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In a ground breaking endeavor, we investigate a fundamental quantum property of fermions, specifically electrons, within a non-uniform quantized magnetic field, unveiling novel insights into shear Alfve’n waves in the relativistic realm of quantum plasma, particularly within the context of a degenerate Fermi gas. Employing the quantum magnetohydrodynamic model, we delve into the profound implications of the Landau quantization effect. This quantum phenomenon holds paramount importance across diverse fields such as condensed matter physics, astrophysics, and quantum information. Our study focuses on a plasma composed of degenerate relativistic electrons coexisting with cold fluid ions, which are non-degenerate particles. The findings of this research reveal substantial modifications in the thermodynamic, kinetic, and dispersion relation characteristics of shear Alfve’n waves when subjected to a non-uniform quantized magnetic field. This exploration offers a pioneering perspective on the intricate interplay between quantum physics and plasma dynamics, with implications for a wide array of scientific disciplines.

A tandem structure efficiently boosts solar cell efficiency because it uses a larger spectrum of solar radiation and minimizes photon energy thermalization. High-performance tandem solar cells have historically been difficult to produce due to a shortage of high-performance, low-bandgap cells. The proposed design is based on the CH3NH3GeI3 (1.9 eV) as a wide band gap absorber layer and FAMASnGeI3 (1.4 eV) as a narrow band gap perovskite layer with CZTSe as HTL. This research investigates the effect of different ETLs, perovskite layer thicknesses and their doping concentration on the device's photovoltaic parameters. Furthermore, the effect of tunnel junction thickness and front contact work function on the solar cell performance has also been simulated. It has been noted that the PCBM presents a better efficiency device than the other ETLs. The Voc of different ETLs has been related to Vbi. Moreover, the optimized thicknesses of both perovskite absorber layers are 450 nm and 400 nm for MAGeI3 and FAMASnGeI3, respectively. The optimal doping density is found to be E14 cm−3. It has been observed that the tunnel junction's thickness and the front contact's work function also play an important role in optimized device efficiency. The tunnel junction thickness is 4 nm for lead-free mixed cation perovskite/CZTSe tandem solar cells. However, the work function of the front electrode of 4.4 eV is optimum for this structure. The proposed lead-free mixed cation perovskite/CZTSe tandem device shows significant performance parameters, i.e., Voc= 0.970 V, Jsc = 28.46 mAcm−2, FF = 84.43 % and PCE= 23.32 %

Recently, calcium phosphate/montmorillonite composites have received attention as a synthetic bone substitutes. In this study, apatitic calcium phosphate/Montmorillonite nano-biocomposites were in-situ synthesized at 22 °C by reaction between calcium hydroxide and orthophosphoric acid in the presence of different contents of montmorillonite (MNa). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas were used to characterize the prepared powders. The XRD results show that the composites prepared with 2 and 5 wt% MNa and sintered at 900 °C, show the formation of hydroxyapatite (HAP) structure, whereas that prepared with 10 wt% MNa leads to the formation of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) structure. The HAP structure decomposes at 1000 °C and leads to the formation of biocomposite containing HAP, β and α-TCP. However, β-TCP composites show thermal stability. FTIR and structural refinement results show the incorporation of clay ions into the apatitic structure causing changes in the crystal structure of the formed calcium phosphate phases. The changes in the composition and structure lead to an increase in the dissolution rate of HAP and a decrease in that of β-TCP.

Rice (Oryza sativa) plants acquired excess photosynthates in the form of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) in their stems and grain. Despite keen interest in rice NSC, the dynamics of NSC accumulation, translocation and re-accumulation have not yet been well investigated. AG1 and AG2 QTLs associated with flooding tolerance through catalyzing starch into soluble sugar in germinating seeds. Here we conducted three experiments, greenhouse and field to lay the groundwork for large-scale diversity studies on grain NSC and some agronomic traits under direct-seeded rice (DSR) system, using elite lines incorporating AG1, AG2 and AG1-AG2 QTLs into the popular varieties PSB Rc82 and Ciherang-Sub1 along with the donors Kho Hlan On (AG1) and Ma-Zhan Red (AG2). In germinating seedlings, soluble sugars increased, while starch concentration decreased gradually especially in the tolerant checks and AG1-AG2 introgression lines under flooded soil. Soluble sugar accumulation in stem started to increase from the vegetative stage and peaked at the panicle initiation stage then gradually decreased towards the maturity stage. But Sub1-AG lines had higher sugar and starch concentrations at different growth stages than other genotypes in wet season 2016 and dry season 2017. Plant survival rate was positively correlated with the stem NSC at the early vegetative stage (21 days after sowing), and stem NSC was positively associated with plant height at different growth stages. Among the tested seeding rate, the most suitable seeding rate, 4 g/m2 with shallow burial depth (0.5 cm), resulted in better seedling establishment, relatively higher seedling vigor index and higher leaf area index under flooding in DSR system. Introgression of AG1-AG2 QTLs had no any negative impact on nonstructural carbohydrate, germination rate, and growth and biomass production.

Exploring the composition and structure of the faecal microbial community improves the understanding of the role of the gut microbiota in the gastrointestinal function and the egg-laying performance of hens. Therefore, detection of hen–microbial interactions can explore a new breeding marker for the selection of egg production due to the important role of the gut microbiome in the host’s metabolism and health. Recently, the gut microbiota has been recognised as a regulator of host performance, which has led to investigations of the productive effects of changes in the faecal microbiome in various animals. In the present study, a metagenomics analysis was applied to characterise the composition and structural diversity of faecal microbial communities under two selections of egg-laying performance, high (H, n = 30) and low (L, n = 30), using 16S rRNA-based metagenomic association analysis. The most abundant bacterial compositions were estimated based on the operational classification units among samples and between the groups from metagenomic data sets. The results indicated that Firmicutes phylum has higher significant (P < 0.01) in the H group than in the L group. In addition, higher relative abundance phyla of Bacteroides and Fusobacteria were estimated in the H group than the L group, contrasting the phyla of Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria were more relative abundance in the L group. The families (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Acinetobacter, Flavobacteriaceae, Lachnoclostridum and Rhodococcus) were more abundant in the H group based on the comparison between the H and L groups. Meanwhile, three types of phyla (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Cyanobacteria) and six families (Acinetobacter, Avibacterium, Clostridium, Corynebacterium, Helicobacter and Peptoclostridium) were more abundant in the L group (P < 0.01). Overall, the selection of genotypes has enriched a relationship between the gut microbiota and the egg-laying performance. These findings suggest that the faecal microbiomes of chickens with high egg-laying performance have more diverse activities than those of chickens with low egg-laying performance, which may be related to the metabolism and health of the host and egg production variation.

