Detection of human papillomavirus from liquid-based cytology specimens by in-house PCR: a pilot study

The Papanicolaou smear remains the most common method for the detection of precancerous changes in cervical cytology. However, the introduction of a liquidbased cytology (LBC) technique expands the possibility of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) diagnosis, and permits detection of precancerous changes and human papillomavirus (HPV) simultaneously. In the pilot study reported here, using an in-house polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, high-grade HPV was detected in 32% of a cohort of 38 patients. This conventional PCR method could be developed for use on a real-time PCR platform or in a microtitre-well format and subsequently automated

Young stars and dust in AFGL437: NICMOS/HST polarimetric imaging of an outflow source

We present near infrared broad band and polarimetric images of the compact star forming cluster AFGL437 obtained with the NICMOS instrument aboard HST. Our high resolution images reveal a well collimated bipolar reflection nebulosity in the cluster and allow us to identify WK34 as the illuminating source. The scattered light in the bipolar nebulosity centered on this source is very highly polarized (up to 79%). Such high levels of polarization implies a distribution of dust grains lacking large grains, contrary to the usual dust models of dark clouds. We discuss the geometry of the dust distribution giving rise to the bipolar reflection nebulosity and make mass estimates for the underlying scattering material. We find that the most likely inclination of the bipolar nebulosity, south lobe inclined towards Earth, is consistent with the inclination of the large scale CO molecular outflow associated with the cluster, strengthening the identification of WK34 as the source powering it.Comment: 26 pages, 10 figues. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

First observations of the X-ray transient EXO 2030+375 with IBIS/ISGRI

We present a first INTEGRAL observation of the 42s transient X-ray pulsar EXO 2030+375 with IBIS/ISGRI. The source was detected during Cyg X-1 observations in December 2002. We analyzed observations during the outburst period from 9 to 21 December 2002 with a total exposure time of ~770 kiloseconds. EXO 2030+375 was almost always detected during single ~30 minute exposures in the 18-45 energy bands. The source light curve shows the characteristic outburst shape observed in this source.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures (1 in CMYK color), accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysics, INTEGRAL special issue, 200

Impact of wastage on single and multi-dose vaccine vials: implications for introducing pneumococcal vaccines in developing countries

Introduction: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are expensive relative to those in the EPI systems of low-income countries. The current single-dose presentation costs more to store in the cold chain relative to multi-dose presentations but also has lower wastage rates. It is, therefore, important to determine the optimal balance of vial size and storage costs after adjusting for wastage. Objectives: To project the cost implications of wastage when vaccine wastage rates vary across vial sizes using country specific wastage data. Methods: For each potential vial size, we estimated cold chain costs and the cost of wasted vaccine doses using country level wastage data and projections of the price per dose of vaccine and cold chain storage. Results: Only 19 (26%) of 72 GAVI eligible countries had analyzable wastage data at WHO/HQ. The median wastage rates for single, 2- and 10-dose vials were 5%, 7% and 10% respectively. However wastage varied between 1%-10%, 1%-27% and 4%-44% for single, 2- and 10-dose vials respectively. The increased variance for multi-dose vial wastage implied wastage costs potentially greater than the savings realized from lower storage volumes. Conclusions: The optimal vial-size for PCV is dependent upon country specific wastage rates but few countries have these data. There may be a role for both single and multi-dose vials that is best determined by local management and storage capacities making local wastage data critical. Without effective wastage monitoring and control there is a risk that wastage costs will possibly exceed the savings from multi-dose vials? lower storage costs

SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF BOSWELLIC ACID AND DIOSGENIN IN POLYHERBAL TRANSDERMAL GEL USING HPTLC

Background: Boswellic acid and diosgenin are important phytoconstituents present in Boswellia serrata and Trigonella foenum-graecum, respectively. Boswellic acid is a pentacyclic triterpenoid whereas diosgenin is a steroidal sapogenin. Traditionally, these plants are used in the treatment of arthritis. In the present study an attempt has been made to develop a simple, precise, rapid, selective and cost-effective high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for simultaneous estimation of boswellic acid and diosgenin from polyherbal transdermal gel prepared for the treatment of arthritis. Material and method: The method employed TLC aluminium plates precoated with silica gel 60F254 as the stationary phase. The solvent system consisted of hexane and acetone. Densitometric analysis was carried out in the absorbance mode at 540nm after derivatization for boswellic acid and diosgenin. Result: This system was found to give compact spots for boswellic acid (Rf value of 0.54) and diosgenin (Rf value of 0.64). Response was a linear function of the amount applied to the plate in the ranges 1-6 µg for boswellic acid and diosgenin. The % of boswellic acid and diosgenin from transdermal gel was found to be 99.46% and 98.85% respectively, which was well within the limit. Conclusion: The developed HPTLC method would be an important tool in the quality control method for polyherbal formulations. Keywords: Boswellic acid, Diosgenin, HPTLC, Polyherbal transdermal gel

The electrorheology of suspensions consisting of Na-Fluorohectorite synthetic clay particles in silicon oil

Under application of an electric field greater than a triggering electric field $E_c \sim 0.4$ kV/mm, suspensions obtained by dispersing particles of the synthetic clay fluoro-hectorite in a silicon oil, aggregate into chain- and/or column-like structures parallel to the applied electric field. This micro-structuring results in a transition in the suspensions' rheological behavior, from a Newtonian-like behavior to a shear-thinning rheology with a significant yield stress. This behavior is studied as a function of particle volume fraction and strength of the applied electric field, $E$. The steady shear flow curves are observed to scale onto a master curve with respect to $E$, in a manner similar to what was recently found for suspensions of laponite clay [42]. In the case of Na-fluorohectorite, the corresponding dynamic yield stress is demonstrated to scale with respect to $E$ as a power law with an exponent $\alpha \sim 1.93$, while the static yield stress inferred from constant shear stress tests exhibits a similar behavior with $\alpha \sim 1.58$. The suspensions are also studied in the framework of thixotropic fluids: the bifurcation in the rheology behavior when letting the system flow and evolve under a constant applied shear stress is characterized, and a bifurcation yield stress, estimated as the applied shear stress at which viscosity bifurcation occurs, is measured to scale as $E^\alpha$ with $\alpha \sim 0.5$ to 0.6. All measured yield stresses increase with the particle fraction $\Phi$ of the suspension. For the static yield stress, a scaling law $\Phi^\beta$, with $\beta = 0.54$, is found. The results are found to be reasonably consistent with each other. Their similarities with-, and discrepancies to- results obtained on laponite-oil suspensions are discussed

Total score of athleticism: holistic athlete profiling to enhance decision-making

Oftentimes, the coaching staff that make up the multidisciplinary team of a sports club or governing body require a single, holistic indication of an athlete’s athleticism. Currently there is no consensus on how this is best achieved and thus the Total Score of Athleticism (TSA) may provide one such strategy. The TSA is derived from the average of z-scores (or t-scores in the case of small samples) from a sport specific fitness testing battery, ensuring athletes are judged across all the relevant fitness capacities that best define the physical demands of competition. To aid readers in using the TSA, this article also details how it is computed in excel