The Great Crime: An Aintab Diary

This real-life memoir chronicles the journey of Arousiag Magarian over a four year period as she struggles to survive during the Armenian Genocide (1915-1919). Originally written in a small notebook in Armenian, the authors (Arpi Poladian and Troy E. Spier) have translated and prepared for the reader a version in literary English that hopes to capture all of the nuance from Magarian's deeply emotional voice. Finally, a description of the historical circumstances surrounding Aintab and her residents during this time period is provided by Dr. Ümit Kurt, a scholar of the late Ottoman Empire

Appearance, Texture and Flavour Improvement of Chocolate Bar by Virgin Cococnut Oil (VCO) as Cocoa Butter Substitute (CBS)

The purposes of using CBS in this research is to improve the physical properties and quality of appereance and structure stability of chocolate bar. Based on chemical composition, CBS and Cocoa butter have different profile, but they have similar physical properties due to high lauric acid content. The advantage of lauric acid is to affect shinny appreance of chocolate surface, and also soapy taste that closely related to rancidity reduction. Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) is one of lauric fat that easily found in Aceh. In this research, chocolate bar is formulated comprising various concentration of CBS (0,1,2,3,4,5%) with respect to cocoa butter, and cocoa mass composition (200 g and 300 g). It was found that melting point was affected by CBS concentration. The higher CBS concentration, the lower melting point of chocolate bar. An increase in VCO concentration reduced significantly the melting point of chocolate bar. Melting point was comparable to other chocolate bar commercial (29-32oC). The unblooming, snap, best texture and better taste was observed for the chocolate bar containing 4-5% of VCO concentration and 27,5% of cocoa mas

Use of National Standards to Monitor HIV Care and Treatment in a High Prevalence City-Washington, DC.

We sought to benchmark the quality of HIV care being received by persons living with HIV in care in Washington, DC and identify individual-level and structural-level differences. Data from the DC Cohort, an observational HIV cohort of persons receiving outpatient care in DC, were used to estimate the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) quality of care measures. Differences in care by demographics and clinic type were assessed using χ2 tests and multivariable regression models. Among 8,047 participants, by HHS standards, 69% of participants were retained in care (RIC), 95% were prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 84% were virally suppressed (VS). By IOM standards, 84% were in continuous care; and 78% and 80% underwent regular CD4 and VL monitoring, respectively. Screening for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea was 51%, 31%, and 26%, respectively. Older participants were 1.5 times more likely to be RIC compared to younger participants (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.3, 1.8). Participants enrolled in community-based clinics were more likely to be RIC (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.4, 2.0) versus those enrolled at hospital-based clinics. Older participants were more likely to achieve VS than younger participants (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.5, 2.2) while Black participants were less likely compared to white participants (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.3, 0.5). Despite high measures of quality of care, disparities remain. Continued monitoring of the quality of HIV care and treatment can inform the development of public health programs and interventions to optimize care delivery

Eventos de vida en la infancia y su relación con el trastorno de estrés postraumático en adultos en Lima Metropolitana.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between childhood life events and PTSD in adult population of Metropolitan Lima. Materials and methods: A secondary analysis was carried out of the Epidemiological Study of Mental Health of Metropolitan Lima 2 012, which used the instruments of a short and modified version of the Egna Minen av Bardoms Uppfostran (EMBU), a questionnaire on early adverse events, and the Mini Internacional Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Spanish version. Results: Those who received a more permissive upbringing being allowed to do activities that their siblings were not, presented a statistically significant relationship with PTSD (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.09-2.65, p = 0.019), the same as those who experienced adverse life events or were the object of or had suffered blackmail, manipulations or humiliations (OR 6.22, 95% CI 4.11-9.42, p<0.001). Conclusions: There is a relationship between permissive parenting style (“They allowed him to do things that his siblings were not allowed to do”), and the experience of childhood adverse events (“While growing up, he was subjected to (or suffered) from frequent blackmail, manipulation or humiliations)” with PTSD, in adults from Metropolitan Lima.Objetivos: Determinar la relación entre los eventos de vida en la infancia y el trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT) en la población adulta de Lima Metropolitana. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un análisis secundario del Estudio Epidemiológico de Salud Mental de Lima Metropolitana 2 012, que utilizó los instrumentos de la versión breve y modificada del Egna Minen av Bardoms Uppfostran (EMBU), cuestionario de eventos adversos tempranos y Mini Entrevista Neuropsiquiátrica Internacional (MINI), versión española. Resultados: Aquellos que recibieron una crianza más permisiva para con actividades no permitidas a sus hermanos(as) presentaron una relación estadísticamente significativa con el TEPT (OR 1,70, IC 95% 1,09-2,65, p=0,019, al igual que eventos vitales tales como haber sido objeto o haber sufrido de chantajes, manipulaciones o humillaciones (OR 6,22, IC 95% 4,11-9,42, p<0,001). Conclusiones: Existe alguna relación entre estilo parental de crianza permisiva (“Le permitían hacer cosas que a sus hermanos(as) no les permitían”) y experiencias de eventos adversos (“Mientras crecía fue objeto (o sufrió) de chantajes, manipulaciones o humillaciones en forma frecuente”) en la infancia, con el TEPT en habitantes adultos de Lima Metropolitana

