Immunization of Children in a Rural Area of North Kashmir, India: A KAP Study.

Background: Knowledge, attitude and practices about immunization among mothers of children aged 1-2 years was assessed. Method: 300 mothers were administered a semi-structured questionnaire at PHC Hajan from 1st march to 1st may 2011 to elicit the information about the knowledge, attitude and practices of the mothers regarding immunization. Results: 100% of mothers knew that vaccination is beneficial and protects their children from diseases. 39% knew OPV protects from polio while only 1% were aware of protective role of BCG. All mothers knew about immunization in pregnancy but 86% were unaware about its preventive role. 26% mothers believed that 3 doses of T.T (tetanus toxoid) are to be given during pregnancy. Whereas 98% of children were completely immunized, 93% completed on schedule. Eighty percent of mothers reported of fever following DPT. All mothers had received tetanus toxoid during pregnancy. Conclusion: Considering mothers' poor knowledge and good attitude, health education on immunization is emphasized to improve their practices

FEED CONVERSION RATIO OF MAJOR CARP CIRRHINUS MRIGALA FINGERLINGS FED ON COTTON SEED MEAL, FISH MEAL AND BARLEY

A six-week experiment was conducted in six glass aquaria to study the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings fed on cotton seed meal (35.69% CP), fish meal (50.41% CP) and barley (9.98% CP). The ingredients were supplied at the rate of 4% of wet body weight of fingerlings twice a day. Twenty fingerlings were randomly stocked in each aquarium. The Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings gained highest average body weight on fish meal (1.23g), followed by cotton seed meal (1.17g) and barley (0.55g). FCR calculated for three treatments was highest for barley (2.59), followed be fish meal (2.02) and cotton seed meal (1.55). The correlation coefficient between average body weight and FCR values was significant and positive in case of cotton seed meal and fish meal, whereas it was positive and non significant in case of barley

Phase and frequency entrainment in locally coupled phase oscillators with repulsive interactions

Recent experiments in one and two-dimensional microfluidic arrays of droplets containing Belousov -Zhabotinsky reactants show a rich variety of spatial patterns [J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 1, 1241-1246 (2010)]. The dominant coupling between these droplets is inhibitory. Motivated by this experimental system, we study repulsively coupled Kuramoto oscillators with nearest neighbor interactions, on a linear chain as well as a ring in one dimension, and on a triangular lattice in two dimensions. In one dimension, we show using linear stability analysis as well as numerical study, that the stable phase patterns depend on the geometry of the lattice. We show that a transition to the ordered state does not exist in the thermodynamic limit. In two dimensions, we show that the geometry of the lattice constrains the phase difference between two neighbouring oscillators to 120 degrees. We report the existence of domains with either clockwise or anti-clockwise helicity, leading to defects in the lattice. We study the time dependence of these domains and show that at large coupling strengths, the domains freeze due to frequency synchronization. Signatures of the above phenomena can be seen in the spatial correlation functions.Comment: 9 pages, 12 figure

The Mn site in Mn-doped Ga-As nanowires: an EXAFS study

We present an EXAFS study of the Mn atomic environment in Mn-doped GaAs nanowires. Mn doping has been obtained either via the diffusion of the Mn used as seed for the nanowire growth or by providing Mn during the growth of Au-induced wires. As a general finding, we observe that Mn forms chemical bonds with As but is not incorporated in a substitutional site. In Mn-induced GaAs wires, Mn is mostly found bonded to As in a rather disordered environment and with a stretched bond length, reminiscent of that exhibited by MnAs phases. In Au-seeded nanowires, along with stretched Mn-As coordination we have found the presence of Mn in a Mn-Au intermetallic compound.Comment: This is an author-created, un-copyedited version of an article accepted for publication in Semiconductor Science and Technology. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The definitive publisher-authenticated version is available online at doi:10.1088/0268-1242/27/8/08500

Antimicrobial resistance and Neisseria gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) genotypes in N. gonorrhoeae during 2012-2014 in Karachi, Pakistan

Background: Globally, increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoea has led to decreased treatment options for gonorrhoea. Continuous monitoring of resistance is crucial to determine evolving resistance trends in Neisseria gonorrhoea and to suggest treatment recommendations. Quality assured gonococcal AMR data from Pakistan are mainly lacking. This study was performed to determine prevalence and trends of gonococcal AMR and molecular epidemiology of local strains during 2012-2014 in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: Gonococcal isolates (n = 100) were obtained from urogenital specimens submitted to the Aga Khan University Laboratory, Karachi, Pakistan. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using Etest and molecular epidemiology was assessed by N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST). Quality control was performed using N. gonorrhoeae WHO reference strains C, F, G, K, L, M, N, O, and P, and ATCC 49226. Results: Susceptibility to spectinomycin, ceftriaxone and cefixime was 100 % and to azithromycin was 99 %. All isolates had low ceftriaxone MICs, i.e., ≤0.032 mg/L. Resistance to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and penicillin G were 86 %, 51 % and 43 %, respectively. NG-MAST analysis identified 74 different sequence types (STs). Conclusions: A highly diversified gonococcal population, 74 NG-MAST STs (62 novel STs) with an increased resistance to penicillin G, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline circulated in Karachi, Pakistan. Fortunately, no resistance to ceftriaxone was detected. Accordingly, ceftriaxone can continuously be recommended as the treatment of choice. However it is recommended to increase the dose of ceftriaxone from 125 mg intramuscularly to 250 mg intramuscularly due to ceftriaxone MIC creep and emerging resistance reported in the region. Furthermore, due to the high level of resistance to ciprofloxacin (86 %) it is essential to exclude ciprofloxacin from the recommended first-line therapy. It is imperative to significantly broaden the gonococcal AMR monitoring with participation from other laboratories and cities in Pakistan

