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Introduction: Sheehan syndrome (SS) typically involves the loss of anterior pituitary cells and rarely affects the posterior pituitary. The water deprivation test (WDT) is the gold standard for diagnosing central diabetes insipidus (CDI), but it is cumbersome. Serum copeptin measurements are an alternative for CDI diagnosis. In this study, we measured hypoglycaemia-stimulated serum copeptin in SS patients to assess posterior pituitary function alongside anterior pituitary hormone levels. Methods: This study recruited 43 patients with SS on stable hormonal replacement except for growth hormone (GH), 18 patients with CDI, and 19 body mass index (BMI) and parity-matched controls. All patients with SS and four patients with CDI underwent an insulin tolerance test (ITT), and hypoglycaemia-stimulated copeptin levels were measured at 0, 30, 45, and 90 minutes after insulin injection. Results: The mean serum copeptin level among patients with SS (26.01 ± 12.41 pmol/L) was significantly lower than that in healthy controls (31.92 ± 7.85 pmol/L) and higher than that in patients with CDI (1.81 ± 0.14 pmol/L). Using pre-defined cut-offs for CDI, basal serum copeptin 2.69 pmol/L and stimulated copeptin

Abstract Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by an intense infiltration of eosinophils into the esophageal epithelium. When not adequately controlled, eosinophilic inflammation can lead to changes in components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the lamina propria. Particularly, alterations to the collagen fiber matrix can lead to lamina propria fibrosis (LPF), which plays an important role in the fibrostenotic complications of EoE. Current approaches to assess LPF in EoE are prone to inter-observer inconsistencies and provide limited insight into the structural remodeling of the ECM. An objective approach to quantify LPF can eliminate inter-observer inconsistencies and provide novel insights into the fibrotic transformation of the lamina propria in EoE. Second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy is a powerful modality for objectively quantifying disease associated alterations in ECM collagen structure that is finding increasing use for clinical research. We used SHG with morphometric analysis (SHG-MA) to characterize lamina propria collagen fibers and ECM porosity in esophageal biopsies collected from children with active EoE (n = 11), inactive EoE (n = 11), and non-EoE (n = 11). The collagen fiber width quantified by SHG-MA correlated positively with peak eosinophil count (r = 0.65, p

ABSTRACTBackground : Erythroid cells play important roles in hemostasis and disease. However, there is still significant knowledge gap regarding stress erythropoiesis.Methods : Two single-cell RNAseq datasets of erythroid cells on GEO with accession numbers GSE149938 and GSE184916 were obtained. The datasets from two sources, bone marrow and peripheral blood were analyzed using Seurat v4.1.1, and other tools in R. QC metrics were performed, data were normalized and scaled. Principal components that capture the variation of the data were determined. In clustering the cells, KNN graph was constructed and Louvain algorithm was applied to optimize the standard modularity function. Clusters were defined via differential expression of features.Results We identified 9 different cell types, with a particular cluster representing the stress erythroids. The clusters showed differentially expressed genes as observed from the gene signature plot. The stress erythroid cluster differentially expressed some genes including ALAS2, HEMGN, and GUK1.Conclusion The erythroid population was found to be heterogeneous, with a distinct sub-cell type constituting the stress erythroids; this may have important implications for our knowledge of steady-state and stress erythropoiesis, and the markers found in this cluster may prove useful for future research into the dynamics of stress erythroid progenitor cell differentiation.

Abstract Iatrogenic nerve injuries contribute significantly to postoperative morbidity across various surgical disciplines and occur in approximately 500,000 cases annually in the US alone. Currently, there are no clinically adopted means to intraoperatively visualize nerves beyond the surgeon’s visual assessment. Here, we report a label-free method for nerve detection using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Starting with an in vivo rat model, fiber- and imaging-based DRS independently identified similar wavelengths that provided optimal contrast for nerve identification with an accuracy of 92%. Optical property measurements of rat and human cadaver tissues verify that the source of contrast between nerve and surrounding tissues is largely due to higher scattering in nerve and differences in oxygenated hemoglobin content. Clinical feasibility was demonstrated in patients undergoing thyroidectomies using both probe-based and imaging-based approaches where the nerve were identified with 91% accuracy. Based on our preliminary results, DRS has the potential to both provide surgeons with a label-free, intraoperative means of nerve visualization and reduce the incidence of iatrogenic nerve injuries along with its detrimental complications.

