Common data elements to standardize genomics studies in cerebral palsy

Aim To define clinical common data elements (CDEs) and a mandatory minimum data set (MDS) for genomic studies of cerebral palsy (CP). Method Candidate data elements were collated following a review of the literature and existing CDEs. An online, three-round Delphi survey was used to rate each data element as either ‘core’, ‘recommended’, ‘exploratory’, or ‘not required’. Members of the International Cerebral Palsy Genomics Consortium (ICPGC) rated the core CDEs as either mandatory or not, to form the MDS. For both the CDEs and the MDS, a data element was considered to have reached consensus if more than 75% of respondents agreed. Results Forty-six individuals from around the world formed the Delphi panel: consumers (n=2), scientists/researchers (n=17), medical (n=19), and allied health professionals (n=8). The CDEs include 107 data elements across six categories: demographics, diagnostics, family history, antenatal and neonatal details, clinical traits, and CP-specific assessments. Of these, 10 are mandatory, 42 core, 41 recommended, and 14 are exploratory. Interpretation The ICPGC CDEs provide a foundation for the standardization of phenotype data captured in CP genomic studies and will benefit international collaborations and pooling of data, particularly in rare conditions

Supporting ultra poor people with rehabilitation and therapy among families of children with cerebral palsy in rural Bangladesh (SUPPORT CP) : Protocol of a randomised controlled trial

Introduction Poverty is a key contributor to delayed diagnosis and limited access to early intervention and rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy (CP) in rural Bangladesh. 97% of families of children with CP live below the poverty line in Bangladesh. Therefore, in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), efforts to improve outcomes for children with CP (including health-related quality of life, motor function, communication, and nutritional attainments) should also include measures to improve family economic and social capital. We propose a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated microfinance/livelihood and community-based rehabilitation (IMCBR) program for ultra-poor families of children with CP in rural Bangladesh. Material and methods This will be a cluster RCT comparing three arms: (a) integrated microfinance/livelihood and community-based rehabilitation (IMCBR); (b) community-based rehabilitation (CBR) alone; and (c) care-as-usual (i.e. no intervention). Seven clusters will be recruited within each arm. Each cluster will consist of 10 child-caregiver dyads totalling 21 clusters with 210 dyads. Parents recruited in the IMCBR arm will take part in a microfinance/livelihood program and Parent Training Module (PTM), their children with CP will take part in a Goal Directed Training (GDT) program. The programs will be facilitated by specially trained Community Rehabilitation Officers. The CBR arm includes the same PTM and GDT interventions excluding the microfinance/livelihood program. The care-as-usual arm will be provided with information about early intervention and rehabilitation. The assessors will be blinded to group allocation. The duration of the intervention will be 12 months; outcomes will be measured at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months. Conclusion This will be the first RCT of an integrated microfinance/livelihood and CBR program for children with CP in LMIC settings. Evidence from the study could transform approaches to improving wellbeing of children with CP and their ultra-poor families

The solvation and dissociation of 4-benzylaniline hydrochloride in chlorobenzene

A reaction scheme is proposed to account for the liberation of 4-benzylaniline from 4-benzylaniline hydrochloride, using chlorobenzene as a solvent at a temperature of 373 K. Two operational regimes are explored: “closed” reaction conditions correspond to the retention of evolved hydrogen chloride gas within the reaction medium, whereas an “open” system permits gaseous hydrogen chloride to be released from the reaction medium. The solution phase chemistry is analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Complete liberation of solvated 4-benzylaniline from solid 4-benzylaniline hydrochloride is possible under “open” conditions, with the entropically favored conversion of solvated hydrogen chloride to the gaseous phase thought to be the thermodynamic driver that effectively controls a series of interconnecting equilibria. A kinetic model is proposed to account for the observations of the open system

Structural Characterization and Gamma-Ray Attenuation Properties of Rice-Like α-TeO2 Crystalline Microstructures (CMS) Grown Rapidly on Free Surface of Tellurite-Based Glasses

