Rajesh Varma
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Systematic review–how do we identify urinary tract infections today?
No full textStandard urine culture is still considered a gold standard in the identification of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), but is time-consuming and in approximately 20% of patients with UTI symptoms produces false-negative results. Medical and scientific communities are in search of a faster, more accurate, yet affordable method with high clinical utility. As a supplement to standard culture in routine practice Urine Flow Cytometer (UFC) screening method is used, in order to detect negative urine culture samples. This allows for shortening issuing time for sterile urine culture reports and the cost of the analysis itself. In addition, urine dipstick tests and microscopic examinations of urine sediment can also be performed in biochemical laboratories but are usually preceded by urine culture. Nowadays, advanced methods such as proteomics and genomics are used to identify pathogens causing UTIs but are still used mainly for scientific purposes and rarely in clinical practice. From genomic methods PCR, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and metagenome sequencing are being researched. PCR is great for targeted diagnostics, 16S RNA gene amplification can determine bacterial genera and their abundance, but is not good for in-depth species analysis, while metagenomics is the most comprehensive and unbiased method. The proteomics field also offers several methods for microbial identification, with MS as the leading one. Clinical applications of MS platforms usually imply MALDI-TOF MS analyzers which produce a characteristic spectrum called peptide mass fingerprint or more present for scientific purposes LC-MS/MS-based peptide sequencing. </p
Aquaculture and its conservation potential of critically endangered Jipe Tilapia (Oreochromis jipe) in Lake Jipe
No full textTilapia jipe (Oreochromis jipe) is listed as a critically endangered Cichlidae endemic to fast-shrinking Lake Jipe. Climate change and anthropogenic activities have significantly impacted the lakes’ ecology and species’ genetic integrity. Four months of Jipe tilapia culture growth performance was conducted in four selected farms within the Chala area, Taveta Sub-County of Taita Taveta County along the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro’s Kenya side. The study assessed the growth performance of 3rd generation mixed-sex Oreochromis jipe under aquaculture conditions. Fish sampling was done monthly to assess the growth performance of fingerlings stocked at an average weight of 5 ± 0.02 g and a stocking density of 5/m3. Total weight ranged between 123.72 g, and 74.70 g from the entire growth trial sample population. The highest and the least mean weight gains recorded were 108.87 ± 4.31g and 87.12 ± 4.40g for Farm B and D respectively. Similarly, farm B recorded the highest mean length (18.80 ± 0.27) while farm C recorded the least (17.31 ± 0.25) with no significant difference between the selected farms. Water quality parameters were within the normally acceptable tilapia culture ranges. The study findings indicated a negative allometric growth (b < 3) for all farms except Farm A. All growth trials demonstrated a good Condition factor (K) with a range of 1.82 to 2.19. The present study concluded that O. jipe has the potential for aquaculture and species genetic conservation and restocking due to its ease of propagation. The study recommends further G x E breeding program strategies, nutritional and general management studies, and a policy limiting genetic material transfer from its catchment.</p
Bacterial blight of Brachiaria caused by Burkholderia glumae in Colombia
No full textA new disease of Brachiaria was observed in 2009 at the CIAT experiment station in Palmira, Colombia, on plants of B. humidicola (CIAT accession no.16888). In 2016, the disease was observed on multiple genotypes of B. humidicola, Brachiaria hybrid cv. Mulato II, and Brachiaria hybrid Cayman. Symptoms included chlorosis along the midribs and yellowing on flag-leaf margins, followed by wilting and necrosis of foliage. Bacteria isolated from the lesions were cream-colored and produced a yellow, diffusible, non-fluorescent pigment on King´s medium B. Thirty-two bacterial strains fitting this description were pathogenic on Brachiaria spp. and were identified as Burkholderia glumae by PCR and sequence analysis of 16S rDNA. Real-time PCR was the most sensitive and accurate method evaluated for identifying the pathogen. B. glumae 88b, a highly-virulent strain identified in this study, was inoculated to ten Brachiaria genotypes including B. decumbens, B. brizantha ‘Marandú, B. brizantha ‘Toledo’, B. ruziziensis, B. brizantha ‘Piata’ and Brachiaria hybrids CIAT 36061, CIAT 36062, CIAT 36087, BR02/1752, and BR02/1794. B. glumae 88b was pathogenic on nine of the Brachiaria genotypes; interestingly, CIAT 36062 was resistant to strain 88b. This knowledge of B. glumae would help to develop bacterial blight disease management.</p
Correlates of desire for children among women