Background: This study was aimed at determining the frequency of thyroid autoimmunity and subclinical hypothyroidism in patients with hyperprolactinemia due to prolactinoma compared to well-matched healthy controls. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study wherein 78 treatment naïve prolactinoma patients and ninety-two healthy control subjects were recruited. Serum prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total thyroxine (T4), circulating anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibody levels were measured in all study subjects. Progression of the antibody-positive population to subclinical hypothyroidism was determined. Results: The median PRL level among patients was 166 ng/ml (IQR 85-467) compared to 11.4 ng/ml (IQR 8.5-15.9) in controls (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in levels of T4 (P = 0.83) and TSH (P = 0.82) between the cases and controls. Overall, 25% of patients had the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies as compared to 20% of controls (P = 0.56). SCH was more common in antibody-positive hyperprolactinemia subjects compared with antibody-positive controls. Conclusion: We did not find an increased prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity among untreated prolactinoma patients compared to healthy controls. At the same time, subclinical hypothyroidism was more common in thyroid antibody-positive patients with hyperprolactinemia than positive controls.

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), for which there does not appear to be an approved cure, the primary treatment options consist of non-pharmacological preventive measures and supportive treatment that are aimed at halting the progression of the disease. Nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) presents a promising therapeutic opportunity to mitigate COVID-19-induced cytokine storm and reduce the risk of severe morbidity and mortality resulting from the disease. However, the effective clinical application of NFkB modulators in COVID-19 is hampered by a number of factors that must be taken into consideration. This paper therefore explored the modulation of the NFB pathway as a potential strategy to mitigate the severe morbidity and mortality caused by COVID-19. The paper also discusses the factors that form the barrier, and it offers potential solutions to the various limitations that may impede the clinical use of NFkB modulators against COVID-19. This paper revealed and identified three key potential solutions for the future clinical use of NFkB modulators against COVID-19. These solutions are pulmonary tissue-specific NFkB blockade, agents that target common regulatory proteins of both canonical and non-canonical NFkB pathways, and monitoring clinical indicators of hyperinflammation and cytokine storm in COVID-19 prior to using NFkB modulators.

Background: Sodium caseinate is a rich source of protein and minerals originating from animals. Numerous food and non-food products are made from sodium caseinate. The present study investigated the chemical components (moisture, crude protein, ash, and soluble crude protein) of sodium caseinate prepared by different acids and drying techniques. Methods: A completely randomized factorial design was used by different acids including hydrochloric acid (HCl) and acetic acid, and also drying methods including oven (50 °C for 48 h) and freeze drying (-40 °C for 48 h). In each experimental group, sodium caseinate was obtained for determination of moisture, crude protein, ash, and soluble crude protein. Data were statistically evaluated using an ANOVA in SPSS 18.0. Results: The interaction of both acids and drying methods significantly (p

Context: Prolactinoma is the most frequent pituitary tumor among women of childbearing age. Fewer studies have addressed the outcome of prolactinomas after gestation. Objective: The aim was to study the spontaneous remission rate and change in tumor size after pregnancy and/or lactation in women with prolactinomas. Patients and Methods: Retrospective study conducted at a tertiary care center of north India. Records of 25 women with 31 pregnancies (20 microprolactinomas and 11 macroprolactinomas), who conceived on dopamine agonist (cabergoline) were studied. Cabergoline was stopped at conception in 24 pregnancies and continued in 7. Serum prolactin was noted 3 months after delivery and/or lactation. Magnetic resonance imaging available at last visit after delivery and/or lactation was also noted. Remission was defined as normal serum prolactin after pregnancy and/or lactation without use of cabergoline. Results: Among patients in whom cabergoline was stopped during pregnancy (n = 24), 41.6% (n = 10) had prolactin in normal range (achieved remission) after pregnancy and/or lactation. In 25% (n = 6) of women, adenoma size decreased by more than 50%, in 33%(n = 8), there was no change in adenoma size, and in 42% (n = 10), decrease in adenoma size was less than 50% after pregnancy and/or lactation. The median duration of cabergoline treatment before pregnancy among patients who achieved remission was 60 months against 24 months in those who did not achieve remission. The median pre-pregnancy adenoma size was 5.5 mm in women with remission against 8 mm in women who did not achieve remission. Conclusion: Pregnancy-induced remission of hyperprolactinemia was seen in 41.6% prolactinomas. Longer duration of dopamine agonist treatment before pregnancy, small pre-pregnancy adenoma size, and lower baseline prolactin were associated with high likelihood of remission, though not statistically significant.

