1st Sample Research Articles

Detection of Mycoplasma Hyopneumoniae DNA in porcine bronchioalveolar lavage and saliva

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae – is a causative agent of the enzootic pneumonia of pigs, a major pathogen of porcine respiratory disease complex which is ubiquitous, especially in regions with intensive swine industry. Investigation was done in 3 industry-type farms, located in Uralsky and Siberian Federal districts. Biological material was taken from pigs of various age and sows. Bronchoalveolar lavage and saliva were used as samples for PCR (n=10 for each group). Blood serum samples were used for antibody detection against M. hyopneumoniae (n=10 for each group). It was found that propotion of positive samples between farms was vary widely. In the 1st farm positive samples have only been presented by saliva samples. In contrast, in the 3rd farm all positive samples (45% of the total) were bronchioalveolar lavage samples. Finally, almost equal positive rate between saliva and bronchioalveolar lavage samples has been found at the 2nd farm. Thus, variation detected in the results of comparative study of the detection on M. hyopneumoniae in saliva and bronchioalveolar lavage samples did not allow us to make a conclusion that one of these materials has a clear advantages over the second one, that would be represented in all farms studied. Moreover, antibody detection against M. hyopneumoniae data did not demonstrate any significant differences between farms investigated. Therefore, both materials should be used in screening PCR studies.

Driving under the influence of alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic

AimThe main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pattern of alcohol use in drivers. Materialsand methods. At the National Institute of Legal Medicine from Bucharest, we performed a retrospective study on toxicology reports between January 1st, 2019 and December 31st, 2020. Breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) was tested using Dräger breathalyzers by police units at the scene, and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was evaluated using headspace gas chromatography. Most drivers gave two blood samples, separated by a one-hour interval, case in which they could request a retrograde extrapolation of the BAC at the time when they were stopped in traffic. ResultsThe distribution of the number of cases depending on the month showed a sharp decline in the first six months of the lockdown, with a slow upward trend afterward. Mean overall values for BrAC were 0.49 +/− 0.40 mg/L, for 1st sample BAC – 1.15 +/− 0.99 g/L and for 2nd sample BAC – 1.29 +/− 0.81 g/L. Mean values obtained for BrAC were 0.48 +/− 0.39 mg/L before the pandemic and 0.52 +/− 0.43 mg/L during the pandemic. The increase was similar in absolute numbers in both male and female drivers (0.03 versus 0.04 mg/L respectively for BrAC and 0.02 g/L for both genders for 1st sample BAC). However, the percentage increase was significantly higher in women. There were 253 cases in which BrAC had values between 0.01 and 0.05, of which 138 occurred before the pandemic and 115 during the pandemic, the increase being highly statistically significant. The percentage of drivers with BAC levels below and above 0.8 g/L (the threshold value for which DUI is a felony in Romania) were similar before and during the pandemic. ConclusionsDuring the lockdown, the number of alcohol tests in traffic has decreased significantly. This reduction was not associated with statistically significant changes in BrAC or BAC. We have seen a substantial increase in the number of minimally elevated BrAC and negative BAC cases, changes that could be caused by an increased use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

P-067: High dimensional CyTOF analysis of the immune system of multiple myeloma patients with different responses to lenalidomide maintenance