No full textObjective: To describe levels of desire for children and identify factors influencing women’s desire for children (DFC).Design: Descriptive correlational study.Setting: Participants were recruited from a Qualtrics online panel.Participants: 228 women from the following nations: Columbia, South America, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Honduras, India, Nigeria, Philippines, United Kingdom, and the USA.Methods: DFC was measured using the Modified Index of Parenthood Motivation (MIPM), a 14-item self-reporting tool, and the Motives Toward Parenthood Scale (MTPS), a 30-item tool with four subscales.Results: MIPM was related to education levels, employment status, the number of children she had, and her parity. One-way ANOVA revealed significant relationships between MIPM with race and nationality. As shown in Mean DFC Scores by Nationality, post hoc tests revealed significant differences in mean MIPM scores when comparing Colombians to Nigerians, Ghanaians to both Colombians and Honduran participants, and finally, significant differences in mean MIPM scores when comparing between Philippine and Colombian, as well as Honduran participants. Subjective norms, consequences, and individual costs mean scores were below midpoints. Conclusion: Participants with increased DFC had increased education, were employed, had more children, and had been pregnant more times than participants with decreased DFC. Women who identified as Black had significantly greater DFC than those who identified as White or Hispanic. Women from Nigeria, Ghana, and the Philippines had significantly greater DFC than participants from Colombia and Honduras. Participants disagreed with subjective norms but agreed with the positive consequences of motherhood. </p
Detection of electricity theft in developing countries-A machine learning approach
No full textIn developing countries, energy theft negatively affects the growth of utilities through loss of revenue and damage to the grid. The size and variety of the utility data set require extracting meaningful features to counter theft, which is difficult and computationally expensive. Recent developments have made machine learning more accessible to researchers, enabling its application in big data analysis for power utilities. Through greater access to training resources, as well as commercial and open-source machine learning tools, it has become easier to test large sets of data against various algorithms and automate many of the processes such as data cleaning and feature extraction, a procedure known as Automated Machine Learning (AutoML). These tools, along with frequent data collection by utilities, lend themselves to the use of machine learning to solve power grid issues such as anomaly detection. This paper focuses on feature extraction from monthly consumption records, previous investigations, and other customer information to detect power anomalies critical in the detection of theft. Using AutoML, features were extracted, and models were then trained and tested on data gathered from investigations. The results show that by using machine-learning algorithms, anomaly detection can be 4 times more effective than present manual detection techniques, increasing from 10% to 40% while reducing the number of unnecessary audit investigations by 61%.</p
Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw-A case report and literature review
No full textOsteoporosis is a skeletal disease caused by changes in the structure of the human skeleton, resulting in fragile and easily fractured bones. Because it is more common in postmenopausal women or the elderly, fractures may cause disability in the elderly, resulting in reduced quality of life, bedridden, or increased mortality. Therefore, the treatment of osteoporosis is one of the important issues in today’s aging society. In addition, diseases such as bone metastasis of cancer and multiple myeloma also need to be paid attention to. Drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis have been widely used in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis because of their inhibitory effect on osteoclast activity, and even become the first-choice drug for bone metastases of some malignant tumors. Drugs for the treatment or prevention of osteoporosis can inhibit osteoclasts, and can also be used to treat hypercalcemia complications of malignant tumors or bone-related systemic diseases. For example, bisphosphonates or monoclonal antibody preparations (eg: Denosumab, Romosozumab, etc.) can resist bone resorption. However, in recent years, the literature pointed out that patients using anti-bone resorption drugs may have adverse reactions to maxillofacial osteonecrosis. Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) may occur in patients with osteoporosis and tumors. Bisphosphonates or synthetic human monoclonal antibodies can inhibit bone resorption and are currently the most commonly used drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis in the world. The literature for nearly 20 years has shown that long-term use of such antiresorptive drugs increases the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw in the oral cavity. Therefore, MRONJ is still a complication that we must pay attention to. Once MRONJ occurs, it is recommended to refer to an oral surgeon immediately; the current clinical treatment methods include the use of antibacterial mouthwash and drugs to control pain in mild cases, and antibiotics for infection control in moderate cases. </p
Subacute thyroiditis-an unusual endocrine cause of pyrexia of unknown origin: Case report with review of literature