This research work has principally succeeded in updating the geological map of Southern Borno and brought out zeolite as one of the prominent solid minerals to work on. The field mapping of the area constituting of Askira Uba, Bayo, Biu, Chibok, Damboa, Gwoza, Hawul, KwayaKusar, and ShaniLocal Government Areas indicate the occurrence of basement and sedimentary rocks. The crystalline rocks comprises of migmatites, gneisses, granites and basaltic rocks, dominantly occurring in Gwoza, AskiraUba, Chibok, Biu and Hawul, whereas the sedimentary formations cover KwayaKusar, Shani, Bayo and Damboa with outcrops of Cretaceous-Quaternary sediments comprising Bima Formation, Gongila Formation, Fika Shales, Gombe Sandstone, Kerri Kerri Formation and Chad Formation. Mineralogical evaluation of the Basement Complex rocks indicate the occurrences of feldspars, quartz, micas and ornamental stones, with the basalts chiefly hosting zeolite and quality gemstones (aquamarine, corundum, amethyst, tourmaline and topaz). The zeolites are typical of chabazite variety mostly developing from feldspathoid associated with mafic igneous/basic volcanic rocks. The Cretaceous-Quaternary sediments present quality clays, kaolinite, diatomite, trona and bentonite industrial minerals.

There are few published reports of mutations in dihydropteroate synthetase (dhps) and dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) genes in P. falciparum populations in Nigeria, but one previous study has recorded a novel dhps mutation at codon 431 among infections imported to the United Kingdom from Nigeria. To assess how widespread this mutation is among parasites in different parts of the country and consequently fill the gap in sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) resistance data in Nigeria, we retrospectively analysed 1000 filter paper blood spots collected in surveys of pregnant women and children with uncomplicated falciparum malaria between 2003 and 2015 from four sites in the south and north. Genomic DNA was extracted from filter paper blood spots and placental impressions. Point mutations at codons 16, 50, 51, 59, 108, 140 and 164 of the dhfr gene and codons 431, 436, 437, 540, 581 and 613 of the dhps gene were evaluated by nested PCR amplification followed by direct sequencing. The distribution of the dhps-431V mutation was widespread throughout Nigeria with the highest prevalence in Enugu (46%). In Ibadan where we had sequential sampling, its prevalence increased from 0% to 6.5% between 2003 and 2008. Although there were various combinations of dhps mutations with 431V, the combination 431V + 436A + 437G+581G+613S was the most common. All these observations support the view that dhps-431V is on the increase. In addition, P. falciparum DHPS crystal structure modelling shows that the change from Isoleucine to Valine (dhps-431V) could alter the effects of both S436A/F and A437G, which closely follow the 2nd β-strand. Consequently, it is now a research priority to assess the implications of dhps-VAGKGS mutant haplotype on continuing use of SP in seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) and intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp). Our data also provides surveillance data for SP resistance markers in Nigeria between 2003 and 2015.

The utilization of crop residue as a feed is very important because the arable land area is relatively limited. The study was aimed to examine the influence of adoption of crop-residue product as a feed. The research was conducted in Maros District by using survey methods from March to August 2015. The number of respondents was 96 farmers scattered throughout the Districts of Bantimurung and Camba as centers of rice, corn plant, and cattle productions. Questionnaires were used to collect data conducted by a trained enumerator. Survey was arranged using a logistic regression model to identify socio economic factors influencing the adoption of crop residue as a feed. Work perception (X2), contact with extension workers (X4), rice cultivated areas (X5), the number of livestock (X6), subjective norm (X7), and difficulty (X8) were socio-economic variables influencing the adoption of crop residue as a feed. However, the variables age (X1), farmer experiences (X3), and the number of family members (X9) had no effect on the adoption of this technology. In conclusion, extension workers play an important role in increasing the adoption of technology by using rice and corn straws as a feed. Likewise, not only the number of livestocks, but also the good perception of the farmers increased along with the increase of feed availability, such as utilization of rice and corn straws.

BackgroundCongenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a fetal defect comprising an incomplete diaphragm and the herniation of abdominal organs into the chest cavity that interfere with fetal pulmonary development. Though the most promising treatment for CDH is via interventional fetoscopic tracheal occlusion (TO) surgery in-utero, it has produced mixed results due to the static nature of the inserted occlusion. We hypothesize that a suitable noninvasively-actuatable, cyclic-release tracheal occlusion device can be developed to enable dynamic tracheal occlusion (dTO) implementation.ObjectiveTo conduct an in-vitro proof-of-concept investigation of the construction of thermo-responsive polymer valves designed for targeted activation within a physiologically realizable temperature range as a first step towards potential development of a noninvasively-actuatable implantable device to facilitate dynamic tracheal occlusion (dTO) therapy.MethodsSix thermo-responsive polymer valves, with a critical solution temperature slightly higher than normal physiological body temperature of 37°C, were fabricated using a copolymer of n-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and dimethylacrylamide (DMAA). Three of the valves underwent ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization while the other three served as controls for EtO-processing compatibility testing. Thermal response actuation of the valves and their steady-state flow performances were evaluated using water and caprine amniotic fluid.ResultsAll six valves consisting of 0.3-mole fraction of DMAA were tested for thermal actuation of caprine amniotic fluid flow at temperatures ranging from 30-44°C. They all exhibited initiation of valve actuation opening at ~40°C with full completion at ~44°C. The overall average coefficient of variation (CV) for the day-to-day flow performance of the valves tested was less than 12%. Based on a Student t-test, there was no significant difference in the operational characteristics for the EtO processed versus the non-EtO processed valves tested.ConclusionsWe successfully fabricated and demonstrated physiological realizable temperature range operation of thermo-responsive polymer valves in-vitro and their suitability for standard EtO sterilization processing, a prerequisite for future in-vivo surgical implantation testing.

