In Search of a Unified Theory: An Attempt to Reconcile Gravity and Quantum

Issues around geometry of the universe, density of the universe (Underweight), expansion of the universe and theories held-up by scientists such as Stephen Hawking, John Wheeler, Albert Einstein, etc have been looked into. The equations formulated by these people; that is E =mc2, E = hν and PV = nRT were treated to give meaning under the general truth that the universe has only two entities; MATTER and ENERGY and HEAT and COLD to manipulate them. The Energy x Time oMatter x Space relationships is suggested in this paper in place of, Energy.Matter = Space.Time, which was summarized by Albert Einstein. The three dimensionness of space were incorporated into E = mc2 to give E/N Ξ c3. E = hc/λo which had the notion of space divided by space is re-related to space per time and PV = nRT is revisited until it was modified to be in congruent with the above two fundamental formulations; that is PVΞ KT/N. These new relationships (THEORIES) are in agreement with each other and could be pronounced as “UNITED”

Population Structure and Dispersal of the Coral-Excavating Sponge Cliona delitrix

Some excavating sponges of the genus Cliona compete with live reef corals, often killing and bioeroding entire colonies. Important aspects affecting distribution of these species, such as dispersal capability and population structure, remain largely unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine levels of genetic connectivity and dispersal of Cliona delitrix across the Greater Caribbean (Caribbean Sea, Bahamas and Florida), to understand current patterns and possible future trends in their distribution and effects on coral reefs. Using ten species-specific microsatellite markers, we found high levels of genetic differentiation between six genetically distinct populations: one in the Atlantic (Florida-Bahamas), one specific to Florida and four in the South Caribbean Sea. In Florida, two independent breeding populations are likely separated by depth. Gene flow and ecological dispersal occur among other populations in the Florida reef tract, and between some Florida locations and the Bahamas. Similarly, gene flow occurs between populations in the South Caribbean Sea, but appears restricted between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic (Florida-Bahamas). Dispersal of C. delitrix was farther than expected for a marine sponge and favoured in areas where currents are strong enough to transport sponge eggs or larvae over longer distances. Our results support the influence of ocean current patterns on genetic connectivity, and constitute a baseline to monitor future C. delitrix trends under climate change

Geriatric in Patient Profile at the Department of Internal Medicine at Niamey National Hospital, Niger

Background: The ageing population in developing countries has brought a demographic and an epidemiological transition, with the impact of chronic diseases resulting from life style changes on the health status of the population. Objective: To describ a profile geriatrics patient, specifically to identify epidemiologic, clinical, etiologic and outcome of this group at the department of internal medicine to NNH Patients and method: Medical records of all geriatric patients aged ≥65 years admitted at the department of NNH Between January 2012 and December 2015 were retrieved and reviewed retrospectively. Results: A total of 6074 admissions at the internal medicine department of NNH over three years were reported and 1130 (18, 6%) were geriatrics patients, the average age was 75, 95 years and more than half were men (50,7%). 80 % of patients were in the young old group (65-74 years), 13% in the old group (75-84 years) and 7% in the oldest old group (≥85 years). High blood pressure was the frequent comorbidity (12, 3%) and the most symptoms caused hospitalization were stroke (17, 6%), fevers (16, 5%) and worst health (13, 1%). Frequent illnesses were cardiovascular diseases (38.4%), infections, (19.2%) and endocrine diseases (11%). The average length of hospital stays was 8, 7 days. The mortality rate was 18, 2% and the worst outcomes factors were female sex, frail elderly group in 75 to 84 years and high blood pressure. Conclusion: Chronic diseases were responsible of morbidity and mortality for the majority elderly’s patient

Intérêt D’une Recherche De Thrombophilie Au Cours Des Thromboses De La Veine Porte Dans Un Service De Médecine Interne

Background: Many causes of portal vein thrombosis are described and most patients had a combination of local and systemic risk factors. In many studies, prtothombotic disorders investigations were conducted in various departments of haematologies and/or gastroenterology. In this study, we investigated the systemic risk factors associated or not to abdominal inflammation in a series of patients recruited in a department of Internal Medicine. Methods: We studied, retrospectively from 2005 to 2009, 21 cases of patients with portal vein thrombosis. Patients with cancer are not included in this study. Results: We reported 21 patients with portal vein thrombosis: 8 males (43%) and 13 females (57%). The average age of patients was 46, 6 years (20; 59). Eight (8) patients had abdominal inflammatory pathology and 21 (100%) patients had systemic prothrombotic factors. This etiologic investigation is rentable because in 18 cases, abdominal inflammation and/or prothombotic disorders are diagnosed. This diagnostic, however, can permit to discuss a specific management. Conclusion: Extensive investigation of prothrombotic disorders is necessary in portal vein thrombosis, although if local abdominal inflammation exist

Análise econômica de sistemas de rotação de culturas para trigo, num período de dois anos, sob sistema plantio direto.

