Extended Period Of Exposure Research Articles

Machine Learning Approach to Investigate High Temperature Corrosion of Critical Infrastructure Materials

AbstractDegradation of coatings and structural materials due to high temperature corrosion in the presence of molten salt environment is a major concern for critical infrastructure applications to meet its commercial viability. The choice of high value coatings and structural (construction parts) materials comes with challenges, and therefore data centric approach may accelerate change in discovery and data practices. This research aims to use machine learning (ML) approach to estimate corrosion rates of materials when operated at high temperatures conditions (e.g., nuclear, geothermal, oxidation (dry/wet), solar applications) but geared towards nuclear thermochemical cycles. Published data related to materials (structural and coatings materials), their composition and manufacturing, including corrosion environment were gathered and analysed. Analysis demonstrated that random forest regression model is highly precise compared to other models. Assessment indicates that very limited sets of materials are likely to survive high temperature corrosive environment for extended period of exposure. While a higher quality and larger dataset are required to accurately predict the corrosion rate, the findings demonstrated the value of ML’s regression and data mining capabilities for corrosion data analysis. With the research gap in material selection strategies, proposed research will be critical to advancing data analytics approach exploiting their properties for high temperature corrosion applications. Graphical Abstract

Taphonomy and paleohistology of a dinosaur rib from Marília Formation, Bauru Group, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

The Bauru Group (Campanian–Maastrichtian) has one of the richest fossil records of Cretaceous in South America. All dinosaur fossils from this unit were assigned to Saurischia, most of them poorly preserved. We present the histological and taphonomic analysis of a dinosaur dorsal rib fragment from the Marília Formation in the western state of Minas Gerais. Thin sections were prepared to describe the microstructures of the bone tissue and the fossilization processes involved in preserving the specimen. An elemental analysis was also performed to verify the chemical composition of the fossil and rock matrix. Haversian bone was identified in the rib cortex, and no growth marks or an external fundamental system were found. The rib probably belonged to a saurischian dinosaur because of its plank shape and elliptical cross-section. Hypotheses regarding taphonomic processes were inferred. An extended period of subaerial exposure, followed by high-energy transport, was interpreted due to extensive fractures and signs of abrasion on the outer surface of the bone. Pyrite pseudomorphs (framboids) indicate that the bone was deposited in a reductive environment. After burial, the rapid precipitation of calcite and alkaline stability allowed the preservation of apatite during the recrystallization phase. The manganese hydroxides were deposited on apatite crystals during early diagenesis. We concluded that the fossil rib presented a common taphonomic bias identified among vertebrate fossils of the Bauru Group, which is associated with the exposure of the bones to arid and semiarid climates, their transport into the depositional environments and pedogenetic influence during fossil diagenesis.

Saw marks in bone: A preliminary empirical study to inform decision making and best practice

Forensic toolmark examiners compare marks between those observed on an item/surface and those made by a reference implement, such as a particular tool or weapon, to provide an opinion of the likelihood of common origin. It is widely accepted that such comparison opinions need to be underpinned by empirical research, and this study aimed to add to the knowledge base relied upon when developing and comparing saw marks in bone, a substrate encountered in body dismemberment cases. Porcine bones were used as a human proxy; they were either fresh with residual soft tissue and bodily fluids present (‘wet’) to replicate dismembered bones shortly post-mortem, or processed to remove soft tissue and moisture content (‘dry’) to represent cases of dismemberment after an extended period of decomposition and exposure. The bones were cut using one implement of each of five classes: hand saw, mitre saw, reciprocating saw, oscillating saw, and serrated knife. They were cut, either completely through (except for serrated knife), giving two surfaces per cut to examine, or to a depth up to 3 mm (false starts). Five replicates per combination of bone condition, saw, and cut type gave 130 bone samples. These were then cleaned and cast using Isomark Silicone Polymer Compound or Mikrosil, giving 260 cast samples. All bone and cast samples were photographed, examined for various class characteristic markers, and specific markers measured. No significant differences between Isomark and Mikrosil casts were observed when compared side-by-side, demonstrating suitability of both materials for casting of saw marks on bone. Although saw marks presented more class characteristic markers on dry than wet bones, calculations of tooth distances and measurements of kerf width (KW) from marks did not significantly differ between bone conditions, with exception of the reciprocating saw that produced false start marks with significantly larger minimum KW on wet than dry samples. Further analysis supported that tooth distances on marks made by hand and oscillating saws are sufficiently accurate for the determination of saw teeth per inch (TPI). However, one tooth distance on marks made by reciprocating saws did not accurately represent TPI. Finally, examination of presence or absence of class characteristic markers on each saw mark demonstrated consistent variation between saw classes. These results enabled the development of exclusion-based decision trees, and a reference database (available on request), for use by toolmark examiners in their evaluation of saw types based on class characteristic markers observed in cut bone.

