cancer rate and the positive predictive value (PPV) with the influence of some variables., Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on mammograms done in one of the three main breast imaging centers in Oman between January 2008 and July 2012. Diagnostic and screening groups were identified and assessed separately. Rate of abnormal mammograms, rate of breast cancer and the PPV were estimated according to Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS) score, presence of breast lump and patient's age., Results: Total of 653 mammograms were included, 254 diagnostic and 399 screening. Abnormal mammograms (BIRADS 4 and 5) form 31.9% of the diagnostic examinations compared with 6.8% of screening examinations. Breast cancer was present in 17.9% of the diagnostic compared with 1.0% of the screening group. The PPV of BIRADS 5 was 94.1%, and for BIRADS 4 was 37.1 and 26.7% for diagnostic and screening studies. Overall PPV for abnormal mammograms was 65.2% in the diagnostic and 26.7% in the screening group. Mammography PPV shows positive association with age (P = 0.039) while presence of breast lump has no significant effect on the PPV (P = 0.38)., Conclusion: BIRADS 5 score was found to have a high cancer yield making it a strong predictor of cancer. Different results were obtained in the diagnostic compared with screening mammography with higher rates of abnormal mammograms and breast cancer. Mammography performance should be better in the older women., (© 2014 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.) more...

Background: Several series have reported differences in characteristics, severity, operative complexity, and outcomes of patients with symptomatic gallstone disease according to sex. Whether sex truly influences outcomes of patients with acute cholecystitis in the current era of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is unknown., Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed acute cholecystitis treated by a specialized unit in a tertiary hospital between November 2005 and January 2011 were identified. Retrospective review of data was undertaken and patients were compared according to sex., Results: There were 386 cases of confirmed acute cholecystitis in this series, with 181 (47%) occurring in male patients. Male patients with acute cholecystitis tended to be older (66 vs. 57 y; P < 0.001) and were more likely to have underlying diabetes (21% vs. 9%; P = 0.001), ischemic heart disease (24% vs. 8%; P < 0.001), chronic liver disease (6% vs. 1%; P = 0.015), and chronic obstructive airways disease (11% vs. 5%; P = 0.025). They were also more likely to be febrile, tachycardic, hypotensive, and exhibit right upper quadrant rigidity at presentation than females (P < 0.05), despite similar duration of symptoms before presentation (P = 0.970). The operative technique, operative time, and rate of conversion to open surgery were similar between the sexes. Gangrenous pathology was, however, more common in male patients (45% vs. 23%; P < 0.001). The overall complication, mortality, and readmission rates were similar between the 2 groups. Males, however, had a longer postoperative length of stay (4 vs. 3 d; P = 0.001)., Conclusions: Male patients with acute cholecystitis are older, have more comorbidities, and are more likely to have gangrenous cholecystitis than female patients. Despite these differences, operative outcomes and postoperative morbidity and mortality are similar between male and female patients. more...

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between contrast transfer coefficient [K(trans)] and grade in gliomas., Material and Methods: Median values of K(trans), CBV(T1), and of the 95th percentile (95%) of the distribution (K(trans) [95%] and CBV(T1) [95%]) were calculated in 39 patients with glioma. Group comparisons and post hoc pairwise comparisons were performed. The relationship between variables and grade used Spearman rho and canonical discriminant analysis. The separation of high- from low-grade tumors was separately assessed by using Mann-Whitney U tests and logistic regression. Receiver operator curve analysis was performed for high- and low-grade tumors and grade III and grade IV tumors., Results: There were significant differences between grades for all variables (P < .001). Pairwise comparisons demonstrated significant differences between grades II and III and II and IV for all variables except K(trans), which did not show significance in the grade II and III comparison, and between III and IV for CBV(T1) and CBV(T1) (95%; P < .01). All variables correlated with grade (P < .01). Discriminant analysis showed independent relation between both CBV(T1) and K(trans) (95%) and grade, and the canonical function produced a total correct classification of 74.4% of cases. Logistic regression analysis for low- versus high-grade tumors showed K(trans) (95%) and CBV(T1) to be independent factors (P < .01 and P < .05)., Conclusion: There are strong independent relationships between both CBV and K(trans) and histologic grade in gliomas. Both measurements show good discriminative power in distinguishing between low- and high-grade tumors with diagnostic sensitivity and specificity >90%. more...