<h3>Background</h3> In this phase 2 study patients received 3 cycles of RVD (lenalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and lenalidomide maintenance. We evaluated the bone marrow (BM) immune profile with CyTOF (cytometry by time-of-flight) at treatment start and during lenalidomide maintenance focusing on two different response groups: good and poor responders at pre- and post-treatment phases. Our hypothesis was that there could be distinct differences in immune cell profiles between these groups, especially in T and NK cell subsets and exhausted T-cells. <h3>Methods</h3> Twenty-six patients were included in this study, 18 from this trial. BM samples were collected from all 18 patients at diagnosis, from 11 the 1st sample when achieved good response during maintenance after a median of 21 (6-46) months and the 2nd sample if good response was maintained after a median of 56 (45-67) months and from 5 patients at relapse after a median of 6 (2-23) months. Patients in good response cohort (n=11) had progression-free survival (PFS) > 5 years. For comparison we included 4 BM samples, taken at good response after ASCT from MM patients not exposed to lenalidomide and 4 BM samples collected from age-matched, healthy donors. <h3>Results</h3> With a median follow-up of 81 (13-97) months the median PFS was not reached in the good response cohort and was less than 18 months in the poor response cohort. CyTOF analysis revealed distinct good (GR) and poor responder's (PR) immune signatures at baseline level. GR, baseline group has shifted phenotype of T cells toward the CD8 T cells, expressing markers, attributed to the cytotoxicity (CD45RA, CD57), as well as having slightly higher abundance of CD8 TE and lower abundance of CD8 naive T cells. Total T cell amounts were significantly higher in good responders. Increased expression of CD56, CD57, and CD16 were also seen on NK cells in good responders at the baseline, indicating both maturation and cytotoxic potential of NKs. In contrast, a significant decrease of CD56 and CD16 expression suggesting reduced cytotoxic potential and increase of CD57 were seen on NKs in poor responders, baseline indicating senescence status a phenotype associated with exhaustion. Treatment stimulates the expression of cytotoxic/effector-like phenotype on T cells which is confirmed by the significantly increased amounts of CD4 and CD8 effector memory cells, with the respective decrease of naive cells. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Patients responded to the treatment, have higher effector/cytotoxic cells, expressing higher levels of CD57 and/or CD45RA for T cells, and CD57, CD16, and CD56 for NK cells. Additionally, those patients have less degree of tumor burden as well as decreased expression of chemokine receptors (CCR7, CCR6, CXCR4, CXCR3, and CXCR5). Good responders showed the increase in effector memory CD4 and CD8 subsets of T cells abundance, indicating even the higher cytotoxic effect of immune system.

A descriptive study of COVID-19 at a tertiary care hospital

Coronavirus disease 2019 (abbreviated “COVID-19”) is an emerging respiratory disease that is caused by a novel coronavirus and was first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The cases of COVID-19 infection since then were showing increasing trend in all over the world.&#x0D; The aim: to study the epidemiological distribution and determinants of COVID-19 pandemic.&#x0D; Methods: it is a descriptive study carried out at a tertiary care hospital of India. The population comprised of patients admitted in the hospital. Sample size comprised of all the subjects admitted in the hospital with established COVID 19 +ve cases. The duration of study was April 2020 to June 2020. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethical committee and Informed consent was obtained from each subject before the conduct of the study. Data collection was done by a pre-structured questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS version 20 software.&#x0D; Results: out of total 38 COVID-19 +ve cases, 95 % were male and 5 % female ant the maximum numbers of cases ranges between 36–40 years of age group with the median age of 32 years.53 % of cases were Muslim and 47 % Hindu by religion. The median duration of stay in hospital of all COVID-19 +ve cases was11 day that on further differentiation with co-morbidity was 15 days and 11.5 without any co-morbidity. The median duration taken between 1st sample taken and report provided was 2 days, between 2nd sample taken and report provided 1 day and between 1st and 2nd sample taken was 11 days.&#x0D; Conclusions: present study concluded that middle age persons were affected in majority which may be due to more exposure to public places. Co-morbidities are strong predictors of requirement for admission and duration of stay at hospital

Evaluasi Kekuatan Resistance Spot Welding pada Proses Tailor welded blankss Menggunakan Mill-steel Beda Ketebalan

This paper presented the test of cup drawing, and the tensile ability of tailor welded blanks (TWBs) used to join the resistance spot welding a variety of different parameters. This study used SPCC-SD (JIS 3141) material with a material thickness of 1.0 mm and 1.2 mm. This research is focused on obtaining the highest tensile-shear strength of resistance spot welding and how it affects the results of the drawing cup process. This study used an experimental research method using six samples of RSW parameters. RSW parameters used are welding current, welding time, and squeeze time. This research was achieved the highest tensile-shear strength value of 5.09 kN and the lowest 4.15 kN which was achieved in the 5th and 1st samples respectively. The results of the cup drawing test using RSW parameters in the 5th and 6th samples showed no TWB failure in the welded area. Further research will be carried out by performing Taguchi optimization using RSW and TWBs parameters in the cup drawing process.