Land use conflict among agriculture and animal husbandry caused beef cattle must be keptintensively. The objective of this research was to identify adoption level of beef cattle intensive rearingand some factors that affecting farmers adoption. Research design was survey with 90 respondents froma total of 578 farmers. Data were obtained through interview and observations using questionnare withclose question. The data were analyzed with multiple regression models. The level of intensive rearingadoption (dependent variable) was measured based on housing system, feeding, reproduction, healthmanagement and feces utilization. While, independent variables were based on the intensity ofextension, relative adventage, subjective norm, control of behavior, attitude, age, land area and scale ofbusiness. Level of housing system, feeding, reproduction and health management were in the medium level (average >50% of farmers), while feces utilization was in the lowest level. Factors that positivelyaffected farmer adoption in Wajo regency were the ability of the farmers to control their behavior(p

The Kuril harbour seal Phoca vitulina stejnegeri is an endangered species which inhabits southeastern Hokkaido, Japan. Its population declined precipitously from between 1500 and 4800 individuals in the 1940s to a few hundred individuals in the early 1970s. The causes of this decline are thought to be commercial harvesting, bycatch in autumn set-net salmon fishing, and other human activities, including coastal fisheries. To quantify Kuril seal population trends, counts were performed each year at haul-out sites during the pupping season from 1974 to 2010 and during the moulting season from 1983 to 2010. The average population growth rate was ~4% per annum over the past 37 yr. Two haul-out sites (Kenbokki Island and Hattaushi) from which the species had disappeared in the early 1980s showed no evidence of being recolonized. Commercial harvesting ended in the late 1980s and probably had an effect on population trends until the 1990s. The bycatch of seals during autumn set-net salmon fishing in the 2000s remained similar to, or slightly greater than, that during the 1980s. Recently, seals have been observed at 9 haul-out sites during the pupping/moulting season along the coast of southeastern Hokkaido. Approximately 70% of the seals found were at Cape Erimo (~500 seals) and at Daikoku Island and Akkeshi (~250 seals).

Gene copy-number variations are widespread in natural populations, but investigating their phenotypic consequences requires contemporary duplications under selection. Such duplications have been found at the ace-1 locus (encoding the organophosphate and carbamate insecticides' target) in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae (the major malaria vector); recent studies have revealed their intriguing complexity, consistent with the involvement of various numbers and types (susceptible or resistant to insecticide) of copies. We used an integrative approach, from genome to phenotype level, to investigate the influence of duplication architecture and gene-dosage on mosquito fitness. We found that both heterogeneous (i.e., one susceptible and one resistant ace-1 copy) and homogeneous (i.e., identical resistant copies) duplications segregated in field populations. The number of copies in homogeneous duplications was variable and positively correlated with acetylcholinesterase activity and resistance level. Determining the genomic structure of the duplicated region revealed that, in both types of duplication, ace-1 and 11 other genes formed tandem 203kb amplicons. We developed a diagnostic test for duplications, which showed that ace-1 was amplified in all 173 resistant mosquitoes analyzed (field-collected in several African countries), in heterogeneous or homogeneous duplications. Each type was associated with different fitness trade-offs: heterogeneous duplications conferred an intermediate phenotype (lower resistance and fitness costs), whereas homogeneous duplications tended to increase both resistance and fitness cost, in a complex manner. The type of duplication selected seemed thus to depend on the intensity and distribution of selection pressures. This versatility of trade-offs available through gene duplication highlights the importance of large mutation events in adaptation to environmental variation. This impressive adaptability could have a major impact on vector control in Africa.

