Comparative study of Typhidot-M with Widal and blood culture in diagnosis of enteric fever

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of Typhidot-M and Widal test in the early diagnosis of enteric fever (EF) in terms ofsensitivity and specificity. Methods: The study included 270 children in the age group of 1-18 years admitted to the Department ofPediatrics from November 2012 to February 2014, with fever of 5 days or more and with clinical symptoms and signs suggestiveof typhoid fever. Detailed history and clinical examination findings were recorded on a standard pro forma. Complete hemogram(hemoglobin, platelet count, and total and differential leukocyte count), Typhidot-M test, Widal tube test, and blood culture weredone on day 1 of admission. For Widal test, a titer of 1 in 160 or more for “O” agglutinins and a titer of 1 in 320 or more for “H”agglutinins were considered as positive results. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value(NPV) were calculated. Results: Of 270 children included in the study, Salmonella typhi was isolated from 82 samples (30.4%)and the remaining 188 (69.6%) were blood culture negative. Widal test was positive in 107 children (39.6%) and Typhidot-M waspositive in 136 (50.4%). The sensitivity was 78%, specificity was 79.3%, PPV was 59.8%, and NPV was 91.4% for Widal test.Typhidot-M test had a sensitivity of 81.7%, specificity of 84.6%, PPV of 69.8%, and NPV of 91.4%. Conclusion: Prompt diagnosisof EF is essential for appropriate management and it is, therefore, important to have a satisfactory test to replace conventional testsused for diagnosis. The present study compares newer test (Typhidot-M) against conventional tests such as Widal test and bloodculture, and it appears to be a practical alternative to Widal test in the early detection of EF even in the resource-poor laboratoriesas it neither requires much laboratory equipment nor laboratory expertise to conduct the test. This test can be done within 7 daysof illness, but whenever feasible confirmation with blood culture is strongly recommended, especially with the well-documentedpresence of multidrug-resistant strains of salmonella typhi worldwide. However, both Widal and Typhidot-M appear to correlateless satisfactorily with blood culture, and thus, there is a need for developing a test which allows accurate and early diagnosis of EFto manage a child effectively and limit its morbidity and mortality

‘I arranged my own marriage': arranged marriages and post-colonial feminism

This article looks at the practice of arranged marriage among women of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin resident in Britain. It examines the conflation of arranged marriages with forced marriages and the assumption that arranged marriages are examples of cultural practices that thwart individual agency. Drawing upon original empirical data, this article will argue that in the practice of arranged marriage, some South Asian women are able to exercise agency while choosing their marriage partner. They adapt traditional arranged marriage practices to navigate their way around strict cultural expectations and to negotiate with their family members the choice of a match that is favourable for them. It provides a corrective account of arranged marriages by challenging the stereotype of the ‘oppressed third world women' and their experiences of such marriages. The article will do this by employing the idea of post-colonial feminism and by highlighting two long-standing issues in feminist debates: the idea of agency and the conception and role of power in the struggle for women's rights. It will make a case for a post-colonial approach to feminism as one way of reconciling feminism with the politics of multiculturalism

TUMOR-ASSOCIATED LOCALIZED SCLERODERMA IN CONJUNCTION WITH ACQIRED DISSIMINATED FORM OF VITILIGO: A CLINICAL CASE

We are presenting the clinical and laboratory case of management of 62 years old patient with combined dermatological tumor-associated diseases: localized form of scleroderma, acquired disseminated form of hypopigmentation (vitiligo). The patient initial visit in a medical dermatological facility was due to the emergence of a consistent following complaints such as the sudden appearance of alterated skin sites in the left breast and some later the occurrence of rushes on the skin on the chest area and on the anterior surface of the abdomen. Upon further examination of the patient have been verified malignant tumor of the left breast, therefore appropriate (complex) treatment have been conducted in a medical institution of oncology service. After 1.5 years after the sectoral mastectomy the patient appealed to the dermatologist again with a complaints to the renewed activity of scleroderma process on the skin of the left breast. On the background of activation of dermatological symptoms the patient have been diagnosed recurrent tumor in the left breast. This clinical case is a multipurpose: first of all, it is demonstrates the importance of the principle of oncological vigilance in multidisciplinary daily medical practice which would improve early diagnosis and, consequently, treatment of the underlying disease; secondly, the present clinical case suggests an unexpected paraneoplastic contour of the diseases which are unpopular in this category previously, but generally frequent in the population

A forward genetic screen with a thalamocortical axon reporter mouse yields novel neurodevelopment mutants and a distinct emx2 mutant phenotype

