Numerical Investigation of the Phase Evolution in Polymer Blends under External Mechanical Loadings

The influences on the development of polymer blend microstructures are not yet fully understood in the manufacturing processes. The purpose of this paper is to give a closer look at the effect of the elastic energy on the decomposition process. The decomposition process of a melt consisting of two polymers with different shear moduli is investigated. Due to the resulting heterogeneous material behavior and deformations, the generated energy field is heterogeneous as well. This energy causes changes in the local stability of the mixture, which yields phases consisting of both the polymers. Additionally, possible large deformations result in dominating diffusion directions

Engineering Microneedle Patches for Improved Penetration: Analysis, Skin Models and Factors Affecting Needle Insertion

Transdermal microneedle (MN) patches are a promising tool used to transport a wide variety of active compounds into the skin. To serve as a substitute for common hypodermic needles, MNs must pierce the human stratum corneum (~ 10 to 20 µm), without rupturing or bending during penetration. This ensures that the cargo is released at the predetermined place and time. Therefore, the ability of MN patches to sufficiently pierce the skin is a crucial requirement. In the current review, the pain signal and its management during application of MNs and typical hypodermic needles are presented and compared. This is followed by a discussion on mechanical analysis and skin models used for insertion tests before application to clinical practice. Factors that affect insertion (e.g., geometry, material composition and cross-linking of MNs), along with recent advancements in developed strategies (e.g., insertion responsive patches and 3D printed biomimetic MNs using two-photon lithography) to improve the skin penetration are highlighted to provide a backdrop for future research.[Figure not available: see fulltext.

Study the Response of Physiological Traits and Grain Yield to Integrated Use of Chemical Nitrogen Fertilizer with Sugarcane Residue Compost in Heat Stress Conditions

IntroductionIn the pursuit of a resilient and progressive agricultural system, the incorporation of diverse fertilizers is deemed essential. This practice not only enhances product quality but also aids in cost reduction. However, over-reliance on a specific type of input can inadvertently lead to unintended repercussions. The unrestricted utilization of chemical fertilizers, for instance, can precipitate adverse outcomes such as imbalanced pH levels, the accumulation of heavy elements, soil structure deterioration, and environmental contamination. Conversely, organic fertilizers, while environmentally friendly, often release nutrients at a slower rate, potentially disrupting optimal plant growth. To attain a balanced and sustainable agricultural approach, the combined application of organic and chemical fertilizers is advocated. Moreover, harnessing the biological potential inherent in soil ecosystems, including beneficial microbial communities encompassing bacteria and fungi, emerges as a promising avenue in cultivating sustainable agriculture. Acknowledging the adverse impact of late-season heat stress on wheat production in Khuzestan and recognizing the significance of reducing chemical fertilizer usage while augmenting organic and biological fertilizers to foster ecological health, this experiment undertakes the exploration of the effects of a synergistic approach. Specifically, it delves into the combined utilization of nitrogen and compost fertilizers, complemented by the incorporation of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. This endeavor aims to shed light on how this combined strategy operates within the context of terminal heat stress, assessing its influence on the physiological attributes and yield of the wheat cultivar Chamran 2.Materials and MethodsThis experiment was carried out as split-split plots based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the crop year of 2021-2022 in the research farm of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan. The experimental factors include three planting dates: December 1st, December 20th, and December 10th in the main plots; Six levels of combined use of nitrogen fertilizer with compost fertilizer include control (without nitrogen and organic), 100% nitrogen, 75% nitrogen+ 25% compost, 50% nitrogen+ 50% compost, 25% nitrogen+ 75% compost and 100% compost in sub-plots and two levels of application and non-application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in sub-plots. Each sub-plot was 3 meters long and 2 meters wide (with an area of 6 square meters) and included 10 crop lines at a distance of 20 cm from each other. The distance between the main and secondary plots was considered to be half a meter and the distance between the blocks was two meters. After physiological maturity, the plants were harvested and the physiological traits and grain yield were measured.Results and DiscussionVariance analysis showed that the interaction effect of planting date, combined use of nitrogen with compost, and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, on the traits of relative leaf water content, planting to flowering, and grain yield were significant at the 1% probability level. Also, the interaction effect of planting date and the combined use of nitrogen with compost on all traits except the length of the grain filling period and the length of sowing to physiological maturity was significant at the probability level of 1%. The mean comparison showed that the highest relative leaf water content, cell membrane thermostability, and canopy temperature depression were obtained from the treatment of 100% compost, and the highest traits of the length of sowing to flowering and length of sowing to physiological maturity were obtained in the use of 100% nitrogen. Also, the longest grain filling period, grain filling rate, and grain yield were obtained in the combined use of 50% nitrogen+ 50% compost and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, and the lowest value was obtained in the control of not using nitrogen and compost. In general, the delay in planting and the occurrence of terminal heat stress caused a decrease in grain yield, but on different planting dates, the combined use of 50% nitrogen+ 50% compost compared to the treatment of 100% nitrogen increased wheat grain yield.ConclusionAccording to the obtained results, in areas with terminal heat stress, the combined use of 50% nitrogen+ 50% compost and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria can be considered to increase the growth and yield of wheat

