Electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria for determining left ventricular mass in young healthy men; data from the LARGE Heart study

Background: Doubts remain over the use of the ECG in identifying those with increased left ventricular (LV) mass. This is especially so in young individuals, despite their high prevalence of ECG criteria for LV hypertrophy. We performed a study using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), which provides an in vivo non-invasive gold standard method of measuring LV mass, allowing accurate assessment of electrocardiography as a tool for defining LV hypertrophy in the young.Methods and results: Standard 12-lead ECGs were obtained from 101 Caucasian male army recruits aged (mean +/- SEM) 19.7 +/- 0.2 years. LV mass was measured using CMR. LV mass indexed to body surface area demonstrated no significant correlation with the Cornell Amplitude criteria or Cornell Product for LV hypertrophy. Moderate correlations were seen with the Sokolow-Lyon Amplitude (0.28) and Sokolow-Lyon Product (0.284). Defining LV hypertrophy as a body surface area indexed left ventricular mass of 93 g/m(2), calculated sensitivities [and specificities] were as follows; 38.7% [74.3%] for the Sokolow-Lyon criteria, 43.4% [61.4%] for the Sokolow-Lyon Product, 19.4% [91.4%] for Cornell Amplitude, and 22.6% [85.7%] for Cornell Product. These values are substantially less than those reported for older age groups.Conclusion: ECG criteria for LV hypertrophy may have little value in determining LV mass or the presence of LV hypertrophy in young fit males

A Novel Splice-Site Variant in CACNA1F Causes a Phenotype Synonymous with Åland Island Eye Disease and Incomplete Congenital Stationary Night Blindness

Background: CACNA1F-related disorders encompass progressive and non-progressive disorders, including Åland island eye disease and incomplete congenital stationary night blindness. These two X-linked disorders are characterized by nystagmus, color vision defect, myopia, and electroretinography (ERG) abnormalities. Ocular hypopigmentation and iris transillumination are reported only in patients with Åland island eye disease. Around 260 variants were reported to be associated with these two non-progressive disorders, with 19 specific to Åland island eye disease and 14 associated with both Åland island eye disease and incomplete congenital stationary night blindness. CACNA1F variants spread on the gene and further analysis are needed to reveal phenotype-genotype correlation. Case Report: A complete ocular exam and genetic testing were performed on a 13-year-old boy. A novel splice-site variant, c.4294-11C>G in intron 36 in CACNA1F, was identified at hemizygous state in the patient and at heterozygous state in his asymptomatic mother and explained the phenotype synonymous with Åland island eye disease and incomplete congenital stationary night blindness observed in the patient. Conclusion: We present a novel variant in the CACNA1F gene causing phenotypic and electrophysiologic findings indistinguishable from those of AIED/CSNB2A disease. This finding further expands the mutational spectrum and our knowledge of CACNA1F-related disease

Morphological and histochemical observations of the red jungle fowl tongue Gallus gallus

Morphological and histochemical study of the tongue of ten adult red jungle fowl (RJF), Gallus gallus were carried out at macroscopic and microscopic levels. The tongue was triangular with a wide dorsal and ventrolateral surface with median groove at the rostral part. Between the body and the roots appears a transverse row of the lingual conical papillae which was directed backwards. Behind the laryngeal cleft, there was a single row of pharyngeal papillae. The lingual mucosa showed parakeratinization, while there was a clearly recognizable keratinized band on the ventrolateral surface and the conical papillae. The cell cytoplasm of the medial group (MG) of the anterior lingual glands and the posterior glands contained large amounts of mucin compared with the lateral group (LG). The mucin of the lingual glands contained vicinal diol groups. Moreover, the sulphate containing glycoconjugates indicated in the MG and the posterior glands with a strong acid mucin reaction. Meanwhile, the LG of the anterior lingual glands exhibited carboxylated mucin with weak acid mucin reaction. In conclusion, the differences in the arrangement of the lingual and pharyngeal papillae in the RJF than that in other birds particularly domestic chicken may reflects the changes which occurred for the latter during domestication. The contents of mucins in the medial and lateral groups of the anterior lingual gland were varied, however, no differences histochemistry between the medial group and the posterior lingual gland were observed.Key words: Lingual salivary glands, mucin reaction, red jungle, tongue

Activities of amylase, trypsin and chymotrypsin of pancreas and small intestinal contents in the red jungle fowl and broiler breed

