Androgenic profiles in HIV-infected male patients on highly active anti-retroviral therapy: could this be a threat to fertility?

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the Serum Androgenic Profiles of HIV-infected Male Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy and those not on Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Specialist Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty-five HIV-infected male patients were evaluated in the Department of Medicine, Specialist Hospital Sokoto Nigeria from July 2017 to March 2018 using history, baseline investigations, and CD4counts. Free testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured using an overnight fasting serum sample. Patients were divided into three groups (n=45); Group A= HIV-infected male patients on HAART, Group B = HIV-infected male treatment naive patients, and Group C= HIV-negative control subjects. Data were analysed using ANOVA and Chi-square tests and p≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant Results: The serum testosterone and CD4 counts were reduced in HIV-infected male patients on HAART and HAART naive compared to the negative control. The reduced testicular functions were substantiated by raised serum LH and FSH in HIV-infected male patients on HAART (p < 0.05) compared to the negative control. Conclusions: HIV-infections associated with low CD4 counts even among patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy may pose threat to male fertility. Keywords: HIV-infected Males; Hypogonadisms; Sokoto Nigeri

Pattern of serum zinc level, peripheral blood lymphocyte and neutrophil counts among patients with sickle cell disease

Background: Zinc is an important mineral element serving as a cofactor in a number of cellular pathways including those involved in cell growth and proliferation. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with excessive haemolysis and defective kidney function with consequential decrease in body’s pool of vital micronutrients. The abnormal loss of zinc in SCD may affect leucopoiesis. Aim: This study was aimed to determine the relationship between serum zinc and leukocyte subsets (Lymphocyte, neutrophil) in adult patients with SCD in steady state together with their counterpart apparently healthy controls. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 33 adult participants with SCD and 33 apparently healthy controls. Lymphocytes and Neutrophils counts were performed using automated haematology analyser (Sysmex KX21N) and serum Zinc level was determined spectrophometrically using the Br-PADAP method. Results: The results shows statistically significant difference in absolute lymphocyte and neutrophil counts for the two groups were P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively. The serum zinc level was also statistically significant between the groups: P<0.0002. However, serum zinc level of subjects with SCD showed no correlation with lymphocyte and neutrophil counts p<0.0610 and <0.6775, respectively. Conclusions: Significant statistical difference was observed, indicating SCD patients have higher WBC count and neutrophil counts and reduced serum zinc and lymphocyte counts. There was no significant correlation between the leucocyte subset counts and serum zinc levels in both the SCD patients and the normal healthy controls. Keywords: Sickle Cell Disease; Lymphocytes; Neutrophils and Zinc

Morphologies of Sol–Gel Derived Thin Films of ZnO Using Different Precursor Materials and their Nanostructures

We have shown that the morphological features of the sol–gel derived thin films of ZnO depend strongly on the choice of the precursor materials. In particular, we have used zinc nitrate and zinc acetate as the precursor materials. While the films using zinc acetate showed a smoother topography, those prepared by using zinc nitrate exhibited dendritic character. Both types of films were found to be crystalline in nature. The crystallite dimensions were confined to the nanoscale. The crystallite size of the nanograins in the zinc nitrate derived films has been found to be smaller than the films grown by using zinc acetate as the precursor material. Selected area electron diffraction patterns in the case of both the precursor material has shown the presence of different rings corresponding to different planes of hexagonal ZnO crystal structure. The results have been discussed in terms of the fundamental considerations and basic chemistry governing the growth kinetics of these sol–gel derived ZnO films with both the precursor materials

The study of aquaculture potential of Bojnord and Jajarm cities (Northern Khorasan province)

This study investigates the potential of Bojnord and Jarjam cities (Northern Khorasan province) for developments of Aquaculture. First of all, the current condition of Aquacture and fish farms were montiroed and recorde. Then, the information on geology, weather and climate as well as water resources data were gathered and evaluated. Climatology, geology and distribution of water reseources (i.e. reviers, springs, wells, and aqueducts) were prepared using GIS software. Evaluation of selected water resources in study area revealed suitability for culture of cold water fishes. Potentialities of the water resources for aquacture production were determined according to the latest guidline of Shilat organization. The maps of production potentialities were prepared for each water resources

Possibility of the pond culture of Asian sea bass, lates calcarifer in Gwadar farm , Sistan & Baloochestan

In the present study, the possibility of marine culture of Asian sea bass in the shrimp earthen ponds located in the Gwadar region (coastal area of Oman Sea, southeastern of Iran) was investigated. To this end, Asian sea bass frys reared for 7 months including 1 month nursery and 6 months growth-period. During the culturing periods, fish were feed ad libitum by various commercial rainbow trout diets based on fish growth stages. After nursery period, the average weight of 11.05±1.5 g and survival percent of 65 % were obtained for fish. During the growth-out period, the average weight increased continually from 31.4±4.7 g in late June to 252.1±30 g at the end of growth-out period in late Dec. Also, the highest values of monthly weight gain yielded during August, Sept and Oct when fish had the average weight range of (76.9±14.4)-(188.1±12.8) g. The values of monthly feed conversion ratio (FCR) were low and similar from July to Oct and then increased in Nov and Dec. The values of total monthly feed intake (FI) increased continually from July to Oct and then with a decrease in Nov, increased again in Dec. The values of survival percent after nursery and growth-out period were 65 % and 66% respectively. Also, the average of monthly FCR, FCR at the time of fish harvesting, total FI and total harvested biomass were 1.36, 2.5, 630.5 kg and 325 kg. in conclusion, the pond culture of Asian sea bass with marine water results appropriate survival and growth rates so that fish (11.05±1.5 g) obtained marketable weight (252.1±30 g) during 6 months culturing period. It seems that first-half of year in Gwadar area is more suitable for sea bass culture since this time periods results better FCR ( fed by rainbow trout feed) and has economic justification. Also, with regular sorting operation and providing of species-specific feed for Asian sea bass can increase the Production per Unit Area

