Rajesh Varma
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Clinical trials cannot provide sufficient accuracy for studying weak factors necessary for curing chronic diseases
No full textChronic diseases are still known as incurable diseases, and we suspect that the medical research model is unfit for characterizing chronic diseases. In this study, we examined accuracy and reliability required for characterizing chronic diseases, reviewed implied presumptions in clinical trials and assumptions used in statistical analysis, examined sources of variances normally encountered in clinical trials, and conducted numeric simulations by using hypothetical data for several theoretical and hypothetical models. We found that the sources of variances attributable to personal differences in clinical trials can distort hypothesis test outcomes, that clinical trials introduce too many errors and too many inaccuracies that tend to hide weak and slow-delivering effects of treatments, and that the means of treatments used in statistical analysis have little or no relevance to specific patients. We further found that a large number of uncontrolled co-causal or interfering factors normally seen in human beings can greatly enlarge the means and the variances or experimental errors, and the use of high rejection criteria (e.g., small p values) further raises the chances of failing to find treatment effects. As a whole, we concluded that the research model using clinical trials is wrong on multiple grounds under any of our realistic theoretical and hypothetical models, and that misuse of statistical analysis is most probably responsible for failure to identify treatment effects for chronic diseases and failure to detect harmful effects of toxic substances in the environment. We proposed alternative experimental models involving the use of single-person or mini optimization trials for studying low-risk weak treatments.</p
Changing seroprevalence to SARS-CoV-2 in health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic
No full textBackground and objective: The entire world is reeling under the COVID-19 pandemic caused by coronavirus SARS-COV-2. A longitudinal study was planned to understand the evolving pattern of seroprevalence of anti-SARS CoV-2 antibodies in a cohort of health care workers.Method: A prospective study was conducted among the health care workers categorized as doctors, nursing staff, paramedical staff, and housekeeping staff. A qualitative estimation of total antibodies (IgM+IgG+IgA) against SARS-CoV-2 was carried out using an ELISA kit in July and November 2020. Results: Total 443 blood samples were collected on July 20 and 214 samples in November. A cohort of 140 health care workers was selected from July to November 2020 data. The overall seroprevalence in HCWs was 8.35% in July 2020 and it increased to 26.63% in November 2020. The overall seroprevalence in the HCW cohort also revealed an increase from 12.14%. 30.71%. In the cohort of healthcare workers, there was a constant seroprevalence in nursing staff (10.5%) and housekeeping staff (25%) while a statistically significant (p0.002) rise in seroprevalence rate (12.6 to 41.37) was noted in the paramedics.Conclusion: The seroprevalence of anti- SARS-CoV2 antibodies in asymptomatic HCWs increased from 8.35% to 26.63% over a period of 4 months. A significant rise in seroprevalence was noted amongst nurses (p0.0005) and paramedics (p0.007). The seroprevalence data of the cohort group revealed a statistically significant rise in seroprevalence in paramedics (p 0.002) as compared to other categories of healthcare personnel.</p
Reflectance study of soil silt using proximal sensing in Northern Iran
No full textThe study of silt fractions using the traditional methods, especially on large scales, is time-consuming, laborious, and costly. The present work intends to investigate the spectral behaviors of the soil silt fraction using reflectance spectroscopy technology. Accordingly, 128 soil samples were collected from 20cm of soil surface of Mazandaran province, northern Iran. First, the sample set was subdivided into calibration and validation subsets. Spectral signatures of silt components were detected utilizing the PLSR algorithm and Cross-Validation technique. The final model with 4 LFs was calibrated with these specs: Rc: 0.55, RMSEc: 8.31%, RPDc: 1.20, and RPIQc:1.71 and was eventually selected as the best model for studying the soil silt of Mazandaran province. The obtained spectral wavebands with the highest correlation coefficients (R(CCmax)) indicate the high impact as the independent predictors in the processes of modeling. Finally, the capability of the proximal sensing technology (VNIR-PS) was proved in examining the silt content of Mazandaran province. Also, the most influential spectral domains and ranges were detected and recognized. Our findings can be used as a basis for studying silt content on a large scale by applying the upscaling process via airborne/satellite hyperspectral data.Subject classification codes: Soil Conservation, Proximal Soil Sensing, Soil Spectral Modeling</p
