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Objectives A retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the circulating dengue virus (DENV) serotypes and genotypes in India in 2018. Methods In total, 4963 samples referred to virus research diagnostic laboratories (n=21), the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) and ICMR-NIV field units (n=2) for diagnosis of dengue in 2018 were tested using a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for the presence of DENV serotypes. Representative samples were sequenced for the envelope (E) gene. Results Regional diversity was observed with regard to the dominant circulating serotypes. DENV-2 was found to be the most common serotype in many states. Thrombocytopenia, petechiae and malaise were associated with DENV-2 infection. Phylogenetic analyses of DENV E gene sequences revealed the circulation of genotypes I and V of DENV-1, two lineages of DENV-2 genotype IV, DENV-3 genotype III and DENV-4 genotype I. Conclusions This study found regional differences in the prevalence of circulating DENV serotypes in India, and provides baseline data for continuous molecular surveillance. Molecular surveillance may have implications for predicting large-scale outbreaks of dengue if regional shifts in the predominantly circulating serotypes and genotypes are detected during the early phase of the dengue season.

This study aimed to compare the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and complete hemogram (CH) parameters before and after root canal treatment in patients with apical periodontitis (AP) and healthy controls.Twenty-five patients with asymptomatic AP in a single permanent tooth were recruited along with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Baseline serum hsCRP and CH parameters were recorded in both groups. Root canal treatment was performed in teeth with AP, and biochemical parameters were re-evaluated at the 6-month follow-up. Mann-Whitney and chi-square tests were used to analyze data quantitatively and qualitatively, respectively. Spearman correlation was applied to explore the relation between hsCRP with AP and periapical healing. Multivariate linear regression tests were used to assess the effect of independent variables such as age, sex, body mass index, and periapical index score on levels of hsCRP.A baseline comparison between patients with AP (3.37 ± 2.69 mg/L) and controls (1.69 ± 2.2 mg/L) revealed a significant difference in hsCRP levels. However, all CH parameters were within the reference range. A total of 22 patients in the AP group completed follow-up, and based on the periapical index score and clinical presentations, 72.2% of patients were classified as healed. At follow-up, hsCRP significantly reduced to 1.79 ± 1.65 mg/L in the AP group. A significant correlation between AP and hsCRP was observed.Patients with AP had a significantly higher inflammatory burden than healthy controls, which significantly reduced after root canal treatment. No significant change was detected in CH indices.

Thermophysical properties of halogen-free ionic liquids are gaining significant attention for industrial applications. In this context, trioctylalkylammonium bis(salicylato)borate (N888n-BScB) ionic liquids having variable alkyl chain length (n = 4, 8, 12, 16) are synthesized to explore the effect of chain length and temperature on their physicochemical properties. The density (ρ), refractive index (nD), and speed of sound (u) are measured in the temperature range of 293.15 to 333.15 K. The tetraoctylammonium-BScB is found to be highly dense ionic liquid, and it was attributed to the closer packing of symmetric structure of tetraoctylammonium cation. Furthermore, derived thermodynamic properties such as isentropic compressibility (βs), coefficient of thermal expansion (α), standard entropy (S°), intermolecular free length (Lf) and lattice energy (UPOT) are calculated for the N888n-BScB ionic liquids using the experimental data and shown the effect of variable chain length. This study provides a comprehensive insight on the thermophysical properties of halogen-free ionic liquids.