New simple sensitive spectrophotometric methods are developed for determination of cefepime (CFM) in pure and Pharmaceutical Formulations. The first method conversion primary amine to azo-dye by react cefepime with sodium nitrite and hydrochloric acid followed by coupling with 3-aminophenol in alkaline medium to obtain a stable orange colored dye at λ max 495 nm. The concentration ranges 2–50 μg / mL, Beer's law is obeyed, correlation coefficient was 0.9997, molar absorptivity was 0.704 × 104L.mol−1.cm−1 and the detection limit was 0.259 μg/mL. Cloud point extraction (CPE) second method to estimation a trace amount in aqueous solution product from diazotization and measuring with a UV–visible spectrophotometer at λ max 495 nm. The concentration range obeyed the Beer's law was 0.25–10 μg / mL, correlation coefficient was 0.9996, molar absorptivity was 1.362 × 105L.mol−1.cm−1, detection limit was 0.013 μg/mL, Pre-concentration factor was 25 and Distribution coefficient(D) was 333.35.

2-Methyl-4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazin-4-one (BZ1) and 3-amino-2-methylquinazolin-4(3H)-one (BZ2) were evaluated for their corrosion inhibition properties on mild steel (MS) in hydrochloric acid solution by weight loss technique and scanning electron microscopy. Results show the inhibition efficiency values depend on the amount of nitrogen in the inhibitor, the inhibitor concentration and the inhibitor molecular weight with maximum inhibition efficiency of 89% and 65% for BZ2 and BZ1 at highest concentration of the compounds. Keywords: Methylquinazoline, Benzoxazines, Corrosion, Inhibitors

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the specific learning needs of patients within the experimental group after receiving the Individualized Self-Care Program (ISCP) at two key time points: Time 2 (Day 2, Week 1) and Time 3 (Day 15, Week 3). Furthermore, it aimed to compare the effectiveness of the ISCP in improving self-care behavior between the experimental group and the control group, which received standard health education., Methods: The study utilized a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design and included a consecutive sample of 128 patients who had undergone their first Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) procedure. These patients were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (n = 64) and the control group (n = 64). The experimental group received an ISCP at Time 2 and Time 3 after being discharged, whereas the control group received standard health education. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests to assess differences in learning needs over time and Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to evaluate the effectiveness of the ISCP on self-care behavior., Results: A paired t-test indicated a statistically significant difference in the total number of learning needs identified within the experimental group between Time 2 and Time 3 assessments. Patients in the experimental group initially identified more learning needs at Time 2 (4.3 ± 1.5), but their knowledge significantly improved at Time 3, leading to fewer learning needs (2.6 ± 1.1). Furthermore, an ANOVA comparing the experimental and control groups showed that the ISCP effectively improved self-care behavior in the experimental group, with significantly greater improvements compared to the control group, which received standard health education., Conclusion: ISCP delivered in early recovery enhances self-care behaviors and addresses postdischarge gaps. The study also revealed that patients' learning needs change over time during home recovery, emphasizing the importance of tailored self-care programs for CABG patients after discharge., Trial Registration: IRCT registration number: ISRCTN96836216., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors state that they do not have any conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Aim: The aim of the current study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of kaurenoic acid (KA) against Monosodium Urate Crystals (MSU)-induced acute gout by downregulation of NF-κB signaling pathway, mitigating inflammation and oxidative stress. KA potentially targeted NF-κB pathway activation and provided comprehensive insights through multiple approaches. This was accomplished by advanced analytical techniques. This methodology highlighted the efficacy of KA in acute gout attacks offering new approach for gout management., Methods: In-vivo model of acute gout was established in BALB/c mice. Anti-inflammatory and urate-lowering potential was determined through pain behavioral evaluation, biochemical analysis, histological and immunohistochemical assays, radiological assessments, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis, and computational analysis., Results: The paw edema, joint thickness, and the frequency and duration of acute gout flare-ups were all significantly (p < 0.001) decreased by the administration of KA. A considerable reversal of inflammation and deterioration was observed in the KA-treated groups in X-ray examination. The FTIR spectroscopy indicated the changes in the molecular makeup of tissues, and modifications of biomolecules including proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. Histopathological changes showed marked (p < 0.001) improvements in cellular structure of the paw, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the treatment groups. Trichrome staining revealed suppressed collagen deposition, inflammation, and tissue repair in the paw. In paw tissues, the KA therapy up-regulated IκB-α expression while down-regulating toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. On the other hand, KA therapy greatly increased antioxidants and decreased oxidative stress indicators significantly (p < 0.001). According to Evans's blue permeability analysis, results showed that the treatment groups' vascular permeability was intensely reduced in comparison to the diseased group. Molecular docking studies indicated that KA appeared to have a high tendency to bind to protein targets. KA was associated with the drop in the cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β)., Conclusion: In conclusion, this study highlighted the potential therapeutic effect of KA in alleviating MSU-induced gout by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity was demonstrated by behavioral studies and advanced biochemical evaluations including blood analysis and oxido-nitrosative stress markers. Histopathological analysis, including H&E staining, immunohistochemistry, and Masson Trichrome staining, revealed tissue preservation, while FTIR and X-ray revealed structural improvements. Molecular docking verified strong binding affinity to NF-κB-related targets, verifying its mechanistic action. These findings suggest promising applications of KA in acute gout management due to its potent NF-κB modulating activity., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Understanding moral distress and resilience is crucial for supporting the well-being of emergency nursing staff and improving patient care. However, there is limited research specifically examining moral distress and resilience among emergency nursing staff in ARAR city hospitals., Aims: This study aims to examine moral distress and resilience levels among emergency nursing staff in ARAR city hospitals. Specifically, the study seeks to determine the correlation between moral distress and resilience among emergency nursing staff and examine differences in the levels of moral distress and resilience among different demographic and occupational characteristics., Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving a non-probability stratified sample of emergency nursing staff from two hospitals in ARAR city. The participants completed a Brazilian Moral Distress Scale in Nurses (MDSN-BR) and Rushton Moral Resilience Scale in Nurses (RMRS). Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics and one-way- ANOVA, were conducted to analyze the data., Results: The study found that emergency nursing had a moderate level of moral distress, with a mean frequency of 2.70 (SD = 1.02) and a mean intensity of 2.79 (SD = 1.04). The overall self-reported moral resilience was also moderate, with a mean score of 2.48 (SD = 0.77). Significant positive correlations were observed between resilience and both moral distress frequency (r = 0.48, p = 0.001) and intensity (r = 0.48, p = 0.001). Educational levels and nursing positions were associated with variations in moral distress and resilience. Postgraduate diploma emergency nursing reported the highest levels of moral distress frequency (3.12, SD = 1.14) and intensity (3.21, SD = 1.16). A bachelor's degree in nursing exhibited higher levels of personal integrity (3.06, SD = 0.87), while a master's degree in nursing showed higher levels of moral efficacy (2.88, SD = 1.09). Head nurses experienced higher levels of moral distress compared to other positions (3.08, SD = 1.37 for frequency; 3.18, SD = 1.29 for intensity)., Conclusion: The study revealed that emergency nursing experienced relatively moderate levels of moral distress, which could be attributed to insufficient multidisciplinary teams and unprepared actions. The findings also highlighted moderate levels of moral resilience, particularly in relational integrity. Educational levels and nursing positions were found to influence moral distress and resilience. These results underscore the need for targeted interventions to support the well-being of emergency nurses and enhance ethical decision-making., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Estimation of life expectancy (LE) is important for the relative benefit of prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening. Limited data exists regarding screening for Black men with extended LE. The aim of the current study was to assess temporal trends in screening in United States (US) Black men with limited vs. extended LE, using a nationally representative dataset., Materials and Methods: Using the National Health Institution Survey (NHIS) 2000 to 2018, men aged ≥40 without prior history of prostate cancer (PCa) who underwent PSA screening in the last 12 months were stratified into limited LE (ie, LE <15 years) and extended LE (ie, LE≥15 years) using the validated Schonberg index. LE-stratified temporal trends in PSA screening were analyzed for all men, and then in Black men. Weighted multivariable analyses and dominance analyses identified the predictors of PSA screening., Results: PSA screening declined over the study period both for all eligible men with limited and extended LE, particularly between NHIS 2008 and 2013 (27.9%-20.7% in the extended). Screening increased significantly in Black men with extended LE (17.6% in 2010-25.7% in 2018). However, LE was not an independent predictor of screening in the Black cohort. Prior recipient of colonoscopy (55%-57%) and visit to health care provider (24%-32%) were the most important determinants for screening., Conclusion: For US men with extended LE, only 1 in 4 receive PSA screening, with a decline over the study-period. Screening rates increased for Black men. However, these changes were not driven by LE consideration itself, but participation in other screenings and access to a provider., Competing Interests: Disclosure None of the authors have any relevant disclosures, and none of the authors have any financial or non-financial interests that may be relevant to the submitted work., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Neurotuberculosis remains a mystery and presents a formidable challenge in diagnosis and management. While pulmonary tuberculosis has a well understood pathophysiology and well researched management strategies, CNS tuberculosis still has plenty of unanswered questions. The purpose of this review is to highlight the debatable issues in the current understanding of the clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of Neurotuberculosis., (Copyright © 2023 Tuberculosis Association of India. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Oncologic implications of variant histology (VH) have been extensively studied in bladder cancer; however, further investigation is needed in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Our study aims to evaluate the impact of VH on oncological outcomes in UTUC patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU)., Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who underwent a robotic or laparoscopic RNU for UTUC using the ROBUUST database, a multi-institutional collaborative including 17 centers worldwide. Logistic regression was used to assess the effect of VH on urothelial recurrence (bladder, contralateral upper tract), metastasis, and survival following RNU., Results: A total of 687 patients were included in this study. Median (IQR) age was 71 (64-78) years and 470 (68%) had organ confined disease. VH was present in 70 (10.2%) patients. In a median follow-up of 16 months, the incidence of urothelial recurrence, metastasis, and mortality was 26.8%, 15.3%, and 11.8%, respectively. VH was associated with increased risk of metastasis (HR 4.3, P <.0001) and death (HR 2.0, P =.046). In multivariable analysis, VH was noted to be an independent risk factor for metastasis (HR 1.8, P =.03) but not for urothelial recurrence (HR 0.99, P =.97) or death (HR 1.4, P =.2)., Conclusion: Variant histology can be found in 10% of patients with UTUC and is an independent risk factor for metastasis following RNU. Overall survival rates and the risk of urothelial recurrence in the bladder or contralateral kidney are not affected by the presence of VH., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors have stated that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The novelty