Confinement of Fractional Excitations in a Triangular Lattice Antiferromagnet.

High-resolution neutron and THz spectroscopies are used to study the magnetic excitation spectrum of Cs_{2}CoBr_{4}, a distorted-triangular-lattice antiferromagnet with nearly XY-type anisotropy. What was previously thought of as a broad excitation continuum [L. Facheris et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 087201 (2022)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.129.087201] is shown to be a series of dispersive bound states reminiscent of "Zeeman ladders" in quasi-one-dimensional Ising systems. At wave vectors where interchain interactions cancel at the mean field level, they can indeed be interpreted as bound finite-width kinks in individual chains. Elsewhere in the Brillouin zone their true two-dimensional structure and propagation are revealed.

Spin Density Wave versus Fractional Magnetization Plateau in a Triangular Antiferromagnet.

We report an excellent realization of the highly nonclassical incommensurate spin-density wave (SDW) state in the quantum frustrated antiferromagnetic insulator Cs_{2}CoBr_{4}. In contrast to the well-known Ising spin chain case, here the SDW is stabilized by virtue of competing planar in-chain anisotropies and frustrated interchain exchange. Adjacent to the SDW phase is a broad m=1/3 magnetization plateau that can be seen as a commensurate locking of the SDW state into the up-up-down (UUD) spin structure. This represents the first example of the long-sought SDW-UUD transition in triangular-type quantum magnets.

Development of multiplex RT-PCR assay for simultaneous detection of four viruses infecting apple (Malus domestica).

The major viruses infecting apple cultivars throughout the world including India are apple mosaic virus (ApMV), apple stem pitting virus (ASPV), apple stem grooving virus (ASGV), apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), and recently, a new virus, apple necrotic mosaic virus (ApNMV), was reported from mosaic-infected apple cultivars in India. The aim of this study was to detect the ApNMV virus along with the other three viruses (ApMV, ASPV and ASGV) simultaneously by multiplex RT-PCR. Four primer-pair-produced amplicons of 670, 550, 350 and 210 bp corresponding to ApNMV, ApMV, ASPV and ASGV, respectively, were found to be specific for these viruses when tested individually. The annealing temperature (55°C), primer concentration (0·8 µl) and other components of the master mix were standardized for the development of one-step m-RT-PCR assay. The m-RT-PCR protocol developed was further validated with 30 samples from seven symptomatic or asymptomatic apple cultivars, which revealed the presence of more than one virus in these cultivars. Most of the viruses were found to be present either alone or in mixed infection; however, ASPV was more common in tested cultivars. An easy, cost-effective and rapid multiplex RT-RCR protocol was developed to detect the four viruses, which infect apple plants either in individually or together in the field. This assay will help in the surveying and indexing of apple germplasm and the distribution of all four viruses in the apple growing regions of India.

Role of biometals in activation of immune cum inflammatory response in ovine ageing eye: a potential model for understanding human geriatric eye diseases.

The present study was designed to evaluate the age-related changes in biometal and antimicrobial peptide (cathelicidin) concentration and their role in oxidative cum pro-inflammatory cascade in an ovine animal model. Clinically healthy ovine (n = 126) were grouped as Group I (n = 55, age = up to 3 years), Group II (n = 52, age = above 3-below 6 years) and Group III (n = 19, age = 6 years above). Samples (aqueous humour and lens of the eye) were collected stored at - 80 °C till further analysis. In aqueous humour, the concentration of zinc (p < 0.001 in group III), copper (p < 0.05 in group II and p < 0.001 group III) and iron (p < 0.05 in group III) were significantly increased compared to group I. While as the concentration of magnesium were significantly decreased in group II (p < 0.001) and group III (p < 0.05) compared to group I. Similarly in eye lens the level of copper remained uniform as no significant change was observed across different age groups, while as significantly elevated levels of iron were observed in group III (p < 0.001) compared to group I. whereas, levels of lens Zinc (p < 0.05 in group II) and magnesium (p < 0.05 in group III and p < 0.001 in group II) were significantly decreased compared to group I. Age-dependent increase in levels of oxidation products which include advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in aqueous humour and lenses of group II and group III (p < 0.001) and MDA in aqueous humour of group III (p < 0.05) were found compared to levels recorded in group I. In contrast, levels of antioxidants which include lens vitamin C in group II and group III (p < 0.01) and lens superoxide dismutase (SOD) in group III (p < 0.001) were significantly increased compared to group I. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in aqueous humour revealed significantly (p < 0.001) age-dependent increase in IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α elevated in group III, and group II as compared to group I, However, cathelicidin level in aqueous humour of group III and group II were significantly (p < 0.001) lower as compared to groups I. Furthermore,the present study observed significant (p < 0.05) metal-metal positive interaction between copper levels in lens with levels of (iron and magnesium) in aqueous humour, levels of Zn in lens with levels of Zn in aqueous humour, levels of Mg in lens with levels of (Cu, Zn and Mg) in aqueous humour. In addition,the present study reports significantly negative interaction between levels of lens Fe with levels of lens magnesium level, aqueous humour magnesium level and levels of copper in aqueous humour. A significantly positive correlation was observed between oxidative markers and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, while a significant negative correlation was observed between antioxidant defence markers and pro-inflammatory cytokine. These results suggest the essential role of age-related changes in biometal levels, oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines. These changes might help understand age-related changes in pathogenesis and effective targeting of pathogenetic pathways in ocular diseases.