The alkyl chain length of trioctylalkylammonium bis(salicylato)borates (N888n-BScB; n = 6, 8, 10 and 12) was varied to prepare a series of room-temperature ionic liquids, and then their viscosity and rheological properties were investigated. Besides the omnipresent Coulombic interactions, other interactive forces such as van der Waals interactions, hydrogen bonding, inductive forces, dipole-dipole interactions, etc., collectively determine the physicochemical properties of N888n-BScB ionic liquids. The van der Waals interactions and structural geometry of the ammonium cation (N888n) primarily organized the packing orientation of N888n-BScB ionic liquids and controlled their viscosity and rheological properties as a function of the alkyl chain length. The symmetric cation (N8888) increased the viscosity owing to closer packing driven by van der Waals interactions. The N888n-BScB ionic liquids exhibited non-Newtonian shear thinning behaviour. Furthermore, the decrease in viscosity at higher shear rates indicated that interactive forces in the N888n-BScB ionic liquids were disrupted. These ionic liquids, as lubricants, exhibited significantly lower friction (40-50%) and wear (45-69%) in comparison to PEG 300 synthetic lubricating oil. The degrees of reduction in friction and wear were largely influenced by the chain length of the alkyl group. The N888n-BScB ionic liquids with longer alkyl chains were strongly adsorbed on sliding surfaces and provided better lubrication properties than those with shorter alkyl chains. As a result, the coefficients of friction and wear were decreased by increasing the chain length in N888n-BScB ionic liquids. The tribologically induced adsorption of the BScB anion on metal surfaces, electrostatic interactions between ions, the compact and rigid structure of the BScB anion and van der Waals interactions provided by longer alkyl chains in the N888n cation collectively formed a tribochemical thin film of low shear strength, which resulted in a reduction in friction and the avoidance of direct contact between the aluminium and steel tribopair.

Imidazolium-hexafluorophosphate (ImPF 6 ) ionic liquid thin film is prepared on a silicon surface using 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane as a bifunctional chemical linker. XPS result revealed the covalent grafting of ImPF 6 thin film on a silicon surface. The atomic force microscopic images demonstrated that the ImPF 6 thin film is composed of nanoscopic pads/clusters with height of 3–7 nm. Microtribological properties in terms of coefficient of friction and wear-resistivity are probed at the mean Hertzian contact pressure of 0.35–0.6 GPa under the rotational sliding contact. The ImPF 6 thin film exhibited low and steady coefficient of friction ( μ = 0.11) along with remarkable wear-resistivity to protect the underlying silicon substrate. The low shear strength of ImPF 6 thin film, the covalent interaction between ImPF 6 ionic liquid thin film and underlying silicon substrate, and its regular grafting collectively reduced the friction and improved the anti-wear property. The covalently grafted ionic liquid thin film further shows immense potential to expand the durability and lifetime of M/NEMS based devices with significant reduction of the friction.

A thin film of 1-butyl-3-(propyltrimethoxysilane)imidazolium bis(mandelato)borate (BPtmSiIm-BMdB) ionic liquid was prepared by spin coating on a silicon surface. XPS results suggested the covalent interaction between trimethoxy groups of BPtmSiIm-BMdB ionic liquid and hydroxyl functionalities of the silicon surface, and afforded a good quality thin film. The microtribological properties of the BPtmSiIm-BMdB thin film were probed under the mean Hertzian contact stress of 0.29–0.53 GPa. The BPtmSiIm-BMdB thin film exhibited significantly low and steady friction (μ = 0.06 to 0.10) at variable loads compared to bare silicon (μ = 0.6). The low coefficient of friction and remarkable wear-resistivity of the BPtmSiIm-BMdB thin film were collectively attributed to (a) strong adherence of ionic liquid on the silicon surface, (b) a layered structure of the ionic liquid driven by coulombic interactions, (c) a rigid and compact structure of the chelated bis(mandelato)borate anion, (d) tribo-induced deposition of ionic liquid on the counter steel ball and (e) the presence of flowable fraction of the ionic liquid with a self-replenishment property. This study demonstrates a good prospect for ionic liquid thin films, which have a stable and good foundation on the underlying surface.

Ionic liquids exhibit immense potential for a wide range of applications including biotechnology, medicinal chemistry and lubrication. Herein, 1-acetyl-3-hexylbenzotriazolium cation-based ionic liquids having benzoate and sorbate anions are prepared by chemical derivatization of benzotriazole. The antimicrobial activities of these ionic liquids are studied using the Escherichia coli and Rhodococcus erythropolis bacterial cultures and we monitored their growth inhibition property. Further, the biostatic properties are evaluated by the kinetic growth rate inhibition method. These ionic liquids exhibited improved antimicrobial activities compared to their precursors: benzotriazole, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate. Furthermore, these ionic liquids as an additive to polyol lube base oil improved the lubrication property by reducing the friction and wear characteristics. Microscopic images along with elemental mapping of worn surfaces confirmed the formation of an ionic liquid-constituted tribo-chemical thin film, which protects the contact surfaces against the undesirable wear and reduces the friction.

