Effect of tannery effluents on seed germination and growth of two sunflower cultivars

The wastewater of a tannery in Multan, Pakistan, was alkaline with high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) values along with much higher concentrations of total settle able salts and suspended solids, sodium adsorption ratio and high amount of sodium having the water quality class C3S1. Effluent was examined for its chemical constituents and the effect of its various dilutions was examined in greenhouse on two newly recommended sunflower cultivars (FH-330 and FH- 245) during their whole growth period. Percentage of germination, chlorophyll, carbohydrates and protein contents of both the sunflower cultivars showed significant (p = 0.05) decreasing trend with increasing effluent concentrations. Vegetative growth parameters like plant height and number of leaves per plant were significantly (p = 0.05) reduced with the increasing levels of effluents. Rate of leaf senescence of both cultivars was higher under higher effluent concentrations. Yield of sunflower crop in both cultivars was significantly (p = 0.05) reduced due to effluent concentrations. Seeds per capitulum were decreased to 49%, seeds weight per plant to 61 - 66% and 100-seed weight to 49 - 59%. The appearance of pale yellowish color of the affected plants was due to reduction in photosynthetic material under higher effluent concentration. Full strength effluent concentration caused the reduction in biomass accumulation and reproductive growth of sunflower cultivars. The results revealed that cultivar FH-330 was relatively resistant to varying effluent concentrations as compared to the cultivar FH- 245. However, the tannery effluents due to the presence of chemicals are not suitable for inclusion in irrigation system.Key words: Tannery effluents, sunflower, seed germination, growth, adverse effect, reduced yield

Effects of Internal Gas Explosion on an Underwater Tunnel Roof

An underwater reinforced concrete tunnel roof is subjected to an internal gas explosion. Dynamic analyses are performed for three cases, namely, (1) an uncoupled solution, (2) class II coupling analysis and (3) full model with class I and II couplings. Three load cases are considered, dead (gravity) load, uniformly distributed vertical loads from sand and water and finally an internal pressure gas explosion. Linear and non-linear constitutive relationships are considered for the materials constituting the gas explosion problem. Results include time deflection of tunnel roof, time histories of stresses in vertical reinforcing bars and contours of concrete stresses for tunnel roof. By conducting analyses from various models, the question whether the tunnel would be damaged to such an extent that its serviceability would be impaired is investigated

Haemostasis in Open Carpal Tunnel Release: Tourniquet vs Local Anaesthetic and Adrenaline

Open carpal tunnel release is one of the commonest performed procedures in hand surgery. We performed a prospective randomised control trial to compare the efficacy and patient satisfaction of the traditional arm tourniquet versus infiltration of adrenaline and local anaesthetic solution to achieve haemostasis during the procedure. Using a combination of objective and subjective measures we concluded that infiltration of local anaesthetic and adrenaline not only provided adequate haemostasis but also provided a significantly more tolerable experience for the patient during the procedure

Suspected retinopathies in Norwegian optometric practice with emphasis on patients with diabetes: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The scope of optometry differs worldwide. In Norway the vast majority of optometrists perform ophthalmoscopy as part of their routine examinations. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of <it>suspected </it>retinopathies in patients seen for routine optometric examination and to determine how optometrists deal with these patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>212 optometrists participated in a questionnaire survey and a practice registration during November 2004 – May 2005. In the practice registration, details for 20 consecutive patient encounters were recorded. Data were analysed by chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All optometrist stated that ocular history taking was an integrated part of their routine examination, while general health and diabetes history were routinely addressed by 59% and 42% of the optometrists, respectively. During the practice registration 4,052 patient encounters were recorded. Ophthalmoscopy was performed in 88% of the patients, of which 2% were dilated fundus examinations. Retinopathy was <it>suspected </it>in 106 patients, of whom 31 did not report a previous history of ocular or systemic disease. Old age (75+), hypertension and diabetes strongly predicted retinopathy with odds ratio (95% CI) of 6.4 (4.2 to 9.9), 3.8 (2.4 to 6.0) and 2.5 (1.4 to 4.7), respectively. Diabetic retinopathy was seen in 10% of diabetic patients and <it>suspected </it>in 0.2% of patients with no established history of diabetes. Retinopathy was not confirmed in 9 out 18 patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy; seven of these had undergone laser treatment. Out of the 106 patients with findings of retinopathy, 28 were referred to an ophthalmologist or a general practitioner (GP), written reports were sent to a GP in 16 cases, ten patients were urged to contact their GP for further follow up, while 52 were considered in need of routine optometric follow up only.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Optometric practice provides a low threshold setting for detecting cases of ocular disease and retinal manifestations of systemic disease in the population. At present diagnosis of retinopathy in Norwegian optometric practice is unreliable. There are potentials for improving the optometrists' routine examination, their patient management patterns and collaboration routines with medical doctors.</p

