Event-by-Event Fluctuations Clusterization and Entropy Production in AA Collisions at AGS and SPS Energies

Event-by-event (ebe) fluctuations in mean pseudorapidity values of relativistic charged particles in full phase space is studied by analysing experimental data on $^{16}O-AgBr$ collisions at 14.5A, 60A, and 200A GeV/c and $^{32}S-AgBr$ collisions at 200A GeV/c. The findings are compared with the prediction of A Multi-Phase Transport(\amm) model and those obtained from the analysis of correlation free Monte-Carlo events. Fluctuations in mean pseudorapidity distributions are noticed to be in excess to that expected from the statistically independent particle emission. The observed dependence of the fluctuation strength measure parameter,$\phi$ on the beam energy and number of participating target nucleons indicate that nucleus-nucleus collisions can not be treated as simple superposition of multiple nucleon-nucleon interactions. Presence of clusters or jet-like phenomena in multihadron final states are searched for on ebe basis by using the concept of Jaynes Shannon entropy. The findings indicate the presence of cluster like objects in the experimental data with their size and frequency increasing with increasing beam energy. These observations, in turn suggest that the clustering or jet-like algorithm adopted in the present study may be used as a tool for triggering different classes of events.Comment: International Journal of Modern Physics E, to be published(accepted

Hepatoprotective and Anti-Hepatitis effect of non pharmacopoeial compound formulation on CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats

47-51To evaluate the anti-hepatitis activity of non-pharmacopoeial compound formulation on CCl4 induces hepatotoxicity in albino rats.CCl4 is used to produce hepatic damage in albino rats in the dose of 2 mL/kg BW, i.p. for 6 days. The anti-hepatitis effect of low dose (70 mg/100 g), high dose (140 mg/100 g) and 50% ethanolic extract (15 mg/100 g) of non-pharmacopoeial compound formulation (Majoon) was assessed in CCl4 (2 mL/kg BW i.p.) induce hepatic damage in albino rats. The biochemical parameters such as SGOT (AST), SGPT (ALT), ALP, total bilirubin and total protein were estimated and the antioxidant activity was also estimated. These biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological study of liver sections. Silymarin (10 mg/100 g B.W.p.o.) was used as a standard hepatoprotective drug for positive control. Data was analysed by one way ANOVA test. Administration of non-pharmacopoeial compound formulation and its extract significantly prevented CCl4 induced elevation of serum ALT, AST, ALP, total billirubin and total protein level. The histopathological study revealed hepatocytes regeneration. The test drug also decreases lipid peroxidaion. So, the test drug was found effective as anti-hepatitis and antioxidant effect. The result was comparable to that of Silymarin. The results of present study show that the compound formulation has significant anti-hepatitis activity

Contributions of Jets in Net Charge Fluctuations from the Beam Energy Scan at RHIC and LHC

Dynamical net charge fluctuations have been studied in ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions from the beam energy scan at RHIC and LHC energies by carrying out the hadronic model simulation. Monte Carlo model, HIJING is used to generate events in two different modes, HIJING-default with jet quenching switched off and jet/minijet production switched off. A popular variable, $\nu_{[+-,dyn]}$ is used to study the net charge fluctuations in different centrality bins and the findings are compared with the available experimental values reported earlier. Although the broad features of net charge fluctuations are reproduced by the HIJING, yet the model predicts the larger magnitude of fluctuations as compared to the one observed in experiments. The role of jets/minijets production in reducing the net charge fluctuations is, however distinctly visible from the analysis of the two types of HIJING events. Furthermore, $dN_{ch}/d\eta$ and $1/N$ scaling is partially exhibited which is due to the fact that in HIJING, nucleus-nucleus collisions are treated as multiple independent nucleon-nucleon collisions.Comment: 27 pages, 11 figures, 5 tables Accepted for publication in Journal Advances in High Energy Physic

Centrality Dependence of Multiplicity Fluctuations in Ion-Ion Collisions from the Beam Energy Scan at FAIR

Multiplicity distributions and event-by-event multiplicity fluctuations in AuAu collisions at energies in future heavy-ion experiment at the Facility for Anti-proton and Ion Research (FAIR) are investigated. Events corresponding to FAIR energies are simulated in the frame work of Ultra Relativistic Quantum Molecular Dynamics (URQMD) model. It is observed that the mean and the width of multiplicity distributions monotonically increase with beam energy. The trend of variations of dispersion with mean number of participating nucleons for the centrality-bin width of 5\% are in accord with the Central Limit Theorem. The multiplicity distributions in various centrality bins as well as for full event samples are observed to obey Koba, Nielsen and Olesen (KNO) scaling. The trends of variations of scaled variance with beam energy are also found to support the KNO scaling predictions for larger collision centrality. The findings also reveal that the statistical fluctuations in 5\% centrality-bin width appear to be under control.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures, 6 tables. Accepted for publication in Advances in High Energy Physic

Gene expression profiling of HCV genotype 3a initial liver fibrosis and cirrhosis patients using microarray

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes liver fibrosis that may lead to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and may partially depend on infecting viral genotype. HCV genotype 3a is being more common in Asian population, especially Pakistan; the detail mechanism of infection still needs to be explored. In this study, we investigated and compared the gene expression profile between initial fibrosis stage and cirrhotic 3a genotype patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Gene expression profiling of human liver tissues was performed containing more than 22000 known genes. Using Oparray protocol, preparation and hybridization of slides was carried out and followed by scanning with GeneTAC integrator 4.0 software. Normalization of the data was obtained using MIDAS software and Significant Microarray Analysis (SAM) was performed to obtain differentially expressed candidate genes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 22000 genes studied, 219 differentially regulated genes found with <it>P </it>≤ 0.05 between both groups; 107 among those were up-regulated and 112 were down-regulated. These genes were classified into 31 categories according to their biological functions. The main categories included: apoptosis, immune response, cell signaling, kinase activity, lipid metabolism, protein metabolism, protein modulation, metabolism, vision, cell structure, cytoskeleton, nervous system, protein metabolism, protein modulation, signal transduction, transcriptional regulation and transport activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is the first study on gene expression profiling in patients associated with genotype 3a using microarray analysis. These findings represent a broad portrait of genomic changes in early HCV associated fibrosis and cirrhosis. We hope that identified genes in this study will help in future to act as prognostic and diagnostic markers to differentiate fibrotic patients from cirrhotic ones.</p