There is much interest in the relationship between coagulation status and complications of pregnancy. The thrombelastograph (TEG) has been proposed as a useful, inexpensive tool to screen for patients with hypercoagulable states.We investigated 588 unselected pregnant women at booking, obtaining blood samples for TEG and thrombophilia investigation. Pregnancy outcome data was recorded.We found significant correlations between TEG parameters and the Prothrombin time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin time (APTT) (p0.01) and with plasma Antithrombin level (p0.01). There was no correlation between TEG and other thrombophilic defects (protein C, protein S, Factor V Leiden mutation, Prothrombin G20210A mutation, MTHFR C677T mutation and Lupus Anticoagulant). There was a significant association of TEG parameters with mid-trimester loss (MTL) but not with other adverse pregnancy outcomes.The correlation between TEG and PT, APTT and antithrombin level supports its value in providing a global measure of haemostasis. Coagulation status at booking is associated with increased risk of MTL but not with complications occurring later in pregnancy.

Thromboembolic disease remains the leading cause of maternal death in the UK. Recent literature has proposed that folate status is a strong predictor for venous thrombosis. Using thrombelastography (TEG((R))), we tested the hypothesis that folic acid supplementation is associated with a reduction in whole blood coagulability. Blood samples and questionnaire data were obtained at a mean gestation of 13.6 weeks (SD: 3.8, range: 6-38 weeks) from unselected consecutive women attending for their antenatal booking scan. Of 588 patients, 439 (74.7%) took folic acid. All TEG((R)) parameters were less hypercoagulable in women that had taken folic acid compared with those that had not: mean maximum amplitude (MA) 60.3 versus 62.1; mean difference 1.8; 95% confidence interval 0.8, 2.8; P = 0.0001; mean coagulation index (CI) 0.54 versus 0.85; mean difference 0.31; 95% confidence interval 0.11, 0.5; P = 0.002. There was no difference in the incidence of the homozygous MTHFR mutation in patients taking folic acid (5.53%) compared with those that were not (4.08%). This study suggests that benefit may be derived from longer-term treatment, although large multicentre studies are required to determine whether the relative hypocoagulability is associated with a reduction in risk of venous thrombosis.

Majocchi's granuloma is a condition with chronic erythematous and indurated plaques that is a result of the rupture of a dermatophyte-infected infundibulum as a result of trauma. It is frequently seen on the anterior aspect of the legs of women. Herein, we present a case of Majocchi's granuloma of face, a site rarely involved, in an immunocompetent patient. Diagnosis was confirmed by histological and mycological examination. Histological examination revealed hyphae and arthrospores in the hair follicles and in the dermis with a diffuse dermal infiltrate consisting of lymphoplasmacytic cells, and focal collections of epithelioid cells, neutrophils and mild interstitial edema. Mycological examination confirmed the presence of fungus, Trichophyton rubrum, and the diagnosis of Majocchi's granuloma of the face was made. No concrete predisposing factor was found to be associated with the occurrence of the lesions on the face. However, the history of prolonged veiling of the face by a cloth by the patient, perhaps contributing to the occurrence of lesions on face, is a point of dubious significance.