of this work is the conjugation of poly(ethylene) oxide (PEO) with the erbium oxide (Er 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles using the electrospinning technique. In this work, synthesised PEO-coated Er 2 O 3 nanofibres were characterised and evaluated for their cytotoxicity to assess their potential use as diagnostic nanofibres for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). PEO has significantly impacted nanoparticle conductivity due to its lower ionic conductivity at room temperature. The findings showed that the surface roughness was improved over the nanofiller loading, implying an improvement in cell attachment. The release profile performed for drug-controlling purposes has demonstrated a stable release after 30 min. Cellular response in MCF-7 cells showed high biocompatibility of the synthesised nanofibres. The cytotoxicity assay results showed that the diagnostic nanofibres had excellent biocompatibility, indicating the feasibility for diagnosis purposes. With excellent contrast performance, the PEO-coated Er 2 O 3 nanofibres developed novel T 2 and T 1 -T 2 dual-mode MRI diagnostic nanofibres leading to better cancer diagnosis. In conclusion, this work has demonstrated that the conjugation of PEO-coated Er 2 O 3 nanofibres improved the surface modification of the Er 2 O 3 nanoparticles as a potential diagnostic agent. Using PEO in this study as a carrier or polymer matrix significantly influenced the biocompatibility and internalisation efficiency of the Er 2 O 3 nanoparticles without triggering any morphological changes after treatment. This work has suggested permissible concentrations of PEO-coated Er 2 O 3 nanofibres for diagnostic uses., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors state that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has an elevated risk of recurrence, and immediate postresection intravesical instillation of chemotherapy (IVC) significantly reduces the risk of recurrence. Questions remain about which subpopulation may maximally benefit from IVC. Our aim was to develop risk groups based on recurrence risk in NMIBC, and then evaluate the impact of a single, postoperative instillation of IVC on the subsequent risk of recurrence for each risk group., Material and Methods: Using the SWOG S0337 trial cohort, we performed a posthoc analysis of 345 patients who were diagnosed with suspected low-grade NMIBC, underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT), and received post-operative IVC (gemcitabine vs. saline). Using regression tree analysis, the regression tree stratified patients based on their risk of recurrence into low-risk - single tumor and aged < 57 years, intermediate-risk - single tumor and aged ≥ 57 years, and high-risk - multiple tumors. We used Cox proportional hazard models to test the impact of recurrence-free rate, and after adjustment to available covariates., Results: Median age of the cohort was 66.5 (IQR: 59.7-75.8 years) with 85% of patients being males. Median overall follow-up time was 3.07 years (IQR: 0.75-4.01 years). When testing the impact of treatment in each risk group separately, we found that patients in the intermediate-risk treated with gemcitabine had a 24-month recurrence free rate of 77% (95% CI: 68%-86%) vs. 59% (95% CI: 49%-70%) in the saline group. This survival difference was confirmed on multivariable analysis (hazard ratio: 0.39, 95% CI: 23%-66%, P < 0.001). This group represented 53% of our cohort. Conversely, we did not observe a significant difference in recurrence-free survival among patients in the low- (P = 0.7) and high-risk (P = 0.4) groups., Conclusion: Our findings indicate that older patients with a single tumor of suspected low-grade NMIBC at TURBT maximally benefit from immediate postresection IVC (gemcitabine)., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Perioperative intravesical chemotherapy (IVC) at or around the time of radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) reduces the risk of intravesical recurrence. Guidelines since 2013 have recommended its use. The objective of this study is to examine IVC utilization and determine predictors of its administration within a large international consortium., Methods and Materials: Data was collected from 17 academic centers on patients who underwent robotic/laparoscopic RNU between 2006 and 2020. Patients who underwent concomitant radical cystectomy and cases in which IVC administration details were unknown were excluded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were utilized to determine predictors of IVC administration. A Joinpoint regression was performed to evaluate utilization by year., Results: Six hundred and fifty-nine patients were included. A total of 512 (78%) did not receive IVC while 147 (22%) did. Non-IVC patients were older (P < 0.001), had higher ECOG scores (P = 0.003), and had more multifocal disease (23% vs. 12%, P = 0.005). Those in the IVC group were more likely to have higher clinical T stage disease (P = 0.008), undergone laparoscopic RNU (83% vs. 68%, P < 0.001), undergone endoscopic management of the bladder cuff (20% vs. 4%, P = 0.008). Multivariable regression showed that decreased age (OR 0.940, P < 0.001), laparoscopic approach (OR 2.403, P = 0.008), and endoscopic management of the bladder cuff (OR 7.619, P < 0.001) were significant predictors favoring IVC administration. Treatment at a European center was associated with lower IVC use (OR 0.278, P = 0.018). Overall utilization of IVC after the 2013 European Association of Urology (EAU) guideline was 24% vs. 0% prior to 2013 (P < 0.001). Limitations include limited data regarding IVC timing/agent and inclusion of minimally invasive RNU patients only., Conclusions: While IVC use has increased since being added to the EAU UTUC guidelines, its use remains low at academic centers, particularly within Europe., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The benefits of lymph node dissection (LND) in surgically treated upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients who present with clinically positive nodes at diagnosis remain unclear. The aim of this study was to assess survival differences in cN+ patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) with LND vs. without LND., Methods: The National Cancer Database was used to identify a total number of 423 cN+ patients from 2004 to 2016 with UTUC that underwent RNU. Of the 423 patients, 310 received LND. Kaplan-Meier (KM) plots were used to estimate survival in cN+ patients who received RNU with LND vs. without. Cox proportional hazards regression tested the impact of LND status on overall survival (OS) after adjusting for all available covariates., Results: Median age of the patient population was 68 years (IQR 61-76), and 56.74% were male. Median follow-up was 1.8 years (IQR 0.9-3.5). For the entire cohort, the 2-year OS rate was 51.8%, and it was 52.1% vs. 51.1% in