No full textWe report a case of a 58-year-old male who presented with high grade fever of 45 days duration. He had presented with a dry cough and right ear pain. His initial clinical evaluation and diagnostic tests were unremarkable. During the hospital stay, he developed palpitation for which tests for thyroid functions were done which revealed subacute thyroiditis. He recovered fully with the treatment. Subacute thyroiditis is one of the rarely mentioned causes of Pyrexia of Unknown origin. A high index of suspicion and appropriate imaging is required for early diagnosis and management.</p
Model analysis of electroflotation water treatment of wastewater containing microplastics
No full textThe paper presents a model of the microplastic electroflotation process and considers the factors affecting the efficiency of this process during wastewater treatment. The results obtained will help optimize the microplastic electroflotation process and develop more effective ways to remove plastic particles from the treated water, as well as help in the development of new types of flotation technology that allow several purification processes to be carried out simultaneously in one device. These devices can prevent the destruction of the formed flotation complexes, compared with the use of a traditional cleaning scheme with several autonomous devices installed in series. The results obtained provide a rationale for choosing the most efficient electroflotation apparatus for wastewater treatment from microplastics.</p
Breast cancer metastasis to endometrium: Case report and up-date of literature
No full textIntroduction: Breast cancer is the leading neoplasia metastasizing to genital organs. Uterine metastases are seldom reported and those limited to endometrium account for 3.8% of patients with uterine spread. We reported on a woman with breast cancer metastasizing to endometrium and up-date of literature. Presentation of case: In July 2022, a 59 years-old woman with breast cancer was referred to Gynecological consultation due to Positron Emission Tomography showing an enhanced signal to the endometrium. Throughout the four previous years, she underwent bilateral surgery due to metachronous lobular cancers and adjuvant therapies consisting of Letrozole, Exemestane, chemotherapy, and Tamoxifen. In May 2022, bony metastases were found and she shifted to Abemaciclib/Fulvestrant therapy. No gynecological complaints were recorded, and physical examination was uneventful while Transvaginal Ultrasound demonstrated an enhanced endometrial thickness as a unique abnormality. Hysteroscopy showed mucosal thickenings attributed to Tamoxifen-related cysts formation. The biopsy pathology reported stromal infiltration of neoplastic cells staining for Cytokeratins and GATA-3. Negative staining was reported for PAX-8 and CD-10. On these findings, a breast cancer metastasis was established. Four months later the patients died from metastatic brain progression. Discussion: Endometrial metastasis from breast cancer is anecdotal. The case described supports that uterine spread is a late event, often concurrent with extragenital metastases and mostly associated with lobular histology. A hysteroscopic view can be misleading and a careful pathological study is needed for a differential diagnosis against endometrial primitiveness. Conclusion: Endometrial abnormalities in breast cancer patients might be caused by metastasis. The management of these patients is challenging and must be tailored to the clinical background.</p
Management practices to offset the declining trend of alfalfa hay production
No full textAgriculture in the United States (US) is a major industry, which is the net exporter of food. The livestock sector is a centerpiece of the industry, and the base for this sector is forage resources. A forage-livestock production system is the largest economic agricultural sector in the US, and it feeds millions of people each day. More than half of the US land area has been devoted to cultivating forage crops mainly for livestock feed. In spite of the several options of forage crops available to growers to choose for production, the suitable choice often relies on the quality and quantity of hay that can be produced by the crop to meet production objectives. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), the world’s premier forage crop, remains to be the number one choice for livestock feed due to its ability to produce high yields of sustained nutritive value. However, recent data shows that on the national average, alfalfa hay yields are decreasing with a direct and indirect consequent effect on the nation’s economy. Implementing efficient agronomic management practices in the alfalfa production system is a step in the direction of successful production. Along with the initial soil fertility status, integrating production factors including phosphorus and potassium fertilization, cultivar, and harvest management can be advantageous to ensure an improved physiology of alfalfa for greater hay production in the long term.Core ideas• Alfalfa hay production in the US has been decreasing over the past 3 decades.• Reduced hay yields of alfalfa pose significant challenges to the forage-livestock production system.• There is a critical need to continually improve the productivity of alfalfa.• Appropriate agronomic amendments present opportunities to enhance alfalfa production.• Annual application of phosphorus and potassium to high-yielding alfalfa cultivar based on the initial soil fertility status, and harvest time have a great potential for higher hay yields.</p