A rare case report on primary sjogren’s syndrome complicating as osteomalacia with renal tubular acidosis in a tertiary care teaching hospital tirupathi

Renal involvement in Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is not uncommon and may precede other complaints. Tubulointerstitial nephritis is the most common renal disease in SS and may lead to, renal tubular acidosis (RTA), which in turn may cause osteomalacia. Nevertheless, osteomalacia rarely occurs as the first manifestation of a renal tubule connective tissue disorder due to SS. Here we are presenting a female patient of age 41 yrs was admitted in our hospital with chief complaints of bilateral thigh pain which restrict her walking with weakness. x-ray of long bone shows that extensive demineralization of the bone. Laboratory investigations revealed hypokalemia (3.2 mmol/L), hypophosphatemia (0.4 mmol/L), hypocalcemia (2.14 mmol/L) and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis (chlorine: 214 mmol/L; alkaline reserve: 14 mmol/L). The serum alkaline phosphatase levels were elevated. The serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D were low and borderline low, respectively, and the parathyroid hormone level was 90 pg/L. Urinalysis showed inappropriate alkaline urine (urinary PH: 7), glycosuria. These values indicated the presence of both distal and proximal RTA. Our patient reported dryness of the mouth and eyes and Schirmer’s test showed xerophthalmia

Lane-based analysis of the saturation flow rate considering traffic composition

Saturation flow rate (SFR) is an essential metric for estimating the capacities of signalized intersections. Many factors, including traffic composition, configuration and geometry of the intersection, and driver behavior, which is typically characterized by social and cultural norms, influence SFR. Most of the previous studies estimated the SFR and adjustment factor to be applied independently without considering the interaction impact between influencing factors. This study aims to empirically examine the influence of the number of lanes, the heavy vehicle proportions, and their interaction effect on the SFR of through movements. A new model was developed to magnify the HV Impact on SFR value considering the number of lanes at the upstream approach. The outcome of this study helps to improve the multiplicative model’s structure for SFRs adjustment factors. Adopting the outcome of this study by the responsible transport authority would optimize the road infrastructure provision.Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library

Characterization of a pathogenic variant in the ABCD1 gene through protein molecular modeling

Background. The ATP-binding cassette, subfamily D, member 1 (ABCD1) protein is a peroxisomal half-transporter that allows for very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) degradation. Pathogenic variants of ABCD1 cause VLCFAs to build up in various tissues and bodily fluids, resulting in a disorder called X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). This disorder is most commonly marked by adrenocortical insufficiency and high VLCFA concentration, and has varying levels of neurological involvement depending on phenotype. For example, the Addison-only form of X-ALD has no neurological impact, while the cerebral form of X-ALD often causes severe sensory loss, motor function impairment, cognitive decline, and death. Methods. A newly characterized and suspected pathogenic variant in ABCD1 was analyzed using our protein informatics platform (PIP). Personalized protein-level molecular studies were completed on genetic testing data, complementing the analysis and clinical study. Results. A case of adult onset adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) and a novel ABCD1 variant are presented. The unique ABCD1 protein is discussed, and the proband’s case is compared to existing reports of AMN. Conclusions. Data fusion from multiple sources was combined in a comprehensive approach yielding an enriched assessment of the patient’s disease and prognosis. Molecular modeling was performed on the variant to better characterize its clinical significance and confirm pathogenicity

Biologging Tags Reveal Links Between Fine-Scale Horizontal and Vertical Movement Behaviors in Tiger Sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier)

An understanding of the role that large marine predators play in structuring trophic flow and nutrient cycling in marine ecosystems requires knowledge of their fine-scale (m-km) movement behaviors. In this study, biologging tags were used to reveal new insights into the three-dimensional fine-scale movement ecology of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Tags deployed on 21 sharks in April-May 2017 for durations of 5–48 h recorded both physical parameters such as depth and temperature, and, through the use of accelerometers, gyroscopes and compasses, in-situ measurements of animal trajectory and locomotion. Animal-borne-video enabled the validation of behavioral signatures, mapping of habitat, and recording of interactions with prey. Collectively, these data were used to examine the link between vertical (oscillations) and horizontal (tortuosity) movements, and link sensor data to prey interactions recorded by the video. This biologging approach revealed complex movements that would otherwise be invisible within the time-depth records provided by traditional tagging techniques. The rate of horizontal turning was not related to vertical oscillations, suggesting that vertical movements occur independently of searching behaviors in tiger sharks. These animals displayed tortuous movements possibly associated with prey searching for 27% of their tracks, and interactions with prey elicited varied responses including highly tortuous paths and burst movements. Accurate speed measurements and GPS anchor points will considerably enhance the value of magnetometer data in future studies by facilitating more accurate dead-reckoning and geo-referencing of area-restricted search behaviors

Towards versatile access networks (Chapter 3)

Compared to its previous generations, the 5th generation (5G) cellular network features an additional type of densification, i.e., a large number of active antennas per access point (AP) can be deployed. This technique is known as massive multipleinput multiple-output (mMIMO) [1]. Meanwhile, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) evolution, e.g., in channel state information (CSI) enhancement, and also on the study of a larger number of orthogonal demodulation reference signal (DMRS) ports for MU-MIMO, was one of the Release 18 of 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP Rel-18) work item. This release (3GPP Rel-18) package approval, in the fourth quarter of 2021, marked the start of the 5G Advanced evolution in 3GPP. The other items in 3GPP Rel-18 are to study and add functionality in the areas of network energy savings, coverage, mobility support, multicast broadcast services, and positionin

