Detection of occult HBV infection by nested PCR assay among chronic hepatitis C patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma

Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) has been reported among patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of OBI in chronic hepatitis C patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma. A total of 40 chronic hepatitis C patients who were negative for HBsAg, were enrolled into the study. They were classified into two groups: Group I which included 20 patients with chronic hepatitis C only whereas Group II included 20 patients with chronic hepatitis C and HCC. Detection of HBV DNA was done by nested-PCR using two sets of primers specific for surface and X viral genomes in serum and liver tissue of patients. Genotyping system based on PCR using type-specific primers was done for HBV-DNA positive intrahepatic samples. OBI was detected in the liver tissue in 23/40 (57.5%) of chronic HCV infected patients, 18 (78.3%) of whom belonged to group II, conferring a 90% prevalence of this group. In serum, HBV-DNA was detected in 9/40 patients (22.5%), 7 (77.8%) of whom belonged to group II. Among the 23 positive intrahepatic HBV-DNA samples studied, HBV-genotype D (34.8%) and B (26.1%) were more predominant, whereas HBV-genotype C (13.1%) and A (8.7%) infections were the least observed, respectively; mixed genotypes were detected in 17.4% (n= 4), 3 of them were with HBV-genotype D and B, and 1 was with HBV-genotype C and A. In conclusion OBI is a fact in our community; it was detected in liver tissue of chronic HCVinfected patients, especially in cases of chronic HCC. In addition, OBI might be related to severity of necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis. Large studies are needed to confirm that co-infection could determine a worse progress of chronic liver disease in this population. Also, detection of intrahepatic HBV-DNA is more useful in diagnosis of OBI.Keywords: Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI); Chronic hepatitis C virus infection (CHC); Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); HBV-DNA; Nested PC

An HI study of the collisional ring galaxy NGC 922

We present new atomic hydrogen (HI) observations of the collisional ring galaxy NGC 922 obtained using the Australia Telescope Compact Array. Our observations reveal for the first time the vast extent of the HI disc of this galaxy. The HI morphology and kinematics of NGC 922 show that this galaxy is not the product of a simple drop-through interaction, but has a more complex interaction history. The integrated HI flux density of NGC 922 from our observations is 24.7 Jy km s$^{-1}$, which is within the error of the flux value obtained using the $64$-m Parkes radio telescope. This flux density translates to a total HI mass of $1.1*10^{10}$ M$_{\circ}$ and corresponds to an HI to total mass fraction (M$_{HI}$/M$_{tot}$) of approximately $0.11$. The gaseous structures of NGC 922 are more extended to the north and include an HI tail that has a projected physical length of $8$ kpc. Gas warps are also evident in the velocity field of NGC 922 and are more prominent on the approaching and the western side of the disc. In comparison with a large sample of star-forming galaxies in the local Universe, NGC 922 possesses a high gas fraction relative to galaxies with a similar stellar mass of ~$10^{10.4}$ M$_{\circ}$, and exhibits a high specific star formation rate.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, published in MNRA

Marine Enzymes Production Tools to the Pharmaceutical Industry

1656-1666Marine environment contains organisms that make it a profitable natural reservoir, having a tremendous potential to produce functional bio-catalysis, such as amylase, lipase, protease, curtains etc. The enzymes isolated from marine organisms, especially extremophiles, are distinguished by their habitat-related features through bioprospecting processes. These novel features include barophilicity, cold adaptively, salt tolerance and hyperthermo-stability which can alter industrial processes to facilitate mass transfer, energy savings, cost reduction, etc. . This review gives details about the marine enzymes and their, historical discovery followed by isolation processes, introducing seven special marine enzymes with emphasis on their potential applications in chemical, food and pharmaceutical industry

Examining The Job Characteristics: The Influence of Employees Motivation And Leadership to Job Satisfaction

The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of employee motivation and leadership on job satisfaction of employees at PT. Electricity Company of Government Persero (PLN) - UPJ Surakarta (Solo). Research is research with quantitative approach, by taking samples at PT. Electricity Company of Limited Government - UPJ Surakarta (Solo), it is located in Brigadir Jenderal Slamet Riyadi Street, No. 468 of Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. In this research, the writer gives the questionnaire to 60 people from 326 of population in PT. Electricity Company of Government Persero - UPJ Surakarta (Solo). The technique of collecting data using questionnaires. The data analysis technique used is multiple linear regression analysis. The results obtained showed that there is the influence of employee motivation on job satisfaction in PT. Electricity Company of Government Persero (PLN) - UPJ Surakarta (Solo); there is the influence of leadership on job satisfaction in PT. Electricity Company of Government Persero (PLN) - UPJ Surakarta (Solo); and there is the influence of employee motivation and leadership on job satisfaction in PT. Electricity Company of Government Persero (PLN) - UPJ Surakarta (Solo)

The Influence of Communication and Leadership to The Performance of Employee at Orthopaedic Hospital Prof.Dr.R. Soeharso of Surakarta

The purpose of this study is analysing influence communication on performance, leadership on performance and communication, and leadership on performance of employee at the Orthopaedic Hospital of Prof.Dr.R. Soeharso of Surakarta. This research is quantitative, by taking samples at Prof.DR.R. Soeharso of Orthopaedic at Jl. A. Yani, Pabelan, Kartasura, Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia, 57162. The study population and sample as many as 664 employees were taken by 70 employees. The technique of collecting data using questionnaires. The data analysis technique used is multiple linear regression analysis. The results obtained showed that Communications positive and significant effect on employee performance at Orthopaedic hospital Prof.Dr.R. Soeharso of Surakarta. Leadership positive and significant effect on employee performance at Orthopaedic hospital Prof.Dr.R. Soeharso of Surakarta. Communication and Leadership positive and significant effect on employee performance at Orthopaedic hospital Prof.Dr.R. Soeharso of Surakarta

