Size Exclusion PEGylation Reaction Chromatography Modelling

Size exclusion PEGylation reaction chromatography was investigated using a model developed by Fee (2005). Column dispersion was neglected and the PEGylation reaction was modelled as second order. The model allowed up to four PEG groups to be attached to a protein and accounted for succinic acid hydrolysis from activated PEG. The model was adapted to simulate a-lactalbumin PEGylation and succinic acid hydrolysis from activated PEG in a batch stirred tank so rate parameters from stirred tank kinetic experiments could be obtained and the model verified. The model was solved using finite differences and simulations run in Matlab. The effect of reaction parameters such as timing, length and concentration of PEG and protein injection, reaction rates, and model resolution on model simulation results was explored. In the size exclusion PEGylation simulations it was found that increasing protein concentration increased MonoPEG concentrations and increased the ratio of MonoPEG to starting protein feed concentration. Increasing PEG pulse length and starting PEG concentration initially increased MonoPEG concentration and product ratio until all protein had been PEGylated at which point MonoPEG concentration the product ratio levelled out. Increasing PEG hydrolysis rates did not affect the amount of MonoPEG produced but reduced the activated PEG concentration and increased succinic acid concentration. Optimal conditions for producing MonoPEG were found to be equal concentrations of PEG and protein, with the PEG injection length twice as long as the protein injection, and the PEG injection done immediately after the protein injection

Aeromycological approach of some fungal diseases on Tomato Crop (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) at Nashik, India 422007

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) family Solanaceae is the most popular and widely grown vegetable crop in India and throughout the world and having highly nutritious and medicinal value. Tomato crop and yield suffers from number of fungal diseases and shows correlation ship with airborne fungal spores and meteorological parameters; like mean temperature, relative humidity and average rainfall. The present investigation is done over Tomato field by using Rotorod air sampler (Tilak 1987) during Kharif season in Nashik, India. Weather conditions play an important role in seasonal development of many plant diseases. The present studies reveals the high concentration of air born pathogenic fungal spores were responsible in diseases incidence in Tomato crop. Some of them are Early blight (Alternaria solani), Late blight (Phytophthora species), Fusarium stem rot (Fusarium species) and showed more or less severity during the entire period of investigations. Keywords: Tomato, Rotorod sampler, Kharif season, Nashik

Pain coping, pain acceptance and analgesic use as predictors of health-related quality of life among women with primary dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea causes menstrual pain that affects women’s quality of life (QoL) and analgesics are only moderately effective. Pain coping and pain acceptance influence QoL among people affected by other chronic pain conditions, so we examined pain coping, pain acceptance and analgesic use as predictors of QoL among women with primary dysmenorrhea. 145 women with primary dysmenorrhea completed an online survey including the Menstrual Symptoms Questionnaire (MSQ), the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ), the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ-8), questions about analgesic use, and the Short Form-12 (SF-12), a measure of physical and mental health-related QoL. In multiple regression, pain acceptance predicted better physical and mental QoL, whereas pain coping did not predict mental or physical quality of life. Being married or cohabiting and menstrual pain that was less severe and shorter in duration predicted better physical QoL, and those effects were mediated by pain acceptance. Being older at the onset of painful periods predicted better mental QoL and that effect was also mediated by pain acceptance. More severe menstrual pain and congestive rather than spasmodic dysmenorrhea predicted worse mental QoL but those effects were not mediated by other factors. Analgesic use did not predict physical or mental QoL. The results show the impact that menstrual pain has on women’s quality of life, and suggest that initiatives to increase pain acceptance among women with menstrual pain are worthwhile. More research is needed to understand more fully the factors that influence health-related quality of life among women with menstrual pain.N/

Risk Factors of ACL Injury

An anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) is one of the major stabilizers of the knee joint, injury to which can be quite dreadful even ending many sports careers if not properly treated. Knowledge of the risk factors contributing to ACL injury will help in identifying at-risk individuals and develop preventive strategies. The factors contributing to ACL injury are multi-factorial involving biomechanical, anatomical, hormonal, neuromuscular factors etc; and can be broadly classified as Intrinsic and Extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors are mostly non-modifiable risk factors may be subdivided into anatomical, genetic, gender, previous ACL Injuries etc. Whereas Extrinsic factors are mostly modifiable risk factors include environmental factors, characteristic of surface and shoe, BMI and others. Anatomical risk factors can divided into tibial parameters like posterior tibial slope, medial tibial plateau depth etc; femoral parameters like notch width, notch index etc

Living Well on Haemodialysis: feasibility and acceptability trial of an online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) programme for people receiving kidney haemodialysis

Background People receiving kidney haemodialysis need psychological support. Objectives To assess feasibility and acceptability of a 4-week online video-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) programme for people receiving kidney haemodialysis. Design Single group before-and-after study. Participants People with end-stage kidney disease currently receiving dialysis, who had received in-centre haemodialysis at least 90 days in the last two years. Measures Recruitment, retention and engagement (feasibility); weekly and post-programme feedback (acceptability); pre-intervention and 4-week follow-up (potential outcome measures): kidney disease quality of life (KDQOL-SF), psychological flexibility (Acceptance and Action Scale) and acceptance of illness (Acceptance of Illness Scale). Results The study recruited 13 participants of whom 85% completed at least half the programme and 69% completed the whole programme. Health and medical treatment issues were the main known reasons for non-participation and drop-out. Of the 16 separate elements of the programme (four ‘story’ videos and 12 videos explaining ACT techniques), 13 were positively evaluated by at least 75% of participants. Of 11 aspects of the programme, 8 were positively evaluated by at least 75% of participants, and 89% found the programme easy to use, understood how it worked, found it easy to access, trusted the information, had no technical difficulties, and understood the activities. However, only 66.7% agreed the programme was interesting and only 62.5% agreed they enjoyed the programme. All responding participants indicated they would recommend the programme to people starting dialysis. The direction of change was positive for 17/21 potential outcome measures, with significant (p < 0.05) improvements in psychological flexibility and energy/fatigue. Conclusions An online video-based ACT intervention was feasible and acceptable for people receiving kidney haemodialysis and the results provide pilot data for a planned larger trial