Study on Prevalence of TTV among Cirrhotic patients due to Hepatitis B & C in Ahwaz University Hospitals during the Years 2004-2005

Background and Aims: Recently, a novel DNA virus was isolated from the serum of a patient with post-transfusion non A-G hepatitis and named TT virus. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence TT virus among cirrhotic patients due to hepatitis B & C in infection Ahwaz. Methods: The prevalence of TTV infection was studied in 41 patients with liver cirrhosis. TTV DNA was detected by semi-nested PCR. The plasma samples were tested for marker hepatitis B & C by ELISA test. Results: TT virus was detected in 17(41.46%) of the 41 patients with cirrhotic liver disease. There were no significant difference between the subject TTV DNA in relation to sex and age. TTV positivity in cirrhotic patient infected with hepatitis B (52.9%) was higher than in similar patients infected with hepatitis C (47.1%). Conclusion: TTV infection was highly prevalence in patient with cirrhotic hepatitis, especially in those with hepatitis B virus infection

Maternal and Child Oral Health Interventions in Middle East and North Africa Regions:a rapid review

Objectives: To conduct a rapid review to identify any maternal and/or child oral health interventions implemented and/or tested in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries generally, and Lebanon, Palestine and Syria specifically, and to compile information on the relative effectiveness of these interventions. Methods: A systematic search was conducted for primary and secondary literature indexed in five online databases, and the websites of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Results: Two independent researchers reviewed 1,180 records from the online databases, and 3,120 reports from the WHO, UNRWA, UNICEF and UNHCR. Four unique studies were included and conducted in Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iran. No systematic reviews were found for targeted interventions in MENA regions. However, interventions using fluoridated toothpaste (Syria), preventive treatment and fluoridated chewing gum (Saudi Arabia), and oral health education with oral health reminders (Iran) were significantly effective in reducing early child caries (ECC) experience. In Syria and Iran, mother and child oral health promotions integrated into ongoing vaccination programmes were effective in reducing ECC. These interventions formed part of WHO and Ministry of Health programmes. Conclusion: Further investigation is essential to verify the effectiveness of incorporating multi-disciplinary, theory-driven oral health interventions into ongoing WHO maternal and child health programmes in MENA countries to assist in promoting oral health and wellbeing

Scans for signatures of selection in Russian cattle breed genomes reveal new candidate genes for environmental adaptation and acclimation

Domestication and selective breeding has resulted in over 1000 extant cattle breeds. Many of these breeds do not excel in important traits but are adapted to local environments. These adaptations are a valuable source of genetic material for efforts to improve commercial breeds. As a step toward this goal we identified candidate regions to be under selection in genomes of nine Russian native cattle breeds adapted to survive in harsh climates. After comparing our data to other breeds of European and Asian origins we found known and novel candidate genes that could potentially be related to domestication, economically important traits and environmental adaptations in cattle. The Russian cattle breed genomes contained regions under putative selection with genes that may be related to adaptations to harsh environments (e.g., AQP5, RAD50, and RETREG1). We found genomic signatures of selective sweeps near key genes related to economically important traits, such as the milk production (e.g., DGAT1, ABCG2), growth (e.g., XKR4), and reproduction (e.g., CSF2). Our data point to candidate genes which should be included in future studies attempting to identify genes to improve the extant breeds and facilitate generation of commercial breeds that fit better into the environments of Russia and other countries with similar climates