Bioimaging tools reveal copper processing in fish cells by mitophagy

As an essential trace metal, copper (Cu) regulation, distribution and detoxification among different cellular organelles remain much unknown. In the current study, bioimaging tool was used in visualizing the locations of Cu among different organelles in fish fin cells isolated from rabbitfish Siganus fuscescens. Exposure concentration of Cu directly affected the Cu bioaccumulation and toxicity. When the exposure dosage of Cu reached 100 µM, it began to damage the cells and affect the cell viability after 10 min of exposure. Remarkably, while various Cu concentrations (50∼150 µM) initially reduced the cell viability, they did not lead to a further loss in viability over extended exposure period. Upon entry to the cells, Cu was mainly targeted to the mitochondria whose number, size and network responded immediately to the incoming Cu. However, Cu toxicity did not increase time-dependently, strongly indicating that these mitochondria damaged by Cu could be removed and its cytotoxicity could be relieved. Bioimaging results showed that lysosomes interacted with the mitochondria, which were subsequently digested within a few minutes. Meanwhile the lysosomal number increased, and the size and pH of lysosomes decreased. These reactions were in line with the observed mitophagy, suggesting that mitochondrial Cu could be detoxified, and the damaged mitochondria were removed by lysosome via mitophagy. By further purifying the cellular organelles, the mitochondrial and lysosomal Cu amounts were quantified and found to be in line with the imaging results. The present study suggested that excessive mitochondrial Cu could be removed via mitophagy to relieve the Cu toxicity.

OSA-Onset: An algorithm for predicting the age of OSA onset

Study objectivesThere is currently no way to estimate the period of time a person has had obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Such information would allow identification of people who have had an extended exposure period and are therefore at greater risk of other medical disorders; and enable consideration of disease chronicity in the study of OSA pathogenesis/treatment. MethodThe ‘age of OSA Onset’ algorithm was developed in the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort (WSC), in participants who had ≥2 sleep studies and not using continuous positive airway pressure (n = 696). The algorithm was tested in a participant subset from the WSC (n = 154) and the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS; n = 705), those with an initial sleep study showing no significant OSA (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) < 15 events/hr) and later sleep study showing moderate to severe OSA (AHI≥15 events/hr). ResultsRegression analyses were performed to identify variables that predicted change in AHI over time (BMI, sex, and AHI; beta weights and intercept used in the algorithm). In the WSC and SHHS subsamples, the observed years with OSA was 3.6 ± 2.6 and 2.7 ± 0.6 years, the algorithm estimated years with OSA was 10.6 ± 8.2 and 9.0 ± 6.2 years. ConclusionsThe OSA-Onset algorithm estimated years of exposure to OSA with an accuracy of between 6.6 and 7.8 years (mean absolute error). Future studies are needed to determine whether the years of exposure derived from the OSA-Onset algorithm is related to worse prognosis, poorer cognitive outcomes, and/or poorer response to treatment.

Effect of Obesity Duration and BMI Trajectories on Cardiovascular Disease: A Narrative Review.