Family history of cancer and the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of oesophagus: a case-control study in Kashmir, India.

BACKGROUND: Only a few studies have examined the association between family history of cancer (FHC) and the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in high incidence areas of ESCC. We conducted a case-control study to evaluate the relationship between FHC and ESCC risk in Kashmir, India, with analysis of detailed epidemiological data and information on multiple gene polymorphisms. METHODS: We collected detailed information on FHC and a number of socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, and also obtained blood samples for genetic analysis from 703 histopathologically confirmed ESCC cases and 1664 individually matched controls. Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: Participants who had FHC showed a strong association with ESCC risk, and the risk was stronger when first-degree relatives (FDRs) had FHC (OR=6.8; 95% CI=4.6-9.9). Having a sibling with a cancer showed the strongest association (OR=10.8; 95% CI=6.0-19.3), but having a child with a cancer was not associated with ESCC risk. A history of any cancer in the spouse was also associated with ESCC risk (OR=4.1; 95% CI=1.6-10.2). Those with two or more relatives with FHC were at a higher risk of ESCC. After restricting FHC to familial ESCC only, the above associations were strengthened, except when spouses were affected with ESCC (OR=2.5; 95% CI=0.7-8.9). When we examined the associations between several single-nucleotide polymorphisms and ESCC in those with and without FHC, the associations of variant genotypes in cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 and CYP2D6 and the wild genotype of CYP2E1 with ESCC were much stronger in those with FHC. The FHC had an additive interaction with several risk factors of ESCC in this population. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that FHC was strongly associated with ESCC risk in Kashmir. It seems both genetic factors and shared environment are involved in this association.

Role of transvaginal sonography (TVS) in the detection of endometrial hyperplasia.

Transvaginal sonography is superior to transabdominal sonography in most cases of pelvic pathology. A cross sectional study was done with forty patients to evaluate the clinical usefulness of transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) in pre, peri and post menopausal women suspected to have endometrial hyperplasia.. The study was carried out January 2007 to November 2008 for a period of two years. The patients having endometrial hyperplasia diagnosed by TVS were correlated with histopathological diagnosis. Of total 40 cases, 18(45.0%) cases were endometrial hyperplasia and 22(55.0%) were negative for endometrial hyperplasia respectively in TVS findings. Only 2 cases were found as negative for endometrial hyperplasia in histopathology among the all suspected endometrial hyperplasia, which were diagnosed by TVS. On the other hand 17(42.5%) cases were endometrial hyperplasia and 23(57.5%) cases were negative for endometrial hyperplasia in histopathological findings. Among 22 negative for endometrial hyperplasia cases which were diagnosed by TVS, 1 case was endometrial hyperplasia and the rest 21 cases were negative for endometrial hyperplasia in histopathological findings. The validity of TVS in diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia were studied by calculating sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, which were 94%, 92%, 93%, 89% and 96% respectively. As the TVS findings of the present study correlated well with the histopathology findings and the validity test values were higher than observed by others, it can be concluded that TVS is sensitive and accurate modality in the evaluation of endometrial hyperplasia.

Clinicopathologic features and treatment outcome of urinary bladder neoplasm.