Widespread nickel contamination in drinking water supplies of elementary schools in Taichung, Taiwan.

Owing to the limited information regarding potential sources of nickel (Ni) in drinking water, incidences of Ni contamination have not been well elucidated in the literature. However, in recent decades, Ni-containing plumbing materials such as stainless steel pipes, brass fittings, and chrome faucets have gained popularity in drinking water distribution systems. As a result of increased use of such materials, Ni levels in drinking water are expected to rise over time, posing long-term exposure risks to consumers. For the first time, this study employed an intensive sequential sampling, from October 2019 to July 2020, to assess Ni levels in drinking water samples collected from dispensers of elementary schools in Taichung, Taiwan. Of the total 580 sequential samples collected from 58 elementary schools, 45 samples from 17 schools exceeded the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) standard value of 20 μg/L for Ni. Total Ni concentration in 1 L sample, an average of the total Ni concentrations in 10 sequential samples, exceeded in 4 schools. This finding suggests minor Ni contamination in drinking water supplies across the city. The highest Ni concentration was measured in the 1st sequential sample reaching 154 μg/L. Weekend and summer samples exhibited a higher tendency to exceed the standard. Older schools with age above 50 years and schools with a higher student population (≥ 500) were more likely to have Ni contamination. This study showed that drinking water is a potential source of Ni. However, the identification of Ni source, whether within the dispenser or in the distribution system, warrants further research.

Clonal Evolution in CLL

Clonal Evolution in CLL

Optimal sampling designs for estimating salmonid run abundances from video recordings at a fishway on the Bois Brule River, Wisconsin, a tributary to Lake Superior

Using a simulation program and video census data (2004–2018) from the Bois Brule River fishway, Wisconsin, USA, we compared alternative sampling designs to estimate spawning run abundances of steelhead, coho salmon, Chinook salmon, and brown trout. We evaluated two types of two-stage sampling designs, comprising varying numbers of days sampled within a year (1st stage samples) and varying numbers of hours sampled within a day (2nd stage samples). While days were sampled using stratified random sampling under both types of sampling designs, hours were sampled using uniform (1/24) or non-uniform (proportional to hourly runs) selection probabilities under the first and second types of sampling designs, respectively. Number of days sampled within a year, comprising three strata, varied from 30 to 200 days in 10-day increments, and number of hours sampled within a day varied from 2 to 24 h in 2-hour increments. Spawning run sizes of the salmonids could be estimated with a relative root mean square error (RMSE) of less than 10% on average by employing a two-stage sampling design with samples of 100 days·yr−1 and 8 hrs·day−1, i.e., 800 hrs·yr−1; by contrast, full census involved reviewing 250 days·yr−1 and 24 hrs·day−1, i.e., 6000 hrs·yr−1, of video. Sampling more days (>100) resulted in greater reductions in estimation error than sampling more hours (>8). Non-uniform (vs. uniform) selection probabilities for hours sampled slightly reduced error of estimates. Our results underscore that optimal sampling designs could ensure a considerable reduction in survey resources while maintaining relatively low error in estimation of salmonid abundances.

Free thyroxine in early pregnancy is an independent negative predictor of 3rd trimester HbA1c. Odense child cohort.

