Application of a new K-tau model to near wall turbulent flows

A recently developed K-tau model for near wall turbulent flows is applied to two severe test cases. The turbulent flows considered include the incompressible flat plate boundary layer with the adverse pressure gradients and incompressible flow past a backward facing step. Calculations are performed for this two-equation model using an anisotropic as well as isotropic eddy-viscosity. The model predictions are shown to compare quite favorably with experimental data

Pregnancy outcome among gestational diabetes mellitus patients in a tertiary care centre

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus poses numerous health problems for both mother and the fetus. Even though there are improved outcomes, complications of gestational diabetes still persists. Objectives of this study was to find out the maternal and perinatal outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus.Methods: This study was done among pregnant women attending antenatal outpatient department at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences, Kulasekharam. oral glucose tolerance test was done at between 24 to 28 weeks and the values more than their cutoff was labelled as gestational diabetes and their outcome was measured as complications during antenatal period, mode of delivery and perinatal outcome in view of neonatal intensive care unit admissions due to hyperbilirubinemia and respiratory distress syndrome.Results: Out of 500 antenatal mothers 65 were found to have gestational diabetes which is approximately 13%. Obstetric outcomes were 10% of them developed pregnancy induced hypertension, 12% of them ended in preterm labour and polyhydramnios in 2%. Delivery by caesarean section and vaginal route is almost similar. Maximum number of neonatal intensive care admissions are due to hyperbilirubinemia followed by respiratory distress.Conclusions: Screening for gestational diabetes and adequate glycemic control is necessary in preventing short term and long-term complications

Rapid isolation of high molecular weight DNA from single dry preserved adult beetle of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification

For studying genetic diversity in populations of predatory coccinellid, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera), our attempts to isolate high quality DNA from individual adult beetle using several previously reported protocols and even modifications were quite unsuccessful as the insect size was small and was preserved at -20°C as dry specimen. Here we describe a simple, rapid and efficient method of isolating high-quality intact genomic DNA with reduced protein contamination for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification from a single, dry preserved specimen of adult Cryptolaemus. The procedure features macerating and mixing the single adult specimen of Cryptoalemus with cationic detergent cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in the homogenization buffer, two chloroform-isoamylalcohol extractions and an alcohol precipitation. RNA contamination was eliminated with RNAse treatment. The purity of DNA was high since the A260/A280 ratio ranged from 1.78 to 1.97. The isolated DNA was used as template for PCR, and the results were evaluated by comparing with different preserved samples.Key words: Rapid isolation, quality DNA, dry preserved specimens, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

A Study of the Advances in IoT Security

The Internet-of-things (IoT) holds a lot of benefits to our lives by removing menial tasks and improving efficiency of everyday objects. You are trusting your personal data and device control to the manufactures and you may not be aware of how much risk your putting your privacy at by sending your data over the internet. The internet-of-things may not be as secure as you think when the devices used are constrained by a lot of variables which attackers can exploit to gain access to your data / device and anything they connected to and as the internet-of-things is all about connecting devices together one weak point can be all it takes to gain full access. In this paper we have a look at the current advances in IoT security and the most efficient methods to protect IoT devices

From gut to brain: Deciphering the impact of gut microbiota on neurological health

The Gut-Brain Axis is a complex and fascinating concept elucidating the two-way communication between gut microbiota and the central nervous system, encompassing diverse mechanisms with profound implications on neurological health. Situated in the gastrointestinal tract, the gut microbiota, a diverse bacterial community, which communicates with the brain through various processes, including neurotransmitter and neuropeptide synthesis, immune system modulation, and involvement of the vagus nerve. These interactions not only impact digestion but also influence emotions, cognition, and behavior. Recent research has revealed the significant influence of gut microbiota on the neurological health, establishing connections between alterations in the gut microbiota composition and the prevailing conditions such as depression and neurodegenerative diseases. This understanding sheds new light on the pathophysiology of neurological disorders, marking the gut-brain axis as an exciting frontier in neuroscience and medicine. The aims of this study were to investigate and elucidate the intricate interplay between the gut microbiota and neurological health, and exploring the mechanisms of communication along the gut-brain axis. As research progresses, the potential for groundbreaking strategies to prevent and treat the neurological disorders becomes increasingly apparent. This comprehensive review delves into the nuanced world of the gutbrain axis, providing insights into the intricate relationship between the gut and the brain. Additionally, this review delves into potential therapeutic implications, exploring the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary interventions to modulate gut microbiota for enhancement of the neurological well-being

A Retrospective Seroprevalence Study of Dengue, Chikungunya and Co-Infection virus: a Hospital Based Study from Theni, Tamil Nadu