More than ninety percent of bladder neoplasm is Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC). About 85% of patients present with symptom of painless haematuria. However haematuria is quite often intermittent so that a negative result has little meaning in ruling out the presence of bladder cancer. The present study was conducted to observe the natural history of different clinicopathologic stages of bladder cancer after transurethral resection bladder tumor (TURBT), either intravescical chemotherapy (IVC) or immunotherapy with BCG and of other forms of therapy like radio-chemotherapy (RCT) and radical surgery in few cases. A consecutive series of 52 cases with different grades and stages of bladder cancer patients were studied. Those who were noncompliant with surgery were sent for RCT. The age range of the patients was 34 to 75 with mean 53 year. Macroscopic haematuria, flank pain, microscopic haematuria, bladder irritability was found in 43(82.7%), 06(11.5%), 03(5.8%), 32(61.5%) cases respectively and coincidental ureteral TCC with hydronephrosis was found in 04(7.7%) cases for whom radical nephreureterectomy and cystectomy with ileal conduit was done. Amongst the other muscle invasive tumor only three cases were compliant to do radical surgery; rest were advised to consult with oncologist for possible RCT. Superficial bladder cancer was 19(36.5%) and invasive bladder cancer was 33(63.5%). TURBT and IVT were offered for all superficial bladder tumors. Of them 06(31.5%) patients showed recurrence during the study period. More recurrences occur in IVC group (35.7%) than immunotherapy with BCG group (20%) Re-TURBT and stage wise treatment was offered to them. All recurrent cases were G-3 tumor and were multifocal. Recurrence rate is about 30%. Screening program and structured referral system should be developed to have early diagnosis for prompt treatment and best prognosis.

Risk factors of acute coronary syndrome among Bangladeshi people.

Two hundred consecutive patients of acute coronary syndrome aged 30-80 years (inclusive) admitted to the coronary care unit of National institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Dhaka, were prospectively recruited as cases. Two hundred controls were prospectively selected either from individuals attending in the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, admitted for elective surgery or in medicine ward for conditions that were unlikely to confound a comparative analysis. The Cases had significantly lower yearly incomes than controls, and significantly higher number of cases is occupied as sedentary worker. Smoking was an important risk factor. About 70% of cases and 45% of controls smoked previously cigarettes. Consumption of non smoke tobacco is another risk factor. The high risk of IHD in developing countries attributed to low consumption of fruit and vegetables, and in our study regular consumption of fruits (taking fruit at least 4 days a week) shows 20.5% cases and 33% of controls (OR 0.524, 95%CI 0.333-0.823) and p value was 0.005. Around 23.5% of the cases were diabetic compared with 4.5% of controls. We found 5% cases and 1.5% controls having known dyslipidemia. Although the body-mass index of cases was 24.68±3.06 Kg/M² and controls 20.54±4.37 Kg/M². The WHR was also significantly greater in cases 0.98±0.05M vs. controls 0.93±0.102M (p<0.001). About 31% of cases and 2% of controls had past history of myocardial infarction. The most predictive independent variables were previous smoking (p<0.001), WHR (p<0.001), history of hypertension (p<0.001), and income (p<0.001). Smoking and WHR were associated with the highest risks. The variables revealed to be significantly associated with acute coronary syndrome by bivariate analyses were all entered into the model directly. Eleven variables entered into the model. Of them Age, occupation, family income (yearly), fruit consumption, known hypertension, known DM, known dyslipidemia, previous MI, previous smoking, BMI and Waist and hip ratio were found to be the independent predictors of acute coronary syndrome. The study found that smoking tobacco, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, visceral obesity and less fruit intake are the important factors of acute coronary syndrome in Bangladesh.

Role of transvaginal sonography in the detection of endometrial carcinoma.