Bio-informatics approaches in liver disease: Incomplete without experimental validation
No full textIn the search for the treatment of hepatic diseases, multiple approaches have been used frequently such as bioinformatics and algorithm-based systems biology for the screening of already published data that leads to the identification of promising drug candidates at molecular levels. These studies provide a large data set of information and claim to identify many genes, which could be targeted for the cure. However, it is important to note that the identified compounds are only predictions and the potential of these suggested molecules or genes should be well confirmed by adopting robust and critical experimental approaches to satisfy all possible aspects to use them safely for therapeutic purposes. Therefore, I put forward the opinion that these predicted markers whether prognostic, diagnostic, or molecular must be evaluated critically through a well-defined experimental pipeline.</p
A first comprehensive look at the order-disorder nature of RTK KIT native and carcinogenic targets
No full textReceptors Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) act as sensors for extracellular ligands, the binding of which triggers dimerization, activation, and autophosphorylation of specific tyrosine (Y) residues in the Cytoplasmic Domain (CD). This leads to the recruitment and activation of multiple downstream signaling proteins, which regulate various aspects of cellular physiology. </p
Mortality and survival of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and symptomatic diffuse interstitial lung disease
No full textIntroduction: In Spain, few data have been reported on mortality and survival in rheumatoid arthritis with diffuse interstitial lung disease.Objectives: To estimate mortality and survival for patients with symptomatic diffuse interstitial lung disease and rheumatoid arthritis and to analyze the effect of clinical factors. Methods: We performed an observational study between 2007 and 2018 at the Interdisciplinary Rheumatology and Pulmonology Clinic, from a tertiary Hospital. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and symptomatic of diffuse interstitial lung disease confirmed by high-resolution computed tomography were included. Causes of death and clinical factors were reported. Results: We identified 90 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and symptomatic interstitial lung disease. Twenty-six patients died and diffuse interstitial lung disease was the most frequent cause (50%). The overall mortality rate was 19.7 per 1000 patient-years (95% CI: 13.4 - 29). The multivariate model revealed the predictors of mortality to be a long time between diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and lung involvement (HR = 1.17; p = 0.003) and low forced vital capacity (HR = 0.02; p = 0.018). The probability of survival was 50% at 10.2 years from diagnosis of interstitial lung disease. Comparison of survival did not reveal significant differences by type of radiologic pattern (p = 0.823). Conclusions: The fact that almost one-third of patients died and that survival is 50% at 10 years highlights the important role of diffuse interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis. The radiologic pattern does not seem to be as important for survival as forced vital capacity at diagnosis and the time between diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and lung involvement.Key points 1. DILD is associated with shorter survival in patients with RA.2. The radiologic pattern does not seem to influence the survival in patients with RA and DILD.3. The FVC at diagnosis is an important factor that influences the prognosis of patients with RA and DILD.</p
Determinants of market participation decision and intensity of market participation in western Ethiopia: Evidence from smallholder tef producers
No full textTef is the first crop produced in Ethiopia and the main staple food and income generation source. The productivity of the crop is low due to different factors. This study aimed to identify factors affecting tef market participation decision and the level of market participation of tef producers’. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select appropriate sample households. The descriptive statistic, inferential statistic, and econometrics model were used to analyze the collected data. The result shows that 72.27% of sampled households sold their tef in the market. The double hurdle model result revealed that tef market participation decision was affected by land allocated for tef, the volume of tef produced, gender of household head, education level of household head, additional income sources, extension services, and market information while the intensity of participation was affected by the volume of tef produced, gender, education level, improved variety used, additional income sources, and extension service. These results suggest that to enhance the flow of tef to market and intensity of tef in participation skills and knowledge through training, advising, and supervision; capacitate farmers by the additional work atmosphere and empowering women farmers through improved variety and to access working capital are need attention by respective sectors that contribute in the commodity value chain.</p