Reproductive maturation of sub adult Indian carps in earthen ponds

Carp culture in extensive and semi-extensive systems: i.e., earthen ponds, natural and semi-natural water resources, reservoirs and the paddy field has widspred distribution. Indian major carps including Catla (Catla catla), Roho (Labeo rohita), Mrigal (Cirrhinus mirgala) which have faster growth and good feed value than other warm water fishes introduced to many countries including India, Thailand, Burma, Philippines, Japan and the former Soviet Union are also considered and are reared. Sex steroids are important in the control of reproduction in fish. Development of methods for Indian education programs for proliferation requires knowledge of the hormonal changes during sexual maturation and spawning is. Testosterone, progesterone and 17 ϐ-estradiol are steroid hormones that play an important role in controlling Tuesday reproduction and sexual maturity of the fish are. This study aimed to investigate the changes in steroid hormones testosterone and 17 beta-estradiol including Catla (Catla catla), Roho (Labeo rohita), Mrigal (Cirrhinus mirgala) were conducted in different seasons. 40 specimen of carps breeders were investigated in southern (Aquaculture Research Institute) and north (North Aquaculture Research Institute) of Iran and maintained in different seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter). Fish were caught by netting vetch and spring 1 cm. Blood samples were collected from the fish caudal blood serum by centrifugal separation model Labofuga 200 was made in Germany. Testosterone, and estradiol RIA (Radioimmunoassy) using an automatic gamma counter LKB model made in Finland made in France using the Immunotech kit hormone were measured. The results showed that the average level of 17 betaestradiol in the female in the spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively, 82/12 ± 75/107, 66/13 ± 2/80, 73/17 ± 8/122 and 72/17 ± 25/104 ml, respectively. Mean testosterone levels in the female in the spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively, 004/0 ± 092/0, 002/0 ± 05/0, 003/0 ± 11/0 and 006/0 ± 1/0 ng ml, respectively. Overall, the highest levels of 17 beta-estradiol and testosterone in female Roho were recorded in autumn. Also, low levels of 17 beta-estradiol and testosterone in female Roho was observed in summer. Highest and lowest levels of the male hormone, respectively, were recorded in winter and spring. The relationship between the hormone 17 beta-estradiol and testosterone with environmental factors such as pH and dissolved oxygen were discussed. there was a positive correlation between testosterone levels in males only the amount of dissolved oxygen .results revieled that sex hormone levels were increased during winter and autumn would be the signe for reproductive performance and spawning seasone in three species

A Novel Vaccine Strategy Employing Serologically Different Chimpanzee Adenoviral Vectors for the Prevention of HIV-1 and HCV Coinfection

Background: Nearly 3 million people worldwide are coinfected with HIV and HCV. Affordable strategies for prevention are needed. We developed a novel vaccination regimen involving replication-defective and serologically distinct chimpanzee adenovirus (ChAd3, ChAd63) vector priming followed by modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) boosts, for simultaneous delivery of HCV non-structural (NSmut) and HIV-1 conserved (HIVconsv) region immunogens. Methods: We conducted a phase I trial in which 33 healthy volunteers were sequentially enrolled and vaccinated via the intramuscular route as follows: 9 received ChAd3-NSmut [2.5 × 1010 vp] and MVA-NSmut [2 × 108 pfu] at weeks 0 and 8, respectively; 8 received ChAdV63.HIVconsv [5 × 1010 vp] and MVA.HIVconsv [2 × 108 pfu] at the same interval; 16 were co-primed with ChAd3-NSmut [2.5 × 1010 vp] and ChAdV63.HIVconsv [5 × 1010 vp] followed at week 8 by MVA-NSmut and MVA.HIVconsv [both 1 × 108 pfu]. Immunogenicity was assessed using peptide pools in ex vivo ELISpot and intracellular cytokine assays. Vaccine-induced whole blood transcriptome changes were assessed by microarray analysis. Results: All vaccines were well tolerated and no vaccine-related serious adverse events occurred. Co-administration of the prime-boost vaccine regimens induced high magnitude and broad T cell responses that were similar to those observed following immunization with either regimen alone. Median (interquartile range, IQR) peak responses to NSmut were 3,480 (2,728–4,464) and 3,405 (2,307–7,804) spot-forming cells (SFC)/106 PBMC for single and combined HCV vaccinations, respectively (p = 0.8). Median (IQR) peak responses to HIVconsv were 1,305 (1,095–4,967) and 1,005 (169–2,482) SFC/106 PBMC for single and combined HIV-1 vaccinations, respectively (p = 0.5). Responses were maintained above baseline to 34 weeks post-vaccination. Intracellular cytokine analysis indicated that the responding populations comprised polyfunctional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Canonical pathway analysis showed that in the single and combined vaccination groups, pathways associated with antiviral and innate immune responses were enriched for upregulated interferon-stimulated genes 24 h after priming and boosting vaccinations. Conclusions: Serologically distinct adenoviral vectors encoding HCV and HIV-1 immunogens can be safely co-administered without reducing the immunogenicity of either vaccine. This provides a novel strategy for targeting these viruses simultaneously and for other pathogens that affect the same populations