Smartphone’s off grid communication network by using Arduino microcontroller and microstrip antenna

After a major disaster, the present communication system fails in providing the services in the affected area. No means of communication proves to be more dangerous as the rescue and relief operations become more difficult. Our current research is about establishing a network in such a disaster-prone area, which would facilitate to communicate and carry out the rescue missions. This research project used Java to create a fire-chat application and used it with the smartphone android system. It used Bluetooth model HC-05 linked with Arduino UNO by the SPI interface to connect Arduino with the smartphone. The FR-model HCW69 connected with Arduino by using UART to transceiver the message. The microstrip antenna 915 MHz connected with the FR-model HCW69 to give us more distance. The maximum effective range of the transceiver was 1 kilometer, to communicate by forming a mesh network. This application is helpful in the case when the smartphone is out of service; it (smartphone) can be communicated connected to the other nearby users with a message

The genetic landscape of autism spectrum disorder in the Middle Eastern population

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by aberrations in social interaction and communication associated with repetitive behaviors and interests, with strong clinical heterogeneity. Genetic factors play an important role in ASD, but about 75% of ASD cases have an undetermined genetic risk.Methods: We extensively investigated an ASD cohort made of 102 families from the Middle Eastern population of Qatar. First, we investigated the copy number variations (CNV) contribution using genome-wide SNP arrays. Next, we employed Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to identify de novo or inherited variants contributing to the ASD etiology and its associated comorbid conditions in families with complete trios (affected child and the parents).Results: Our analysis revealed 16 CNV regions located in genomic regions implicated in ASD. The analysis of the 88 ASD cases identified 41 genes in 39 ASD subjects with de novo (n = 24) or inherited variants (n = 22). We identified three novel de novo variants in new candidate genes for ASD (DTX4, ARMC6, and B3GNT3). Also, we have identified 15 de novo variants in genes that were previously implicated in ASD or related neurodevelopmental disorders (PHF21A, WASF1, TCF20, DEAF1, MED13, CREBBP, KDM6B,SMURF1, ADNP, CACNA1G, MYT1L, KIF13B, GRIA2, CHM, and KCNK9). Additionally, we defined eight novel recessive variants (RYR2, DNAH3, TSPYL2, UPF3B KDM5C, LYST, and WNK3), four of which were X-linked.Conclusion: Despite the ASD multifactorial etiology that hinders ASD genetic risk discovery, the number of identified novel or known putative ASD genetic variants was appreciable. Nevertheless, this study represents the first comprehensive characterization of ASD genetic risk in Qatar's Middle Eastern population

CCN3, POSTN, and PTHLH as potential key regulators of genomic integrity and cellular survival in iPSCs

Reprogramming human somatic cells into a pluripotent state, achieved through the activation of well-defined transcriptional factors known as OSKM factors, offers significant potential for regenerative medicine. While OSKM factors are a robust reprogramming method, efficiency remains a challenge, with only a fraction of cells undergoing successful reprogramming. To address this, we explored genes related to genomic integrity and cellular survival, focusing on iPSCs (A53T-PD1) that displayed enhanced colony stability. Our investigation had revealed three candidate genes CCN3, POSTN, and PTHLH that exhibited differential expression levels and potential roles in iPSC stability. Subsequent analyses identified various protein interactions for these candidate genes. POSTN, significantly upregulated in A53T-PD1 iPSC line, showed interactions with extracellular matrix components and potential involvement in Wnt signaling. CCN3, also highly upregulated, demonstrated interactions with TP53, CDKN1A, and factors related to apoptosis and proliferation. PTHLH, while upregulated, exhibited interactions with CDK2 and genes involved in cell cycle regulation. RT-qPCR validation confirmed elevated CCN3 and PTHLH expression in A53T-PD1 iPSCs, aligning with RNA-seq findings. These genes' roles in preserving pluripotency and cellular stability require further exploration. In conclusion, we identified CCN3, POSTN, and PTHLH as potential contributors to genomic integrity and pluripotency maintenance in iPSCs. Their roles in DNA repair, apoptosis evasion, and signaling pathways could offer valuable insights for enhancing reprogramming efficiency and sustaining pluripotency. Further investigations are essential to unravel the mechanisms underlying their actions.The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Qatar University funded the publication of this article. This research work was supported by QRDI [grant number: UREP27-156-3-044].Scopu

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

The prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking among the general and specific populations: a systematic review

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to systematically review the medical literature for the prevalence of waterpipe tobacco use among the general and specific populations. Methods We electronically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the ISI the Web of Science. We selected studies using a two-stage duplicate and independent screening process. We included cohort studies and cross sectional studies assessing the prevalence of use of waterpipe in either the general population or a specific population of interest. Two reviewers used a standardized and pilot tested form to collect data from each eligible study using a duplicate and independent screening process. We stratified the data analysis by country and by age group. The study was not restricted to a specific context. Results Of a total of 38 studies, only 4 were national surveys; the rest assessed specific populations. The highest prevalence of current waterpipe smoking was among school students across countries: the United States, especially among Arab Americans (12%-15%) the Arabic Gulf region (9%-16%), Estonia (21%), and Lebanon (25%). Similarly, the prevalence of current waterpipe smoking among university students was high in the Arabic Gulf region (6%), the United Kingdom (8%), the United States (10%), Syria (15%), Lebanon (28%), and Pakistan (33%). The prevalence of current waterpipe smoking among adults was the following: Pakistan (6%), Arabic Gulf region (4%-12%), Australia (11% in Arab speaking adults), Syria (9%-12%), and Lebanon (15%). Group waterpipe smoking was high in Lebanon (5%), and Egypt (11%-15%). In Lebanon, 5%-6% pregnant women reported smoking waterpipe during pregnancy. The studies were all cross-sectional and varied by how they reported waterpipe smoking. Conclusion While very few national surveys have been conducted, the prevalence of waterpipe smoking appears to be alarmingly high among school students and university students in Middle Eastern countries and among groups of Middle Eastern descent in Western countries