Myocardial stunning after heart surgery is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with severe multivessel disease and reduced myocardial function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, tolerance, and efficacy of adenosine as a cardioprotective agent when added to blood cardioplegia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Sixty-one patients were randomized to standard cold-blood cardioplegia, or cold-blood cardioplegia containing 1 of 5 adenosine doses (100 microM, 500 microM, 1 mM, 2 mM, and 2 mM with a preischemic infusion of 140 microg/kg/min of adenosine). Invasive and noninvasive measurements of ventricular performance and rhythm were obtained preoperatively, prebypass, and then at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours postbypass. Use of inotropic agents and vasoactive drugs pastoperatively was recorded; blood samples were collected for measurement of nucleoside levels. High-dose adenosine treatment was associated with a 249-fold increase in the plasma adenosine concentration and a 69-fold increase in the combined levels of adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine (p0.05). Increasing doses of the adenosine additive were also associated with lower requirements of dopamine (p = 0.003) and nitroglycerine (p = 0.001). The 24-hour average doses for dopamine and nitroglycerine in the placebo group were 28-fold and 2.6-fold greater than their respective high-dose adenosine treatment cohorts. Finally, the placebo- and 100 microM-adenosine group was associated with a lower ejection fraction when compared to patients receiving the intermediate dose or high-dose treatment. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that adenosine is effective in attenuating myocardial stunning in humans.

Transcatheter occlusion of patent foramina ovalia and atrial septal defects in 10 patients with presumptive paradoxic embolic stroke using the buttoned device appears to be encouraging, with safety and efficacy demonstrated during a follow-up of up to 60 months. Anticoagulation should be continued until complete disappearance of the right-to-left atrial shunt.

There is evidence from the existing published literature that human umbilical cord blood, when used for purposes of bone marrow transplantation, does not necessarily have to be HLA matched in order to be efficacious. These reports include experimental observations on the ability of human umbilical cord blood to rescue lethally irradiated mice and clinical observations from China wherein HLA mismatched umbilical cord blood has been engrafted successfully in children with malignant disease. The study reported herein describes an experimental immunocompetent murine model to determine if human umbilical cord blood can be used to improve survival after chemoablation and irradiation. The animals received chemoablation followed by irradiation, and irradiation alone. The presence of human DNA in these mice following injection of human umbilical cord blood cells was determined, and the immunological status of the animals was evaluated. Animals receiving human umbilical cord blood cells after chemoablation and irradiation had a better mean survival at day 50 than animals receiving syngeneic marrow. Human DNA could be found in various organs, particularly the lung, spleen and liver of the mice for the first 30 days. Thereafter, human DNA became more difficult to detect but trace amounts of human DNA could be found up to one year later. The results of mixed lymphocyte reactions and phenotype analyses for murine T cell markers performed after injection of HUCB cells both indicated endogenous repopulation, and relatively intact immune systems in these mice. Since human umbilical cord blood allowed mice to survive the lethal effects of chemoablation plus irradiation, or irradiation alone, with reconstitution of the animals' own, relatively intact, immune systems, it would appear that HLA mismatched human umbilical cord blood could potentially be used as an adjuvant treatment for patients with advanced malignancies or other diseases for which hematopoietic reconstitution is indicated.

The highly interdisciplinary field of bioinformatics has emerged as a powerful modern science. There has been a great demand for undergraduate- and graduate-level trained bioinformaticists in the industry as well in the academia. In order to address the needs for trained bioinformaticists, its curriculum must be offered at the undergraduate level, especially at four-year colleges, where a majority of the United States gets its education. There are many challenges in developing an undergraduate-level bioinformatics program that needs to be carefully designed as a well-integrated and cohesive interdisciplinary curriculum that prepares the students for a wide variety of career options. This article describes the challenges of establishing a highly interdisciplinary undergraduate major, the development of an undergraduate bioinformatics degree program at Ramapo College of New Jersey, and lessons learned in the last 10 years during its management.