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The dorsal thalamus acts as a gateway and modulator for information going to and from the cerebral cortex. This activity requires the formation of reciprocal topographic axon connections between thalamus and cortex. The axons grow along a complex multistep pathway, making sharp turns, crossing expression boundaries, and encountering intermediate targets. However, the cellular and molecular components mediating these steps remain poorly understood.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>To further elucidate the development of the thalamocortical system, we first created a thalamocortical axon reporter line to use as a genetic tool for sensitive analysis of mutant mouse phenotypes. The TCA-<it>tau-lacZ </it>reporter mouse shows specific, robust, and reproducible labeling of thalamocortical axons (TCAs), but not the overlapping corticothalamic axons, during development. Moreover, it readily reveals TCA pathfinding abnormalities in known cortical mutants such as <it>reeler</it>. Next, we performed an unbiased screen for genes involved in thalamocortical development using random mutagenesis with the TCA reporter. Six independent mutant lines show aberrant TCA phenotypes at different steps of the pathway. These include ventral misrouting, overfasciculation, stalling at the corticostriatal boundary, and invasion of ectopic cortical cell clusters. An outcross breeding strategy coupled with a genomic panel of single nucleotide polymorphisms facilitated genetic mapping with small numbers of mutant mice. We mapped a ventral misrouting mutant to the <it>Emx2 </it>gene, and discovered that some TCAs extend to the olfactory bulbs in this mutant. Mapping data suggest that other lines carry mutations in genes not previously known for roles in thalamocortical development.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These data demonstrate the feasibility of a forward genetic approach to understanding mammalian brain morphogenesis and wiring. A robust axonal reporter enabled sensitive analysis of a specific axon tract inside the mouse brain, identifying mutant phenotypes at multiple steps of the pathway, and revealing a new aspect of the <it>Emx2 </it>mutant. The phenotypes highlight vulnerable choice points and latent tendencies of TCAs, and will lead to a refined understanding of the elements and interactions required to form the thalamocortical system.</p> <p>See Commentary: <url>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/9/1</url></p

Female Sex and Gender in Lung/Sleep Health and Disease. Increased Understanding of Basic Biological, Pathophysiological, and Behavioral Mechanisms Leading to Better Health for Female Patients with Lung Disease

Female sex/gender is an undercharacterized variable in studies related to lung development and disease. Notwithstanding, many aspects of lung and sleep biology and pathobiology are impacted by female sex and female reproductive transitions. These may manifest as differential gene expression or peculiar organ development. Some conditions are more prevalent in women, such as asthma and insomnia, or, in the case of lymphangioleiomyomatosis, are seen almost exclusively in women. In other diseases, presentation differs, such as the higher frequency of exacerbations experienced by women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or greater cardiac morbidity among women with sleep-disordered breathing. Recent advances in -omics and behavioral science provide an opportunity to specifically address sex-based differences and explore research needs and opportunities that will elucidate biochemical pathways, thus enabling more targeted/personalized therapies. To explore the status of and opportunities for research in this area, the NHLBI, in partnership with the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health and the Office of Rare Diseases Research, convened a workshop of investigators in Bethesda, Maryland on September 18 and 19, 2017. At the workshop, the participants reviewed the current understanding of the biological, behavioral, and clinical implications of female sex and gender on lung and sleep health and disease, and formulated recommendations that address research gaps, with a view to achieving better health outcomes through more precise management of female patients with nonneoplastic lung disease. This report summarizes those discussions

High-efficient photocatalytic treatment of dye and anti-bacterial activity via electrochemically synthesized SeS2 nanoparticles

Selenium sulfide (SeS2) nano photocatalyst was prepared by a facile electrochemical method and characterized by XRD, scanning electron microscope, Energy dispersive X-ray analysis and IR spectroscopy. The XRD showed that SeS2 is amorphous and has an average crystallite size of 41.26nm which has a triclinic structure. The photocatalytic activity of the sample was evaluated by the degradation of textile dye indigo carmine in aqueous solutions under ultraviolet radiation. The photocatalytic decolourization of the dye follows first-order kinetics. High efficiency was achieved at a very low concentration of 0.003g of SeS2 nanoparticle. Easy separation from suspension by spontaneous sedimentation and reusability of the catalyst make these photocatalysts suitable for waste water treatment. Evidently, the anti-bacterial activity of SeS2 is considerable compared with the standard drug

Аналіз впливу пружних деформацій несучого каната на зусилля в тяговому канаті підвісної дороги