In this study, we extensively analyzed the structural, physical and gamma-ray attenuation properties of α-TeO2 CMS, which has unexpectedly been observed as a part of Sm2O3 doped TeO2–B2O3–V2O5 glasses synthesis process. The shape of α-TeO2 CMS was obtained from SEM analyses. Moreover, EDX, XRD and Raman examinations were utilized for systematic characterization of α-TeO2 CMS. In addition to experimental physical and structural studies on α-TeO2 CMSs, gamma-ray attenuation properties were also determined and compared with Quartz and some novel glasses such as PNCKM5, C25, SCNZ7 along with some commercial glasses such as RS253, RS253G18, RS323G19, RS360, RS520 using FLUKA general-purpose Monte Carlo code. EDX results indicated that only Te and O elements were available in the α-TeO2 CMS. The finding showed that gamma-ray attenuation competencies of α-TeO2 CMS is higher than many novel and commercial glasses in addition to traditional concrete shields. It can be concluded that further comparison studies can be done between normal glass structure and α-TeO2 CMS (or similar) occurred glass structures in terms of better understanding the total gamma-ray attenuation and the effect of α-TeO2 CMS. © 2021 The Author(s).The authors thank Taif University Researchers Supporting Project number (TURSP-2020/12), Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia. The APC was covered by "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Romania

Cadmium oxide reinforced 46V2O5–46P2O5–(8−x)B2O3–xCdO semiconducting oxide glasses and resistance behaviors against ionizing gamma rays

This study aimed to determine the contribution of B2O3/CdO substitution on gamma-ray attenuation behaviors of 46V2O5–46P2O5–(8−x)B2O3–xCdO (x = 0–8 mol%) glass system. Accordingly, attenuation coefficients along with half and tenth value layers of five different samples were determined in 0.015 MeV–15 MeV photon energy range. Moreover, effective atomic numbers and effective atomic weight along with exposure and energy absorption buildup factors were determined in same energy range. The result showed that B2O3/CdO substitution has a direct effect on behaviors of studied semiconducting oxide glasses against ionizing gamma-rays. Our findings showed that increasing CdO reinforcement has an obvious impact on gamma-ray attenuation properties especially in the low energy range, where photoelectric effect dominates the photon–matter interaction. Moreover, half-value layer, mean-free path and tenth value layer also decrease with an increase in the content of CdO in the composition. Consequently, VPBCd8 sample with 8% mole CdO additive was reported with the minimum half-value layer, the mean-free path, tenth value layer exposure build-up factor and energy absorption build-up factors. The outcomes would be useful for scientific community to observe the most suitable substitution type along with related semiconducting oxide glass composition to provide the aforementioned shielding properties in terms of needs and utilization requirements. © 2021 The AuthorsThe authors thank Taif University Researchers Supporting Project number (TURSP-2020/12), Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia

Light-based devices for the treatment of facial erythema and telangiectasia

Facial erythema is one of the most common outpatient complaints in dermatology. There are various causes of facial erythema and several devices are available for its treatment. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) and intense pulsed light (IPL) are the two common light devices used for these conditions. In this review, we evaluated the literature to assess efficacy of IPL versus PDL in facial erythema and telangiectasia. We searched published articles including clinical trials or reviews articles, case series, and case reports. Electronic databases (MEDLINE and PubMed) were searched to retrieve the articles. Reference lists of selected articles were also considered for the review. Articles published in English language until June 2021 were considered for this review

Exploring the ftir, optical and nuclear radiation shielding properties of samarium-borate glass: A characterization through experimental and simulation methods