Reimagining the fashion retail industry through the implications of COVID-19 in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the fashion retail industry. The Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC) is the home of family-centric shopping malls and brick and mortar stores (B&M). This article aims to provide a critical look at the business strategies which the fashion retail companies need to adopt to provide consumers with an integrated online and B&M service which will be essential to survive in the post-pandemic business environment. This article is based on the rich industry experience of the authors and extensive secondary research on the business strategies being employed by the leading fashion retailers in the GCC region to combat the pandemic disruption. The study highlights the importance of a comprehensive rethink on business strategy for the GCC fashion retailers with adoption of digitalization technologies and an adaptive supply chain as the pillars to survive the post-pandemic normal of business environments. The study concludes with a look to the future strategies for fashion retailers in developing a digitalization blueprint, using cloud technologies and big data analytics, leveraging social media, building an agile and adaptive supply chain with omnichannel capability, and ensuring that future products and services are sustainable and socially responsible

Withering timings affect the total free amino acids and mineral contents of tea leaves during black tea manufacturing

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of withering timings (i.e. 0, 21, 22, 23 and 24h) on the moisture, total free amino acids, ash, essential and toxic mineral element contents of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) leaves during black tea manufacturing. Moisture, ash, Na, P, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, Al, Ni and Pb contents were significantly (P<0.05) affected by withering, whereas non-significant (P>0.05) results were noted for total free amino acids, K, Fe and Cd contents. The highest moisture content (76.4%) was examined in fresh leaves that progressively decreased to 63.8% in 24h withering. Total free amino acid contents gradually increased up to 23h and then decreased. Ash, P, Cu, Zn and Mn contents showed an increasing trend with withering time. Conversely, significantly lowered amounts of Na (162.5mg/kg) and Mg (803mg/kg) were recorded in tea leaves after 24h withering. Among the toxic elements, Al, Ni and Pb contents were progressively increased over withering time. It was concluded that tea is a potential source of essential chemical constituents and during processing proper care should be taken to produce high quality black tea

PreImplantation Factor (PIF) promotes HLA-G, -E, -F, -C expression in JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cells and endogenous progesterone activity

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy success requires mandatory maternal tolerance of the semi/allogeneic embryo involving embryo-derived signals. Expression levels of PreImplantation Factor (PIF), a novel peptide secreted by viable embryos, correlate with embryo development, and its early detection in circulation correlates with a favourable pregnancy outcome. PIF enhances endometrial receptivity to promote embryo implantation. Via the p53 pathway, it increases trophoblast invasion, improving cell survival / immune privilege. PIF also reduces spontaneous and LPS-induced foetal death in immune naïve murine model. AIMS: To examine if PIF affects gene expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G, -E -F and -C in JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cells, and to examine the influence of PIF on local progesterone activity. Methods: PIF and progesterone (P4) effects on JEG-3 cells surface and intracellular HLA molecules was tested using monoclonal antibodies, flow cytometry, and Western blotting. PIF and IL17 effects on P4 and cytokines secretion was determined by ELISA. PIF and P4 effects on JEG-3 cells proteome was examined using 2D gel staining followed by spot analysis, mass spectrometry and bioinformatic analysis. RESULTS: In cytotrophoblastic JEG-3 cells PIF increased intracellular expression of HLA-G, HLA-F, HLA-E and HLA-C and surface expression of HLA-G, HLA-E and HLA-C in dose and time dependent manner. In case of HLA-E, F confirmed also by Western blotting. Proteome analysis confirmed an increase in HLA-G, pro-tolerance FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), coagulation factors and complement regulator. In contrast, PIF reduced PRDX2 and HSP70s to negate oxidative stress and protein misfolding. PIF enhanced local progesterone activity, increasing steroid secretion and the receptor protein. It also promoted the secretion of the Th1/Th2 cytokines (IL-10, IL-1β, IL-8, GM-CSF and TGF-β1), resulting in improved maternal signalling. CONCLUSION: PIF can generate a pro-tolerance milieu by enhancing the expression of HLA molecules and by amplifying endogenous progesterone activity. A Fast-Track clinical trial for autoimmune disease has been satisfactorily completed. The acquired data warrants PIF use for the treatment of early pregnancy disorders