Obesity is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). It is crucial to understand the impact of its duration due to the more extended exposure period and the higher frequency of overweight/obesity at younger ages. In the last decade, various studies have discovered that the duration of obesity, in addition to its severity, might have an impact. Therefore, this study aimed to summarize the current literature to investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) trajectories and overweight/obesity duration on cardiovascular outcomes. To retrieve related articles, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane electronic databases. The duration of overweight/obesity is significantly associated with CVDs, especially heart failure and atrial fibrillation. However, there are contradictory results regarding the association between coronary heart disease and stroke with the duration of obesity. Additionally, no association with peripheral vascular disease has yet to be reported. The absence of this association may be brought on by covariates or various follow-up times. Nevertheless, it seems that both stable overweight and remarkably stable obesity increase the risk of CVDs, as does both stable overweight and notably stable obesity. Metrics showing both the severity and the duration of overweight/obesity are more effective than each alone, and it is recommended to be used for assessing the risk of various CVDs. There are few studies in these areas, and studies with more extended follow-up periods, with a wide age range, while adjusting for some specific covariates, are needed.

Manifestations of oxidative stress and liver injury in clothianidin exposed Oncorhynchus mykiss.

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of clothianidin, a neonicotinoid insecticide, on hepatic oxidative stress biomarkers, biochemical indices of blood serum and liver integrity in juvenile Oncorhynchus mykiss following 7, 14 and 21days of application to environmentally relevant concentrations of 3, 15 and 30μg/l. The observed hypertrophy caused elevation in hepatosomatic index, a significant increase in serum glucose and a decrease in tissue protein level with extended period of exposure were determined. The treatment resulted in a marked induction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes which were accompanied with simultaneous elevation in MDA and protein carbonyl level reflecting loss of membrane integrity and protein function. Histopathological examination showed liver injury manifested as hepatocellular degeneration, fibrosis, vacuolation, congestion, necrosis, steatosis and pyknosis proceding with the concentration. The stressful condition triggered hyperglycemic and hypoproteinemic conditions which might be proposed as general adaptive response. Moreover, altered liver histology reveals the hepatotoxic potential of clothianidin via oxidative stress as a common pathological mechanism leading to liver injury.

Potential health impacts from sulphur dioxide and sulphate exposure in the UK resulting from an Icelandic effusive volcanic eruption

Ash, gases and particles emitted from volcanic eruptions cause disruption to air transport, but also have negative impacts on respiratory and cardiovascular health. Exposure to sulphur dioxide (SO2) and sulphate (SO4) aerosols increases the risk of mortality, and respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions. Ash and gases can be transported over large distances and are a potential public health risk. In 2014–15, the Bárðarbunga fissure eruption at Holuhraun, Iceland was associated with high emissions of SO2 and SO4, detected at UK monitoring stations.We estimated the potential impacts on the UK population from SO2 and SO4 associated with a hypothetical large fissure eruption in Iceland for mortality and emergency hospital admissions. To simulate the effects of different weather conditions, we used an ensemble of 80 runs from an atmospheric dispersion model to simulate SO2 and SO4 concentrations on a background of varying meteorology. We weighted the simulated exposure data by population, and quantified the potential health impacts that may result in the UK over a 6-week period following the start of an eruption.We found in the majority of cases, the expected number of deaths resulting from SO2 over a 6-week period total fewer than ~100 for each model run, and for SO4, in the majority of cases, the number totals fewer than ~200. However, the 6-week simulated period with the highest SO2 was associated with 313 deaths, and the period with the highest SO4 was associated with 826 deaths. The single 6-week period relating to the highest combined SO2 and SO4 was associated with 925 deaths. Over a 5-month extended exposure period, upper estimates are for 3350 deaths, 4030 emergency cardiovascular and 6493 emergency respiratory hospitalizations. These figures represent a worst-case scenario and can inform health protection planning for effusive volcanic eruptions which may affect the UK in the future.

Microgravity Induces Transient EMT in Human Keratinocytes by Early Down-Regulation of E-Cadherin and Cell-Adhesion Remodeling

Changes in cell–matrix and cell-to-cell adhesion patterns are dramatically fostered by the microgravity exposure of living cells. The modification of adhesion properties could promote the emergence of a migrating and invasive phenotype. We previously demonstrated that short exposure to the simulated microgravity of human keratinocytes (HaCaT) promotes an early epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Herein, we developed this investigation to verify if the cells maintain the acquired invasive phenotype after an extended period of weightlessness exposure. We also evaluated cells’ capability in recovering epithelial characteristics when seeded again into a normal gravitational field after short microgravity exposure. We evaluated the ultra-structural junctional features of HaCaT cells by Transmission Electron Microscopy and the distribution pattern of vinculin and E-cadherin by confocal microscopy, observing a rearrangement in cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. These results are mirrored by data provided by migration and invasion biological assay. Overall, our studies demonstrate that after extended periods of microgravity, HaCaT cells recover an epithelial phenotype by re-establishing E-cadherin-based junctions and cytoskeleton remodeling, both being instrumental in promoting a mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET). Those findings suggest that cytoskeletal changes noticed during the first weightlessness period have a transitory character, given that they are later reversed and followed by adaptive modifications through which cells miss the acquired mesenchymal phenotype.

