On the Absorption Spectra of Some Organic Molecules in the Vapour State

In this paper absorption spectra of some organic molecules in the vapour state have been studied@IAC

The impact of long-term azithromycin on antibiotic resistance in HIV-associated chronic lung disease

Selection for resistance to azithromycin (AZM) and other antibiotics such as tetracyclines and lincosamides remains a concern with long-term AZM use for treatment of chronic lung diseases (CLD). We investigated the impact of 48 weeks of AZM on the carriage and antibiotic resistance of common respiratory bacteria among children with HIV-associated CLD. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs and sputa were collected at baseline, 48 and 72 weeks from participants with HIV-associated CLD randomised to receive weekly AZM or placebo for 48 weeks and followed postintervention until 72 weeks. The primary outcomes were prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP), Staphylococcus aureus (SA), Haemophilus influenzae (HI) and Moraxella catarrhalis (MC) at these timepoints. Mixed-effects logistic regression and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare carriage and resistance, respectively. Of 347 (174 AZM, 173 placebo) participants (median age 15 years (IQR 13–18), female 49%), NP carriage was significantly lower in the AZM (n=159) compared to placebo (n=153) arm for SP (18% versus 41%, p<0.001), HI (7% versus 16%, p=0.01) and MC (4% versus 11%, p=0.02); SP resistance to AZM (62% (18 out of 29) versus 13% (8 out of 63), p<0.0001) or tetracycline (60% (18 out of 29) versus 21% (13 out of 63), p<0.0001) was higher in the AZM arm. Carriage of SA resistant to AZM (91% (31 out of 34) versus 3% (1 out of 31), p<0.0001), tetracycline (35% (12 out of 34) versus 13% (4 out of 31), p=0.05) and clindamycin (79% (27 out of 34) versus 3% (1 out of 31), p<0.0001) was also significantly higher in the AZM arm and persisted at 72 weeks. Similar findings were observed for sputa. The persistence of antibiotic resistance and its clinical relevance for future infectious episodes requiring treatment needs further investigation

The Sewage Sludge Biochar and Its Composts Influence the Phosphate Sorption in an Alkaline–Calcareous Soil

This study evaluates the potential of sewage sludge, farm manure, rock phosphate, and their composts or biochar as useful materials for phosphorous (P) recovery. An alkaline–calcareous soil was incubated with different compost-based amendments to discern their impact on the P sorption characteristics. The treatments examined consisted of sewage sludge (SS), SS biochar (SS-BC), or composts of SS with rock phosphate (RP) and farm manure (FM) in different ratios, i.e., (i) control, (ii) SS, (iii) SS-BC, (iv) SS50:FM50, (v) SS75:FM25, (vi) SS25:FM25:RP50, (vii) SS50:FM25:RP25, (viii) SS75:FM0:RP25, and (ix) SS50:FM0:RP50. Prior to incubation for 45 days, the composts and biochar treatments combinations were characterized for elemental composition using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy. The treated soils were analyzed for soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), Olsen’s P, and P adsorption isotherms, at day 5 and 45 of the incubation. Langmuir and Freundlich’s equations were used to calculate P adsorption. Results showed that there was no significant influence on soil pH for any treatment throughout the experiment. However, soil EC decreased significantly for all treatments after 5 days of incubation; however, this effect was diminished after 45 days of incubation. All the treatments significantly decreased P sorption capacity both at the start (day 5) and end of the incubation (day 45) period compared to control. The treatment combination SS25:FM25:RP50 recovered the highest Olsen-P (79.41 mg kg−1). The other treatment combinations including SS and FM also recovered a greater Olsen’s P compared to the control. However, the sole application of only SS showed lower P recovery than the control soil, which further decreased with increase in incubation time. These findings improve our understanding that the stable pool of bioavailable P within an alkaline calcareous soil can be mobilized by using different organic treatment combinations instead of only SS. However, further in situ investigations may help to valorize the potential of sewage sludge, farm manure, rock phosphate, and their composts or biochar to improve P recovery in alkaline–calcareous.</jats:p

Lateral rectus metastasis from an occult systemic malignancy masquerading as abducens palsy: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Abduction deficit in the elderly is commonly caused by sixth cranial nerve palsy due to microvasculopathy. However, not all such cases are of neurogenic origin, as our case report shows.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present the case of a 75-year-old woman who was generally unwell, developed acute diplopia and was found to have a right abduction deficit in a quiet eye with no gross orbital signs and symptoms. A computed tomography scan of the head and orbits revealed a metastatic mass in the right lateral rectus muscle. Systemic evaluation confirmed widespread thoracic and abdominal metastases from an occult systemic malignancy. Lateral rectus metastasis from an occult systemic malignancy was masquerading as abducens palsy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Orbital metastasis involving extraocular muscles can present as isolated diplopia with minimal local signs and the absence of a history of systemic malignancy. A detailed history and systemic examination can identify suspicious cases, which should be investigated further. The clinician should avoid presuming that such an abduction deficit in the elderly is a benign neurogenic palsy.</p

