High Energy X-Ray Dosimetry Using (ZnO)0.2(TeO2)0.8 Thin Filmbased Real-time X-Ray Sensor

This study reports the dosimetric response of a (ZnO)0.2(TeO2)0.8 thin film sensor irradiated with high-energy X-ray radiation at various doses. The spray pyrolysis method was used for the film deposition on soda-lime glass substrate using zinc acetate dehydrate and tellurium dioxide powder as the starting precursors. The structural and morphological properties of the film were determined. The I-V characteristics measurements were performed during irradiation with a 6 MV X-ray beam from a Linac. The results revealed that the XRD pattern of the AS-deposited thin film is non-crystalline (amorphous) in nature. The FESEM image shows the non-uniform shape of nanoparticles agglomerated separately, and the EDX spectrum shows the presence of Te, Zn, and O in the film. The I-V characteristics measurements indicate that the current density increases linearly with X-ray doses (0-250 cGy) for all applied voltages (1-6 V). The sensitivity of the thin film sensor has been found to be in the range of 0.37-0.94 mA/cm2 /Gy. The current-voltage measurement test for fading normalised in percentage to day 0 was found in the order of day 0 > day 15 > day 30 > day 1 > day 2. These results are expected to be beneficial for fabricating cheap and practical X-ray sensors

Scrub typhus ecology: a systematic review of Orientia in vectors and hosts

Abstract Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, is an important and neglected vector-borne zoonotic disease with an expanding known distribution. The ecology of the disease is complex and poorly understood, impairing discussion of public health interventions. To highlight what we know and the themes of our ignorance, we conducted a systematic review of all studies investigating the pathogen in vectors and non-human hosts. A total of 276 articles in 7 languages were included, with 793 study sites across 30 countries. There was no time restriction for article inclusion, with the oldest published in 1924. Seventy-six potential vector species and 234 vertebrate host species were tested, accounting for over one million trombiculid mites (‘chiggers’) and 83,000 vertebrates. The proportion of O. tsutsugamushi positivity was recorded for different categories of laboratory test and host species. Vector and host collection sites were geocoded and mapped. Ecological data associated with these sites were summarised. A further 145 articles encompassing general themes of scrub typhus ecology were reviewed. These topics range from the life-cycle to transmission, habitats, seasonality and human risks. Important gaps in our understanding are highlighted together with possible tools to begin to unravel these. Many of the data reported are highly variable and inconsistent and minimum data reporting standards are proposed. With more recent reports of human Orientia sp. infection in the Middle East and South America and enormous advances in research technology over recent decades, this comprehensive review provides a detailed summary of work investigating this pathogen in vectors and non-human hosts and updates current understanding of the complex ecology of scrub typhus. A better understanding of scrub typhus ecology has important relevance to ongoing research into improving diagnostics, developing vaccines and identifying useful public health interventions to reduce the burden of the disease.</jats:p

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

Background Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5–19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI 2 SD above the median). Findings From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/images/research_banner_face_lab_290.jpgunderweight or thinness. Interpretation The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesity

Anti-mullerian hormone as a marker of ovarian reserve

ObjectiveTo analyse the usefulness of plasma anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) measurement as a tool for assessing ovarian reserve in a general infertility population.Materials and methodsPlasma AMH levels were analysed in 238 women aged 18-46 years during day 3-5 of their menstrual cycle. All 238 patients had follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels less than 10 i.u./L, suggesting normal ovarian reserve on traditional FSH criteria. Eighty-seven patients gave their consent to correlate their AMH levels with IVF oocyte retrieval outcome. Patients producing > or = 8 oocytes were classified as having normal ovarian reserve, while those producing ResultsPlasma AMH levels remained relatively static (20-25 pmol/L) from 18 to 29 years of age. By 30 years of age, plasma AMH levels start to drop rapidly, reaching only 10 pmol/L by 37 years. Despite this 50% fall in AMH levels between 29 and 37 years of age, minimal changes in FSH levels were observed. Using a cut off value of 8.1 pmol/L, plasma AMH assessment could predict poor ovarian reserve on a subsequent IVF cycle with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 85%.ConclusionsPlasma AMH assessments are superior to FSH in identifying women with reduced ovarian reserve. Anti-mullerian hormone assessment should be considered as a useful adjunct to FSH/oestradiol levels and antral follicle count when estimating ovarian reserve

Miliary tuberculosis masquerading as pyrexia of obscure origin: A case report

The diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis may be difficult as clinical features are often non-specific and plain chest radiograph may fail to reveal classical miliary shadows, even in endemic areas. A 48 year old immune competent male with pyrexia of obscure origin is presented. The diagnosis was made with the aid of computed tomogram of the chest as plain chest radiograph was apparently normal and sputum examination for alcohol acid fast bacilli was negative. He responded well to anti-tuberculosis drugs. The significance of imaging techniques in the diagnosis of this disease when routine conventional tests are unhelpful is emphasized

Biofunctool®, a multifunctional approach of soil health related to soil biota activities

International audienceIn a context of global soil biodiversity loss, we need to findeffective way to measure the functions supported by biodiversity. Thisconstitutes the main challenge of soil health assessments,particularly in the agroecological transition context. The most shareddefinition of soil health is based on the ability of soil to function(Karlen et al., 1997) and to provide ecosystem services. However, mostmethods focus on stock measurements rather than functions. Also,measurements are usually performed in the laboratory, reflecting thepotential level of soil functions rather than true field performance.To overcome these methodological limitations, a new framework isproposed to assess soil health based on functional methods thatconsiders the links between abiotic and biotic soil compartments. Thismethod, called Biofunctool®, incorporates nine rapid, cost-effective,and in-field indicators to evaluate three main soil functions: Ctransformation, nutrient cycling, structure maintenance. The capacityof the set of indicators to assess the impact of land management onsoil health will be illustrated in various agroecological contexts inthe tropics. Biofunctool® allows to better understand the impacts ofagricultural practices on soil functions driven by soil biodiversityand could be in the future included in environmental analyses

Biofunctool®, a multifunctional approach of soil health related to soil biota activities

International audienceIn a context of global soil biodiversity loss, we need to findeffective way to measure the functions supported by biodiversity. Thisconstitutes the main challenge of soil health assessments,particularly in the agroecological transition context. The most shareddefinition of soil health is based on the ability of soil to function(Karlen et al., 1997) and to provide ecosystem services. However, mostmethods focus on stock measurements rather than functions. Also,measurements are usually performed in the laboratory, reflecting thepotential level of soil functions rather than true field performance.To overcome these methodological limitations, a new framework isproposed to assess soil health based on functional methods thatconsiders the links between abiotic and biotic soil compartments. Thismethod, called Biofunctool®, incorporates nine rapid, cost-effective,and in-field indicators to evaluate three main soil functions: Ctransformation, nutrient cycling, structure maintenance. The capacityof the set of indicators to assess the impact of land management onsoil health will be illustrated in various agroecological contexts inthe tropics. Biofunctool® allows to better understand the impacts ofagricultural practices on soil functions driven by soil biodiversityand could be in the future included in environmental analyses