The slow death (or rebirth?) of extended star formation in z∼0.1z \sim 0.1 green valley early-type galaxies

UV observations in the local universe have uncovered a population of early-type galaxies with UV flux consistent with low-level recent or ongoing star formation. Understanding the origin of such star formation remains an open issue. We present resolved UV-optical photometry of a sample of 19 Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) early-type galaxies at $z \sim 0.1$ drawn from the sample originally selected by Salim & Rich to lie in the bluer part of the green valley in the UV-optical color-magnitude diagram as measured by the $\textit{Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX)}$. Utilizing high-resolution $\textit{Hubble Space Telescope (HST)}$ far-UV imaging provides unique insight into the distribution of UV light in these galaxies, which we call "extended star-forming early-type galaxies" (ESF-ETGs) because of extended UV emission that is indicative of recent star formation. The UV-optical color profiles of all ESF-ETGs show red centers and blue outer parts. Their outer colors require the existence of a significant underlying population of older stars in the UV-bright regions. An analysis of stacked SDSS spectra reveals weak LINER-like emission in their centers. Using a cross-matched SDSS DR7/$GALEX$ GR6 catalog, we search for other green valley galaxies with similar properties to these ESF-ETGs and estimate that $\approx 13$ of dust-corrected green valley galaxies of similar stellar mass and UV-optical color are likely ESF-candidates, i.e., ESF-ETGs are not rare. Our results are consistent with star formation that is gradually declining in existing disks, i.e., the ESF-ETGs are evolving onto the red sequence for the first time, or with rejuvenated star formation due to accreted gas in older disks provided that the gas does not disrupt the structure of the galaxy and the resulting star formation is not too recent and bursty. ESF-ETGs may typify an important subpopulation of galaxies that can linger in the green valley for up to several Gyrs, based on their resemblance to nearby gas-rich green valley galaxies with low-level ongoing star formation

Detection of hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA in the plasma of Iranian HBeAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B

Background: Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a marker of HBV replication in the liver of patients infected with HBV. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between the presence of cccDNA in the plasma samples of Iranian treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B infection and HBV viral load and HBsAg levels. Patients and Methods: From April 2012 to May 2015, 106 treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B infection were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The HBsAg titer was measured by the Roche HBsAg II assay on the Cobas e411 system, and HBV DNA quantitation was performed using the COBAS TaqMan 48 kit. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for the detection of HBV cccDNA. Results: The mean (SD) age of the patients was 41.1 ± 12.4 years (range, 20 - 62 years). From a total of 106 study participants, 67 (63.2) were males. The HBV cccDNA was detected in plasma specimens in 19 (17.9) out of the total 106 patients, and a significant relationship was found between the presence of cccDNA in plasma sample of males (23.9) and females (7.7) (P = 0.039). Also, a significant correlation was found between the presence of cccDNA in plasma sample of the patients and HBV viral load level (P < 0.0001) and HBsAg titer (P = 0.0043). Conclusions: This study showed that cccDNA can be detected in the plasma specimen of 17.9 of Iranian treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. Therefore, designing prospective studies focusing on the detection of cccDNA in these patients would provide more information. © 2015, Kowsar Corp

Prevalence of Chronic Bronchitis in Selected Districts of Kashmir Valley

Chronic bronchitis causes high morbidity and mortality throughout the world and it is basically a preventable disease. Kashmir being a high altitude area, with people living in poorly ventilated homes and use of wood as a primary source of fuel in some part of rural areas predispose them to respiratory diseases. The aim of the study is to estimate the prevalence of chronic bronchitis in the age group of 18 years and above in Kashmiri population. It was a community based cross sectional study, with multi stage random sample of 912 consenting participants, aged >18 years and above. The overall prevalence of chronic bronchitis was found out to be 5.4%. The study showed higher prevalence among males compared to females, higher age groups, smokers and people living in overcrowded homes, using wood as fuel and majority of them belonged to low socio- economic status. Concluding that prevalence was less than expected but there still remains room for improvement .The common risk factors of chronic bronchitis like smoking , overcrowding and using wood as a fuel can be dealt with educational interventions and raising the socio- economic status. People in common should be educated about this respiratory disease, its complications and its risk factors

Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes among Azerbaijani patients in capital city of Iran-Tehran