Incidence and progression of echocardiographic abnormalities in HIV-infected older children and adolescents taking antiretroviral therapy: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: A high prevalence of cardiac abnormalities has been reported in children with HIV taking ART in sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated the incidence and progression of cardiac abnormalities among children taking ART in Zimbabwe. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted at a paediatric HIV clinic from 2014 to 2017. Children with HIV aged between 6 and 16 years and taking ART ≥6 months were enrolled. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed at baseline and 18 months. RESULTS: Of 197 participants recruited at baseline, 175 [(89%), 48% female, median age 12 (IQR, 10-14) years] were followed up. The incidence of left and right heart abnormalities was 3.52 and 5.64 per 100 pys, respectively. Stunting was associated with the development of any cardiac abnormality [adjusted OR 2.59 (95% CI, 1.03-6.49); p=0.043]. Right ventricular (RV) dilatation persisted at follow up in 92% and left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction in 88%. Cardiac abnormalities present at baseline reverted to normal over the follow up period in 11(6%). There was an overall increase in mean z-scores for LV, left atrium (LA), RV, interventricular septum and LV posterior wall diameters at 18 months (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite ART, children with HIV have a high incidence of cardiac abnormalities, with only a minority being transient. Mean z-scores for LV, LA, RV, interventricular septum and LV posterior wall diameters increased over a relatively short follow up period, suggesting the potential for progression of cardiac abnormalities. Longer follow up is required to understand the clinical implications of these abnormalities

Evaluation of phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of various solvent extracts of Sonchus asper (L.) Hill

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Sonchus asper </it>(SA) is traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments associated with liver, lungs and kidneys. This study was aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of nonpolar (hexane, SAHE; ethyl acetate, SAEE and chloroform, SACE) and polar (methanol, SAME) crude extracts of the whole plant.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To achieve these goals, several parameters including free-radical (DPPH^•, ABTS^•+, H₂O₂and ^•OH) scavenging, iron chelating activity, scavenging of superoxide radicals, total flavonoids and total phenolic content (TPC) were examined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The SA extracts presented a remarkable capacity to scavenge all the tested reactive species with IC₅₀values being found at the μg ⁄ ml level. The SAME was shown to have the highest TPCs while lowest IC₅₀values for the DPPH^•, ABTS^•+radical scavenging capacities and iron chelating scavenging efficiency, moreover, SAME had best activities in scavenging of superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide as well as potently scavenged the hydroxyl radicals.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results suggest the potential of <it>S. asper </it>as a medicine against free-radical-associated oxidative damage.</p

Indoor Residual Spraying in Combination with Insecticide-Treated Nets Compared to Insecticide-Treated Nets Alone for Protection against Malaria: A Cluster Randomised Trial in Tanzania.

Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) of houses provide effective malaria transmission control. There is conflicting evidence about whether it is more beneficial to provide both interventions in combination. A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted to investigate whether the combination provides added protection compared to ITNs alone. In northwest Tanzania, 50 clusters (village areas) were randomly allocated to ITNs only or ITNs and IRS. Dwellings in the ITN+IRS arm were sprayed with two rounds of bendiocarb in 2012. Plasmodium falciparum prevalence rate (PfPR) in children 0.5-14 y old (primary outcome) and anaemia in children <5 y old (secondary outcome) were compared between study arms using three cross-sectional household surveys in 2012. Entomological inoculation rate (secondary outcome) was compared between study arms. IRS coverage was approximately 90%. ITN use ranged from 36% to 50%. In intention-to-treat analysis, mean PfPR was 13% in the ITN+IRS arm and 26% in the ITN only arm, odds ratio = 0.43 (95% CI 0.19-0.97, n = 13,146). The strongest effect was observed in the peak transmission season, 6 mo after the first IRS. Subgroup analysis showed that ITN users were additionally protected if their houses were sprayed. Mean monthly entomological inoculation rate was non-significantly lower in the ITN+IRS arm than in the ITN only arm, rate ratio = 0.17 (95% CI 0.03-1.08). This is the first randomised trial to our knowledge that reports significant added protection from combining IRS and ITNs compared to ITNs alone. The effect is likely to be attributable to IRS providing added protection to ITN users as well as compensating for inadequate ITN use. Policy makers should consider deploying IRS in combination with ITNs to control transmission if local ITN strategies on their own are insufficiently effective. Given the uncertain generalisability of these findings, it would be prudent for malaria control programmes to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of deploying the combination.\ud \u

Lactate Dehydrogenase-B Is Silenced by Promoter Methylation in a High Frequency of Human Breast Cancers

Objective: Under normoxia, non-malignant cells rely on oxidative phosphorylation for their ATP production, whereas cancer cells rely on Glycolysis; a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. We aimed to elucidate the mechanisms contributing to the Warburg effect in human breast cancer. Experimental design: Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes were profiled using zymography. LDH-B subunit expression was assessed by reverse transcription PCR in cells, and by Immunohistochemistry in breast tissues. LDH-B promoter methylation was assessed by sequencing bisulfite modified DNA. Results: Absent or decreased expression of LDH isoenzymes 1-4, were seen in T-47D and MCF7 cells. Absence of LDH-B mRNA was seen in T-47D cells, and its expression was restored following treatment with the demethylating agent 5'Azacytadine. LDH-B promoter methylation was identified in T-47D and MCF7 cells, and in 25/ 25 cases of breast cancer tissues, but not in 5/ 5 cases of normal breast tissues. Absent immuno-expression of LDH-B protein (<10% cells stained), was seen in 23/ 26 (88%) breast cancer cases, and in 4/8 cases of adjacent ductal carcinoma in situ lesions. Exposure of breast cancer cells to hypoxia (1% O2), for 48 hours resulted in significant increases in lactate levels in both MCF7 (14.0 fold, p = 0.002), and T-47D cells (2.9 fold, p = 0.009), but not in MDA-MB-436 (-0.9 fold, p = 0.229), or MCF10AT (1.2 fold, p = 0.09) cells. Conclusions: Loss of LDH-B expression is an early and frequent event in human breast cancer occurring due to promoter methylation, and is likely to contribute to an enhanced glycolysis of cancer cells under hypoxia