Can early orthotic support and physical Therapy improve the functional level and Decrease rate of surgical interventions In spastic cerebral palsy?

cerebral palsy is a disorder of movement and posture that results from a non progressive lesion of brain within 3 years of age. To determine the role of early orthotics and physical therapy in improving the functional status and in decreasing the rate of surgical interventions in management of spastic diplegic cerebral palsy child

Transfusion related acute lung injury--TRALI: an under diagnosed entity

Transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a life-threatening complication of transfusion of blood and its components resembling acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or acute lung injury (ALI). TRALI is a particular form of ARDS that follows blood transfusion and is caused by donor-derived antibodies present in the transfused products, reacting with the recipients\u27 blood cells, inducing release of inflammatory mediators thus compromising lung functions. Anti-HLA antibodies are the most frequently indicted inducers in this category. Literature search has not revealed any documented case of TRALI from Pakistan. This in no way implies that TRALI is non existent in this part of the world but rather indicates that many clinicians may be unaware of the condition or may not recognize transfusion as the cause and like in other parts of the world, is almost certainly under-diagnosed. The lack of agreement on the definite cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of TRALI renders the task of improving the safety of blood transfusion far more complex and potentially quite expensive. This review discusses the modern concepts of pathogenesis of TRALI along with its clinicopathological manifestations and management with the aim to improve awareness of our clinicians towards this dreadful and potentially fatal condition

Misoprostol for induction of labour: a comparative study of various routes of administration

Background: Oxytocin has been used for labor induction since very long, but with high rates of failed induction. The objective of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of various routes of misoprostol for induction of labor at term. Design: Prospective randomized study was done at the department of obstetrics and Gynecology at the PGIMSR ESI Basaidarapur, New Delhi between August 2009 and July 2011.Methods: 150 pregnant women were randomized into three groups each to receive 50 mcg of Misoprostol via oral, sublingual and vaginal routes respectively. Doses were repeated 6 hourly for a maximum of 3 doses till the patient entered active stage of labor (clinically adequate contractions of 3/10 min of >40 s duration, and cervical dilatation of with 4 cm). Statistical analysis was done using chi-square test and ANOVA (one-way analysis of variance).Results: Mean number of dosage required for successful induction were significantly less in the vaginal group than oral and sublingual groups (in oral groups A were 2.1±0.42, sublingual 1.4±0.34, vaginal 1.1±0.29). The induction to delivery interval was significantly less in vaginal group than oral and sublingual groups (Group A oral 21.06±9.22 h, group B sublingual 16.81±8.08 h, group C vaginal 12.9±5.16 h 0.016 significant). Rate of caesarean was least in the vaginal group 12% vs 20% in oral and 26% in sublingual. All the three groups showed satisfactory neonatal outcomes.Conclusions: This study shows that vaginal route of administration of misoprostol is preferable to oral route and sublingual route for induction of labor when used in equivalent dosage of 50 mcg 6 hourly, however all three routes are well tolerated with favorable neonatal outcomes

ATR-FTIR spectroscopy detects alterations induced by organotin(IV) carboxylates in MCF-7 cells at sub-cytotoxic/-genotoxic concentrations.

The environmental impact of metal complexes such as organotin(IV) compounds is of increasing concern. Genotoxic effects of organotin(IV) compounds (0.01 μg/ml, 0.1 μg/ml or 1.0 μg/ml) were measured using the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay to measure DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay to determine micronucleus formation. Biochemical-cell signatures were also ascertained using attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. In the comet assay, organotin(IV) carboxylates induced significantly-elevated levels of DNA SSBs. Elevated micronucleus-forming activities were also observed. Following interrogation using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, infrared spectra in the biomolecular range (900 cm-1 – 1800 cm-1) derived from organotin-treated MCF-7 cells exhibited clear alterations in their biochemical-cell fingerprint compared to control-cell populations following exposures as low as 0.0001 μg/ml. Mono-, di- or tri-organotin(IV) carboxylates (0.1 μg/ml, 1.0 μg/ml or 10.0 μg/ml) were markedly cytotoxic as determined by the clonogenic assay following treatment of MCF-7 cells with ≥ 1.0 μg/ml. Our results demonstrate that ATR-FTIR spectroscopy can be applied to detect molecular alterations induced by organotin(IV) compounds at sub-cytotoxic and sub-genotoxic concentrations. This biophysical approach points to a novel means of assessing risk associated with environmental contaminants

Information Seeking Behavior and Needs of Women Parliamentarians of Pakistan: A Case Study

This study probes into the information needs and seeking behavior of women parliamentarians in the 12th National Assembly of Pakistan during 2002 through 2007. It attempts to answer some of the questions raised on women’s political participation in the parliament and their information habits and needs by analyzing their preferred sources used in preparing for speeches, resolutions, bills, and laws. It also measures their information and communication technology skills. The study gauges their dependence and perception about the National Assembly Library and other sources of information available and suggests possible means by which information services to parliamentarians can be further enhanced. The findings of this study may present aspects which have never before been considered by researchers in trying to meet women parliamentarians’information needs