Lower thyroid function outside pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The relationship between thyroid function in early pregnancy and glucose status in 3rd trimester has not been investigated. To study the association between 1st trimester thyroid function and 3rd trimester glucose status. In the prospective study Odense Child Cohort (OCC), 1,041 women had 1st trimester blood samples analysed for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free T4 (FT4), thyroid peroxidase antibody and HbA1c. Third trimester (week 28) fasting blood samples included plasma glucose, insulin and HbA1c. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT, 75g glucose) was performed in 509 women. First trimester FT4 was dichotomized >vs. ≤ the 25th percentile (25p=12.9pmol/L). Homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA)-IR and HOMA-β were calculated. Women with FT4 ≤25p had significantly higher HbA1c in 1st and 3rd trimesters and higher 3rd trimester fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR and HOMA-β compared to women with FT4 >25p. In multiple regression analyses, FT4 was an independent negative predictor of 3rd trimester HbA1c. FT4 levels in 3rd and 4th quartiles (high-normal FT4 levels) showed closest inverse associations with HbA1c (p-trend <.001). TSH was not associated with 3rd trimester HbA1c. Women with lower levels of FT4 in early pregnancy had higher HbA1c in 3rd trimester and FT4 was an independent negative predictor of 3rd trimester HbA1c.

Early pregnancy essential and non-essential metal mixtures and gestational glucose concentrations in the 2nd trimester: Results from project viva

Metals are involved in glucose metabolism, and some may alter glycemic regulation. However, joint effects of essential and non-essential metals on glucose concentrations during pregnancy are unclear. This study explored the joint associations of pregnancy exposures to essential (copper, magnesium, manganese, selenium, zinc) and non-essential (arsenic, barium, cadmium, cesium, lead, mercury) metals with gestational glucose concentrations using 1,311 women enrolled 1999–2002 in Project Viva, a Boston, MA-area pregnancy cohort. The study measured erythrocyte metal concentrations from 1st trimester blood samples and used glucose concentrations measured 1 h after non-fasting 50-gram glucose challenge tests (GCT) from clinical gestational diabetes screening at 26–28 weeks gestation. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) and quantile-based g-computation were applied to model the associations of metal mixtures—including their interactions—with glucose concentrations post-GCT. We tested for reproducibility of BKMR results using generalized additive models. The BKMR model showed an inverse U-shaped association for barium and a linear inverse association for mercury. Specifically, estimated mean glucose concentrations were highest around 75th percentile of barium concentrations [2.1 (95% confidence interval: −0.2, 4.4) mg/dL higher comparing to the 25th percentile], and each interquartile range increase of erythrocyte mercury was associated with 1.9 mg/dL lower mean glucose concentrations (95% credible interval: −4.2, 0.4). Quantile g-computation showed joint associations of all metals, essential-metals, and non-essential metals on gestational glucose concentrations were all null, however, we observed evidences of interaction for barium and lead. Overall, we found early pregnancy barium and mercury erythrocytic concentrations were associated with altered post-load glucose concentrations in later pregnancy, with potential interactions between barium and lead.

Prevalence and predictive factors of transient and permanent congenital hypothyroidism in Fars province, Iran

IntroductionThere is no data on the number as well as the prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in the Fars province. Hence, we designed this study to analyze the latest data and the possible predictive factors on transient and permanent CH in this province.MethodThis cross sectional study is based on the Fars province screening data from 2013 to 2016. A total of 294,214 newborns were screened with 938 confirmed cases of CH, which were included in this study. After recall and completion of the missing data, follow-up data for 642 CH cases with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations and levothyroxine doses for ten outpatient visits and final transient vs. permanent CH diagnosis were included.ResultsThe incidence rate was 1:313.66, and out of the 642 CH cases, 66.04 % had permanent CH, while 33.96 % had transient CH. TSH level trend during the outpatient visits were not statistically different between the two groups (P = 0.312). A cutoff point of > 2.25 levothyroxine µg/kg (sensitivity: 76.11 %, specificity: 58.52 %) at the third year and a TSH concentration of > 43.35 mIU/L at the venous sampling (initial TSH) (sensitivity: 31.66 %, specificity: 90.32 %) were the predictive factors for permanent CH.ConclusionFars province has one of the highest incidence rate of CH in Iran. Levothyroxine dose at the 3rd year and the 1st venous TSH sample are the predictive factors for permanent CH in the Iranian population; however, TSH concentrations during follow ups are unreliable predictors.