patients who underwent LND vs. not (log-rank p-value=0.2). On multivariable analysis, performing LND had no statistically significant impact on OS (HR 0.93 95%CI 0.696-1.235, P = 0.9). Repeating the analysis in patients who had exclusively cN1 (HR 0.76 95%CI 0.469-1.223, P = 0.26) or cN2/3 (HR 0.844 95%CI 0.556-1.28, P = 0.43) disease also failed to demonstrate a significant impact of LND on survival., Conclusion: In cN+ patients with UTUC, performing LND in addition to RNU at any clinical stage does not seem to have a significant impact on OS., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest None of the authors have any relevant disclosures, and none of the authors have any financial or non-financial interests that may be relevant to the submitted work., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Aromatase Inhibitor induced Arthralgia (AIA) can cause noncompliance leading to decreased breast-cancer survival. Effective interventions for AIA are limited. Tart cherry (TC) showed beneficial effect on musculoskeletal pain. 48 patients (Pts) randomized to TC versus placebo over 6 weeks, TC (23pts) had 34.7% mean pain decrease versus 1.4% in Placebo (25pts). TC can improve AIA in nonmetastatic breast-cancer patients., Methods: Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Eligible patients with NMHPBC on AI for at least 4 weeks were randomized to TC concentrate [50 tart cherries] vs. placebo (P) [syrup] in 1:1 model. Patients instructed to consume 1 Oz of concentrate in 8 Oz water daily for 6 weeks, and document their pain intensity at baseline, weekly and at study completion in a diary using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with 0 mm indicating no pain, and 100 mm indicating highest pain., Results: Sixty patients were enrolled. Two patients did not complete the study due to diarrhea, and 10 patients were noncompliant. Forty-eight patients were included in the final analysis. TC group (23 pts) had 34.7% mean decrease in pain compared to 1.4% in P group (25 pts). This difference was statistically significant (Mann-Whitney U Test, P = .034)., Conclusions: Tart cherry can significantly improve AIA in nonmetastatic breast cancer patient., Competing Interests: Disclosure This clinical trial was supported by a grant from the Cherry Marketing Institute, Dewitt, Michigan. The authors otherwise declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The detrimental impact of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in prostate cancer (PCa) on biochemical recurrence has been described; the impact of LVI on overall survival (OS) remains unclear. This investigation sought to evaluate the impact of LVI on OS in patients with PCa., Methods: We examined men with nonmetastatic PCa treated with radical prostatectomy between 2010 and 2015. Only men with documented LVI status were included (n = 232,704). Patients were stratified according to final pathologic T stage (pT2, pT3a, and pT3b)., Results: Of the 232,704 patients who met inclusion criteria, 17,758 (8%) were found to have LVI on final pathology. Overall, 174,838 (75%), 40,281 (17%), and 17,585 (8%) patients had pT2, pT3a, and pT3b disease, respectively. Median follow-up was 42.7 months (27.1-58.7). At 5 years, the OS in LVI versus non-LVI patients was 94% versus 95% in pT2 (P = .0004), 92% versus 95% in pT3a (P < .0001), and 86% versus 92% in pT3b (P < .0001). On multivariable analysis, LVI status was not an independent predictor of OS in pT2 disease (hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93-1.36; P = .2). In pT3a and pT3b disease, presence of LVI had 1.2-fold (95% CI, 1.03-1.44; P = .02) and 1.4-fold (95% CI, 1.20-1.59; P < .001) higher overall mortality than their counterparts without LVI., Conclusions: Our report demonstrates the detrimental impact of LVI on OS in locally advanced PCa (pT3a and higher). This information may prove valuable when risk stratifying based on final pathology., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Creatinine is an indicator of hindrance in urination and renal insufficiency. Creatinine levels are the marker of the late stages of prostate cancer. Early and sensitive detection of creatinine can reduce deaths associated with prostate cancer. In this work, nitrogen-doped porous carbon antimony (Sb/NPC) nanoparticles are fabricated to be employed as a non-enzymatic biosensor. Sb/NPC has promising redox activity and is synthesized by a two-step reaction using low-cost precursors. Electrochemical sensing by Sb/NPC is conducted for standard creatinine solutions on a three-electrodes system. Cyclic voltammetry, amperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are used to sense creatinine. LOD and LOQ of the Sb/NPC modified electrode are 0.74 µM and 2.4 µM, respectively. This electrode system analyzes creatinine in the serum of prostate cancer patients who have elevated PSA levels. More than 90% creatinine is recovered from a spiked serum sample of a prostate cancer patient. A direct relation is observed between PSA levels and creatinine levels in prostate cancer. The developed cyclic voltammetric setup detects trace concentrations of creatinine in serum., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess the prognostic ability of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) as a predictor of overall survival (OS)., Materials and Methods: We included 126,682 prostate cancer (CaP) cM0 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy with lymph node dissection between 2010 and 2015, within the National Cancer Database. Patients who received androgen deprivation therapy were included. Patients were divided into four sub-cohorts based on LVI and lymph node invasion (LNI) status: pL 0 N 0 , pL 1 N 0 , pL 0 N 1 , and pL 1 N 1 . Kaplan-Meier curves estimated OS and Cox-regression analysis tested the relationship between LVI and OS., Results: Median (IQR) age and PSA at diagnosis were 62 (57-66) years and 5.7 (4.5-8.9) ng/ml, respectively. Most patients had pT2 stage (68.5%), and pathological Gleason 3+4 (46.7%). 