The digestive enzyme activities of the pancreas and small intestinal segments were examined in two breeds of chickens that differ in growth rate over the period of 1 day (1-d) to 4-months (120-d) of age. The total body weight (BW) of the red jungle fowl (RJF) increased slowly during the experiment, in contrast to the commercial broiler chicken (CBC) which showed markedly increase (P < 0.05) over the same experiment. The pancreas weight (g/100 g BW) was greater (P < 0.05) in the RJF during the experiment, with the exception of 1-day old group. There was significantly higher (P < 0.05) pancreatic enzyme activity (unit/g) and (unit/100 g) BW for the CBC, particularly at 10-days. However, there were no differences between the breeds at (20 to 56 days) for amylase and (120 days) for chymotrypsin. The enzyme activity (unit/g) for all intestinal segments increased with age. The CBC attained a maximal value on 10 days for jejunal and ileal trypsin, and duodenal, jejunal and ileal chymotrypsin. Activities (unit/100 g BW) showed decrease with age for both breeds. The CBC had a relatively greater value (P < 0.05) at 1 day, except for the jejunal trypsin and the chymotrypsin. Thereafter, the relative activities were higher for the RJF until the end of the experiment. Although significant differences in the digestive enzyme activities were obtained between the two breeds, these differences were generally associated with differences in body weight. The effects of selection affected the development rate of the synthesis of these enzymes according to the body requirements and biological function and this may affect the digestion and finally the growth rate.Keywords: Pancreatic enzyme, small intestine, amylase, trypsin, chymotrypsi

Morphological study of pancreatic duct in red jungle fowl

Morphological and histochemical study of the pancreas and pancreatic ducts of ten adult red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus spadiceus) were carried out by means of light microscopy. The bulk of the pancreas consists of a dorsal, ventral, third and small splenic lobe. Three pancreatic ducts were recognized as they join the proximal end of the ascending duodenum. The exocrine units were composed of main pancreatic tissues, while the endocrine units were observed frequently in the third and splenic lobes. A single layer of pyramidal cells with acidophilic zymogen granules and small centro-acinar cells were formed in the exocrine acinus. The intercalated duct was lined by flattened epithelium which changed to cuboidal in the intralobular duct, while the interlobular and main pancreatic ducts were lined by simple columnar epithelium. Three types of cells were detected within the surface epithelium: principal, light and basal cells. These cells possess short luminal projections with a fuzzy surface coat. Apical neutral and sulfomucin reaction indicated involvement of these epithelial with secretion. Neither goblet cells nor ductal glands were found in the pancreatic ducts. Secretion of both neutral and sulfated materials by the epithelial lining the pancreatic ducts, suggesting that they are acting not only to facilitate thetransport of the pancreatic juice, but also as a protective barrier to protect the gland from autodigestion.Key words: Red jungle, morphological study, pancreatic duct, histochemical, mucin

Review of Context Specific and Safe Sanitation Technologies for Vulnerable Geomorphologic Areas in the Bengal Basin

Water and excreta related diseases such as diarrhoea and other respiratory problems remain a major health concern in Bangladesh and people in the Hard-to- Reach HtR areas i e vulnerable geomorphologic areas and slipping population from all sorts of development activities suffer more Much effort have already been undertaken to promote decentralized and sustainable context-specific sanitation facilities through increasing the capacity of the vulnerable community and creating their access to services However more activities and effort is needed to ensure the appropriate sanitation facilities for all mainly in the HtR areas Besides design of proper context-specific sanitation technologies safe human excreta disposal is also crucial for preventing the spread of infectious diseases as the thickness of surface impermeable clay and depth to groundwater table play vital role to select the distance between pit-latrine- the source of pathogen bacteria and shallow tubewell The study was undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of existing sanitation technologies in the geomorphologically variable HtR areas Five different HtR areas i e drought prone flood prone char sand bar coastal and haor swamp areas were selected for the survey The study reveals that context specific technologies and designs are required for the sustainability of sanitation services in the vulnerable area

Techno-economic analysis and physicochemical properties of Ceiba pentandra as second-generation biodiesel based on ASTM D6751 and EN 14214

© 2019 by the authors. Processing biodiesel from non-edible sources of feedstock seems to be thriving in recent years. It also has also gathered more attention than in the past, mainly because the biodiesel product is renewable and emits lower pollution compared to fossil fuels. Researchers have started their work on various kinds of biodiesel product, especially from a non-edible feedstock. Non-edible feedstocks such as Ceiba pentandra show great potential in the production of biodiesel, especially in the Southeast Asia region because the plants seem to be abundant in that region. Ceiba pentandra, also known as the Kapok tree, produces hundreds of pods with a length of 15 cm (5.9 in) and diameter 2-5 cm (1-2 in). The pods consist of seeds and fluffin the surrounding areas inside the pod, which itself contains yellowish fibre, a mixture of cellulose and lignin. The seeds of Ceiba pentandra can be used as feedstock for biodiesel production. The study for Ceiba pentandra will involve techno-economic, as well as a sensitivity analysis. Moreover, the study also shows that the techno-economic analysis of a biodiesel processing plant for 50 ktons Ceiba pentandra with a life span of 20 years is around $701 million with 3.7 years of the payback period. Besides that, this study also shows the differences in operating cost and oil conversion yield, which has the least impact on running cost. By improving the conversion processes continuously and by increasing the operational effciency, the cost of production will decrease. In addition, the study also explains the differences of final price biodiesel and diesel fossil fuel, both showing dissimilar scenarios subsidy and taxation. Biodiesel has a subsidy of$0.10/L and $0.18/L with a total tax exemption of 15%. The value was obtained from the latest subsidy cost and diesel in Malaysia. Finally, further research is needed in order to fully utilize the use of Ceiba pentandra as one of the non-edible sources of biodiesel