Transvagival sonography is superior to transabdominal sonography in most cases of pelvic pathology. Objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical usefulness of transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) in pre, peri and post menopausal women suspected to have endometrial carcinoma. This cross sectional study was done with 40 patients who are clinically suspected having thickened endometrium. The study was carried out January 2007 to November 2008 for a period of two years. The patients having endometrial carcinoma diagnosed by TVS was correlated with histopathological diagnosis following collection of the report from the respective cases. Of total 40 cases, 2 (5.0%) cases were endometrial carcinoma and 38 (95.0%) were negative for endometrial carcinoma respectively in TVS findings. On the other hand 3 (7.5%) cases were endometrial carcinoma and 37 (92.5%) cases were negative for endometrial carcinoma in histopathological findings. The validity of TVS in diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma were studied by calculating sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, which were 67 percent, 100 percent, 98 percent, 100 percent and 97 percent respectively. As the TVS findings of the present study correlated well with the histopathology findings and the validity test values were higher than observed by others, it can be concluded that TVS is sensitive and accurate modality in the evaluation of endometrial carcinoma.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Evaluation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most generally injured one of the major knee ligaments. These injuries plague both athletes and non-athletes. This cross-sectional and comprehensive study was conducted in the Department of Radiology and Imaging collaborating with Department of Orthopedics of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh, completed from January 2014 to December 2015. The study evaluated the role of MRI in the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament injury of knee joint, keeping Arthroscopy as standard, compared the MRI and arthroscopic findings to determine accuracy, sensitivity and predictivity of MRI in the diagnosis of ACL injury in knee joint. For this purpose, a total of 50 patients having clinical suspicion of ACL injury in knee joint were enrolled in this study to perform MRI and Arthroscopy. MRI was done in all these patients. Clinically suspected but MRI diagnosed as no ACL injury, patients who were not willing to undergo arthroscopy examination and patient who were not fit for arthroscopy were excluded from the study. More than half (52.0%) of the patients were in 3rd decade and male to female ratio was 3.5:1. Less than one fourth (24.0%) of the patients were service holder. Forty two percent patients had duration of suffering for 2 weeks. Most 49(98.2%) patients had history of trauma, 45(90.0%) had pain in Knee joint, 24(48.0%) had difficulty in walking, 19(38.0%) had swelling in Knee joint and 13(26.0%) had restricted range of motion. Anterior drawer test was 37(74.0%) and Lachman test 16(32.0%). Loss of normal contour of ACL was found in 50.0%. Signal change of ACL in PD and T2W1 was found 42(84.0%) patients, and thickened ACL in 33(66.0%) patients. In MRI diagnosis tear was present in 80.0% of the patients. ACL tear diagnosed by MRI among the patients, 20(40.0%) had partial tear and 20(40.0%) had complete tear. In arthroscopy diagnosis 38(76.0%) had tear present. ACL tear diagnosed by arthroscopy of the patients 15(30.0%) had partial tear and 23(46.0%) had complete tear. Majority 20(40.0%) patients had medial meniscus injury, 15(30.0%) had lateral meniscus injury, 11(22.0%) had PCL injury, 4(8.0%) had lateral co-lateral ligament injury and 2(4.0%) had medial co-lateral ligament injury. In MRI diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament tear, 37 cases were true positive, three cases false positive, one case false negative and nine cases was true negative. The validity of MRI diagnosis evaluation for anterior cruciate ligament tear was 97.4% sensitivity, 75.0% specificity, 92.0% accuracy, 92.5% positive predictive values and 90.0% negative predictive values.

Hookah smoking, nass chewing, and oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Kashmir, India.

BACKGROUND: Although cigarette smoking is an established risk factor for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), there is little information about the association between other smoking and smokeless tobacco products, including hookah and nass, and ESCC risk. We conducted a case-control study in Kashmir Valley, India, where hookah smoking, nass chewing, and ESCC are common, to investigate the association of hookah smoking, nass use, and several other habits with ESCC. METHODS: We recruited 702 histologically confirmed ESCC cases and 1663 hospital-based controls, individually matched to the cases for age, sex, and district of residence from September 2008 to January 2012. Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: Ever-hookah smoking (OR=1.85; 95% CI, 1.41-2.44) and nass chewing (OR=2.88; 95% CI, 2.06-4.04) were associated with ESCC risk. These associations were consistent across different measures of use, including intensity, duration, and cumulative amount of use, and after excluding ever users of the other product and cigarette smokers. Our results also suggest an increased risk of ESCC associated with ever-gutka chewing and -bidi smoking. However, the latter associations were based on small number of participants. CONCLUSION: This study shows that hookah and nass use are associated with ESCC risk. As prevalence of hookah use seems to be increasing among young people worldwide, these results may have relevance not only for the regions in which hookah use has been a traditional habit, but also for other regions, including western countries.

