Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis of human brucellosis (l7/l12 and 16srRNA genes) compared with immunocapture-agglutination test (brucellacapt) and common serological tests

Diagnosis of the human brucellosis mainly depends on blood culture and serological tests. The most commonly used tests are the serum agglutination test (SAT), Coombs anti-Brucella, and Rose Bengal tests. New diagnostic tests such as immunocapture-agglutination test (Brucellacapt) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been used. This study aims to compare PCR method by using L7/L12 and 16srRNA genes with Brucellacapt and serological tests in diagnosis of Brucellosis. A total of 754 different suspected brucellosis were tested during the period from March, 2008 to February, 2009. They were assayed by Rose Bengal test, Brucellacapt, Coombs tests, SAT and PCR. Our results had shown that out of 754 sera, 125 were positive by Rose Bengal test. Thus, frequency of brucellosis by Rose Bengal test was 16.5. In PCR, all of samples were differentiated. Forty nine (6.5) samples in Coombs test and 47 (6.2) samples in SAT were positive. The results in 1:40 and 1:80 were equal for Brucellacapt and Coombs tests and different for SAT. The results from the present study show a higher sensitivity and specificity of PCR for the diagnosis of human brucellosis than serological tests. Sensitivity of the PCR by l7/l12 gene and 16srRNA were similar and could be used for diagnosis of human brucellosis. Sensitivity of Brucellacapt test was higher than Coombs tests and SAT, although the sensitivity of PCR assay was higher than all of them

The pore-network modeling of gas-condensate flow: Elucidating the effect of pore morphology, wettability, interfacial tension, and flow rate

The gas-condensate flow in the near-well region is significantly influenced by phase behavior, flow regimes, and pore geometries. In conventional gas-condensate reservoirs the key pore-scale parameters affecting gas and condensate relative permeabilities include velocity (i.e., pressure gradient), interfacial tension (IFT), wettability, and pore structure. To examine the impact of these parameters, three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) pore-network models (PNMs) were developed. A proposed compositional model was used to implement the cyclic process of condensate corner flow (film flow for circular tubes) and condensate blockage. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to achieve high accuracy in phase equilibrium calculations and to enhance computational speed. The 3D PNM simulations of gas-condensate core-flood experiments confirmed the consistency and accuracy of the implemented methodology. A parametric study of governing factors such as pore shapes, wettability, IFT, and flow rate was conducted using the developed PNMs. The findings revealed that pore geometry and contact angle dictate the condensate meniscus curvature and snap-off process in pore throats. The unblocking of throats by condensate bridges was primarily controlled by contact angle, IFT, and pore cross-section. A shift to neutral wetting substantially improved gas-condensate flow in higher IFTs and angular pore shapes. The positive velocity effect on low-IFT gas-condensate flow, known as the coupling rate effect, was more pronounced in simulations with lower contact angles, and its impact was negligible at neutral wettability, similar to the IFT effect. The simulation results and findings underscore the influence of each factor and offer a method for incorporating the effects of pore shape (i.e., formation type and structure), contact angle, velocity, and IFT in continuum scale simulations

Regularity in Breakfast and Snacks Intake and Its Relationship with Weight Status in Elementary School Students: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Childhood weight status is one of the important predictors of health status later in life. Some previous studies have postulated a relationship between the pattern of breakfast intake and weight status, but this relationship has not yet been clearly confirmed. This study aimed to assess the status of regularity in intake of breakfast and snacks and its relationship with weight status in elementary school students. Method: This study was done with a descriptive-analytic design. 362 children (Males: 192, Females: 170 child) were selected from elementary schools of Urmia by the use of stratified cluster sampling. A dietary 24-hour recall form was used for the assessment of intakes. Data about breakfast, snacks, height, weight, and waist circumferences were collected. Children's Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ-C) was used to assess the participants' physical activity level. Data were analyzed using the descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS software. Results: Mean student age, weight and BMI were 10.57 +/- 1.17 years, 37.44 +/- 11.30 kg and 18.4 +/- 3.39, respectively. 53.2 of girls had a regular breakfast and 55 regular snack intake. Among the boys, 46.8 had regular breakfast and 45 regular snack intake. Results showed a significant relationship between BMI and snacks consumption (p = 0.02). There was a significant relationship between the frequency of irregular breakfast intake and weight (P=0.01), but the relationship was not significant for the body mass index (P = 0.11). 58.1 of the students in the irregular breakfast group and 64.4 of those in the irregular snacks group were lean. Conclusions: Regular intake of snacks was correlated with higher weight status and maintaining desirable BMI. Irregular breakfast intake was related to lower weight. Most students with irregular breakfast and snack intake were underweight and thin

Magnetic graphene/Ni-nano-crystal hybrid for small field magnetoresistive effect synthesized via electrochemical exfoliation/deposition technique

Two-dimensional heterostructures of graphene (Gr) and metal/semiconducting elements convey new direction in electronic devices. They can be useful for spintronics because of small spin orbit interaction of Gr as a non-magnetic metal host with promising electrochemical stability. In this paper, we demonstrate one-step fabrication of magnetic Ni-particles entrapped within Gr-flakes based on simultaneous electrochemical exfoliation/deposition procedure by two-electrode system using platinum as the cathode electrode and a graphite foil as the anode electrode. The final product is an air stable hybrid element including Gr flakes hosting magnetic Ni-nano-crystals showing superparamagnetic-like response and room temperature giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect at small magnetic field range. The GMR effect is originated from spin scattering through ferromagnetic/non-magnetic nature of Ni/Gr heterostructure and interpreted based on a phenomenological spin transport model. Our work benefits from XRD, XPS, Raman, TEM, FTIR and VSM measurements We addressed that how our results can be used for rapid manufacturing of magnetic Gr for low field magneto resistive elements and potential printed spintronic devices