Evolution and current state of assays for measuring parathyroid hormone

Development of the assays for parathyroid hormone (PTH) stems from the early radioimmunoassay development. Recognition of the assay shortcomings led to the development of the newer immunometric assays (IMA) that allowed for better characterization and understanding of the PTH molecule secretion, action and metabolism. Newer assays also allowed for reliable diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism in the majority of the patients. However, despite apparent improvements in the assay\u27s characteristics, considerable difficulties remain in assessment of the bone metabolism in the patients with end stage renal disease. Combining the results of second generation PTH IMA assays with third generation PTH IMA assays or standardizing the PTH results may offer further enhancement in the ability to assess bone metabolism in these patients, but further studies are necessary to elucidate their true clinical value

Human heterochromatin protein 1 isoforms HP1(Hsα) and HP1(Hsβ) interfere with hTERT-telomere interactions and correlate with changes in cell growth and response to ionizing radiation

Telomeres are associated with the nuclear matrix and are thought to be heterochromatic. We show here that in human cells the overexpression of green fluorescent protein-tagged heterochromatin protein 1 (GFP-HP1) or nontagged HP1 isoforms HP1(Hsα) or HP1(Hsβ), but not HP1(Hsγ), results in decreased association of a catalytic unit of telomerase (hTERT) with telomeres. However, reduction of the G overhangs and overall telomere sizes was found in cells overexpressing any of these three proteins. Cells overexpressing HP1(Hsα) or HP1(Hsβ) also display a higher frequency of chromosome end-to-end associations and spontaneous chromosomal damage than the parental cells. None of these effects were observed in cells expressing mutants of GFP-ΔHP1(Hsα), GFP-ΔHP1(Hsβ), or GFP-ΔHP1(Hsγ) that had their chromodomains deleted. An increase in the cell population doubling time and higher sensitivity to cell killing by ionizing radiation (IR) treatment was also observed for cells overexpressing HP1(Hsα) or HP1(Hsβ). In contrast, cells expressing mutant GFP-ΔHP1(Hsα) or GFP-ΔHP1(Hsβ) showed a decrease in population doubling time and decreased sensitivity to IR compared to the parental cells. The effects on cell doubling times were paralleled by effects on tumorigenicity in mice: overexpression of HP1(Hsα) or HP1(Hsβ) suppressed tumorigenicity, whereas expression of mutant HP1(Hsα) or HP1(Hsβ) did not. Collectively, the results show that human cells are exquisitely sensitive to the amount of HP1(Hsα) or HP1(Hsβ) present, as their overexpression influences telomere stability, population doubling time, radioresistance, and tumorigenicity in a mouse xenograft model. In addition, the isoform-specific effects on telomeres reinforce the notion that telomeres are in a heterochromatinized state

Survey on unmanned aerial vehicle for Mars exploration: deployment use case

In recent years, the area of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has seen rapid growth. There has been a trend to build and produce UAVs that can carry out planetary exploration throughout the past decade. The technology of UAVs has tremendous potential to support various successful space mission solutions. In general, different techniques for observing space objects are available, such as telescopes, probes, and flying spacecraft, orbiters, landers, and rovers. However, a detailed analysis has been carried out due to the benefits of UAVs relative to other planetary exploration techniques. The deployment of UAVs to other solar bodies has been considered by numerous space agencies worldwide, including NASA. This article contributes to investigating the types of UAVs that have been considered for various planetary explorations. This study further investigates the behaviour of UAV prototypes on Mars’ surface in particular. It has been discovered that a prototype UAV flight on Mars has a higher chance of success. In this research, a prototype UAV has been successfully simulated to fly on Mars’ surface. This article discusses the opportunities, challenges, and future scope of deploying UAVs on Mars.ye

Prevalence and risk of hepatitis e virus infection in the HIV population of Nepal