Comparative study of total prostate specific antigen and free to total prostate specific antigen ratio in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

This descriptive study was done to compare total Prostate Specific Antigen (tPSA) and the Free to Total Prostate Specific Antigen [(F/T) PSA] ratio measurements for prostate cancer detection. This study included a total of 43 patients with suspected prostate cancer observed over a period of 12 months. Out of 43 consecutive male patients (mean age 69±9.39 years, range 48-100 years), 32 had benign disease (74%) and 11 had prostate carcinoma patients (26%), who had histologically proven prostate cancer. The mean total PSA was 67.9 ng/ml and 12.4 ng/ml in patients with carcinoma prostate and nodular hyperplasia of prostate (NHP) respectively (p<0.05). The mean free PSA in carcinoma patients was 7.4±9.8 ng/ml and in NHP patients it was 2.3±4.1 ng/ml. The difference in mean free PSA concentration was significant (p<0.05). The free to total PSA ratio in two groups was significantly different (p<0.01) from each other. In carcinoma patients, mean F/T PSA ratio was 0.144±0.152 as compared 0.328±0.076 in patients with benign disease. The sensitivity and specificity of the test was calculated at different F/T PSA ratio cutoff. At 0.1 cut off value, sensitivity of the test was 64% and specificity was 84%. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 58% and negative predictive value (NPV) was 87%. From cutoff value of 0.12 to 0.16, sensitivity was increased from 64% to 91% but specificity was reduced from 84% to 59%. The PPV did not show much change and NPV was increased from 89% to 95%. Increasing the cut off value thereafter showed no change in sensitivity but specificity was further reduced to 41%. Therefore in this patient, F/T PSA ratio cut off of 0.15 was found to be the appropriate cutoff value. In 43 men who were biopsied, 11(26%) prostatic carcinoma were identified. Only one patient (9.1%) had F/T PSA ratio above 0.15 and diagnosed by biopsied. Out of 32 patients who were negative for malignancy, 13 patients had F/T PSA ratio more than 0.15 and 19 patients had F/T PSA ratio less than 0.15. The validity of tPSA and F/T PSA ratio in the diagnosis of prostate cancer was identified by calculating their sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV. In case of F/T PSA ratio the sensitivity was 91% and in conventional tPSA the sensitivity was 82%. Specificity was low in both the cases. But in tPSA the specificity was only 13% compare to 59% in F/T PSA. Positive predictive value (PPV) for tPSA was 25% and in F/T PSA it was 44%. Negative predictive value (NPV) for t PSA was 67% and for F/T PSA was 95% which was very high. The effectiveness of F/T PSA ratio at 0.15 cut off value with corresponding tPSA>10ng/ml shows sensitivity 83% in prostate cancer and 50% in NHP patient.

Psychiatric problems and suicidal behaviour in incarcerated adolescents in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Data are lacking about the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and suicidal behaviour in incarcerated adolescents in Asia. This cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and the prediction of suicidal attempts in 100 incarcerated males aged 12-19 years in Shiraz. Data were collected in face-to-face interview using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (Farsi version). The mean age was 16.8 (SD 1.3) years and mean age at first imprisonment was 16.0 (SD 1.5) years. Nearly 70% of the adolescents had at least one current psychiatric disorder, the commonest being: conduct disorder (55%), oppositional defiant disorder (48%) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (33%); 11% had major depressive disorder and 2% schizophrenia. In all, 20% had self-harmed without intent to kill themselves and 12% had attempted suicide, 50% of whom had tried more than once. In logistic regression analysis only self-harming behaviour and major depressive disorder were significant predictors of attempted suicide.

Antidiabetic Action of Mcy Protein: Studies on Gene Expression and Competitive Binding to Insulin Receptors.

Mcy protein, isolated from the fruits of Momordica cymbalaria, was shown to have antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic activities along with renal as well as hepatoprotective activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Mcy protein was shown to have insulin-like structure and/or function and/or insulin secretagogue activity. Hence, the present study was conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanism whereby Mcy protein elicits its therapeutic role and also to know whether the Mcy protein has any structural and functional similarity with insulin. Results of our experiments revealed that the Mcy protein is insulin-like protein. Furthermore, we assessed the effect of treatment with Mcy protein on the glucose transport (levels of glucose transporter, GLUT-2) and on the levels of key regulators of glucose and lipid metabolisms like hepatic glucokinase (GK) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c). Our findings demonstrated that Mcy protein elevated the expressions of GK, SREBP-1c, and GLUT-2 that were decreased in diabetic animals. Insulin-receptor binding studies using rat erythrocytes demonstrated that mean specific binding of insulin with insulin receptors was significantly increased in Mcy-treated diabetic rats when compared to diabetic control rats. Scatchard analyses of insulin binding studies yielded curvilinear plots, and the number of receptor sites per cell was found to be 180 ± 21.1 in Mcy-treated diabetic animals and found to be significantly superior to those of diabetic control animals. Kinetic analyses also revealed an increase in the average receptor affinity of erythrocytes of Mcy-treated rats compared to diabetic control rats suggesting acute alteration in the number and affinity of insulin receptors on the membranes of erythrocytes.