Phosphine Resistance in Psocid, Liposcelis bostrychophila (Psocoptera) in the Philippines

Phosphine fumigation is one of the most effective way control insect pests in stored agricultural products. However, continuous use and highly dependent on phosphine fumigation has led to resistance development of major storage insect pests, including psocid. Fifty adult psocid were exposed for 20 h testing protocol to classify the susceptible to resistant strains. A full assay was composed of eight concentrations ranging from 0.003 to 1.000 g/m− 3. The most resistant strain was subjected for the extended exposure period of 72 and 144 h. Result revealed that, two out of eleven strain were still susceptible to phosphine fumigation, while nine were classified as the following: 2 strain (very low resistance), 3 strain (moderate resistance, 1 strain (high resistance) and 3 strain (very high resistance). Most susceptible was collected from La Union (lr1lug strain); LC50 and LC99 were 0.004 and 0.024 g/m− 3 concentration. Moreover, the highest resistance level was recorded in Tarlac (lr3tr strain); the LC50 and LC99 were 0.917 and 2.081 g/m− 3 concentration respectively. Based on the response of the most resistant strain and developmental stage, the projected minimum effective concentration or MEC of phosphine gas to provide a complete control of all stages of L. bostrychophila were 0.100–0.500 g/m− 3 for 72 and 144 h exposure period. The gathered data allow us to assess the importance of impending new resistance to the Philippine agricultural industry and to make an effective phosphine fumigation approaches plus resistant management strategy to fight a new strong resistance before they arise.

Prolonged cold exposure to Arabidopsis juvenile seedlings extends vegetative growth and increases the number of shoot branches

ABSTRACT Environmental factors such as photoperiod, temperature, phytohormones, sugars, and soil nutrients can affect the development of axillary meristems and emergence of shoot branches in plants. We investigated how an extended period of cold exposure to Arabidopsis plants before and after inflorescence meristem differentiation would affect plant growth and shoot branching. The number of rosette leaves and shoot branches increased when wild type (WT) juvenile seedlings, but not adult plants, were subjected to a prolonged cold exposure (10/7°C day/night cycle). As the duration of cold exposure to WT juvenile seedlings increased, so too did the rosette area, number of leaves, and rosette branches revealing an extended period of vegetative growth. The prolonged cold treatment also increased the primary inflorescence stem height and number of cauline branches in WT plants revealing a delay in reproductive development that could be altered by early (set domain group 8; sdg8) and late (methyltransferase 1; met1) flowering mutants. The axillary buds/leaf and rosette branches/leaf ratios declined significantly in WT, yet were enhanced in the loss-of-function of carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 7 (ccd7) and teosinte branched 1 (brc1) hyper-branched mutants. This indicated that axillary meristem differentiation continued during the cold exposure, which did not directly impact axillary bud formation or shoot branching. We conclude that a prolonged cold exposure to juvenile seedlings prior to inflorescence meristem development extended vegetative growth and delayed the reproductive phase to allow additional leaf primordia and axillary meristems to differentiate that enhanced the number of shoot branches in Arabidopsis.

Teaching vs learning: Impact of deliberate practice and formative feedback on developing point of care ultrasound skills.