BACKGROUND:Despite several studies on the seroprevalence of antibodies against Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever virus (CCHFV) from humans and cattle in Nigeria, detailed investigation looking at IgG and IgM have not been reported. Additionally, there have been no confirmed cases of human CCHFV infection reported from Nigeria. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Samples from sera (n = 1189) collected from four Local Government Areas in Borno State (Askira/Uba, Damboa, Jere and Maiduguri) were assessed for the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies. The positivity rates for IgG and IgM were 10.6% and 3.5%, respectively. Additionally, sera from undiagnosed febrile patients (n = 380) were assessed by RT-PCR assay for the presence of CCHFV RNA. One positive sample was characterised by further by next generation sequencing (NGS) resulting in complete S, M and L segment sequences. CONCLUSIONS:This article provides evidence for the continued exposure of the human population of Nigeria to CCHFV. The genomic analysis provides the first published evidence of a human case of CCHFV in Nigeria and its phylogenetic context.

The in vitro study was designed to evaluate total gas production, dry matter degradability (DMD), and VFA profile; while in vivo study was designed to evaluate nutrient intakes, blood metabolites, and performance of sheep fed native grass mixed with Calliandra calothyrrus (CC), Leucaena leucochepala (LL), Moringa oleifera (MO), Gliricidea sepium (GS), and Artocarpus heterophyllus (AH). The best three from the in vitro results were used to formulate diets in in vivo study. Sixteen male growing sheep (average BW 20 kg) were fed 100% native grass (NG) as control; 70% NG + 30% GS; 70% NG + 30% MO; and 70% NG + 30% AH. Nutrient consumptions, DMD, blood metabolites, and sheep performances were analyzed by using Completely Randomized Design. The in vitro results showed that the total gas production and DMD of CC and LL were the lowest (P

An appropriate understanding towards preference of small-scale dairy producers can improve technology adoption. The objective of this study was to understand potential, problem and need of small-scale dairy producers including farmer and his wife. The method used was modification of participatory rural appraisal (PRA) like participatory mapping to detect potential, and Preference ranking to understand problem and need priority. PRA applications were six times during April-September 2009 at central area and non-central area in Enrekang regency. Preference of farmer and his wife toward potential and problem were not different. Only feed technology need was different. Forage sources at central area were more diverse than non-central area but concentrate sources at non-central area were more than central area. Lack of knowledge for feed and concentrate formulation and nutritional requirements, less known of feed use, and low feed quality at dry season were the main problems at central area. At non-central area, lack of knowledge for preserving feed, lack of labour, and feed shortage at dry season were main problem faced by farmers. Knowledge improvement for local feed and complete-feed formulation are priority technology at central area. At non-central area, agricultural waste and forage preserving and complete-feed are needed by farmer.

We report on the fabrication and electrical characterization of an InAs double-nanowire (NW) device consisting of two closely placed parallel NWs coupled to a common superconducting electrode on one side and individual normal metal leads on the other. In this new type of device we detect Cooper-pair splitting (CPS) with a sizeable efficiency of correlated currents in both NWs. In contrast to earlier experiments, where CPS was realized in a single NW, demonstrating an intrawire electron pairing mediated by the superconductor (SC), our experiment demonstrates an interwire interaction mediated by the common SC. The latter is the key for the realization of zero-magnetic field Majorana bound states, or Parafermions; in NWs and therefore constitutes a milestone towards topological superconductivity. In addition, we observe transport resonances that occur only in the superconducting state, which we tentatively attribute to Andreev bound states and/or Yu-Shiba resonances that form in the proximitized section of one NW.

Shielding prevents coupling of undesired radiated electromagnetic energy into equipment otherwise susceptible to it. In view of this, some studies on shielding effectiveness of laminated shields with conductors and conductive polymers using plane-wave theory are carried out in this paper. The plane wave shielding effectiveness of new combination of these materials is evaluated as a function of frequency and thickness of material. Conductivity of the polymers, measured in previous investigations by the cavity perturbation technique, is used to compute the overall reflection and transmission coefficients of single and multiple layers of the polymers. With recent advances in synthesizing stable highly conductive polymers these lightweight mechanically strong materials appear to be viable alternatives to metals for EM1 shielding.

We describe a new environment of a single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis using automated capillary array sequencers (e.g., ABI PRISM® 3100 and 3700). In this environment, electrophoretic conditions, settings for instrument management, and software for data analysis are adjusted for SSCP analysis. Highly reproducible results are obtained with this new system, and fragments with mutations and/or polymorphisms in different capillaries or different runs can be reliably detected. The relative peak heights between alleles are quantitative and reproducible between runs, and so allele frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms can be accurately estimated by a pooled DNA strategy. The method allows unattended, lowcost, and quantitative SSCP analysis using instruments that are widely accessible.