Diagnosis of breast lump by fine needle aspiration cytology and mammography.

Breast carcinoma is the most common malignant tumour and the leading cause of death from cancer in women. A large number of patients in Bangladesh have been suffering from breast cancer. Now-a-days, Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is being performed as a pre-operative test to evaluate breast lump. FNAC is cost effective and can prevent unnecessary surgery. As FNAC became more reliable in diagnosing malignancy and thereby the use of frozen-section histology had been reduced by about 80%. But erroneous diagnosis is more common with FNAC than with histopathology. However, mammography can identify breast cancers too small to palpate on physical examination and theoretically beneficial to diagnose even noninvasive lesions. Present study aimed to see the accuracy of FNAC and mammography in the diagnosis of palpable breast lumps and to study their correlation. In this study 222 patients were included in the study and FNAC was done in all the patients. Mammography was done in 112 cases. Among these 112 patients 32 cases were found malignant. Histopathology was done in total 89 cases. Among 112 patients who were underwent mammography only 43 were found for histopathology. Finally, 36 cases were found malignant. Fibroadenoma is mostly found in below 20 years group and malignancy is mostly occurring in older age group. Mammography shows total 8 false positive and 5 false negative cases. FNAC shows only 1 false positive and 1 false negative case. On analysis mammography showed 82.76% sensitivity, 90.36% specificity, 75% Positive predictive value (PPV), 93.75% Negative predictive value (NPV) and 88.39% accuracy. FNAC showed 97.22% sensitivity, 99.46% specificity, 97.220% PPV, 99.46% NPV and 99.095% accuracy. Mammography was found to be less sensitive, specific and accurate in the diagnosis of breast lump though there is highly significant correlation among them. However, the study has shown a much higher performance of FNAC than other previous studies indicating the improved skill in cytological diagnosis to a satisfactory level.

Comparison between ultrasound and plain X-ray in evaluating the cause of shoulder pain.

Painful shoulder is a common painful condition among patients. Apart from acute traumatic lesions such as fractures, dislocations, contusions, sprains and ruptured tendons, 85 to 90% of painful shoulders are due to adhesive capsulitis, acute or chronic calcific tendinitis, bursitis, bicipital tendinitis and lesions of the musculotendinous cuff. Arthritis is the cause of less than 5% of painful shoulders. For evaluating conditions of shoulder joint, X-ray has been regarded as only method of choice for long time. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an alternative procedure but the cost limits its utilization especially in Bangladesh. Ultrasonography is an effective imaging modality in the evaluation of both rotator and non-rotator cuff disorders. Because of low cost and availability, it can be an alternative procedure for the diagnosis of painful shoulder. The present study was conducted to assess ultrasonography as a useful modality in evaluating cases of shoulder pain and to compare the findings with X-ray findings. Thirty two patients with shoulder pain were evaluated by X-ray and Ultrasonography (USG). Clinical diagnosis was done for correlation. To identify the cause of shoulder pain, 100% patients were found normal in plain X-ray. On Ultrasonography (USG) 12.5% patients had displaced long head of biceps, 21.9% had biceps tendinitis, and 3.1% had bursitis. In the assessment of shoulder pathology, USG had a sensitivity of 73.3%, specificity of 88.2%, Positive predictive value (PPV) of 84.6%, Negative predictive value (NPV) of 78.9% and an accuracy of 81.3%. USG is a useful modality for evaluation the shoulder joint in case of painful shoulder even plain X-ray is non conclusive.

Bilateral follicular cysts in a water buffalo.