Sequential Transform Learning

This work proposes a new approach for dynamical modeling; we call it sequential transform learning. This is loosely based on the transform (analysis dictionary) learning formulation. This is the first work on this topic. Transform learning, was originally developed for static problems; we modify it to model dynamical systems by introducing a feedback loop. The learnt transform coefficients for the t th instant are fed back along with the t + 1st sample, thereby establishing a Markovian relationship. Furthermore, the formulation is made supervised by the label consistency cost. Our approach keeps the best of two worlds, marrying the interpretability and uncertainty measure of signal processing with the function approximation ability of neural networks. We have carried out experiments on one of the most challenging problems in dynamical modeling - stock forecasting. Benchmarking with the state-of-the-art has shown that our method excels over the rest.

Two subsequent seminal productions: A good strategy to treat very severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermic infertile couples

Sexual abstinence is considered one of the several factors that influence sperm quality. Recent studies show that a shortening of the abstinence period could be beneficial mostly in oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) patients. Retrospective study to verify the efficacy of a second semen sample after a short abstinence to treat severe OAT infertile patients. 127 couples treated between May 2014 and May 2018 were divided into two groups. Study Group 1 (75 cycles): severe OAT characteristics: count <0.2 × 106 /mL no progressive motility; count ≥0.2 × 106 /mL and no total or progressive motility; 0% normal morphology; a second semen sample was requested after abstinence of 2 h. Control Group 0 (52 cycles): normozoospermic or mild OAT; only one sample was requested. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was utilized in all cases. All semen parameters were significantly different between Group 0 vs both samples of Group 1 (p < 0.001), excluding volume between Group 0 and 1st sample of Group 1 (p = 0.682). The comparison between 1st and 2nd samples from Group 1 showed significant differences in volume, total and progressive motility and morphology (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.020) but not in total sperm count (p = 0.970). Fertilization, pregnancy rate/transfer, implantation and miscarriage rates were 85.9% and 61.1% (p < 0.001), 30.6% and 35.8% (p = 0.700), 17.5% and 24.0 (p = 0.292), 20.0% and 25.0% (p = 0.017) in Group 0 and Group 1 respectively. The results show that a short abstinence in severe OAT patients allows us to obtain spermatozoa with better motility. The request for a second semen sample in couples with extreme semen parameters is a valid and simple strategy that helps to achieve the same probability of pregnancy compared to a Control Group. Furthermore, it allows us to utilize fresh spermatozoa avoiding the need to resort to cryopreserved reserves or testicular surgery.

Development of the proteinuria dosage

The 24-hour urine proteinuria or albuminuria ratio is still prescribed for protein detection in urine, despite the fact that it has been replaced by the albuminuria or protein/creatininuria ratio. The use of this ratio eliminates the misinterpretation of 24-hour urine proteinuria. The objective of this development is to clarify the importance of the ratio for the search for albumin or protein in the urine. We conducted a review of the literature focusing on different diagnostic recommendations. Indeed, 24-hour urine collection is tedious and prone to many errors. The ratio is therefore a simple, reliable and standardized indicator for assessing proteinuria except in acute renal failure patients. The correlation between these ratios and 24-hour urine has been demonstrated in several studies in various populations and is currently considered to be the most adequate measure for proteinuria quantification despite the variability in creatinine excretion. The Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes recommendations therefore suggest the use of the albumin/creatinine ratio and the protein/creatinine ratio on a 1st morning urine sample to test for proteinuria.