Haemostasis in Open Carpal Tunnel Release: Tourniquet vs Local Anaesthetic and Adrenaline

Open carpal tunnel release is one of the commonest performed procedures in hand surgery. We performed a prospective randomised control trial to compare the efficacy and patient satisfaction of the traditional arm tourniquet versus infiltration of adrenaline and local anaesthetic solution to achieve haemostasis during the procedure. Using a combination of objective and subjective measures we concluded that infiltration of local anaesthetic and adrenaline not only provided adequate haemostasis but also provided a significantly more tolerable experience for the patient during the procedure

Left ventricular diastolic dyssynchrony assessed with phase analysis of gated myocardial perfusion SPECT: a comparison with tissue Doppler imaging

Cardiac Dysfunction and Arrhythmia

Optimal left ventricular lead position assessed with phase analysis on gated myocardial perfusion SPECT

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the relationship between the site of latest mechanical activation as assessed with gated myocardial perfusion SPECT (GMPS), left ventricular (LV) lead position and response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The patient population consisted of consecutive patients with advanced heart failure in whom CRT was currently indicated. Before implantation, 2-D echocardiography and GMPS were performed. The echocardiography was performed to assess LV end-systolic volume (LVESV), LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF). The site of latest mechanical activation was assessed by phase analysis of GMPS studies and related to LV lead position on fluoroscopy. Echocardiography was repeated after 6 months of CRT. CRT response was defined as a decrease of a parts per thousand yen15% in LVESV. Enrolled in the study were 90 patients (72% men, 67 +/- 10 years) with advanced heart failure. In 52 patients (58%), the LV lead was positioned at the site of latest mechanical activation (concordant), and in 38 patients (42%) the LV lead was positioned outside the site of latest mechanical activation (discordant). CRT response was significantly more often documented in patients with a concordant LV lead position than in patients with a discordant LV lead position (79% vs. 26%, p < 0.01). After 6 months, patients with a concordant LV lead position showed significant improvement in LVEF, LVESV and LVEDV (p < 0.05), whereas patients with a discordant LV lead position showed no significant improvement in these variables. Patients with a concordant LV lead position showed significant improvement in LV volumes and LV systolic function, whereas patients with a discordant LV lead position showed no significant improvements.Cardiovascular Aspects of Radiolog

Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

SummaryBackground The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2015 provides an up-to-date synthesis of the evidence for risk factor exposure and the attributable burden of disease. By providing national and subnational assessments spanning the past 25 years, this study can inform debates on the importance of addressing risks in context. Methods We used the comparative risk assessment framework developed for previous iterations of the Global Burden of Disease Study to estimate attributable deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and trends in exposure by age group, sex, year, and geography for 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks from 1990 to 2015. This study included 388 risk-outcome pairs that met World Cancer Research Fund-defined criteria for convincing or probable evidence. We extracted relative risk and exposure estimates from randomised controlled trials, cohorts, pooled cohorts, household surveys, census data, satellite data, and other sources. We used statistical models to pool data, adjust for bias, and incorporate covariates. We developed a metric that allows comparisons of exposure across risk factors—the summary exposure value. Using the counterfactual scenario of theoretical minimum risk level, we estimated the portion of deaths and DALYs that could be attributed to a given risk. We decomposed trends in attributable burden into contributions from population growth, population age structure, risk exposure, and risk-deleted cause-specific DALY rates. We characterised risk exposure in relation to a Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Findings Between 1990 and 2015, global exposure to unsafe sanitation, household air pollution, childhood underweight, childhood stunting, and smoking each decreased by more than 25%. Global exposure for several occupational risks, high body-mass index (BMI), and drug use increased by more than 25% over the same period. All risks jointly evaluated in 2015 accounted for 57·8% (95% CI 56·6–58·8) of global deaths and 41·2% (39·8–42·8) of DALYs. In 2015, the ten largest contributors to global DALYs among Level 3 risks were high systolic blood pressure (211·8 million [192·7 million to 231·1 million] global DALYs), smoking (148·6 million [134·2 million to 163·1 million]), high fasting plasma glucose (143·1 million [125·1 million to 163·5 million]), high BMI (120·1 million [83·8 million to 158·4 million]), childhood undernutrition (113·3 million [103·9 million to 123·4 million]), ambient particulate matter (103·1 million [90·8 million to 115·1 million]), high total cholesterol (88·7 million [74·6 million to 105·7 million]), household air pollution (85·6 million [66·7 million to 106·1 million]), alcohol use (85·0 million [77·2 million to 93·0 million]), and diets high in sodium (83·0 million [49·3 million to 127·5 million]). From 1990 to 2015, attributable DALYs declined for micronutrient deficiencies, childhood undernutrition, unsafe sanitation and water, and household air pollution; reductions in risk-deleted DALY rates rather than reductions in exposure drove these declines. Rising exposure contributed to notable increases in attributable DALYs from high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, occupational carcinogens, and drug use. Environmental risks and childhood undernutrition declined steadily with SDI; low physical activity, high BMI, and high fasting plasma glucose increased with SDI. In 119 countries, metabolic risks, such as high BMI and fasting plasma glucose, contributed the most attributable DALYs in 2015. Regionally, smoking still ranked among the leading five risk factors for attributable DALYs in 109 countries; childhood underweight and unsafe sex remained primary drivers of early death and disability in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Interpretation Declines in some key environmental risks have contributed to declines in critical infectious diseases. Some risks appear to be invariant to SDI. Increasing risks, including high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, drug use, and some occupational exposures, contribute to rising burden from some conditions, but also provide opportunities for intervention. Some highly preventable risks, such as smoking, remain major causes of attributable DALYs, even as exposure is declining. Public policy makers need to pay attention to the risks that are increasingly major contributors to global burden. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Characterisation of male breast cancer: a descriptive biomarker study from a large patient series

Male breast cancer (MBC) is rare. We assembled 446 MBCs on tissue microarrays and assessed clinicopathological information, together with data from 15 published studies, totalling 1984 cases. By immunohistochemistry we investigated 14 biomarkers (ERα, ERβ1, ERβ2, ERβ5, PR, AR, Bcl-2, HER2, p53, E-cadherin, Ki67, survivin, prolactin, FOXA1) for survival impact. The main histological subtype in our cohort and combined analyses was ductal (81%, 83%), grade 2; (40%, 44%), respectively. Cases were predominantly ERα (84%, 82%) and PR positive (74%, 71%), respectively, with HER2 expression being infrequent (2%, 10%), respectively. In our cohort, advanced age (>67) was the strongest predictor of overall (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) (p = 0.00001; p = 0.01, respectively). Node positivity negatively impacted DFS (p = 0.04). FOXA1 p = 0.005) and AR p = 0.009) were both positively prognostic for DFS, remaining upon multivariate analysis. Network analysis showed ERα, AR and FOXA1 significantly correlated. In summary, the principle phenotype of MBC was luminal A, ductal, grade 2. In ERα+ MBC, only AR had prognostic significance, suggesting AR blockade could be employed therapeutically