Making the right link to theranostics : the photophysical and biological properties of dinuclear Ru^II-Re^I dppz complexes depend on their tether

The synthesis of new dinuclear complexes containing linked RuII(dppz) and ReI(dppz) moieties is reported. The photophysical and biological properties of the new complex, which incorporates a N,N′-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1,6-hexanediamine tether ligand, are compared to a previously reported RuII/ReI complex linked by a simple dipyridyl alkane ligand. Although both complexes bind to DNA with similar affinities, steady-state and time-resolved photophysical studies reveal that the nature of the linker affects the excited state dynamics of the complexes and their DNA photocleavage properties. Quantum-based DFT calculations on these systems offer insights into these effects. While both complexes are live cells permeant, their intracellular localizations are significantly affected by the nature of the linker. Notably, one of the complexes displayed concentration-dependent localization and possesses photophysical properties that are compatible with SIM and STED nanoscopy. This allowed the dynamics of its intracellular localization to be tracked at super resolutions

Being (im)polite: A forensic linguistic approach to interpreting a hate speech case

In a hate speech case a court might have to determine whether a person’s words were hurtful or harmful. Would it be possible to determine whether words are hurtful or harmful by using linguistics? This article offers a linguistic perspective on a court’s interpretation of the Equality Act in a hate speech case and focuses on speech acts and politeness. If the speech acts of a verbal exchange are studied and the levels of politeness are gauged, a court would be able to affi rm the hurtfulness or harmfulness of the speaker’s words. The article begins with a brief discussion on the potential role of the linguist in a courtroom; this is followed by a summary of the facts of the case. Then the court case is analysed and discussed in terms of speech acts and politeness. By employing principles in pragmatics the author reaches the same conclusion as the court.Afrikaans and Theory of Literatur

Biologics Delay Progression of Crohn's Disease, but Not Early Surgery, in Children

Background & Aims: Up to 30% of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) require surgery within the first 5 years from diagnosis. We investigated the recent risk of bowel surgery in an inception cohort of pediatric patients with CD and whether early use of biologics (tumor necrosis factor antagonists) alters later disease course. Methods: We collected data from the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Collaborative Research Group registry on 1442 children (age, ó16 y) diagnosed with CD from January 2002 through December 2014. Data were collected at diagnosis, 30 days following diagnosis, and then quarterly and during hospitalizations for up to 12 years. Our primary aim was to determine the 10-year risk for surgery in children with CD. Our secondary aim was to determine whether early use of biologics (<3 mo of diagnosis) affected risk of disease progression. Results: The 10-year risk of first bowel surgery was 26%. The 5-year risk of bowel surgery did not change from 2002 through 2014, and remained between 13% and 14%. Most surgeries occurred within 3 years from diagnosis. The only predictor of surgery was disease behavior at diagnosis. CD with inflammatory behavior had the lowest risk of surgery compared to stricturing disease, penetrating disease, or both. We associated slowing of disease progression to stricturing or penetrating disease (but not surgery) with early use of biologics, but this effect only became evident after 5 years of disease. Our results indicate that biologics slow disease progression over time (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76?0.95). Conclusions: In an analysis of data from a registry of pediatric patients with CD, we found that among those with significant and progressing disease at or shortly after presentation, early surgery is difficult to prevent, even with early use of biologics. Early use of biologics (<3 mo of diagnosis) can delay later disease progression to stricturing and/or penetrating disease, but this affect could become evident only years after initial management decisions are made

Epstein-Barr virus: clinical and epidemiological revisits and genetic basis of oncogenesis

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is classified as a member in the order herpesvirales, family herpesviridae, subfamily gammaherpesvirinae and the genus lymphocytovirus. The virus is an exclusively human pathogen and thus also termed as human herpesvirus 4 (HHV4). It was the first oncogenic virus recognized and has been incriminated in the causation of tumors of both lymphatic and epithelial nature. It was reported in some previous studies that 95% of the population worldwide are serologically positive to the virus. Clinically, EBV primary infection is almost silent, persisting as a life-long asymptomatic latent infection in B cells although it may be responsible for a transient clinical syndrome called infectious mononucleosis. Following reactivation of the virus from latency due to immunocompromised status, EBV was found to be associated with several tumors. EBV linked to oncogenesis as detected in lymphoid tumors such as Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), Hodgkin's disease (HD), post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) and T-cell lymphomas (e.g. Peripheral T-cell lymphomas; PTCL and Anaplastic large cell lymphomas; ALCL). It is also linked to epithelial tumors such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), gastric carcinomas and oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL). In vitro, EBV many studies have demonstrated its ability to transform B cells into lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). Despite these malignancies showing different clinical and epidemiological patterns when studied, genetic studies have suggested that these EBV- associated transformations were characterized generally by low level of virus gene expression with only the latent virus proteins (LVPs) upregulated in both tumors and LCLs. In this review, we summarize some clinical and epidemiological features of EBV- associated tumors. We also discuss how EBV latent genes may lead to oncogenesis in the different clinical malignancie