10.0% and 4.0% patients had LVI and LNI, respectively. Median follow-up was 42 months (27-58). At 5-years, OS was 96.5% in pL 0 N 0 patients vs 93.1% pL 1 N 0 patients vs 93.3% in pL 0 N 1 patients vs 86.6% pL 1 N 1 patients. LVI was an independent predictor of OS (hazard ratio [HR]:1.28). LVI showed interaction with LNI, as LVI was associated with a higher overall-mortality in patients with LNI (HR:1.66), than in patients without LNI (HR:1.22). (all P<0.0001) CONCLUSIONS: Our report highlights the detrimental impact of LVI on OS. Patients with LVI alone fared similarly to patients with LNI alone. Patients with both LVI and LNI had worse OS than those with only LVI or LNI, implying a synergetic detrimental interaction. Our findings demonstrate an important utility that LVI can provide in deciding patients' prognoses., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest No conflicts of interest to disclose, (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Purpose: Ductal adenocarcinoma is considered a rare histological variant of prostate adenocarcinoma (PCa). Given the rarity of this subtype, optimal treatment strategies for men with nonmetastatic ductal PCa is largely unknown. We aimed to describe the impact of surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapy, and observation on overall survival (OS) in men with nonmetastatic ductal PCa., Materials and Methods: We selected 1,656 cases of nonmetastatic ductal PCa, diagnosed between 2004 and 2015, within the National Cancer Database. Covariates included age, race, Charlson comorbidity score, clinical T stage, clinical lymph node stage, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), income, hospital type, insurance status, year of diagnosis, and location of residence. Cox regression analysis tested the impact of treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapy, and observation) on OS., Results: In men with nonmetastatic ductal PCa, median (interquartile range [IQR]) age and PSA were 67 (60-73) years and 6.2 (4.2-10.7) ng/ml, respectively. Advanced local stage (≥cT3a) was most frequently observed in patients initially treated with systemic therapy (34.8%), followed by those treated with radiotherapy (18.1%), surgery (7.1%) and observation (6.4%, P< 0.001). Serum PSA at presentation was highest in the systemic therapy cohort (median 16.0 ng/ml, IQR: 4.9-37.7), followed by the radiotherapy cohort (median 7.2 ng/ml, IQR: 4.1-12.2), observation cohort (median 7.0 ng/ml, IQR: 4.3-13.3) and surgery cohort (median 5.9 ng/ml, IQR: 4.3-9.2, P< 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that in comparison to men treated surgically, OS was significantly lower for patients receiving radiotherapy (HR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.5-3.2), under observation (HR 4.6; 95% CI: 2.8-7.6) and receiving systemic therapy (HR 5.2; 95% CI: 3.0-9.1) as an initial course of treatment., Conclusions: While limited by its retrospective nature, our study shows that starting treatment with surgery is associated with more favorable long-term OS outcomes than radiotherapy, systemic therapy or observation., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Biomedical implant rejection due to micromotion and inflammation around an implant leads to osteolysis and eventually has an implant failure because of poor osseointegration. To enhance osseointegration, the implant surface modification both at the nano and micro-scale levels is preferred to result in an enhanced interface between the body tissue and implant. The present study focuses on the modification of the surface of Titanium (α+β) ELI medical grade alloy using powder-mixed electric discharge machining (PMEDM). Pulse current, on/off time, and various silicon carbide (SiC) powder concentrations are used as input parameters to comprehend desired surface modifications. Powder concentration is considered as the most important factor to control surface roughness and recast layer depth. A significant decrease in surface fracture density and roughness is observed using a 20 g/l concentration of SiC particles. Elemental mapping analysis has confirmed the migration of Si and the generation of promising surface texture and chemistry. Oxides and carbides enriched surface improved the microhardness of the re-solidified layer from 320 HV to 727 HV. Surface topology reveals nano-porosity (50-200 nm) which enhances osseointegration due to the absorption of proteins especially collagen to the surface., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Inherited germline mutations in the VHL gene cause predisposition to Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. Patients exhibit benign and cancerous lesions in multiple tissues, including hemangioblastomas, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, cysts in kidneys and pancreas, and pheochromocytomas. Although pathogenic germline mutations in the VHL gene have been widely described in different populations, only a single mutation was previously reported in a family from mixed Arab-Persian ethnicity. Here, we present five Arab patients with two new and two recurrent germline mutations in the VHL gene. These mutations include three in-frame deletions and a missense mutation. Infrequent in-frame deletions in previously described patients from other populations, as well as the presence of new mutations, suggests a distinct spectrum of VHL gene mutations in Arab patients. While pulmonary manifestation has been described rarely in VHL disease, we have identified two patients with a recurrent p.Phe76del in-frame deletion exhibiting multiple nodules in lungs. We also describe a first-ever in-frame deletion in the VHL gene in a patient with VHL type 2C disease, exhibiting bilateral pheochromocytoma. Overall, the study provides an insight into the genotype-phenotype relationship of VHL disease in Arab patients and provides a comparison with previously described patients from other ethnicities., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None, (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The structure of protein gains additional stability against various detrimental effects by the presence of disulfide bonds. The formation of correct disulfide bonds between cysteine residues ensures proper in vivo and in vitro folding of the protein. Many cysteine residues can be present in the polypeptide chain of a protein, however, not all cysteine residues are involved in the formation of a disulfide bond, and therefore, accurate prediction of these bonds is crucial for identifying biophysical characteristics of a protein. In the present study, a novel method is proposed for the prediction of intramolecular disulfide bonds accurately using statistical moments and PseAAC. The pSSbond-PseAAC uses PseAAC along with position and composition relative features to calculate statistical moments. Statistical moments are important as they are very sensitive regarding the position of data sequences and for prediction of intramolecular disulfide bonds, moments are combined together to train neural networks. The overall accuracy of the pSSbond-PseAAC is 98.97% to sensitivity value 98.92%, specificity 98.99% and 0.98 MCC; and it outperforms various previously reported studies., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important cause of chronic liver disease (CLD). Although Northeast India is believed to be a HCV hotspot, the proportion of HCV infection and the distribution of HCV genotypes in CLD cases from the region are not known. The objectives of the study were to determine the proportion of HCV infection in newly diagnosed CLD patients from Meghalaya, Northeast India, and further investigate the HCV genotype distribution in those patients., Materials and Methods: The aetiology of CLD was evaluated in 