Purpose. To estimate influence of elastic deformations of the track cable arising at movement of cars, on effort in a hauling rope of the aerial ropeway. Methodology. The method of consecutive approaches was used for research influence of elastic deformations of a track cable on effort in a hauling rope. Thus, definition of a tension of a track cable was carried out with use of the technique based on principles of modular configuration, the essence of which consists in formation of mathematical model by a combination of blocks of the formulas describing balance of the track cable on supports. Findings. The research has shown that influence of elastic deformations of a track cable on effort in a hauling rope was insignificant (less than 1 %). That points to possibility not to consider change of the track cable length, caused by its elastic properties, when modeling loading of elements of system «drive – traction rope – tension device». Also it has been found that use of the tension device of a track cable increased influence of its elastic properties on loading of rope system elements. At the same time the elastic component of the track cable tension in the test flight does not depend on a car position in the adjacent span, but only determines by the parameters of the rope system. Originality. The possibility of excluding the changes of track cable length caused by its elastic properties, when modeling loading of elements of system «drive – traction rope – tension device» was proved. Practical value. The use of these techniques and the results will simplify the mathematical model of loading of elements of the cable system and the system «drive – traction rope – tension device» as a whole. Цель. Оценка влияния упругих деформаций несущего каната, возникающих при движении вагонов, на усилие в тяговом канате подвесной дороги. Методика. Для исследования влияния упругих деформаций несущего каната на усилие в тяговом канате использовался метод последовательных приближений. При этом определение натяжения несущего каната осуществлялось с использованием методики, основанной на принципах модульной компоновки, суть которой состоит в формировании математической модели путем сочетания блоков формул, описывающих равновесие несущего каната на опорах. Результаты. Анализ полученных результатов показал, что ряды последовательно определенных величин горизонтальной составляющей натяжения несущего каната сходятся в четвертом приближении (некоторые и раньше) с точностью 0,1 %. Это указывает на возможность не учитывать изменение длины несущего каната, обусловленное его упругими свойствами, при моделировании нагруженности элементов системы «привод – тяговый канат – натяжное устройство». Также установлено, что использование натяжного устройства увеличивает влияние упругих свойств несущего каната на элементы канатной системы и системы «привод – тяговый канат – натяжное устройство» в целом. При этом упругая составляющая натяжения несущего каната в исследуемом пролете не зависит от положения вагона в смежном пролете, а определяется только параметрами канатной системы. Научная новизна. Доказана возможность не учитывать изменения длины несущего каната, обусловленные его упругими свойствами, при моделировании нагруженности элементов контура «привод – тяговый канат – натяжное устройство». Практическая значимость. Использование представленных методик и полученных результатов позволит упростить математические модели нагруженности элементов канатной системы подвесной дороги и системы «привод – тяговый канат – натяжное устройство» в целом.Мета. Оцінка впливу пружних деформацій несучого каната, які виникають під час руху вагона, на зусилля в тяговому канаті підвісної дороги. Методика. Для дослідження впливу пружних деформацій несучого каната на зусилля в тяговому канаті використовувавсь метод послідовних наближень. При цьому визначення натягу несучого каната здійснювалось із використанням методики, яка ґрунтується на принципах модульного компонування, сутність котрої полягає у формуванні математичної моделі шляхом сполучення блоків формул, описуючих рівновагу несучого каната на опорах. Результати. Аналіз отриманих результатів показав, що ряди послідовно визначених величин горизонтальної складової натягу несучого каната збігаються в четвертому наближенні (деякі й раніше) з точністю 0,1 %. Це вказує на можливість не враховувати зміни довжини несучого каната через пружні властивості під час моделювання навантаженості елементів контура «привод – тяговий канат – натяжний пристрій». Також встановлено, що використання натяжного пристрою підвищує вплив пружних властивостей несучого каната на елементи канатної системи та систему «привод – тяговий канат – натяжний пристрій» у цілому. При цьому пружна складова натягу несучого каната в досліджуваному прогоні не залежить від положення вагона в суміжному прогоні, а визначається лише параметрами канатної системи. Наукова новизна. Доведена можливість не враховувати зміни довжини несучого каната через пружні властивості під час моделювання навантаженості елементів контура «привод – тяговий канат – натяжний пристрій». Практична значимість. Використання наведених методик та отриманих результатів дозволить спростити математичні моделі навантаженості елементів канатної системи підвісної дороги та системи «привод – тяговий канат – натяжний пристрій» у цілому

Аналіз спектра власних частот приводу підвісної канатної дороги

У роботі наведено методику та результати досліджень спектра власних частот приводу підвісної канатної дороги маятникового типу, обґрунтовано діапазони раціональних значень швидкості руху вагонів та надано рекомендації щодо корегування діаграми швидкостей приводу з метою попередження та обмеження резонансних явищ.В работе приведена методика и результаты исследований спектра собственных частот поводу подвесной канатной дороги маятникового типа, обоснованны диапазоны рациональных значений скорости движения вагонов и даны рекомендации по корректировке диаграммы скоростей привода с целью предупреждения и ограничения резонансных явлений.У роботі наведено методику та результати досліджень спектра власних частот приводу підвісної канатної дороги маятникового типу, обґрунтовано діапазони раціональних значень швидкості руху вагонів та надано рекомендації щодо корегування діаграми швидкостей приводу з метою попередження та обмеження резонансних явищ