The study investigators hypothesized that Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training through bolus didactic and workshop experiences may be sufficient for trainees to learn the cognitive aspects, while an extended period of exposure with formative feedback is responsible for developing the psychomotor skills critical for POCUS. The investigators studied trainees over the course of an academic year. They compared trainees' performance on written (cognitive) and observed image acquisition (psychomotor) exams at baseline and at each subsequent quarter, using a stepped-wedge design. They performed linear regression analysis to determine which variables contributed to knowledge and psychomotor skill development. Twenty-six trainees met the study requirements and participated in the POCUS curriculum. Participating in a POCUS rotation was consistently associated with an increase in psychomotor scores. There was no consistent variable to predict an increase in trainee's score on written knowledge assessments. Extended exposure to POCUS over a 4-week rotation with direct and indirect formative feedback can explain difference in scores on psychomotor skills assessments. Trainees scored similarly on the written assessment with or without a POCUS rotation. Training through didactic and workshop experiences may be sufficient to learn the cognitive aspects, but not psychomotor skills required for POCUS.

Evaluation of Selected Accelerated Above-Ground Durability Testing Methods for Wood after Ten Years Exposure

Traditional benchmark wood durability testing methods such as stake tests take many years to give conclusive results, and in-ground tests do not always indicate the efficacy of preservatives in above-ground situations. To find test methods that would shorten the time required for wood evaluation for above-ground end uses, a series of different types of accelerated durability tests were set up. Five types of test: ground proximity, two types of decking, flat panels and double layer, were reassessed after ten years to determine whether the decay rankings given to the various types of preservative had changed over the extended exposure period. Exposure conditions varied between tests, with ground proximity being close to ground, and the double layer test carried out in very wet conditions, while raised decking and flat panel tests were relatively dry. In all of these tests, the preservative retention was 25% of the normal H3 retention. The results indicated that the ground proximity tests gave the fastest and most reliable results. Flat panels contained the next highest decay rates, followed by ground-level decking, double layer and raised decking. The evaluation and comparison of these five test methods after ten years’ field exposure confirmed the trend and relative decay rate that was observed at four-year exposure. The use of a regression model for prediction showed a statistically significant overall relationship between decay scores in 2011 and 2017 (coefficient = 0.14 ± 0.07, d.f. = 345.7, t = 2.038, p = 0.042). When resistance to decay was compared between preservatives, copper-chrome arsenate (CCA)-treated pine and naturally durable spotted gum samples were in better conditions than pine treated with any of the other preservatives.

Time dependent ultrastructural alterations on the skin, eye, barbel and fins of the spawn of Clarias batrachus (Linn. 1758) exposed to UV-B radiation.

Present study highlighted the ultramicroscopic (SEM) alterations of the skin, eye, barbel, and fins of spawn of an air-breathing teleost (Clarias batrachus, Linn. 1758) induced by UV-B radiation (280-320nm) at a dose (@4.07×10-20J/photon/m2) under the time-frame of 5, 10 and 15min/d in the laboratory condition for the periods of 5 and 10 days. Limnological parameters revealed no significant changes throughout the period of experimentation which were measured by PCS Testr 35 Multi-Parameter. Morphometric analysis revealed that during the extended exposure period of 10 days the spawn size and weight were reduced as analysed through Specific Growth Rate (SGR). SGR values in terms of weight for 5 and 10 days under 3 time-frames were 17.12%, 12.52%, 11.46% and 9.09%, 6.43%, 6.09% respectively, which revealed a declined trend along with the exposure days. In the skin of C. batrachus, the compact regular orientation of the stratified epithelial cells and mucous cells became distorted and the microridges and double-ridged structures showed destruction and fragmentations. The body striations and microfolds became shrinked and swollen and finally degenerated to form a mass. The distribution of mucous cells throughout the epidermis was disorganised and releasing secretory contents on the surface through small pores. Appearance of huge quantity of biogenic semi-hexagonal plate like crystals (guanine platelets) on the skin surface of the body was the most significant observations during UV-B radiation. In the developmental phases the eyeball showed shrinkage loosing normal regular concave structure and to become a dome-shaped one. The supportive connective infoldings became loosened. The choroid coat displayed deformities and the iris deformed the pupil. The fibroblast on the epithelium and melanocytes depicted dispersed arrangement. The pairs of ventral barbels near the mouth depicted the presence of taste buds that became severely damaged exposing the sensory as well as neuroepithelial cells. Compact regular arrangement of the SECs was completely destroyed leaving long and deep channels inbetween them; the disintegrated concentric MRs also showed a mass.