Evaluation of Cardiac Troponin I as a Predictor of Outcome ofSepsis in Critically Ill Patients

AbstractBackground: Sepsis and septic shock are the most commoncauses of morbidity and mortality in Intensive Care Units inthe United States. The cardiovascular abnormalities associatedwith septic shock, in large part, account for the life-threateningnature of the syndrome. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) has beenshown to be an indicator of myocardial injury and is anaccepted prognostic factor of Myocardial Infarction (MI).Aim of Study: To study the prognostic value of cTnI onmortality and adverse complications in patients with sepsisand septic shock. And to study the relation of cTnI with ICUscoring system (SOFA).Patients and Methods: This is a comparative cross sec-tional study, was conducted at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) atAin Shams University Hospitals and El-Matria TeachingHospital, on 70 patients with suspected infection who wereaged between 18 and 60 years old, over the period of sixmonths from November 2019 to April 2020.Results: Finally, as regard relation between outcome and1st sample cTnI in each group; the study on the hand revealedthat there was no statistical significant difference betweenoutcome and 1st sample cTnI in Group with positive cTnI,Group II with non-elevated cardiac troponin I.Conclusion: Based on our results we recommend forfurther studies in larger patients and longer period of follow-up to emphasize our conclusion. Sepsis patients with highcTnI levels are usually more critically ill while had the samechance to adverse outcome and less mortality and cTnI level is not a predicator of mortality, further studies in larger patient populations must establish whether elevated troponin may be used as an independent mortality risk factor for intensive care patients without ACS.

Study to Assess the Level of Stress among Nursing students

Stress is a state created by amendment in atmosphere that is damaging to the person’s equilibrium andis mostly prevalent in nursing students. The study aims to measure the stress level of nursing students.Sample size consisted of 63 nursing students of GNM 1st year and B.Sc.(N) Post basic 1st year chosenby convenience non-probability sampling technique and informed consent were taken from subjects. TheUN Management stress tool was used to collect data which was taken from UNO Management Booklet ofseries. The results of the study has revealed that 97% of GNM 1st year students and 67% of Post Basic B.Sc.Nursing students were in moderate stress. The stress level is high in GNM 1st year students as compare topost basic BSc Nursing 1st year. Mean stress score of Post Basic B.Sc.(N) 1st year and GNM 1st year was 17± 2.3 & 23 ± 3.5.

Effect of Humic Acid on Oxidative Stress and Neuroprotection in Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: An Experimental Study.

Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is an important health problem especially in developing countries with additional socio-economic loss. Humic acids (HA) usually have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood-circulating and antiviral effects. We aimed to show effect of HA on neuroprotection in TSCI model. We performed TSCI model in Twenty-four Wistar-Albino rats in four groups. Control group underwent only laminectomy. Sham group underwent laminectomy followed by TSCI. Low dose HA (5mg/kg) and high dose HA (10mg/kg) groups underwent laminectomy and TSCI followed by peritoneal administration of HA. Preoperative, postoperative 1st hour and postoperative 24th hour cardiac blood samples were obtained. Total Antioxidant Status (TAS), Total Oxidant Status (TOS) and Oxidative Index (OI) levels were evaluated in serum. The 24th hour motor functions were evaluated by Modified Tarlov Score. There were no significant changes in TAS values between sham- low dose and high dose humic acid groups (p:0.77/0.21). However there were a significant decrease of TOS levels in the 24th hour post operative blood samples comparing the sham group with low dose humic acid group (p=0.02). Pathological evaluation showed a significant decrease in the severity of edema, hemorrhage, Polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PNL) and Mononuclearleucocytes (MNL) /macrophage/microglia when we compare with the control group (p<0.05). There is a significant recovery in paraplegia level as we compared the HA groups with control groups (p<0.001). In this study, we showed the effects of HA in the early stages of TSCI on oxidative stress, histopathological changes and neurological improvement. It is thought to be a potential therapeutic agent in acute TSCI but needs to be further evaluated by showing proper effect on other neuroprotective pathways in larger series.