Influence of Leadership To Satisfaction of Employee Affect to The Performance of Employee At Department of Management Market of Surakarta (Dinas Pengelolaan Pasar Pemkot Surakarta)

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influences of leadership to satisfaction of employee at Department of Management Market of Surakarta, to analyze influence leadership to satisfaction of employee effect to the performance of employee at Department of Management Market of Surakarta, and to analyze the positive influences of leadership directly through the performance of employee at Department of Management Market of Surakarta (DINAS Pengelolaan Pasar PEMKOT Surakarta). Research conducted a descriptive study using a quantitative approach, by taking samples at Department of Management Market of Surakarta (DINAS Pengelolaan Pasar PEMKOT Surakarta), Central Java, Indonesia. The study population was all employees and staff of the Department of Management Market of Surakarta and samples taken by 50 employees. The technique of collecting data using questionnaires. The data analysis technique used is path analysis. The results obtained showed that: Leadership will influence on satisfaction of employee at Department of Management Market of Surakarta, satisfaction of employees affects the employee's performance of employees at Department of Management Market of Surakarta, and leadership influence on performance of employee indirectly through satisfaction of employees at Department of Management Market of Surakarta (DINAS Pengelolaan Pasar PEMKOT Surakarta)

High intensity focused ultrasound in the treatment of breast fibroadenomata (HIFU-F trial)

Background: High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive ablative technique utilising the application of high frequency ultrasound (US) pressure waves to cause tissue necrosis. This emerging technology is currently limited by prolonged treatment times. The aim of the HIFU-F trial was to perform circumferential HIFU treatment as a means of shortening treatment times. Methods: A prospective trial was set up to treat 50 consecutive patients ≥18 years of age. Eligible patients possessed symptomatic fibroadenomata, visible on US. Patients ≥25 years of age required histological confirmation of the diagnosis. Primary outcome measures were reduction in treatment time, reduction in volume on US after 12 months and complication rates. Results: HIFU treatment was performed in 51 patients (53 treatments) with a mean age of 29.8 years (SD 7.2 years) and diameter of 2.6 cm (SD 1.4 cm). Circumferential ablation reduced treatment times by an estimated 19.9 minutes (SD 25.1 minutes), which is a 29.4% (SD 15.2%) reduction compared to whole lesion ablation. Volume reduction of 43.2% (SD 35.4%; p<0.005, paired t-test) was observed on US at 12 months post-treatment. Local complications completely resolved at one month apart from skin hyper-pigmentation, which persisted in nine cases at three months, six cases at six months and six at 12 months. Conclusion: Circumferential HIFU treatment for breast fibroadenomata is feasible to reduce both lesion size and treatment time. HIFU is a non-invasive alternative technique for the treatment of breast fibroadenomata

Inhibition of Growth of Highly Resistant Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens by a Natural Product

The continuous escalation of resistant bacteria against a wide range of antibiotics necessitates discovering novel unconventional sources of antibiotics. B. oleracea L (red cabbage) is health-promoting food with proven anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. However, it has not been researched adequately for its antimicrobial activity on potential resistant pathogens. The methanol crude extract of B. oleracea L. was investigated for a possible anti-microbial activity. The screening method was conducted using disc diffusion assay against 22 pathogenic bacteria and fungi. It was followed by evaluation of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Moreover, the antibacterial and the antifungal activities were confirmed using the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), respectively. Remarkable, antibacterial activity was evident particularly against highly infectious microorganisms such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium as well as against human fungal pathogens, Trichophyton rubrum and Aspergillus terreus. Red cabbage is a rich source of phenolic compounds, anthocyanins being the most abundant class, which might explain its potent antimicrobial action. This extract is potentially novel for future antimicrobials, inexpensive, and readily available at a large scale for pharmaceutical companies for further investigation and processing

Effectiveness of an integrated diabetes care package at primary healthcare facilities: a cluster randomised trial in Pakistan

Background: There were an estimated 7 million people living with diabetes in Pakistan in 2014, and this is predicted to reach 11.4 million by 2030. Aim: To assess if an integrated care package can achieve better control of diabetes. Design & setting: The pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) was conducted from December 2014–June 2016 at 14 primary healthcare facilities in Sargodha district. Opportunistic screening, diagnostic testing, and patient recording processes were introduced in both the control 'testing, treating, and recording' (TTR) arm, and the intervention 'additional case management' (ACM) arm, which also included a clinical care guide and pictorial flipbook for lifestyle education, associated clinician training, and mobile phone follow-up. Method: Clinics were randomised on a 1:1 basis (sealed envelope lottery method) and 250 patients recruited in the ACM arm and 245 in the TTR-only arm (age ≥25 years and HbA1c >7%). The primary outcome was mean change in HbA1c (%) from baseline to 9-month follow-up. Patients and staff were not blinded. Results: The primary outcome was available for n = 238/250 (95.2%) participants in the ACM arm and n = 219/245 (89.4%) participants in the TTR-only arm (all clusters). Cluster level mean outcome was -2.26 pp (95% confidence intervals [CI] = -2.99 to -1.53) for the ACM arm, and -1.44 pp (95% CI = -2.34 to -0.54) for the TTR-only arm. Cluster level mean ACM–TTR difference (covariate-unadjusted) was -0.82 pp (95% CI = -1.86 to 0.21; P = 0.11). Conclusion: The ACM intervention in public healthcare facilities did not show a statistically significant effect on HbA1c reduction compared to the control (TTR-only) arm. Future evaluation should assess changes after a longer follow-up period, and minimal care enhancement in the comparator (control) arm