Susceptibility of wild-caught Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) sand flies to insecticide after an extended period of exposure in western S\xe3o Paulo, Brazil

BackgroundIn Brazil, members of the sand fly species complex Lutzomyia longipalpis transmit Leishmania infantum, a protist parasite that causes visceral leishmaniasis. Male Lu. longipalpis produce a sex pheromone that is attractive to both females and males. During a cluster randomised trial, to determine the combined effect of synthetic sex-aggregation pheromone and insecticide on Le. infantum transmission Lu. longipalpis had been continuously exposed to insecticide for 30 months. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of continuous exposure to the insecticides used in the trial on the susceptibility of Lu. longipalpis population.MethodsDuring the trial the sand flies had been exposed to either lambda-cyhalothrin [pheromone + residual insecticide spray (PI)], deltamethrin [dog collars (DC)] or no insecticide [control (C)], for 30 months (November 2012 to April 2015). The insecticide treatment regime was kept in place for an additional 12 months (May 2015-April 2016) during this susceptibility study. Sand flies collected from the field were exposed to WHO insecticide-impregnated papers cyhalothrin (0.05%), deltamethrin (0.5%) and control (silicone oil) in a modified WHO insecticide exposure trial to determine their susceptibility.ResultsWe collected 788 Lu. longipalpis using CDC-light traps in 31 municipalities across the three trial arms. Probit analysis showed that the knockdown times (KDTs) of Lu. longipalpis collected from the lambda-cyhalothrin exposed PI-arm [KDT50: 31.1 min, confidence interval (CI): 29.6–32.6 and KDT90: 44.2 min, CI: 42.1–46.7] were longer than the KDTs from the non-insecticide-treated C-arm (KDT50: 26.3 min, CI: 25.1–27.6 and KDT90: 38.2, CI: 36.5–40.2) (no-overlapping 95% CIs). KDTs of Lu. longipalpis collected from the deltamethrin exposed DC-arm had similar values (KDT50: 13.7 min, CI: 10.1–16.2 and KDT90: 26.7 min, CI: 21.8–30.6) to those for the C-arm (KDT50: 13.5 min; CI: 12.2–14.8 and KDT90: 23.2 min, CI: 21.4–25.4) (overlapping CIs). The wild-caught unexposed Lu. longipalpis (C-arm), took approximately twice as long to knock down as laboratory-colonised specimens for both insecticides.ConclusionsOur study reveals slight changes in KDT, in sand flies after prolonged exposure to lambda-cyhalothrin in the presence of pheromone. These changes are not considered to have reached the reference levels indicative of resistance in sand flies suggesting that pheromone and insecticide treatment at the level indicated in this study do not constitute a significant risk of increased insecticide resistance. Prolonged exposure to deltamethrin in dog collars did not result in changes to KDT.

Investigating sirukumab for rheumatoid arthritis: 2-year results from the phase III SIRROUND-D study

ObjectivesThe phase III, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group SIRROUND-D study evaluated long-term efficacy and safety of the interleukin (IL)-6 inhibitor, sirukumab, in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) refractory to...

Effect of Plasma Exposure Time on the Polyphenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Fresh-Cut Apples

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has shown good potentiality for the decontamination and stabilization of fresh fruit and vegetable products; however, information about its effect on nutritional quality is still scarce. The aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of a form of indirect treatment known as Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) on apple slices—more specifically, the polyphenolic profile and antioxidant activity of fresh-cut Pink Lady apples. Atmospheric plasma was generated using air as feed gas, and directed to apple slices for up to 30 min. The effect of plasma treatment on physico-chemical parameters was mainly observed as a slight acidification of the tissue and reduction of browning after an extended period of exposure. The samples’ phenolic profile was significantly affected after 10 min of treatment, both in quantitative (an approximately 20% increase) and qualitative terms, while with increasing exposure time a progressive decrease of all polyphenol classes was observed. The antioxidant activity, evaluated by different in-vitro methods, followed a similar trend, increasing after 10 min of processing and then decreasing. Results highlighted how plasma exposure promotes a metabolic response of the fresh tissue, and the importance of carefully controlling the exposure time in order to minimize the loss of nutritional properties.

