Swarming and Swimming Movement of Bacteria in Different Organic Wastes

Motility plays an important role in biofilm formation and movement in different environmental conditions, colonization, and adhesion of bacteria to surfaces. The lowest swimming was 3 (mm) in agar medium and the highest value was 42.67 (mm) with the addition of WCW. The lowest swarming was carried out in agar medium with 7.66 (mm), while the highest value was found in N.A medium with the addition of 10% WCW 59.33 (mm). In all experimental conditions, an increase of 2.4 times (swimming) and 6.4 times (swarming) was observed after the addition of WCW to the controls

Results of one-stage urethroplasty for hypospadias in pediatrics – single surgeon’s experience

Introduction: Hypospadias repair is a challenging technique in pediatric urology with a long learning curve. This study presents the results of urethroplasty performed by a single surgeon to repair hypospadias in children and compares the surgical outcomes at different periods. Materials and Methods: From January 2009 to February 2016, patients who were less than 18 years old and were operated for hypospadias were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two groups: group I (from January 2009 to February 2012) and group II (from March 2012 to February 2016). All operations were performed by the same pediatric surgeon, andsurgical outcomes of the two periods were compared. Results: This study considered150 patients (69 in group I/81 in group II). The Mean operative age was 30.4±32.7 months in group I and 33.6±43.3 months in group II(p=0.309). The selected procedures mainly depended on the subjective anatomical analysis in the operating room and the surgeon’s preference. The mean follow-up duration was 21.7±28.31 months in group I and 13.6±16.6 months in group II (p=0.033).The overall complication rate was 44.9% in group Iand 35.8% in group II (p=0.316). The incidence of glanular disruption significantly decreased from 21.7% to 6.2% (p=0.007) because of the wide dissection of the glanular wings and the deep incision of the urethral plate, which led to tension-free sutures for glanular reconstruction. Conclusions: One-stage repair of hypospadias may achieve satisfactory outcomes in cosmetic appearance and voiding function. Surgical outcomes could be improved by increasing practice

Anemia and Associated Risk Factors among People Living with Hiv in Dodoma Region, Central Tanzania

Background: Anemia is the most frequent hematologic abnormality of HIV disease and one of the most common manifestations of nutritional deficiency disorders in the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, about 70% of the world’s people living with HIV/AIDS, where the prevalence of anemia is higher than in developed countries. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with anemia among people living with HIV at Dodoma regional hospital during 2013-2014. Methodology: A retrospective cross-section study conducted among PLWHIV at Dodoma Regional Hospital between 2015 and 2016. A total of 869 PLWHIV were enrolled. Data extraction sheet were used to collect Socio- demographics, immune-hematological data and ARV status from existing patient’s files (CTC 2 card). Double entry of data in Microsoft excel were done and transferred for analyzing using SPSS v.16. Results: Majority of them were females 648(74.6%)and 508(58.2%) were between 19-45years with mean age of 38.84(±14.09). 824(94. 8%) were on ARV; where 640(73.6%) are from urban. The overall prevalence of anaemia among PLHIV was 59.5% of which 56.6% of these were on ARV, and 2.9% were not on ARV. Age, sex and CD4+ counts < 200cell/µl were among factors associated with anemia among PLWHIV. Conclusion: Moderate anaemia was common in the study population. Screening and management of anemia along with the proper use Anti-retroviral therapy may decrease risk of anemia and the effect ARV on red blood cells. Haemoglobin measurements should be taken before initiation of ARV and routinely followed among ARV users

Responses of Hydroponically Grown Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.M) to Zinc (Zn) Stress

Abiotic stress especially due heavy metals is one of the major environmental problems that threatens food security and pose greater risks to human health worldwide. In this research, greenhouse hydroponic experiments were carried out to study the morphological and biochemical responses of Sorghum bicolor L.M to different Zinc (Zn) levels. Two-week-old seedlings transplanted in hydroponic solutions were treated with different doses of Zn in the concentration ranges of 5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/L supplied as ZnSO4. 5H2O. After 21 day of culture, the plants were harvested, blotted to dryness and separated into roots and shoots. The root and shoot lengths, dry weights and non-enzymatic biochemical parameters such as proline, Chlorophyll a, b, Carotenoids (pigments) were determined. The results indicate that Zn applications significantly (P<0.05) depressed the lengths of root and shoot, dry weights and pigment contents compared to untreated plants (control). The effects were more pronounced with increased Zn dosage. The accumulation of the metal and proline contents in treated plants however, increase gradually with increasing Zn concentrations (P<0.05). The changes in these parameters had resulted in toxicity symptoms and overall growth retardation especially at elevated concentrations and the estimated critical toxicity thresholds in both solution and tissue concentrations suggest that sorghum bicolor L.M should not be grown beyond Zn concentration of above 3.2 mg/L. &nbsp

Thermal Stability of Ultrafine Grained CuCrZr Alloy Produced by Continuous Extrusion

The Cu-0.36Cr-0.15Zr alloy was prepared by solid solution, continuous extrusion and cold deformation. The microstructural evolution, microhardness and the thermal analysis were examined for the alloy after annealing treatment at different temperatures ranging from 300 oC to 700 oC. Experimental results show that the microstructure of the alloy remains stable after annealed below 500 oC due to the pinning effect of dislocations from the nanoscale precipitates. However, recrystallization and grain growth took place after a 600 oC annealing treatment when the precipitates grew up and lose inhibition of movement of dislocations and grain boundaries. Meanwhile, the higher dislocation density and finer grains introduced by continuous extrusion accelerate the recrystallization process compared with that prepared by the traditional rolling process

Orientation on Electron-Transfer Nature for Oxidation of Some Water-Soluble Carbohydrates: Kinetics and Mechanism of Hexacholroiridate (IV) Oxidation of Methyl Cellulose in Aqueous Perchlorate Solutions

The kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of methyl cellulose (MC) polysaccharide by hexacholroiridate (IV) in aqueous perchlorate solutions at a constant ionic strength of 0.1 mole dm-3 has been investigated, spectrophotometrically. The experimental results showed first-order dependence in [IrCl6]2- and fractional first-order kinetics with respect to the MC concentration. The reaction rate was found to increase with decreasing the [H+]. A kinetic evidence for formation of 1:1 intermediate complex was revealed. The reaction kinetics seems to be of considerable complexity where one chloride ion from hexacholoiridate (IV) oxidant may act as a bridging ligand between the oxidant and the substrate within the formed intermediate complex. However the added chloride ions and oxidation products were found to have negligible effects on the reaction rate, the added acrylonitrile indicated the intervention of free-radical mechanism during the oxidation process. The kinetic parameters have been evaluated and a tentative reaction mechanism consistent with the kinetic results is discussed

A Tool for Reporting and Evaluation of Incidents in External Beam Radiation Therapy

The number of cases of cancer has significantly increased in the world and the use of ionizing radiation produced by large clinical linear accelerators plays an important role in the treatment of tumors. Although radiotherapy is considered a safe medical practice, it may bring some risks for the patient and in some extreme cases even her/his death. Over the last decades, the learning with incidents there has been a powerful way to prevent them to turn to happen. In this work a digital tool was developed for recording and evaluation of incidents in external beam radiation therapy. The tool was designed to function in an intranet environment, but it can also be used in the offline mode and is based on a set of sequential forms filled by the user (e.g. medical physicists, medical dosimetrists, radiation oncologists, radiotherapy technicians). The software was firstly applied in a radiation oncology department of a public Institution in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The software has proved to be an important and promising tool to improve the healthcare quality of patients undergoing radiation therapy

Effect of Colchicine on Th1 and Th17 Cytokines, Cytokine Receptors, and Chemokine Gene Expression Profiles in Behçet's Disease: Gene expression in behçet patients

Objective: Colchicine has been used in recent years as an effective drug for controlling attacks in Behçet’s disease. In the present study, we investigated expression levels of IL1R, IL2R, IL12RB, IL23R, IL17, CXCR3, CXCR10 and IL8 genes in patients with active and inactive Behçet’s disease. We also evaluated how colchicine use in patients with active and inactive disease affected these genes and evaluated their role in the etiopathogenesis of the disease. Methods: Thirty-five patients who were diagnosed with Behçet’s disease according to the International Working Group criteria (28 with active disease, 7 inactive) and were taking colchicine were enrolled in the study. Twenty healthy subjects were included as a control group. Expression levels of the IL1R, IL2R, IL12RB, IL23R, IL17, CXCR3 ,CXCR10 and IL8, genes were evaluated.   Results: Expression levels of CXCR3 and IL23R were significantly lower in patients with active Behcet's disease when compared with the inactive disease and control groups. However, the differences in CXCR3 and IL23R expression between the inactive Behçet’s patient group and the control group were nonsignificant. Expression levels of the other genes did not differ statistically between the active Behçet’s patients, inactive Behçet’s patients, and control subjects.   Conclusion: While the expression levels of the CXCR3 and IL23R genes in active Behçet’s patients were statistically lower than controls, there was no statistical difference between active and inactive Behçet’s patients or controls in terms of IL1R, IL2R, IL17, IL12RB, CXCR10 and IL8,  gene expression levels. This study may form the basis for further studies to determine the molecular mechanism of colchicine in the treatment of Behçet's disease

Epstein - Barr Virus Capsid Antigen (EBV-VCA) IgM Antibodies among HIV Infected Individuals in Jos, Nigeria.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with an increased risk for Viral infections such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)infections also known as Human Herpes Virus Type 4 (HHV-4) and their related diseases which frequently cause malignancy related diseases resulting to poor treatment and health outcomes. In this study, we determined the seroprevalence of EBV VCA IgM antibodies among HIV patients attending Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos, Nigeria and to evaluate their association with age, sex as well as other demographic factors. A total of 92 HIV positive patients were enrolled and serum samples were screened for antibodies using the ELISA kit. The prevalence of EBV VCA IgM was 6/92(6.53%), and mean age of 37.48 ±1.01 years. This study has contributed to baseline data, and suggest the need for larger studies and importance of screening and treatment of EBV among HIV patients

Role of CTSC in Glioblastoma Based on Oncomine and TCGA Database

Background and objective Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the malignant tumors causing death worldwide. Most patients were found in the middle and late stages and had poor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and significance of CTSC in GBM. Methods The information about CTSC in Oncomine database was collected and analyzed twice. The role of CTSC in GBM was meta-analyzed. The expression of CTSC in glioma cell lines was retrieved by CCLE database, and the survival of patients was analyzed by TCGA database. Results A total of 1,459 different types of CTSC were collected in Oncomine database, 134 of which had statistical differences in CTSC expression, 89 of which had increased CTSC expression and 45 of which had decreased CTSC expression. A total of 50 studies involving the expression of CTSC in GBM cancer and normal tissues included 1,189 samples. Compared with the control group, CTSC was highly expressed in GBM (P < 0.05). Moreover, CTSC was highly expressed in glioma cell lines. There was a correlation between the expression of CTSC and the overall survival rate of GBM. The overall survival rate of patients with high expression of CTSC was worse, while the prognosis of patients with low expression of SPC24 was better (P < 0.05). Conclusion Through the in-depth mining of oncomine gene chip database, we propose that CTSC is highly expressed in GBM tissues and is related to the prognosis of GBM, which may provide an important theoretical basis for the treatment of glioma