196 newly diagnosed patients, recruited consecutively over a period of 1 year in a medical college hospital from Meghalaya. Those positive for HCV infection were genotyped, and the mode of transmission of the virus was investigated., Results: A considerable proportion (43 patients, 21.9%) of CLD patients were positive for HCV (95% confidence interval [CI]: 16.7%-28.2%). Other leading causes of CLD were alcohol (36.32%) and hepatitis B virus infection (39.3%). Genotype 3 was the most prevalent (48.7%, 95% CI: 33.9%-63.8%), followed by genotype 6 (30.8%, 95% CI: 18.6%-46.6%) and genotype 1 (20.5%, 95% CI: 10.8%-35.5%). The frequency of genotype 6 was remarkably higher than in the other regions of India. Injecting drug use appeared to be the most common mode (28 patients) of acquiring HCV. This was true irrespective of the genotype., Conclusions: The presence of HCV in newly diagnosed CLD cases from Meghalaya was considerable. The genotype distribution of HCV was distinct from the other regions of India., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest

While several studies have demonstrated the short-term performance of pattern recognition systems, long-term investigations are very limited. In this study, we investigated changes in classification performance over time. Ten able-bodied individuals and six amputees took part in this study. EMG signals were recorded concurrently from surface and intramuscular electrodes, with intramuscular electrodes kept in the muscles for seven days. Seven hand motions were evaluated daily using linear discriminant analysis and the classification error quantified within (WCE) and between (BCE) days. BCE was computed for all possible combinations between the days. For all subjects, surface sEMG (7.2 ± 7.6%), iEMG (11.9 ± 9.1%) and cEMG (4.6 ± 4.8%) were significantly different (P < 0.001) from each other. A regression between WCE and days (1-7) was on average not significant implying that performance may be considered similar within each day. Regression between BCE and time difference (Df) in days was significant. The slope between BCE and Df (0-6) was significantly different from zero for sEMG (R 2  = 89%) and iEMG (R 2  = 95%) in amputees. Results indicate that performance continuously degrades as the time difference between training and testing day increases. Furthermore, for iEMG, performance in amputees was directly proportional to the size of the residual limb., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Artesunate+sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (AS+SP) and artemether+lumefantrine (AL) are the first- and second line treatments, respectively, for the treatment of falciparum infections and dihydroartemsinin+piperaquine (DHA+PPQ) is a potential candidate in case AS+SP or AL fails in Pakistan. The therapeutic efficacies of AS+SP (5 sites in 2007, 2 sites in 2011 and 2 sites in 2012), AL (2 sites in 2012) and DHA+PPQ (2 sites in 2015) were evaluated in seven sentinel sites. Clinical and parasitological outcomes were evaluated among eligible patients. Mutations of the P. falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (dhps) genes were investigated. After PCR correction, a 98.5-100% adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) for AS+SP and a 98.8-100% ACPR for AL were observed by day 28, as well as a 100% ACPR by day 42 for DHA+PPQ. The prevalences of mutants dhfr S108N (100%) and C59R (98%-100%) reached or were near fixation. The double dhfr (C59R/S108N) mutant was dominant (96%-100%) at all sites. The triple dhfr (N51I/C59R/S108N) mutant was rare (1.1%-2.3%). The prevalence of dhps A437G varied between 38% and 70%. A combination of triple dhfr/dhps (C59R/S108N+A437G or N51I/S108N+A437G) mutants was observed (38%-69%). A quadruple dhfr/dhps (N51I/C59R/S108N+A437G) mutation was very rare and no quintuple (N51I/C59R/S108N+A437G/K540E) mutations were detected. AS+SP remains highly effective in Pakistan. However, molecular data indicate that SP resistance is being established, although mutations that confer a high risk of SP treatment failure are rare or non-existent. This underscores the need for close monitoring of both in vivo AS+SP efficacy and dhfr and dhps mutations to inform national treatment policy. Trial registration numbers: ISRCTN21926128 (2007), ACTRN12611001244998 (2011), ACTRN12612001090808 (2012), ACTRN12615001248550 (2015)., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Water deficit causes multiple negative impacts on plants, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, abscisic acid (ABA) induction, stomatal closure, and decreased photosynthesis. Here, we characterized OsC3H47, which belongs to CCCH zinc-finger families, as a drought-stress response gene. It can be strongly induced by NaCl, PEG, ABA, and drought conditions. Overexpression of OsC3H47 significantly enhanced tolerance to drought and salt stresses in rice seedlings, which indicates that OsC3H47 plays important roles in post-stress recovery. However, overexpression of OsC3H47 reduced the ABA sensitivity of rice seedlings. This suggests that OsC3H47 is a newly discovered gene that can control rice drought-stress response, and it may play an important role in ABA feedback and post-transcription processes., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The potential of β-cryptoxanthin (CX)-rich foods to form vitamin A (VA) in humans in not well understood., Objective: We measured the effects of consuming CX- and β-carotene (BC)-rich foods on plasma and breast milk VA and carotenoids in lactating women with low VA status., Design: Participants were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 34, 34, 34, and 33, respectively) receiving orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSPs) (12 mg BC/d), tangerines (5.3 mg CX/d), white-fleshed sweet potatoes (WFSPs) with a VA supplement (0.5 mg/d), or WFSPs 2 times/d, 6 d/wk for 3 wk. All except the VA group received placebo capsules identical in appearance to VA supplements. Changes in plasma and breast milk VA, BC, and CX were measured., Results: Plasma retinol increased in the VA group. Plasma BC in the OFSP group and CX in the tangerine group increased 250% and 830%, respectively; apparent relative absorption in the CX group, considering the amounts consumed, was 4 times that in the BC group. Mean (±SEM) changes in milk VA in the OFSP (0.028 ± 0.074 μmol/L) and tangerine (0.067 ± 0.091 μmol/L) groups did not differ from those in the control (-0.077 ± 0.068 μmol/L) or VA (0.277 ± 0.094 μmol/L) group. Milk CX increased in the tangerine group., Conclusions: VA capsules increased plasma and milk VA concentrations. The greater change in CX concentrations in the tangerine group than in BC concentrations in the OFSP group suggests that CX in tangerines was better absorbed, but both foods failed to increase milk VA concentrations. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01420406.