A Study of Nuclear Transcription Factor-Kappa B in Childhood Autism

BACKGROUND: Several children with autism show regression in language and social development while maintaining normal motor milestones. A clear period of normal development followed by regression and subsequent improvement with treatment, suggests a multifactorial etiology. The role of inflammation in autism is now a major area of study. Viral and bacterial infections, hypoxia, or medication could affect both foetus and infant. These stressors could upregulate transcription factors like nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), a master switch for many genes including some implicated in autism like tumor necrosis factor (TNF). On this hypothesis, it was proposed to determine NF-κB in children with autism. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of 67 children with autism and 29 control children were evaluated for NF-κB using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). A phosphor imaging technique was used to quantify values. The fold increase over the control sample was calculated and statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 15. RESULTS: We have noted significant increase in NF-κB DNA binding activity in peripheral blood samples of children with autism. When the fold increase of NF-κB in cases (n = 67) was compared with that of controls (n = 29), there was a significant difference (3.14 vs. 1.40, respectively; p<0.02). CONCLUSION: This finding has immense value in understanding many of the known biochemical changes reported in autism. As NF-κB is a response to stressors of several kinds and a master switch for many genes, autism may then arise at least in part from an NF-κB pathway gone awry

Motorcyclists’ Safety on Expressways: Subjective and Objective Evaluations

This study objectively and subjectively investigates the factors influencing motorcyclists’ safety on expressways. The relationships between motorcyclist stress while driving on expressways and potential influencing factors including traffic situations, road geometries, and wind conditions are also investigated. Data collected from a historical crash database and through a field experiment were used for the analyses reported in this paper. A special device was used during the experiment to measure the motorcyclists’ stress levels and to collect required information such as location, speed, and surrounding traffic. Statistical analyses conducted on motorcyclists’ subjective safety perception, obtained through a questionnaire survey, highlighted that the degree of risk from surrounding vehicles was the most significant influencing factor, followed by vibration caused by road surface asperity. Furthermore, the analysis on motorcyclists’ stress level indicated that the significant influencing factors are the proportion of traveling time on the climbing lane, the proportion of traveling time in which the adjacent left lane is occupied by a heavy vehicle, and the variations of instantaneous speeds

Medicinal Plants Used in Sri Lankan Traditional Medicine for Dengue Fever

Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral infectious disease caused by the dengue virus, is a significant global health concern, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite preventive efforts, Sri Lanka faces recurring dengue outbreaks, with the Western province being the most affected. Current treatments primarily focus on supportive care, as specific antiviral therapies remain elusive. This review presents an overview of dengue, its clinical presentations, the dengue burden in Sri Lanka, and the potential of Sri Lankan medicinal plants used in traditional medicine for treating dengue. Several plants, such as Munronia pinnata, Azardirachta indica, Cissampelos pareira L., Carica papaya, Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, and Bambusa vulgaris, show antiviral properties against dengue. The utilization of these medicinal plants in dengue treatment could offer a promising avenue for further research and drug development

Characterization of Daboia russelii and Naja naja venom neutralizing ability of an undocumented indigenous medication in Sri Lanka

Background: Indigenous medicinal practice in Sri Lanka talks about powerful compounds extracted from native plants for treating venomous snake bites which are hardly documented in literature but are used by the indigenous doctors for thousand years. Objective: We screened the neutralizing ability of a herbal preparation practiced in indigenous medicine of Sri Lanka, consisting of Sansevieria cylindrica, Jatropha podagrica and Citrus aurantiifolia, for its ability to neutralize venom toxins of Naja naja (Common Cobra) and Daboia russelii (Russell's viper). Materials and methods: The venom toxicity was evaluated using a 5-day old chicken embryo model observing the pathophysiology and the mortality for six hours, in the presence or absence of the herbal preparation. The known toxin families to exist in snake venom, such as Phospholipase A2, Snake venom Metalloprotease, were evaluated to understand the mechanism of venom neutralizing ability of the herbal preparation. Results: The LD50 of D. russelii venom, as measured using the 5-day old chicken embryo model, was 4.8 ± 0.865 ug (R2 = 84.8%, P = 0.079). The pre-incubation of venom with the herbal preparation increased the LD50 of D. russelii venom to 17.64 ± 1.35 μg (R2 = 81.0%, P = 0.100), showing a clear neutralizing action of D. russelii venom toxicity by the herbal medicine. Whereas the pre-incubation of venom with the 1× venom neutralizing dose of commercially available polyvalent anti-venom serum shifted the LD50 venom only up to 5.5 ± 1.35 μg (R2 = 98.8%, P = 0.069). In the presence of the herbal preparation, Phospholipase A2 activity of D. russelii venom was significantly reduced from 9.2 × 10−3 mM min−1 to 8.0 × 10−3 mM min−1 and that of N. naja from 2.92 × 10−2 mM min−1 to 0.188 × 10−2 mM min−1. Further, the pre-incubation of N. naja venom with the herbal preparation significantly reduced its Metalloprotease activity from 0.069 units min−1 to 0.019 units min−1. Conclusion: The herbal preparation shows a clear neutralizing action against the toxicities of D. russelii and N. naja venoms demonstrating the potential to be used as a plant based antidote for snake envenomation