Caracterización citológica de la médula ósea durante el desarrollo fetal en la alpaca (Vicugna pacos)

The present study aimed to investigate the morphology and morphometry of progenitor cells from the bone marrow through cytological examination during foetal development of the alpaca (Vicugna pacos). Bone marrow samples were collected from 18 culled and clinically healthy alpaca foetuses in Pasco, Peru. The eighth and ninth ribs were removed using the cost-chondral junction as reference and smears were made with the bone marrow samples, and then stained with Wright. The percentages of cellularity for each third of pregnancy were 16 ± 0.2 (n= 3), 35 ± 0.16 (n= 5) and 78 ± 0.12 (n=10), respectively, showing the first hematopoietic cells from 201.5 days old. Through the differential count of 500 cells, the myeloid: erythroid ratio was established, being 0.47 ± 0.27 and 0.69 ± 0.19 for the first, second and last third of pregnancy, respectively. In the second third of pregnancy 10.17% of erythroid cells, 5.03% of myeloid cells and 84.80% of other cell types were detected, while in the last third it was 39.99% of erythroid cells, 26.99% of myeloid cells and 33.21% of other cell types. In the morphometric examination, hematopoietic cells revealed characteristics like those found in other species.El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la morfología y morfometría de las células progenitoras de la médula ósea a través del examen citológico durante el desarrollo fetal de la alpaca (Vicugna pacos). Se colectaron muestras de médula ósea provenientes de 18 fetos de alpacas clínicamente sanas y destinadas a beneficio en Pasco, Perú. Se seccionaron la octava y novena costillas tomando como referencia la unión costo-condral y se hicieron frotis con las muestras de médula ósea, que fueron coloreadas con la tinción Wright. Los porcentajes de celularidad para cada tercio de gestación fueron 16 ± 0.2 (n=3), 35 ± 0.16 (n=5) y 78 ± 0.12 (n=10), respectivamente, evidenciándose las primeras células hematopoyéticas a partir de los 201.5 días de edad. Mediante el conteo diferencial de 500 células se estableció la relación mieloide:eritroide, siendo de 0, 0.47 ± 0.27 y 0.69 ± 0.19 para el primer, segundo y tercer tercio de gestación, respectivamente. En el segundo tercio de gestación se detectó 10.17% de células eritroides, 5.03% de células mieloides y 84.80% de otros tipos celulares, mientras que en el último tercio fue de 39.99% de células eritroides, 26.99% de células mieloides y 33.21% de otros tipos celulares. En el examen morfométrico, las células hematopoyéticas revelaron características similares a las encontradas en otras especies

Cambios en el perfil bioquímico hepático de alpacas positivas a huevos de Fasciola hepática

The aim of this study was to determine changes in the liver biochemical profile in alpacas with presence of F. hepatica eggs. We used serum and feces samples of 35 male alpaca between 2-5 years old, 18 were positives and 17 were negatives in coproparasitologic analysis for F. hepatica eggs. Differences are showed (p<0.05) in the values of ALT, GGT and direct bilirubin between positives y negatives animals. We concluded that there is relationship between presence of F. hepatica eggs and high levels in the liver biochemical profile, maybe due to alterations in the hepatic parenchyma by chronic infection in alpacas.El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar cambios en el perfil bioquímico hepático en alpacas con presencia de huevos de F. hepatica en heces. Se utilizaron muestras de suero y heces de 35 alpacas machos de entre 2 y 5 años de edad, de los cuales 18 fueron positivos y 17 negativos al examen coproparasitológico (sedimentación) para identificación de huevos de F. hepática. Se observó diferencia significativa (p<0.05) entre los valores de ALT, GGT y bilirrubina directa entre los animales positivos y negativos. Concluimos que la presencia de huevos de Fasciola hepatica guarda relación con la elevación de algunos parámetros del perfil hepática posiblemente por alguna alteración en el parénquima producto de una infección crónica en alpacas

Does macrolide use confer risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest compared with penicillin V? A Danish national case-crossover and case–time–control study

