Observation of Strong Nuclear Suppression in Exclusive J/ψ Photoproduction in Au+Au Ultraperipheral Collisions at RHIC.

We report a measurement of exclusive J/ψ and ψ(2s) photoproduction in Au+Au ultraperipheral collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV using the STAR detector. For the first time, (i) the ψ(2s) photoproduction in midrapidity at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider has been experimentally measured; (ii) nuclear suppression factors are measured for both the coherent and incoherent J/ψ production. At average photon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 25.0 GeV, the coherent and incoherent J/ψ cross sections of Au nuclei are found to be 71±10% and 36±7%, respectively, of that of free protons. The stronger suppression observed in the incoherent production provides a new experimental handle to study the initial-state parton density in heavy nuclei. Data are compared with theoretical models quantitatively.

Beam Energy Dependence of Fifth- and Sixth-Order Net-Proton Number Fluctuations in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC.

We report the beam energy and collision centrality dependence of fifth and sixth order cumulants (C_{5}, C_{6}) and factorial cumulants (κ_{5}, κ_{6}) of net-proton and proton number distributions, from center-of-mass energy (sqrt[s_{NN}]) 3 GeV to 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. Cumulant ratios of net-proton (taken as proxy for net-baryon) distributions generally follow the hierarchy expected from QCD thermodynamics, except for the case of collisions at 3 GeV. The measured values of C_{6}/C_{2} for 0%-40% centrality collisions show progressively negative trend with decreasing energy, while it is positive for the lowest energy studied. These observed negative signs are consistent with QCD calculations (for baryon chemical potential, µ_{B}≤110 MeV) which contains the crossover transition range. In addition, for energies above 7.7 GeV, the measured proton κ_{n}, within uncertainties, does not support the two-component (Poisson+binomial) shape of proton number distributions that would be expected from a first-order phase transition. Taken in combination, the hyperorder proton number fluctuations suggest that the structure of QCD matter at high baryon density, µ_{B}∼750 MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3 GeV is starkly different from those at vanishing µ_{B}∼24 MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV and higher collision energies.

Measurement of Sequential ϒ Suppression in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV with the STAR Experiment.

We report on measurements of sequential ϒ suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV with the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) through both the dielectron and dimuon decay channels. In the 0%-60% centrality class, the nuclear modification factors (R_{AA}), which quantify the level of yield suppression in heavy-ion collisions compared to p+p collisions, for ϒ(1S) and ϒ(2S) are 0.40±0.03(stat)±0.03(sys)±0.09(norm) and 0.26±0.08(stat)±0.02(sys)±0.06(norm), respectively, while the upper limit of the ϒ(3S) R_{AA} is 0.17 at a 95% confidence level. This provides experimental evidence that the ϒ(3S) is significantly more suppressed than the ϒ(1S) at RHIC. The level of suppression for ϒ(1S) is comparable to that observed at the much higher collision energy at the Large Hadron Collider. These results point to the creation of a medium at RHIC whose temperature is sufficiently high to strongly suppress excited ϒ states.

Impact of effluent of Pulp & Paper industry on the flora of river basin at Jaykaypur, Odisha, India and its ecological implications.

The JK Paper industry located at Rayagada discharges biologically untreated effluent more than the permissible limit prescribed by Pollution Control Board, Odisha in to the environment. The industry is seriously polluting the surrounding aquatic and terrestrial environment. No detailed intensive study was carried out by previous workers on this industry earlier. The present study aims at finding out the impact of effluent on the flora at the contaminated site. The chemically treated effluent (TE) contained significant amount of mercury and cadmium. The TE has high BOD, COD, dissolved solids and suspended solids when compared to normal river water at the site of discharge. The TE deteriorated the natural water bodies changing the physico-chemical properties of natural river water. After meeting the river water the TE was diluted after 1 km distance from the meeting point of the river. Crop plants collected from the contaminated site showed higher level of residual Hg and Cd and significant depletion in pigment was observed. Plants collected from both the sides of the treated effluent canal showed significant amount residue mercury and cadmium in the plant leaves. The plants exposed to the TE, showed variation in chlorophyll and Phaeophytin pigment content when compared to their respective control values in all terrestrial plants collected from the contaminated site. In some plant leaves little increment in the pigment level was noted but the values were not significant. The changes observed in the plant pigment might be due to heavy metal accumulation. The presence of residual Hg and Cd in crop plants and plant leaves grazed by grazing animals after absorption, accumulation and enrichment may lead to a possible biological magnification, warrants attention. Proper biological treatment, treatment of effluent by modern methods and removal of heavy metals from the effluent before discharge by the industry is suggested.

Pro-poor policies and improvements in maternal health outcomes in India.