Background: Determination of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype distributed in a particular area has an important role on public health throughout the world. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of HCV genotypes in Azerbaijani patients. Patients and Methods: From March 2010 until March 2012, 235 Azerbaijani patients with established chronic hepatitis C, referred to Hospitals related to Iran University of Medical Sciences and Tehran Hepatitis Center, Clinical department of Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroeneterology and Liver Disease, were enrolled in this cross sectional study. About 5 mL of peripheral blood was collected from patients and after separation of plasma, viral RNA extracted. HCV-RNA were amplified by RT-nested PCR using primers from the 5�-UTR and genotyped by RFLP assay, and then HCV genotypes were confirmed using sequencing of cloned PCR products into pJET1.2/blunt cloning vector. Results: HCV genotyping of positive plasma samples demonstrated that predominant HCV subtype was noted for 1b (71.1) followed by subtype 3a (17.0), genotype 2 (6.8), 1a (1.7), and mixed infection (3.4). The mean ± SD age of patients was 37.3 ± 11.8 (range: 2-63) years. Out of 235 patients, 139 (59.1) were male. The frequency of HCV subtype 3a was higher in patients under 40 years old (3a: 18.1 vs. 15.0), and subtype 3a was higher in male patients (3a: 18.7 vs. 14.6). Conclusions: The current study shows that the predominant HCV genotype among Azerbaijani patients with established chronic hepatitis C is subtype 1b (71.1) followed by subtype 3a (17.0). © 2013, Kowsar Corp

Investigation of the Effect of Coupling Agent on the Properties of Kenaf Fiber/Polypropylene Composites

In a competitive product market, manufacturers ought to utilize eco-friendly materials to reduce the environmental impact of their products. Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) is an annual plant that produces bast fiber and develops rapidly. These fibers have excellent properties and could serve as ideal reinforcing fillers for wood-based products. This study aims to investigate Maleated Polypropylene (MAPP) as a coupling agent for Kenaf fiber (KF)/Polypropylene(PP) composite. Three distinct composites were created using the following ratios: Sample 1 (Kenaf 20g: PP 180g), Sample 2 (Kenaf 10g: PP 180g: MAPP 10g), and Sample 3 (Kenaf 15g: PP 180g: MAPP 5g). All materials are mixed and extruded in a single-screw extruder at 185 to 200 °C at 50 rpm. A granulator is then utilized to palletize the samples. For testing, tensile and impact testing is conducted for mechanical properties, water absorption for physical properties, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for morphological characterization. The thermal characteristics of the composites are analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results indicate that the KF/PP composite with a coupling agent has a higher tensile strength with a value of 29.3 MPa compared to the KF/PP composite without a coupling agent with a value of 22.4 MPa. Water absorption of composite with coupling agent was also less than without coupling agent with a value of 1.05% and 1.31% respectively

Accessory mitral valve tissue causing severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in a post-Senning patient with transposition of the great arteries

Accessory mitral valve tissue is a rare congenital anomaly associated with congenital cardiac defects and is usually detected in the first decade of life. We describe the case of an 18-year old post-Senning asymptomatic patient who was found to have accessory mitral valve tissue on transthoracic echocardiography producing severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction

Investigation of CTNNB1 gene mutations and expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis in association with hepatitis B virus infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), along with Hepatitis C virus chronic infection, represents a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. However, molecular mechanisms involved in the development of HCC are not yet completely understood. Recent studies have indicated that mutations in CTNNB1 gene encoding for β-catenin protein lead to aberrant activation of the Wnt/ β-catenin pathway. The mutations in turn activate several downstream genes, including c-Myc, promoting the neoplastic process. The present study evaluated the mutational profile of the CTNNB1 gene and expression levels of CTNNB1 and c-Myc genes in HBV-related HCC, as well as in cirrhotic and control tissues. Mutational analysis of the β-catenin gene and HBV genotyping were conducted by direct sequencing. Expression of β-catenin and c-Myc genes was assessed using real-time PCR. Among the HCC cases, 18.1 showed missense point mutation in exon 3 of CTNNB1, more frequently in codons 32, 33, 38 and 45. The frequency of mutation in the hotspots of exon 3 was significantly higher in non-viral HCCs (29.4) rather than HBV-related cases (12.7, P = 0.021). The expression of β-catenin and c-Myc genes was found upregulated in cirrhotic tissues in association with HBV infection. Mutations at both phosphorylation and neighboring sites were associated with increased activity of the Wnt pathway. The results demonstrated that mutated β-catenin caused activation of the Wnt pathway, but the rate of CTNNB1 gene mutations was not related to HBV infection. HBV factors may deregulate the Wnt pathway by causing epigenetic alterations in the HBV-related HCC. © 2020 The Author(s)