Introduction and objectivesMacrolides have been associated with proarrhythmic properties, but the evidence is conflicting. We evaluated the risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) associated with specific macrolides in a retrospective study. Associations between specific macrolides and OHCA were examined by conditional logistic regression analyses in case-crossover and case–time–control models, using penicillin-V treatment as the comparative reference. From nationwide registries, we identified all OHCAs in Denmark from 2001 to 2010 and use of antibiotics.EthicsThe present study was approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (Danish Data Protection Agency (ref.no. 2007-58-0015, local ref.no. GEH-2014-017, (I-Suite.nr. 02 735)).ParticipantsWe identified 29 111 patients with an OHCA. Of these, 514 were in macrolide treatment ≤7 days before OHCA and 1237 in penicillin-V treatment.ResultsIn the case-crossover analyses, overall macrolide use was not associated with OHCA with penicillin V as negative comparative reference (OR=0.90; 95% CI 0.73 to 1.10). Compared with penicillin-V treatment, specific macrolides were not associated with increased risk of OHCA: roxithromycin (OR=0.97; 95% CI 0.74 to 1.26), erythromycin (OR=0.68; 95% CI 0.44 to 1.06), clarithromycin (OR=0.95; 95% CI 0.61 to 1.48) and azithromycin (OR=0.85; 95% CI 0.57 to 1.27).Similar results were obtained using case–time–control models: overall macrolide use (OR=0.81; 95% CI 0.62 to 1.06) and specific macrolides (roxithromycin(OR=0.70; 95% CI 0.49 to 1.00), erythromycin(OR=0.67; 95% CI 0.38 to 1.18), clarithromycin(OR=0.75; 95% CI 0.41 to 1.39) or azithromycin(OR=1.17; 95% CI 0.70 to 1.95)).ConclusionThe risk of OHCA during treatment with macrolides was similar to that of penicillin V, suggesting no additional risk of OHCA associated with macrolides.</jats:sec

Design of 280 GHz feedhorn-coupled TES arrays for the balloon-borne polarimeter SPIDER

We describe 280 GHz bolometric detector arrays that instrument the balloon-borne polarimeter SPIDER. A primary science goal of SPIDER is to measure the large-scale B-mode polarization of the cosmic microwave background in search of the cosmic-inflation, gravitational-wave signature. 280 GHz channels aid this science goal by constraining the level of B-mode contamination from galactic dust emission. We present the focal plane unit design, which consists of a 16$\times$16 array of conical, corrugated feedhorns coupled to a monolithic detector array fabricated on a 150 mm diameter silicon wafer. Detector arrays are capable of polarimetric sensing via waveguide probe-coupling to a multiplexed array of transition-edge-sensor (TES) bolometers. The SPIDER receiver has three focal plane units at 280 GHz, which in total contains 765 spatial pixels and 1,530 polarization sensitive bolometers. By fabrication and measurement of single feedhorns, we demonstrate 14.7$^{\circ}$ FHWM Gaussian-shaped beams with $<$1% ellipticity in a 30% fractional bandwidth centered at 280 GHz. We present electromagnetic simulations of the detection circuit, which show 94% band-averaged, single-polarization coupling efficiency, 3% reflection and 3% radiative loss. Lastly, we demonstrate a low thermal conductance bolometer, which is well-described by a simple TES model and exhibits an electrical noise equivalent power (NEP) = 2.6 $\times$ 10$^{-17}$ W/$\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$, consistent with the phonon noise prediction.Comment: Proceedings of SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation 201

Serum cytokine levels as predictive biomarkers of benefit from ipilimumab in small cell lung cancer

Background. Immunotherapy has shown efficacy in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), but only a subset of patients benefits. Surrogate biomarkers are urgently needed. Our aim was to evaluate serum Th1, Th2, and proinflammatory cytokines in two cohorts of SCLC patients before and during treatment with chemotherapy with or without ipilimumab and to correlate them with survival. Patients and methods. Two cohorts of SCLC patients were studied: patients treated with chemotherapy (n = 47), and patients treated with chemotherapy plus ipilimumab (n = 37). Baseline, on-treatment and after-treatment serum samples were evaluated for the presence of IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, GM-CSF, and Mip-1alpha using a Luminex assay. Differential changes in cytokines between cohorts were analyzed. Associations between cytokine levels and their changes with overall survival were evaluated. Results. Patients treated with ipilimumab showed a global increase of all cytokines after treatment initiation. A high level of IL-8 at baseline was associated with worse prognosis regardless of treatment. Baseline increased IL-2 levels predicted sensitivity to ipilimumab, while high IL-6 and TNF-alpha predicted resistance. An on-treatment increase in IL-4 levels in patients treated with immune-chemotherapy was associated with a better overall survival. Conclusions. The addition of ipilimumab to standard chemotherapy in SCLC modulates the serum levels of cytokines. Baseline levels and their change over time relate to overall survival. Blood-based biomarkers are convenient for patients, and our results support prospective validation of cytokines as predictive biomarkers for ipilimumab in SCLC