BACKGROUND Several devices are available for transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus. Most of these devices either require complicated intracardiac maneuvering, have not been tried in humans, or need a large-sized sheath for implantation of the device. METHODS AND RESULTS During a 26-month period ending November 1992, 14 patients underwent transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus with an adjustable buttoned device delivered via a 7F sheath under an institutional review board-approved custom-made device protocol. The children were 15 months to 8 years of age with weight range of 7.2 to 19 kg. The patent ductus arteriosus measured from 2 to 7.5 mm (median, 3 mm) at the narrowest diameter and was conical, short, or tubular. They were occluded with devices measuring 15 to 20 mm. The ratio of pulmonary to systemic flow decreased (P < .01) from 1.9 +/- 0.6 (mean +/- SD; range, 1.3 to 3.2) to 1.05 +/- 0.1 (1 to 1.3). Continuous murmur of patent ductus arteriosus disappeared in all except 1 patient. Small residual shunts were detected by color Doppler studies in 4 of 14 patients (29%). All patients were followed for 1 to 24 months (mean, 6 +/- 7 months). The device was intact in all patients, and no breakage of the wires was noted. No shunts were seen in 12 of 14 patients (86%), and minute residual shunts were seen in 2 children. No major complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus with the adjustable buttoned device is feasible and effective and can be accomplished via small 7F sheaths; a 7F sheath is adequate for all ductal sizes; and the adjustable length of the loop accommodated all types of patent ductus arteriosus. Clinical trials on a larger number of patients are warranted.

Flip Chip Ball Grid Array (FCBGA) package with large silicon chip and package size typically exhibits high warpage and coplanarity. Many percieved that such package design faced surface mount technology (SMT) challenges. In this study, the warpage characteristic and the SMT validation for such large package was investigated. A hybrid methodology utilizing both numerical and empirical data to predict the coplanarity of this package is presented. SMT validation was performed on range of coplanarity to demonstrate the process robustness together with solder joint reliability (SJR) data. With all the studies, the correlation between package room temperature coplanarity and reflow warpage has been established without comprising SMT quality and SJR performance. In the end, an improved FCBGA coplanarity specification limit has been defined and aligned with the Alternate Warpage Specification in JEDEC standard.

During a 21-month period ending in August 1991, 12 patients underwent transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) with a "buttoned" device through an 8Fr sheath, using an institutional review board-approved, custom-made device protocol initially, and Food and Drug Administration-approved clinical trials subsequently. Ten children had left-to-right shunts across the ASD and 2 adults had their patent foramen ovale closed to prevent recurrent paradoxical embolism (including cerebrovascular accidents). The device dislodged in 1 of the 4 patients in whom a first-generation device was used, and retrieval of the device, and surgical closure of the ASD were performed without incident. In the remaining 11 patients (age range 7 months to 45 years, weight 3.6 to 64 kg), the device remained intact, and pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio decreased from 2.1 +/- 0.3 to 1.04 +/- 0.06. Follow-up chest x-ray and echo-Doppler studies were available in all patients 0.5 to 18 months after the procedure. The device was intact in all patients. Small residual shunt detected by color Doppler was seen in 2 children. Right ventricular size decreased (23 +/- 6 to 17 +/- 3 mm; p less than 0.01), and paradoxical septal motion disappeared in all patients. There was no recurrence of paradoxical embolism in the 2 adults. No complications occurred during follow-up. It is concluded that transcatheter closure of ASD with the buttoned device is feasible, effective and safe, and can be accomplished with small, 8Fr sheaths (even in infants weighing 3.6 kg), follow-up results are excellent, and clinical trials on a larger number of patients are needed.

Surgical treatment for congenital heart disease has become available over the last five decades. Palliative procedures have been designed to improve physiologic abnormalities, for example systemic artery (or venous) to pulmonary artery shunts of various types to increase the pulmonary blood flow, pulmonary artery constriction (banding) to decrease the pulmonary blood flow, and surgical or transcatheter atrial septostomy to augment intracardiac mixing. These can be performed with a low mortality. The majority of congenital heart defects can be corrected by open heart surgical techniques; some require prior palliation and others can be operated without prior palliative surgery. Recent surgical advances include early total surgical correction for tetralogy of Fallot, arterial switch procedure for transposition of the great arteries, Fontan operation and its modifications for tricuspid atresia and single ventricle, new operations for hypoplastic left heart syndrome, newer prosthetic valves, myocardial preservation and cardiac transplantation.