Production process and optimization of solid bioethanol from empty fruit bunches of palm oil using response surface methodology

© 2019 by the authors. This study aimed to observe the potential of solid bioethanol as an alternative fuel with high caloric value. The solid bioethanol was produced from liquid bioethanol, which was obtained from the synthesis of oil palm empty fruit bunches (PEFBs) through the delignification process by using organosolv pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis was conducted using enzyme (60 FPUg-1 of cellulose) at a variety of temperatures (35 °C, 70 °C, and 90 °C) and reaction times (2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h) in order to obtain a high sugar yield. The highest sugars were yielded at the temperature of 90 °C for 48 h (152.51 mg/L). Furthermore, fermentation was conducted using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The bioethanol yield after fermentation was 62.29 mg/L. Bioethanol was extracted by distillation process to obtain solid bioethanol. The solid bioethanol was produced by using stearic acid as the additive. In order to get high-quality solid bioethanol, the calorific value was optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM) model. This model provided the factor variables of bioethanol concentration (vol %), stearic acid (g), and bioethanol (mL) with a minus result error. The highest calorific value was obtained with 7 g stearic acid and 5 mL bioethanol (43.17 MJ/kg). Burning time was tested to observe the quality of the solid bioethanol. The highest calorific value resulted in the longest burning time. The solid bioethanol has a potential as solid fuel due to the significantly higher calorific value compared to the liquid bioethanol

Effects of mechanical interventions in the management of knee osteoarthritis: Protocol for an OA Trial Bank systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis

Introduction Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and disabling musculoskeletal condition. Biomechanical factors may play a key role in the aetiology of knee OA, therefore, a broad class of interventions involves the application or wear of devices designed to mechanically support knees with OA. These include gait aids, bracing, taping, orthotics and footwear. The literature regarding efficacy of mechanical interventions has been conflicting or inconclusive, and this may be because certain subgroups with knee OA respond better to mechanical interventions. Our primary aim is to identify subgroups with knee OA who respond favourably to mechanical interventions. Methods and analysis We will conduct a systematic review to identify randomised clinical trials of any mechanical intervention for the treatment of knee OA. We will invite lead authors of eligible studies to share individual participant data (IPD). We will perform an IPD meta-analysis for each type of mechanical intervention to evaluate efficacy, with our main outcome being pain. Where IPD are not available, this will be achieved using aggregate data. We will then evaluate five potential treatment effect modifiers using a two-stage approach. If data permit, we will also evaluate whether biomechanics mediate the effects of mechanical interventions on pain in knee OA. Ethics and dissemination No new data will be collected in this study. We will adhere to institutional, national and international regulations regarding the secure and confidential sharing of IPD, addressing ethics as indicated. We will disseminate findings via international conferences, open-source publication in peer-reviewed journals and summaries posted on websites serving the public and clinicians. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020155466

Time-saving opportunities in knee osteoarthritis: T2 mapping and structural imaging of the knee using a single 5-min MRI scan.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the discriminative power of a 5-min quantitative double-echo steady-state (qDESS) sequence for simultaneous T2 measurements of cartilage and meniscus, and structural knee osteoarthritis (OA) assessment, in a clinical OA population, using radiographic knee OA as reference standard. METHODS: Fifty-three subjects were included and divided over three groups based on radiographic and clinical knee OA: 20 subjects with no OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade (KLG) 0), 18 with mild OA (KLG2), and 15 with moderate OA (KLG3). All patients underwent a 5-min qDESS scan. We measured T2 relaxation times in four cartilage and four meniscus regions of interest (ROIs) and performed structural OA evaluation with the MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS) using qDESS with multiplanar reformatting. Between-group differences in T2 values and MOAKS were calculated using ANOVA. Correlations of the reference standard (i.e., radiographic knee OA) with T2 and MOAKS were assessed with correlation analyses for ordinal variables. RESULTS: In cartilage, mean T2 values were 36.1 ± SD 4.3, 40.6 ± 5.9, and 47.1 ± 4.3 ms for no, mild, and moderate OA, respectively (p < 0.001). In menisci, mean T2 values were 15 ± 3.6, 17.5 ± 3.8, and 20.6 ± 4.7 ms for no, mild, and moderate OA, respectively (p < 0.001). Statistically significant correlations were found between radiographic OA and T2 and between radiographic OA and MOAKS in all ROIs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Quantitative T2 and structural assessment of cartilage and meniscus, using a single 5-min qDESS scan, can distinguish between different grades of radiographic OA, demonstrating the potential of qDESS as an efficient tool for OA imaging. KEY POINTS: • Quantitative T 2values of cartilage and meniscus as well as structural assessment of the knee with a single 5-min quantitative double-echo steady-state (qDESS) scan can distinguish between different grades of knee osteoarthritis (OA). • Quantitative and structural qDESS-based measurements correlate significantly with the reference standard, radiographic degree of OA, for all cartilage and meniscus regions. • By providing quantitative measurements and diagnostic image quality in one rapid MRI scan, qDESS has great potential for application in large-scale clinical trials in knee OA