Viral-borne diseases have recently gained significant public health importance in the current world. The Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) located at Government Theni Medical College (GTMC), Theni, Tamil Nadu, conducts the diagnosis of common virus infections. The purpose of this study is to investigate the seroprevalence of dengue (DENV) and chikungunya (CHIKV) virus infections, as well as their co-infection, in people who have clinical symptoms. From January 2018 to June 2023, serum samples were collected from clinically suspected patients at the tertiary care hospital in Theni, Tamil Nadu. DENV and CHIKV were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in all of the samples. A total of 16,997 cases were enrolled, out of which 11264/2971(26.3%) tested positive for Dengue IgM, 1395/288 (20.6%) for Dengue NS1 Ag, 19/3(15.7%) for IgG, followed by 4319/3388(8.9%) of CHIKV IgM. Fever (n = 16598, 97.6%) was the most prevalent clinical characteristic in all probable dengue and chikungunya patients. Other symptoms were chills (n = 11252, 66.1%), arthralgia (n = 10245, 60.2%), headache (n = 11354, 66.8%), and joint pain (n = 11256, 66.2%). The findings showed a lesser likelihood of acquiring both DENV and CHIKV infections at the same time; however, the risk is still not trivial. This study investigates the clinical presentation of Dengue-Chikungunya patients. The rising prevalence of dengue and chikungunya, as well as their co-infection, need thorough monitoring of endemic areas and good patient care management

Anaphylatoxin C3a receptors in asthma

The complement system forms the central core of innate immunity but also mediates a variety of inflammatory responses. Anaphylatoxin C3a, which is generated as a byproduct of complement activation, has long been known to activate mast cells, basophils and eosinophils and to cause smooth muscle contraction. However, the role of C3a in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma remains unclear. In this review, we examine the role of C3a in promoting asthma. Following allergen challenge, C3a is generated in the lung of subjects with asthma but not healthy subjects. Furthermore, deficiency in C3a generation or in G protein coupled receptor for C3a abrogates allergen-induced responses in murine models of pulmonary inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. In addition, inhibition of complement activation or administration of small molecule inhibitors of C3a receptor after sensitization but before allergen challenge inhibits airway responses. At a cellular level, C3a stimulates robust mast cell degranulation that is greatly enhanced following cell-cell contact with airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. Therefore, C3a likely plays an important role in asthma primarily by regulating mast cell-ASM cell interaction

Genetic drivers of heterogeneity in type 2 diabetes pathophysiology.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a heterogeneous disease that develops through diverse pathophysiological processes1,2 and molecular mechanisms that are often specific to cell type3,4. Here, to characterize the genetic contribution to these processes across ancestry groups, we aggregate genome-wide association study data from 2,535,601 individuals (39.7% not of European ancestry), including 428,452 cases of T2D. We identify 1,289 independent association signals at genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10-8) that map to 611 loci, of which 145 loci are, to our knowledge, previously unreported. We define eight non-overlapping clusters of T2D signals that are characterized by distinct profiles of cardiometabolic trait associations. These clusters are differentially enriched for cell-type-specific regions of open chromatin, including pancreatic islets, adipocytes, endothelial cells and enteroendocrine cells. We build cluster-specific partitioned polygenic scores5 in a further 279,552 individuals of diverse ancestry, including 30,288 cases of T2D, and test their association with T2D-related vascular outcomes. Cluster-specific partitioned polygenic scores are associated with coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease and end-stage diabetic nephropathy across ancestry groups, highlighting the importance of obesity-related processes in the development of vascular outcomes. Our findings show the value of integrating multi-ancestry genome-wide association study data with single-cell epigenomics to disentangle the aetiological heterogeneity that drives the development and progression of T2D. This might offer a route to optimize global access to genetically informed diabetes care

Genetic Drivers of Heterogeneity in Type 2 Diabetes Pathophysiology

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a heterogeneous disease that develops through diverse pathophysiological processes1,2 and molecular mechanisms that are often specific to cell type3,4. Here, to characterize the genetic contribution to these processes across ancestry groups, we aggregate genome-wide association study data from 2,535,601 individuals (39.7% not of European ancestry), including 428,452 cases of T2D. We identify 1,289 independent association signals at genome-wide significance (P \u3c 5 × 10-8) that map to 611 loci, of which 145 loci are, to our knowledge, previously unreported. We define eight non-overlapping clusters of T2D signals that are characterized by distinct profiles of cardiometabolic trait associations. These clusters are differentially enriched for cell-type-specific regions of open chromatin, including pancreatic islets, adipocytes, endothelial cells and enteroendocrine cells. We build cluster-specific partitioned polygenic scores5 in a further 279,552 individuals of diverse ancestry, including 30,288 cases of T2D, and test their association with T2D-related vascular outcomes. Cluster-specific partitioned polygenic scores are associated with coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease and end-stage diabetic nephropathy across ancestry groups, highlighting the importance of obesity-related processes in the development of vascular outcomes. Our findings show the value of integrating multi-ancestry genome-wide association study data with single-cell epigenomics to disentangle the aetiological heterogeneity that drives the development and progression of T2D. This might offer a route to optimize global access to genetically informed diabetes care