(Tl2O3 )30-(Li2O)10-(B2O3)(60−y)-(Sm2O3 )y glass system with various Sm2O3 additives (y = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6) was studied in detail. The vibrational modes of the (Tl2O3 )30-(Li2O)10-(B2O3 )(60−y) network were active at three composition-related IR spectral peaks that differed from those mixed with Samarium (III) oxide at high wavenumber ranges. These glass samples show that their permeability increased with the Samarium (III) oxide content increase. Additionally, the electronic transition between localized states was observed in the samples. The MAC, HVL, and Zeff values for radiation shielding parameters were calculated in the energy range of 0.015–15 MeV using the FLUKA algorithm. In addition, EBF, EABF, and ΣR values were also determined for the prepared glasses. These values indicated that the parameters for shielding (MAC, HVL, Zeff, EBF, EABF, and ΣR) are dependent upon the Samarium (III) oxide content. Furthermore, the addition of Samarium (III) oxide to the examined glass samples greatly reinforced their shielding capacity against gamma photon. The findings of the current study were compared to analyses of the XCOM software, some concretes, and lead. In the experiment, it was found that the SMG0.6 glass sample was the strongest shield. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The APC was funded by ?Dunarea de Jos? University of Galati, Romania

Comprehensive investigation of congenital anomalies in cerebral palsy: Protocol for a European-Australian population-based data linkage study (The Comprehensive CA-CP Study)

INTRODUCTION:Cerebral palsy (CP), an umbrella term for non-progressive conditions of cerebral origin resulting in motor impairments, is collectively the most common cause of physical disability in childhood. Cerebral and/or non-cerebral congenital anomalies are present in 15%-40% of children with CP. In order to identify effective prevention strategies for this substantial proportion of CP, a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology of these congenital anomalies is required. International collaboration is needed, as previous attempts have fallen short due to a lack of power, since the anomalies are individually rare and CP comprises many clinical descriptions. The aim of this study is to generate new knowledge about the aetiologies of CP through a focused investigation into the role of congenital anomalies. METHODS AND ANALYSIS:This collaborative, population-based data linkage study includes nine geographic regions (six in Europe, three in Australia) served by both congenital anomaly and CP registers. Register data for children with CP (both with and without congenital anomalies) and children with specific congenital anomalies (without CP) born between 1991 and 2009 will be linked and de-identified within each region. The resulting linked data sets will be quality assured, recoded, harmonised and then pooled into one data set. Analysis of the combined data set will include: frequencies/proportions of congenital anomalies and outcomes (type of CP, severity, impairments); descriptive analyses comparing timing of congenital anomaly development and brain injury/abnormality responsible for CP; ORs to calculate the odds of CP following a specific congenital anomaly; and identification of anomalies on causal pathways to CP. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION:Ethics approval for this collaborative study, The Comprehensive CA-CP Study, has been obtained from the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Human Research Ethics Committee (EC00402). Study findings will be disseminated at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals, and recommendations will be made regarding the collection and classification of congenital anomaly data by CP registers.Shona Goldsmith, Guiomar Garcia Jalon, Nadia Badawi, Eve Blair, Ester Garne, Catherine Gibson ... et al

Synthesis and Biocidal Activity of Some Naphthalene-Based Cationic Surfactants

In this study, different cationic surfactants were prepared by reacting dodecyl bromide with tertiary amines to produce a series of quaternary ammonium salts that were converted subsequently to stannous and cobalt cationic complexes via complexing them with stannous (II) or cobalt (II) ions. Surface properties such as surface- and interfacial-tension, and the emulsifying power of these surfactants were investigated. The surface parameters including critical micelle concentration, maximum surface excess, minimum surface area, tension lowering efficiency and effectiveness were studied. The free energy of micellization and adsorption were calculated. Antimicrobial activity was determined via the inhibition zone diameter of the prepared compounds, which was measured against six strains of a representative group of microorganisms. The antimicrobial activity of some of the prepared surfactants against sulfate reducing bacteria was determined by the dilution method. FTIR spectra, elemental analysis and a H1 NMR spectrum were examined to confirm compound structure and purity. The results obtained indicate that these compounds have good surface properties and good biocidal effect on broad spectrum of micro organisms