Purpose: To describe the clinical outcome of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (IA)-associated chronic iridocyclitis unresponsive to conventional therapy, in whom inflammation was eventually controlled using immunomodulatory therapy (IMT), and to determine if patients treated early with IMT have better visual acuity outcomes than those treated with corticosteroid alone., Methods: Patients with JIA-associated chronic iridocyclitis receiving immunomodulatory therapy at the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Service of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary between 1981 and 2001 were studied., Inclusion Criteria: JIA with chronic corticosteroid-dependent uveitis; IMT for a minimum of one year; minimum follow-up of three years; inflammation eventually controlled for a minimum of six consecutive months by IMT., Results: At last visit, 51% of eyes (23 eyes) had acuity of 20/20 to 20/40, 16% (7 eyes) had 20/50 to 20/100, and 33% (15 eyes) had 20/200 or less. In patients whose chronic inflammation was eventually controlled within three years from onset of the uveitis, final bilateral vision was maintained within 20/20 to 20/30, except for a patient whose one eye had poor vision at initial consultation. When acuities at the end of the follow-up period of patients treated early with IMT were compared with acuities at the initial consultation of patients treated late with IMT, with duration of uveitis matched for each patient, visual acuities of those treated early were statistically significantly better than those treated late with IMT (p < 0.005 right and left eyes pooled; p = 0.0075 best eyes; p = 0.0375 worst eyes)., Conclusions: We noted improvement or maintenance of visual acuity (86%) during the course of follow-up of patients with treatment-resistant JIA-associated uveitis treated with effective IMT. However, only IMT given early in the disease course was noted to be associated with bilateral visual acuity of 20/30 or better. more...

Background and Purpose: Virchow-Robin spaces (VRSs) are CSF spaces that accompany blood vessels as they perforate the brain substance. Dilatation of VRS is associated with microangiopathy. Microvascular disease has a major etiologic and pathogenetic role in dementias. To our knowledge, no investigators have looked at the relationship between dilated VRS on MR imaging and cerebral microvascular disease. The aim of our study was to test the hypothesis that dilatation of VRS is associated with subcortical vascular dementia., Methods: We recruited 75 patients with Alzheimer's disease (n = 35), ischemic vascular dementia (n = 24), or frontotemporal dementia (n = 16) and 35 healthy volunteers. We assessed deep white matter and periventricular hyperintensities and the severity of VRS dilatation, as scored on MR images. Statistical group comparisons and multiple regression analyses were performed to quantify the relationship between imaging features and diagnoses., Results: White matter lesions were more common in patients with ischemic vascular dementia than in those with Alzheimer's disease or healthy volunteers (P < .01). VRS scores were significantly higher in patients with vascular dementia than in patients with AD (P < .001), patients with FTD (P < .01), or healthy volunteers (P < .001). VRS scores accounted for 29% of the variance in the regression model, and scores for periventricular hyperintensity accounted for 2%., Conclusion: VRS dilatation is common in diseases associated with microvascular abnormality and can be used as a diagnostic tool to differentiate vascular dementias from degenerative dementias. more...

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of patients with chronic ocular inflammatory disease treated with mycophenolate mofetil as an immunosuppressive and steroid-sparing agent., Design: Retrospective noncomparative interventional case series., Participants: All patients with ocular inflammatory disease treated with mycophenolate mofetil at a single institution between 1998 and 2001., Methods: Charts of patients seen on the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Service at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary were reviewed. Patients with chronic ocular inflammatory disease were included in the study., Main Outcome Measures: Control of inflammation, steroid-sparing effect, visual acuity, and adverse reactions were measured., Results: A total of 54 patients were evaluated. Control of ocular inflammation with mycophenolate mofetil as monotherapy was achieved in 35 patients (65%) and in 67 eyes (62%), and a steroid-sparing effect was achieved in 29 (54%) patients. Visual acuity was maintained or improved in 51 patients (94%) and in 97 eyes (90%). Side effects requiring discontinuation of medication occurred in 10 patients (18%). There was neither long-term morbidity nor mortality due to mycophenolate mofetil., Conclusions: Mycophenolate mofetil is effective in the treatment of patients with steroid-dependent or -resistant chronic ocular inflammatory disorders that fail to respond to conventional steroid treatment. It is a safe and effective steroid-sparing immunomodulatory agent and can be considered an important addition to our armamentarium in the care of patients with ocular inflammatory disease. more...

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of etanercept vs placebo in preventing relapses of uveitis in patients taking methotrexate with control of uveitis and whose methotrexate dosage was being tapered., Methods: Patients with chronic or recurrent noninfectious uveitis with inflammation controlled by low-dose methotrexate were randomized to either the drug or placebo group in a double-masked manner, given a methotrexate taper schedule, and followed for 24 weeks. The main outcome measures were control of inflammation, visual acuity, and adverse reactions. Data were analyzed both as an attempt-to-treat analysis and an analysis only of those patients who completed the study., Results: A total of 20 patients were randomized to the drug and placebo groups. Relapse of uveitis occurred in 3 of 10 patients in the treatment group and 5 of 10 patients in the control group. Two patients in the treatment group withdrew prematurely from the study due to adverse effects. There was no significant difference between the treatment and placebo groups with regard to the rate of relapse and the final visual acuity. No patient suffered from any irreversible, long-term morbidity or mortality., Conclusion: Etanercept has no significant efficacy over placebo in preventing relapses of uveitis in patients being tapered from methotrexate. more...