Background: Infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause acute hepatitis in endemic areas in immune-competent hosts, as well as chronic infection in immune-compromised subjects in non-endemic areas. Most studies assessing HEV infection in HIV-infected populations have been performed in developed countries that are usually affected by HEV genotype 3. The objective of this study is to measure the prevalence and risk of acquiring HEV among HIV-infected individuals in Nepal. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 459 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-positive individuals from Nepal, an endemic country for HEV, for seroprevalence of HEV and assessed risk factors associated with HEV infection. All individuals were on antiretroviral therapy and healthy blood donors were used as controls. Results: We found a high prevalence of HEV IgG (39.4%) and HEV IgM (15.3%) in HIV-positive subjects when compared to healthy HIV-negative controls: 9.5% and 4.4%, respectively (OR: 6.17, 95% CI 4.42-8.61, p < 0.001 and OR: 3.7, 95% CI 2.35-5.92, p < 0.001, respectively). Individuals residing in the Kathmandu area showed a significantly higher HEV IgG seroprevalance compared to individuals residing outside of Kathmandu (76.8% vs 11.1%, OR: 30.33, 95% CI 18.02-51.04, p = 0.001). Mean CD4 counts, HIV viral load and presence of hepatitis B surface antigen correlated with higher HEV IgM rate, while presence of hepatitis C antibody correlated with higher rate of HEV IgG in serum. Overall, individuals with HEV IgM positivity had higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) than IgM negative subjects, suggesting active acute infection. However, no specific symptoms for hepatitis were identified. Conclusions: HIV-positive subjects living in Kathmandu are at higher risk of acquiring HEV infection as compared to the general population and to HIV-positive subjects living outside Kathmandu

Seizure and Hepatosplenomegaly—Rare Manifestation of Parvovirus B-19: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Parvovirus B19 is the etiologic agent of erythema infectiosum (fifth disease), a fever-rash illness occurring in childhood. We present a 10 month old child with high grade fever for 10 days, generalized tonic-clonic seizure, bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy, generalized maculopapular rash, hematemesis and malena. Bone marrow aspiration and liver biopsy were done. EBV serology and parvovirus PCR were also performed. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy showed giant pro-erythroblast consistent with parvovirus infection. PCR showed amplification of parvovirus genomic sequences. Present case highlights an atypical presentation of Parvovirus B19 infection as fever, rash and hepatosplenomegaly

Small Signal Parameter Extraction of III-V Heterojunction Surrounding Gate Tunnel Field Effect Transistor

This work presents simulation study and analysis of nanoscale III-V Heterojunction Gate All Around Tunnel Field Effect Transistor, along with the extraction of small signal parameters of the device. Transfer characteristics and output characteristics of the device were observed. The device is simulated for extraction of small signal parameters such as transconductance, gate-source capacitance, gate-drain capacitance, by varying doping concentration of drain region and channel length. Cut-off frequency of the device is also obtained. The results reported agree well with the data available in literature

Assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Patients Who Recovered from COVID-19

Background: It is essential to address psychological health, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among patients who have recovered from COVID-19. The negative impacts on the psychological health of an individual have negative impacts on health-related quality of life. The authors aimed to assess PTSD in patients recovered from COVID-19, and COVID-19-related comorbidities. Methodology: The present study was conducted as an observational cross-sectional study on patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were discharged from Gandhi Medical College and Hamidia Hospital, both in Bhopal, India, and returning to follow-up at the medicine/psychiatry outpatient department within 6 months after discharge, during the study period of 20 months. Detailed history regarding sociodemographic variables, previous medical history, comorbidities associated with COVID-19 (e.g., mucormycosis, etc.) were noted. PTSD was assessed using the PTSD Symptom Scale (PSS). Results: A total of 120 cases, who recovered from COVID-19 infection and sought care at the authors’ centre, were included in this study, with mean age of 37.520±12.756 years. Mean PTSD score was 3.350±1.528, and PTSD was noted in 85% cases. Of these, 83.3% cases had mild, and 1.7% cases had moderate PTSD. The authors observed no significant association of sociodemographic variables with PTSD on univariate as well as multivariate analysis (p>0.05). Conclusions: Though the wave of COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, the long-term morbidities, particularly due to the impact on psychological health, are still persistent. PTSD is a common consequence following recovery from COVID-19 infection. Thus, mental health services must be provided to patients recovered from COVID-19 infection, mainly targeted at prevention of PTSD

Case Report Sclerosing Sertoli Cell Tumor of the Testis: Case Report and Review of the Literature

ABSTRAC

Preventing Additive Attacks to Relational Database Watermarking

False ownership claims are carried on through additive and invertibility attacks and, as far as we know, current relational watermarking techniques are not always able to solve the ownership doubts raising from the latter attacks. In this paper, we focus on additive attacks. We extend a conventional image-based relational data watermarking scheme by creating a non-colluded backup of the data owner marks, the so-called secondary marks positions. The technique we propose is able to identify the data owner beyond any doubt