BACKGROUND: Since 2005, India has experienced an impressive 77% reduction in maternal mortality compared to the global average of 43%. What explains this impressive performance in terms of reduction in maternal mortality and improvement in maternal health outcomes? This paper evaluates the effect of household wealth status on maternal mortality in India, and also separates out the performance of the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states and the Southern states of India. The results are discussed in the light of various pro-poor programmes and policies designed to reduce maternal mortality and the existing supply side gaps in the healthcare system of India. Using multiple sources of data, this study aims to understand the trends in maternal mortality (1997-2017) between EAG and non EAG states in India and explore various household, economic and policy factors that may explain reduction in maternal mortality and improvement in maternal health outcomes in India. METHODS: This study triangulates data from different rounds of Sample Registration Systems to assess the trend in maternal mortality in India. It further analysed the National Family Health Surveys (NFHS). NFHS-4, 2015-16 has gathered information on maternal mortality and pregnancy-related deaths from 601,509 households. Using logistic regression, we estimate the association of various socio-economic variables on maternal deaths in the various states of India. RESULTS: On an average, wealth status of the households did not have a statistically significant association with maternal mortality in India. However, our disaggregate analysis reveals, the gains in terms of maternal mortality have been unevenly distributed. Although the rich-poor gap in maternal mortality has reduced in EAG states such as Bihar, Odisha, Assam, Rajasthan, the maternal mortality has remained above the national average for many of these states. The EAG states also experience supply side shortfalls in terms of availability of PHC and PHC doctors; and availability of specialist doctors. CONCLUSIONS: The novel contribution of the present paper is that the association of household wealth status and place of residence with maternal mortality is statistically not significant implying financial barriers to access maternal health services have been minimised. This result, and India's impressive performance with respect to maternal health outcomes, can be attributed to the various pro-poor policies and cash incentive schemes successfully launched in recent years. Community-level involvement with pivotal role played by community health workers has been one of the major reasons for the success of many ongoing policies. Policy makers need to prioritise the underperforming states and socio-economic groups within the states by addressing both demand-side and supply-side measures simultaneously mediated by contextual factors.

Pattern of Dental Problems among Patients Visiting a Dental Hospital during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Nepal is a part of this worldwide corona virus disease. In this critical situation, the patients have a sense of insecurity visiting dental hospital. Objective To assess the pattern of dental problems in patients visiting a dental college during COVID-19. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Dental Hospital of Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital from May to August 2020. The patients visiting the Dental hospital were assessed for dental problems. Data were analyzed in Statistical Package of Social Sciences version 20. Frequency and percentage for pattern of dental problems were calculated. Result Most of the patients of age group of 14 to 31 years 530 (36.53%) had dental problems during the survey period. Out of total patients having dental emergency, 739 (50.93%) were males and 712 (49.07%) were females. Majority 545 (37.56%) visited the dental hospital for endodontic consultation followed by emergency consultation for oral surgical procedures 298 (20.54%). Least consulted dental emergency condition was prosthodontic consultation 18 (1.24%). Conclusion The study findings showed that the major dental problems in patients causing emergency visit to dental hospital during COVID-19 pandemic period were dental pain and swelling requiring endodontic consultation and the least need felt is prosthodontic consultation.

Efficacy of herbal extracts and closantel against fenbendazole-resistant Haemonchus contortus.

This study assessed the efficacy of closantel vis-à-vis herbal extracts with known anti-parasitic properties, against fenbendazole-resistant nematodes in goats maintained under a semi-intensive system of management at the University goat farm, Jabalpur. Fifty goats were randomly assigned to five groups, each comprising 10 animals, irrespective of their breed, age and sex. Each animal in Group I, II and III was orally administered with aqueous leaf extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica) at 1 g/kg body weight, sitaphal (Annona squamosa) at 1.5 g/kg body weight and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) at 1 g/kg body weight, respectively, whereas Group IV was an untreated control group. Each animal in Group V was orally treated with closantel at 10 mg/kg body weight. During the course of the study, all animals were maintained under an identical semi-intensive system of management. Compared to the untreated control group (Group IV), there was no conspicuous reduction in post-treatment (day 10) faecal egg counts (FEC) in animals administered with the herbal extracts (Groups I, II and III), which is suggestive of poor anti-parasitic activity. However, using the faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT), the overall efficacy of closantel was recorded as 95.64%. This supports the rotational use of closantel as a preferred choice over the benzimidazole group of anthelmintics and/or herbal extracts to meet the acute challenge of in situ development of drug-resistant gastrointestinal nematodes, especially Haemonchus contortus.

How common is pelvic floor muscle atrophy after vaginal childbirth?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is evidence of levator ani atrophy in primiparous women. METHODS: This was a prospective observational cohort study of 202 primiparous women recruited between November 2006 and March 2008. Translabial ultrasound volumes were obtained at 36-38 weeks' gestation and at a mean of 4.5 months postpartum. Peripartum changes in bladder neck elevation and reduction of anteroposterior hiatal diameter on pelvic floor muscle contraction (PFMC) and changes in muscle thickness were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 202 participants enrolled, 158 (78%) completed the study. There was a significant reduction in bladder neck elevation (P = 0.001) and change in anteroposterior hiatal diameter (P = 0.03) on PFMC when comparing antenatal and postnatal results, the latter being significantly associated with delivery mode (P = 0.013). No significant changes were detected in muscle thickness (P = 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: There is a reduction in sonographic measures of pelvic floor function after childbirth, but muscle atrophy is unlikely to be a significant factor.