ANALYSIS OF TUBERCULIN SKIN TEST IN ADULT ASTHMATIC PATIENTS USING STEROIDS AS PART OF THEIR MANAGEMENT

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis infection being one of the major risk factor for morbidity and mortality in developing countries according to WHO and CDC. The risk of developing TB increases significantly with the drop of immunity.Using steroid (prednisolone or its equivalent) at a dose of more than 15 mg/day more than 4 weeks is associated with significant drop in immunity, hence increasing the risks of being infected with TB to eight folds AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the risk of developing TB infection in asthmatic patients that use steroid in their asthma treatment regime.MATERIALS &amp;amp; METHODS: A prospective study designed to include patients complaining from Asthma who have visited Baghdad teaching hospital in the period from (June 2016 to June 2017) that included in-patients and out-patients.A questionnaire prepared to document the related information of most concern to the researcher and for the sake of study. RESULTS: In this study, we managed to enroll 60 patients. Male to female ratio was 7:23. 80% of the study cohort lived in urban residence and 20 % in suburban neighborhood. 33.3% of the patients had diabetes as comorbidity. 21.7 % of the patients used inhaled steroid as a modality of management of asthma, while 45% used systemic steroids, and 33.3 % used combined modality. Of the study cohort, 18.3 % used steroid for no more than 4 weeks, and the rest used it for more than 4 weeks. Regarding tuberculin test results, 11.7 % test positive.A significant correlations were found between the tuberculin test and the increasing age of the patient p=0.01, and the duration of use of steroids p=0.001, also, between TST and previous history of TB p=0.04.CONCLUSION: There is no relationship between the type of steroid and the risk of getting TB infection.The risk of steroid on immune system and the raise of risk increase with increasing subject age. The extended period of exposure to steroid will definitely increase the risk of TB infection.

Effect of life skills building education and micronutrient supplements provided from preconception versus the standard of care on low birth weight births among adolescent and young Pakistani women (15\u201324\xa0years): a prospective, population-based cluster-randomized trial

BackgroundRisk factors known to impact maternal and newborn nutrition and health can exist from adolescence. If an undernourished adolescent girl becomes pregnant, her own health and pregnancy are at an increased risk for adverse outcomes. Offering preconception care from adolescence could provide an opportunity for health and nutrition promotion to improve one’s own well-being, as well as future pregnancy outcomes and the health of the next generation.MethodsThe Matiari emPowerment and Preconception Supplementation (MaPPS) Trial is a population-based two-arm, cluster-randomized, controlled trial of life skills building education and multiple micronutrient supplementation provided in a programmatic context to evaluate the impact on pre-identified nutrition and health outcomes among adolescent and young women (15–24 years) in Matiari district Pakistan, and the infants born to them within the context of the trial. The primary aim is to assess the effect of the intervention on the prevalence of low birth weight births (< 2500 g). The intervention includes bi-monthly life skills building education provided from preconception, and supplementation with multiple micronutrients during preconception (twice-weekly), pregnancy (daily), and post-partum (daily to 6 months). The standard of care includes non-regulated community-based health sessions and daily iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy. Additional outcome information will also be collected at set time periods. Among participants, these relate to nutrition (anthropometry, nutritional status), morbidity, and mortality. Among infants, these include birth outcomes (stillbirth, preterm birth, length of gestation, small for gestational age, birth defects), anthropometry, morbidity, and mortality.DiscussionPreconception care from adolescence that includes interventions targeting life skills development and nutrition is suggested to be important to improving the health and nutrition of adolescent and young women and their future offspring. This study is expected to offer insight into providing such an intervention both within a programmatic context and with an extended exposure period prior to conception.Trial registrationThe MaPPS Trial was registered retrospectively on clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03287882) on September 19, 2017.

Implicit sequence learning is preserved in dyslexic children.

This study investigates the implicit sequence learning abilities of dyslexic children using an artificial grammar learning task with an extended exposure period. Twenty children with developmental dyslexia participated in the study and were matched with two control groups-one matched for age and other for reading skills. During 3days, all participants performed an acquisition task, where they were exposed to colored geometrical forms sequences with an underlying grammatical structure. On the last day, after the acquisition task, participants were tested in a grammaticality classification task. Implicit sequence learning was present in dyslexic children, as well as in both control groups, and no differences between groups were observed. These results suggest that implicit learning deficits per se cannot explain the characteristic reading difficulties of the dyslexics.