A novel class of azo-guanidine compounds is introduced in this article. The novel compound 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-(phenylamino)-3-(phenylimino)guanidine (AG) was synthesized and well characterized by using different analytical instrumental techniques like elemental analysis, FTIR, (1)H and (13)C NMR, UV-Visible spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The new compound was found interacting with DNA and shows clear color change in the solution. The AG-DNA complex was qualitatively and quantitatively characterized with UV-Visible spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Electrostatic mode of interaction, clear color change and moderate binding constant (K(b)=10(4)) indicate its potential use as DNA staining agent., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We assessed the effect of daily consumption of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP), with or without added fat, on the vitamin A (VA) status of Bangladeshi women with low initial VA status. Women (n = 30/group) received one of the following for 6 d/wk over 10 wk: 1) 0 μg retinol activity equivalents (RAE)/d as boiled white-fleshed sweet potatoes (WFSP) and a corn oil capsule, 2) 600 μg RAE/d as boiled OFSP and a corn oil capsule, 3) fried OFSP and a corn oil capsule, or 4) boiled WFSP and a retinyl palmitate capsule in addition to their home diets. Plasma concentrations of retinol and β-carotene and total body VA pool size were assessed before and after the 60-d intervention. Initial and final plasma retinol concentrations (mean ± SD) were 0.75 ± 0.18 μmol/L and 0.84 ± 0.19 μmol/L, respectively (P = 0.31); final means did not differ by group. Initial and final plasma β-carotene concentrations were 0.10 ± 00 μmol/L and 0.18 ± 0.09 μmol/L, respectively (P < 0.0001); final mean plasma β-carotene concentrations were higher in groups that received OFSP (P < 0.0001), and final mean plasma β-carotene was marginally higher in the group that received fried OFSP compared with boiled OFSP (P = 0.07). Initial and final total body VA pool sizes were 0.060 ± 0.047 mmol and 0.091 ± 0.070 mmol, respectively (P = 0.05, n = 110) and did not differ by group. Despite an increase in plasma β-carotene concentration, the impact of OFSP on VA status appears to be limited in Bangladeshi women residing in a resource-poor community.

The strigolactones are internal and rhizosphere signalling molecules in plants that are biosynthesised through carotenoid cleavage. They are secreted by host roots into the rhizosphere where they signal host-presence to the symbiotic arbuscular mycrorrhizal (AM) fungi and the parasitic plants of the Orobanche, Phelipanche and Striga genera. The seeds of these parasitic plants germinate after perceiving these signalling molecules. After attachment to the host root, the parasite negatively affects the host plant by withdrawing water, nutrients and assimilates through a direct connection with the host xylem. In many areas of the world these parasites are a threat to agriculture but so far very limited success has been achieved to minimize losses due to these parasitic weeds. Considering the carotenoid origin of the strigolactones, in the present study we investigated the possibilities to reduce strigolactone production in the roots of plants by blocking carotenoid biosynthesis using carotenoid inhibitors. Hereto the carotenoid inhibitors fluridone, norflurazon, clomazone and amitrole were applied to rice either through irrigation or through foliar spray. Irrigation application of all carotenoid inhibitors and spray application of amitrole significantly decreased strigolactone production, Striga hermonthica germination and Striga infection, also in concentrations too low to affect growth and development of the host plant. Hence, we demonstrate that the application of carotenoid inhibitors to plants can affect S. hermonthica germination and attachment indirectly by reducing the strigolactone concentration in the rhizosphere. This finding is useful for further studies on the relevance of the strigolactones in rhizosphere signalling. Since these inhibitors are available and accessible, they may represent an efficient technology for farmers, including poor subsistence farmers in the African continent, to control these harmful parasitic weeds., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The present study describes cadmium-induced alterations in the leaves as well as at the whole plant level in two transgenic cotton cultivars (BR001 and GK30) and their wild relative (Coker 312) using both ultramorphological and physiological indices. With elevated levels of Cd (i.e. 10, 100, 1000 microM), the mean lengths of root, stem and leaf and leaf width as well as their fresh and dry biomasses linearly decreased over their respective controls. Moreover, root, stem and leaf water absorption capacities progressively stimulated, which were high in leaves followed by roots and stems. BR001 accumulated more cadmium followed by GK30 and Coker 312. Root and shoot cadmium uptakes were significantly and directly correlated with each other as well as with leaf, stem and root water absorption capacities. The ultrastructural modifications in leaf mesophyll cells were triggered with increase in Cd stress regime. They were more obvious in BR001 followed by GK30 and Coker 312. Changes in morphology of chloroplast, increase in number and size of starch grains as well as increase in number of plastoglobuli were the noticed qualitative effects of Cd on photosynthetic organ. Cd in the form of electron dense granules could be seen inside the vacuoles and attached to the cell walls in all these cultivars. From the present experiment, it can be well established that both apoplastic and symplastic bindings are involved in Cd detoxification in these cultivars. Absence of tonoplast invagination reveals that Cd toxic levels did not cause water stress in any cultivars. Additionally, these cultivars possess differential capabilities towards Cd accumulation and its sequestration.

Legg-Perthes disease is a pediatric hip disorder characterized by avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The etiology of Legg-Perthes disease may involve repeated interruptions of the blood supply to the proximal femur. Thus, the role of thrombosis in Legg-Perthes disease is of interest. The focus of this analysis is an evaluation of the relationship between Legg-Perthes disease and the beta fibrinogen gene G-455-A polymorphism in 55 cases of Legg-Perthes disease and 56 age, race, and gender-matched healthy controls. Parents of subjects completed a questionnaire about their child's lifestyle and medical history. Blood was obtained for plasma and DNA analysis. Study subjects were predominantly white (93%), male (77%) and under age 16 (70%). Cases were more likely to be exposed to passive smoke than were controls (odds ratio 5.6, 95% confidence interval 2.0-12.0). Assuming a dominant genetic model, individuals who possessed either the G/A or A/A genotype were over three times more likely to have Legg-Perthes disease compared to those without the polymorphism (odds ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval 1.5-7.8). Separate analyzes by smoke exposure revealed that the excess risk of the G-455-A polymorphism occurred in those exposed (odds ratio 7.0) as opposed to those unexposed to passive smoke (odds ratio 1.9). Although this difference in the odds ratios is not statistically significant (P=0.2), it suggests a possible interactive effect of cigarette smoke and the b fibrinogen gene G-455-A polymorphism in the risk of developing Legg-Perthes disease.