The present short communication puts on record a case of bilateral, multiple follicular cysts in a water buffalo along with a detailed description of its ovarian biometry and follicular fluid composition. The ovarian weight and biometrical parameters were much higher than in normal cycling buffaloes. A total of three follicular cysts were observed, two on the right ovary and one on the left ovary, measuring 4.9, 3.0 and 2.6 cm yielding 21, 9 and 5 ml of follicular fluid, respectively. The cystic fluid was deep yellow in colour with a viscous consistency. The follicular fluid concentrations of glucose, total protein, cholesterol, acid phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus and progesterone in all the cysts were within the range reported previously in normal buffalo follicular fluid; however, the alkaline phosphatase concentration in cyst 1 and total bilirubin concentration in cysts 1 and 2 were higher than the values in normal follicular fluid. In contrast, the levels of urea nitrogen in cysts 1 and 3, and oestradiol in cyst 3 were lower than the normal values. All the three follicles had an oestradiol to progesterone ratio less than 1. The results of our study suggest that follicular cysts in buffalo are oestrogenically inactive and have an altered concentration of certain biochemical and hormonal constituents.

Pattern of Neonatal Danger Signs and its Related Factors in a Tertiary Level Hospital.

Considering very limited information in the pattern of neonatal danger signs with associated risk factors in our perspective, the aim of the study was to understand the country-context pattern of neonatal danger signs and its related factors in a tertiary level hospital. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 259 mothers and their neonates in Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from 01 January 2015 to 31 December 2015. Data were collected by face to face interview from mother by pre-tested semi structure questionnaire which was adopted from WHO-UNICEF list of newborn danger signs. Measurement of weight was taken from hospital record. Observation of danger signs were done by following check list. Data analysis was done by SPSS 20.0. Of all, majority (41.6%) was in the age group of 20-24 years & was educated up to secondary level (42.47%). More than half of the participants (54.1%) had family income >10,000 BDT. Sixty percentage of mother took ANC visit <3 times during their pregnancy period. About 42.1% had ≥1 co-morbidities. Hospital was the predominate place of birth with 48.3% caesarean delivery. At least one neonatal danger sign was present in 20.1% while 39.4% had at least 2 danger signs. Rest of the child had ≥2 danger signs at a time. The distribution of danger signs were not feeding since birth or stop feeding 206(79.5%), severe chest in drawing 145(56.1%) respiratory rates 60 or more 126(48.6%), convulsion 72(27.8%), yellow soles 68(26.3%). Factors like 'fail to identify with an expert health assistant', trial of delivery at home, delivery at home, older neonatal age (8-28 days), presence of injury at birth, and cutting of umbilical cord by blade during delivery were associated with higher number of danger signs (p<0.05 in all cases). About 80% neonate in our setting had ≥1 sign and had association with fail to identify with an expert health assistant', trial of delivery at home, delivery at home, older neonatal age, presence of injury at birth, and cutting of umbilical cord by blade during delivery.

Water-Soluble Copper Ink for the Inkjet Fabrication of Flexible Electronic Components.

The aim of this work is preparation and investigation of copper conductive paths by printing with a different type of functional ink. The solutions based on copper-containing complex compounds were used as inks instead of dispersions of metal nanoparticles. Thermal characteristics of synthesized precursors were studied by thermogravimetry in an argon atmosphere. Based on the comparison of decomposition temperature, the dimethylamine complex of copper formate was found to be more suitable precursor for the formation of copper layers. Structure and performance of this compound was studied in detail by X-ray diffraction, test of wettability, printing on flexible substrate, and electrical measurements.

Lignin-Based Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Cationic Conductivity.

The article presents the results of the preparation and study of a gel-polymer electrolyte based on lignin obtained from Pinus sylvestris. Sulfonation and subsequent chlorination of lignin make possible implementation of the principle of mono-ionic conductivity in a natural biopolymer matrix, which provides predominantly cationic conductivity of the electrolyte. Based on the results of the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the synthesized samples, the mechanisms of the chemical conversion of the biopolymer, the structure models of the converted fragments of macromolecules, as well as the quantum-chemical calculation of their electronic and geometric parameters are presented. The key electronic characteristics of the gel polymer electrolytes (GPE) based on a composite of lignins with 20 wt.% polyvinyl alcohol are determined by impedance spectroscopy. The maximum value of the specific volume conductivity is 2.48 × 10-4 S cm-1, which is comparable with most commercial electrolytes of this type, but at the same time, record values are reached in the number of lithium cation transfer tLi+ of 0.89. The studies allow to identify the basic laws of the effect of chemical modification on the structure of GPE and describe the mechanism of ionic conductivity.