Pharmacokinetics of single and repeated oral doses of esomeprazole and gastrin elevation in healthy males and females

Objective Gastrin elevation secondary to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy is well documented. Recent studies have demonstrated a sex-related difference where females on PPIs have significantly higher baseline gastrin levels than males. The aim of the study was to analyse the pharmacokinetics of esomeprazole and short-term effect on serum gastrin levels and evaluate potential sex-related difference. Materials and methods Healthy volunteers received 40 mg of esomeprazole daily for five days. After the 1st and 5th dose blood samples for fasting gastrin and pharmacokinetic analysis were collected at scheduled time-points for eight hours. Esomeprazole was analysed by liquid chromatography and gastrin concentrations were measured using radioimmunoassay. Results A total of 30 volunteers were enrolled. Females had higher median baseline gastrin (pM) than males 12 (IQR 10–15) vs. 7 (IQR 4–11) (p = .03). In the study cohort, median gastrin levels rose from 10 (IQR 6–14) to 15 (IQR 13–20) (p = .0002). The serum levels for esomeprazole increased by an average of 299.8 ng/mL (p < .001) from day 1 to day 5. Comparison of the esomeprazole pharmacokinetic parameters between males and females revealed no significant sex-related differences. No significant correlation was found between the AUC and the gastrin level on day 5 (p = .15). Conclusions In healthy volunteers, serum gastrin increased significantly after a four-day PPI-therapy. There was also a significant increase in serum esomeprazole from day 1 to day 5. The increase in gastrin and esomeprazole concentration was not related to sex and no significant sex-related difference was found in terms of pharmacokinetic parameters. European Clinical Trial Database (2015-002230-41).

Phytomorphology and Nutrient Dynamics of Mulberry Leaf

Background: The present study on the topic “Phytomorphology and nutrient dynamics of mulberry leaves” revealed high variability among mulberry varieties. Internodes were largest in variety Tr4 (6.06%). Actual leaf area was high in variety S146 (275.57 cm2). Numbers of leaves per meter branch was largest in variety S1531 (20.9). During 5 periodic sampling from sprouting to maturity average fresh and dry leaf weight of 100 leaves was high (197.93g) and (60.24g) respectively during 5th sampling. Average moisture content was high (83.41%) during 1st sampling highest average chlorophyll content (SPAD value) was also observed during 4th sampling (40.01%). Acidity was also high in variety Tr4 during maturity. Sugar content was high in variety T1 (3.66%) during 1st sampling (15 days). Starch and ash content was high in variety S1708 (43.06%) and (32.50%) during 5th sampling. Nitrogen and protein content was highest in variety S1608 (5.02%) and (31.56%) respectively during 1st sampling. Methods: In the field-laboratory investigation was conducted at Division of Sericulture, Division of Biochemistry and Plant Physiology, SKUAST-J, Chatha, during spring 2013. Ten mulberry varieties T1, Tr4, V1, S146, S1708, S799, S1608, S1531, S41 and Sujanpur were evaluated for phytomorphological and nutrient dynamic studies. The experiment was laid in complete randomized block design with three replicates. Each variety was taken as treatment and observations were recorded after 15 days interval upto 75th day after sprouting. Result: On the basis of current result, parameter observed fluctuations from the date of sprouting till maturity. Varietal response to periodic sampling too varied. Protein decreases age along with sugar, nitrogen. On the contrary starch, biomass, ash, chlorophyll shown a gradual increase. This information can be utilized to harvest a particular type of leaf for a particular age and rearing.

Capacitance characterization of silicon nanowires formed by cryogenic dry etching

Arrays of silicon nanowires were fabricated by dry etching in the ICP mode in a mixture of SF6/O2 gases at a temperature of-140 °C. Defects located near the wafer surface with E a =0.30 eV, σ=(1–10)×10−14 cm2 and E a =0.68–0.74 eV, σ=1×10−15 cm2 were detected by admittance spectroscopy and deep-level transient spectroscopy. An increase in the dry etching time from 3.5 min (for the 1st sample) to 4.5 min (for the 2nd sample) leads to an rise of their concentration, but additional stage of wet etching in 4% KOH during 30 s leads to a vanish of the response from the first sample (N T ˂1011 cm−3), while for the second sample the defect concentration becomes in two times lower.