Review on poultry production, processing, and Utilization in Ethiopia
No full textThe Ethiopian poultry population (chicken) is projected to be around 56.06 million, with indigenous, hybrid, and foreign breeds accounting for 88.19 percent, 6.45 percent, and 5.36 percent of the total poultry, respectively. Ethiopian poultry farming methods are typically low-productivity subsistence systems. This paper will now collect data on chicken kinds used for meat and egg production, as well as their use, difficulties, and potential in Ethiopian poultry productivity. It also discusses Ethiopian poultry production methods, their contributions, and challenges such as feed shortages, predators, disease, veterinary service, health management, marketing, genetic quality (breed), and Extension service issues. However, information covers both the past and the present; production options include training and extension services, veterinary services, market access, financial services, and the requirement for limited space and inputs. As a result, certain actions must be taken immediately to alleviate these limits and boost the poultry’s production potential.</p
Seroprevalence of Brucella infection in sheep and goat in two Woreda, in Arsi Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
No full textThe cross-sectional research study was conducted from November 2015 up to April 2016 in order to assess the prevalence of Brucella infection in shoats in two woredas in the Arsi zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. The study was conducted in six Peasant Associations (3 PAs from each district). A total of 397 sheep and goats were sampled to be studied. Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) was used as a Screening test for Brucella agglutinins, while Complement Fixation Test (CFT) was used to confirm the reactors by Rose Bengal Plate Test. The statistical analysis of the data was run by Fisher’s exact test and the comparison of proportion was carried out too. Out of the 397 sera samples, 1.51% (n = 6) were seropositive for Brucella infection by RBPT; however, the CFT test indicated that only 0.5% (n = 2) sera were positive. Overall point estimation of 0.2% ovine and caprine Brucella infection was observed. High prevalence has been observed in aborted, parity one (1-5 kidding or lamping), female and in goats than non-aborted, parity two (> 6 lambing or kidding), male and sheep respectively. Especially high Seroprevalence in aborted goats indicates the presence of the illness in the two woredas’. The brucellosis presence in goats and sheep is significant as the infected animals can act as reservoirs of infection and may transmit the infection to human beings by several routes. So, Control measures should be designed and implemented by focusing on the prevention of further illness expansion in the study area by using an appropriate control practices approach.</p
Seroprevalence and its associated risk factors of Bovine Neosporosis and Bovine Viral Diarrhea in cattle of Tilottama municipality, Rupandehi, Nepal
No full textBackground: Bovine Neosporosis (BN) and Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) are economically significant livestock disease that causes reproductive and respiratory problems in cattle and buffalo caused by protozoan parasite Neospora caninum and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) respectively. The burden of production and economic loss due to infectious reproductive diseases are still unknown in the various location of Nepal. Objectives: To overview the prevalence of bovine neosporosis and bovine viral diarrhea infection in a commercially important livestock herd from Tilottama Municipality, Rupandehi, Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional purposive study was conducted through a questionnaire survey to collect demographic and farm characteristics information. In total 92 serum samples from jugular veins were collected from a different herd of Tilottama Municipality of Rupandehi, Nepal. The antibody against BVDV was tested using the competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA). Results: The individual animal-wise apparent prevalence was 9.78% with a true prevalence of 9.70% (5.09 - 17.57) and 3.26% with a true prevalence of 3.10%; CI (0.93 - 9.06) for BN and BVD respectively. The risk factor history of abortion was associated significantly with BN and BVD seropositivity (p < 0.05). Animals in the mixed farming system and contact with dogs were associated significantly with the occurrence of bovine viral diarrhea and bovine neosporosis respectively at (p < 0.05). Conclusion and recommendation: The stuy indicated the circulation of Neospora caninum and bovine viral diarrhea in dairy herds of the study area. It is suggested that the stakeholders in the study area should be sensitized to the impact of Neospora caninum and bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in dairy herds and include both diseases in the regional and national surveillance system.</p