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Interet D’une Supplementation En Spiruline Chez Les Enfants Drepanocytaires Homozygotes A L’hopital National De Niamey. (Essai Clinique Randomise En Double Aveugle A Propos De 53 Cas)

Spirulina is a micro algae used for thousands of years due to its healing properties. We supplemented children suffering from sickle cell anemia in order to appreciate its impact on the anthropometrical and clinical parameters. It consisted of a randomized clinical double blind test which was carried during a period of 9 months. The study concerned 53 homozygotes children suffering from sickle cell anemia aged 6 months to 15 years. Also, they were visiting the National Hospital of Niamey for follow up. One group (28 children) received 5 g of spirulina daily, and the other group (25 children) received placebo. The aspects studied were: the number of hospitalizations and transfusions, the vaso-occlusive crisis, the body mass index, and the splenomegalia. We found that 84.90% of patients were hospitalized at least once and 45.3% of them have already been transfused. The average number of crisis has greatly decreased in the spirulina group from 2.75 before the study to 1.18 at the end of the study. This, thus, was observed when compared to 2.44 to 1.6 in the placebo group. We also noticed a decrease of the number of hospitalizations and the number of transfusions which is less important in the group supplemented with spirulina. In conclusion, this study showed that supplementation in spirulina had a significant impact on children suffering from sickle cell anemia. This is even despite the fact that the difference between the two groups is not significant in some cases

Explaining Adherence Success in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Ethnographic Study

Background: Individuals living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa generally take more than 90% of prescribed doses of antiretroviral therapy (ART). This number exceeds the levels of adherence observed in North America and dispels early scale-up concerns that adherence would be inadequate in settings of extreme poverty. This paper offers an explanation and theoretical model of ART adherence success based on the results of an ethnographic study in three sub-Saharan African countries. Methods and Findings: Determinants of ART adherence for HIV-infected persons in sub-Saharan Africa were examined with ethnographic research methods. 414 in-person interviews were carried out with 252 persons taking ART, their treatment partners, and health care professionals at HIV treatment sites in Jos, Nigeria; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and Mbarara, Uganda. 136 field observations of clinic activities were also conducted. Data were examined using category construction and interpretive approaches to analysis. Findings indicate that individuals taking ART routinely overcome economic obstacles to ART adherence through a number of deliberate strategies aimed at prioritizing adherence: borrowing and “begging” transport funds, making “impossible choices” to allocate resources in favor of treatment, and “doing without.” Prioritization of adherence is accomplished through resources and help made available by treatment partners, other family members and friends, and health care providers. Helpers expect adherence and make their expectations known, creating a responsibility on the part of patients to adhere. Patients adhere to promote good will on the part of helpers, thereby ensuring help will be available when future needs arise. Conclusion: Adherence success in sub-Saharan Africa can be explained as a means of fulfilling social responsibilities and thus preserving social capital in essential relationships

Sub-Doppler laser cooling of 40K with Raman gray molasses on the D2 line

Gray molasses is a powerful tool for sub-Doppler laser cooling of atoms to low temperatures. For alkaline atoms, this technique is commonly implemented with cooling lasers which are blue-detuned from either the D1 or D2 line. Here we show that efficient gray molasses can be implemented on the D2 line of 40K with red-detuned lasers. We obtained temperatures of 48(2)µK, which enables direct loading of 9.2(3)x106 atoms from a magneto-optical trap into an optical dipole trap. We support our findings by a one-dimensional model and three-dimensional numerical simulations of the optical Bloch equations which qualitatively reproduce the experimentally observed cooling effects.PreprintPublisher PDFPeer reviewe

RG108 increases NANOG and OCT4 in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells through global changes in DNA modifications and epigenetic activation. RG108 increases NANOG and OCT4 through epigenetic activation.

Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) are important for tissue regeneration but their epigenetic regulation is not well understood. Here we investigate the ability of a non-nucleoside DNA methylation inhibitor, RG108 to induce epigenetic changes at both global and gene-specific levels in order to enhance mesenchymal cell markers, in hBMSCs. hBMSCs were treated with complete culture medium, 50 μM RG108 and DMSO for three days and subjected to viability and apoptosis assays, global and gene-specific methylation/hydroxymethylation, transcript levels' analysis of epigenetic machinery enzymes and multipotency markers, protein activities of DNMTs and TETs, immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis for NANOG and OCT4 and flow cytometry for CD105. The RG108, when used at 50 μM, did not affect the viability, apoptosis and proliferation rates of hBMSCs or hydroxymethylation global levels while leading to 75% decrease in DNMTs activity and 42% loss of global DNA methylation levels. In addition, DNMT1 was significantly downregulated while TET1 was upregulated, potentially contributing to the substantial loss of methylation observed. Most importantly, the mesenchymal cell markers CD105, NANOG and OCT4 were upregulated being NANOG and OCT4 epigenetically modulated by RG108, at their gene promoters. We propose that RG108 could be used for epigenetic modulation, promoting epigenetic activation of NANOG and OCT4, without affecting the viability of hBMSCs. DMSO can be considered a modulator of epigenetic machinery enzymes, although with milder effect compared to RG108

Bone biopsy practice patterns across Europe: the European renal osteodystrophy initiative - a position paper

Renal osteodystrophy (ROD) is a heterogeneous group of metabolic bone diseases complicating progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). Bone biomarkers and bone imaging techniques may help to assess bone health and predict fractures in CKD but do have important inherent limitations. By informing on bone turnover and mineralization, a bone biopsy may help to guide prevention and treatment of ROD and its consequences. According to a recent survey conducted among European nephrologists, bone biopsies are performed rather exceptionally, both for clinical and research purposes. Obviously, clinical research in the field of ROD is threatened by vanishing clinical and pathological expertise, small patient cohorts and scientific isolation. In March 2016, the European Renal Osteodystrophy (EU-ROD) initiative was created under the umbrella of the ERA-EDTA CKD-mineral and bone disorder (MBD) Working Group to revitalize bone biopsy as a clinically useful tool in the diagnostic workup of CKD-MBD and to foster research on the epidemiology, implications and reversibility of ROD. As such, the EU-ROD initiative aims to increase the understanding of ROD and ultimately to improve outcomes in CKD patients