“I didn’t have any option”: Experiences of people receiving in-centre haemodialysis during the COVID-19 pandemic

People receiving in-centre haemodialysis (ICHD) during the COVID-19 pandemic had to adjust to more challenging treatment conditions. To explore people’s experiences of adjustment to ICHD during the pandemic. Thematic analysis of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 14 adult UK ICHD patients. Findings: Four themes were identified: ‘perceptions of the threat’, ‘impacts on treatment’, ‘impaired communication’ and ‘coping and positive adjustment’. These described participants’ experiences of vulnerability to COVID-19; the ways the pandemic affected dialysis and clinical care; the impact that measures to reduce viral transmission had on communication and interaction within dialysis units; and ways that participants coped and made positive adjustments to the adversities imposed by the pandemic. The findings give insights into adjustment during extreme adversity. They also help to identify ways that support for ICHD patients could be improved as pandemic conditions recede, and ways that dialysis units could prepare for future outbreaks of infectious illness

A systematic review of evidence about the role of alexithymia in chronic back pain

Individuals with alexithymia struggle to make sense of their emotions. Alexithymia has been associated with a range of physical illnesses, but may influence different illnesses differently, so to understand the role of alexithymia in illness it is important to focus on specific conditions. This article reviews evidence from ten reports published between 2000 and 2018 of studies with samples of adults with chronic back pain that used the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS). The studies were conducted in Germany, Israel, Italy, Russia, Turkey and the USA. Eight studies involved clinical samples and two involved public transit workers. Studies that compared participants with high and low alexithymia consistently found associations with measures of pain. The findings show that more severe alexithymia plays a role in the experience of chronic back pain, and support the incorporation of alexithymia-related elements in interventions to help people with chronic back pain improve their emotional regulation and reduce their pain-related distress.N/

Knowledge, attitude and practices of antibiotic usage among university students from Karachi, Pakistan

Background: Antimicrobial resistance has become a serious global problem. A potential post-antibiotic era is threatening present and future medical advances. In Pakistan, the usage of antibiotic is unnecessarily high and due to over exposure to these drugs, bacteria are developing resistance against these drugs. It is necessary to improve public awareness about the rational use of antibiotics in order to bring a change in consumer’s behaviour. Therefore, present study was undertaken to assess the existing knowledge, attitude and practices related to antibiotic usage among university students.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among university students from Karachi, Pakistan during May-June 2018. 200 students were approached to participate in the study of which 159 agreed to participate (males: 70, females: 89). Pretested questionnaire was distributed to the study subjects and the collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.Results: Substantial number of (33% and 50%) participants were unaware about the differences in antibiotic: anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotic: antipyretics respectively. 29% of the participants thought it is right to stop antibiotics only based on symptomatic improvement. Thirty nine percent and eighty three percent participants believed that antibiotics should always be prescribed to treat flu like symptoms and pneumonia respectively.Conclusions: Participants demonstrated average knowledge about antibiotics. Similarly, their attitude and practice toward antibiotic use was associated with misconceptions. An educational intervention is necessary to make them aware about rational use of antibiotics

Oral cancer awareness among university students from Karachi, Pakistan

Background: Oral cancers (OC) are malignant lesions occurring in the oral cavity that include squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), salivary gland and odontogenic neoplasms. Even though it is the eighth most common malignancy globally but in Pakistan it is the second commonest type of cancer. Lack of awareness about ill-effects of preventable risk factors of oral cancer increases the burden of disease due to the associated high cost of treatment, permanent impairment and high mortality. Hence, awareness can be very helpful in prevention, control and early diagnosis of oral cancer.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among university students from Karachi, Pakistan during April to May 2018. Three hundred students were approached to participate in the study of which 277 agreed to participate. Pretested questionnaire was distributed and collected data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 23.Results: There were 125 (45%) males and 152 (55%) females in the study and response rate was 94%. Sixty one percent (154/250) respondents correctly identified smoking, and tobacco chewing as possible causes of oral cancer. Almost one third (74%; 184/250) respondents correctly responded that oral cancer does not spread from person to person through touch or speaking. Sixty six percent (164/250) respondents believed that oral cancer is curable. Mean score of knowledge was higher in females (61%) than males (53%). Significantly higher number of females compared to male participants answered correctly to questions regarding cause of oral cancer, spread of disease and occurrence of oral cancer in AIDS patients.Conclusions: Participants showed poor knowledge about oral cancer. Female participants showed better knowledge compared to male counterparts. Details about oral cancer should be incorporated in the university curriculum and periodic awareness programs should be organized for students

A study to assess knowledge and attitude towards HIV among students from Mumbai university

Background: India has the third largest HIV epidemic in the world. The Indian epidemic is characterized by low levels in the general population and elevated concentrations among high-risk groups. The present study was planned to determine the awareness of HIV among students from Mumbai University.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among students from Mumbai University, India during May–June 2017. Two hundred and fifty students were approached to participate in the study of which 199 agreed to participate (males: 132; females: 67). Pretested questionnaire was distributed and collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.Results: Study participants had high knowledge (86%) and attitude score (87%). There was no significant difference between males and female participants for attitude and knowledge, except for one question regarding knowledge about HIV transmission via breastfeeding to child.Conclusions: Present study showed that there are no misconceptions or negative attitudes regarding HIV among students. A longitudinal study with a larger sample size across India is recommended for further investigation