Positive skeletal effects of cladrin, a naturally occurring dimethoxydaidzein, in osteopenic rats that were maintained after treatment discontinuation.

UNLABELLED: Effects of cladrin treatment and withdrawal in osteopenic rats were studied. Cladrin improved trabecular microarchitecture, increased lumbar vertebral compressive strength, augmented coupled remodeling, and increased bone osteogenic genes. A significant skeletal gain was maintained 4 weeks after cladrin withdrawal. Findings suggest that cladrin has significant positive skeletal effects. INTRODUCTION: We showed that a standardized extract of Butea monosperma preserved trabecular bone mass in ovariectomized (OVx) rats. Cladrin, the most abundant bioactive compound of the extract, promoted peak bone mass achievement in growing rats by stimulating osteoblast function. Here, we studied the effects of cladrin treatment and withdrawal on the osteopenic bones. METHODS: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were OVx and left untreated for 12 weeks to allow for significant estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss, at which point cladrin (1 and 10 mg/kg/day) was administered orally for another 12 weeks. Half of the rats were killed at the end of the treatments and the other half at 4 weeks after treatment withdrawal. Sham-operated rats and OVx rats treated with PTH or 17ß-estradiol (E2) served as various controls. Efficacy was evaluated by bone microarchitecture using microcomputed tomographic analysis and fluorescent labeling of bone. qPCR and western blotting measured mRNA and protein levels in bone and uterus. Specific ELISA was used for measuring levels of serum PINP and urinary CTx. RESULTS: In osteopenic rats, cladrin treatment dose dependently improved trabecular microarchitecture, increased lumbar vertebral compression strength, bone formation rate (BFR), cortical thickness (Cs.Th), serum PINP levels, and expression of osteogenic genes in bones; and reduced expression of bone osteoclastogenic genes and urinary CTx levels. Cladrin had no uterine estrogenicity. Cladrin at 10 mg/kg maintained acquired skeletal gains 4 weeks after withdrawal. CONCLUSION: Cladrin had positive skeletal effects in osteopenic rats that were maintained after treatment withdrawal.

Anti-obese activity of Butea monosperma (Lam) bark extract in experimentally induced obese rats.

To study the efficacy of ethanolic extract of B. monosperma bark in cafeteria and atherogenic diet fed rats and monosodium glutamate (MSG) obese rats, different doses (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) of ethanolic extract of B. monosperma bark showed dose dependent decrease in body weight, daily food intake, glucose, lipids, internal organs' weight and fat pad weight in cafeteria and atherogenic diet fed rats and monosodium glutamate obese rats. The results suggested that B. monosperma has significant anti-obese activity.

Intestinal helminths induce haematological changes in dogs from Jabalpur, India.

The effect of canine intestinal helminths on the haematological profile of 200 dogs, of both sexes and variable age, visiting university veterinary clinics for routine examination was investigated. The dogs were assigned to parasitized (n = 39) and non-parasitized (n = 161) groups of animals. Coprological examination revealed a 19.5% prevalence of different species of the helminths. Of these animals, 10.25% had mixed infections with Ancylostoma caninum, Toxascaris spp. and Dipylidium caninum. The intensity of A. caninum infection was the highest, with mean egg counts of 951.43 (standard error 88.66), followed by Toxascaris 283.33 (standard error 116.81) and D. caninum. The parasitized animals had significantly lower levels of haemoglobin, packed cell volume and total erythrocyte counts than non-parasitized animals (P < 0.01). Values of other parameters, except for lymphocytes and eosinophils, were not different between the two groups. Analyses of the haematological profile revealed normocytic hypochromic anaemia in the parasitized group of animals.

Ion selectivity from local configurations of ligands in solutions and ion channels.

Probabilities of numbers of ligands proximal to an ion lead to simple, general formulae for the free energy of ion selectivity between different media. That free energy does not depend on the definition of an inner shell for ligand-counting, but other quantities of mechanistic interest do. If analysis is restricted to a specific coordination number, then two distinct probabilities are required to obtain the free energy in addition. The normalizations of those distributions produce partition function formulae for the free energy. Quasi-chemical theory introduces concepts of chemical equilibrium, then seeks the probability that is simplest to estimate, that of the most probable coordination number. Quasi-chemical theory establishes the utility of distributions of ligand-number, and sharpens our understanding of quasi-chemical calculations based on electronic structure methods. This development identifies contributions with clear physical interpretations, and shows that evaluation of those contributions can establish a mechanistic understanding of the selectivity in ion channels.

An epidemic of avoidable caesarean deliveries in the private sector in India: Is physician-induced demand at play?

PURPOSE AND SETTING OF RESEARCH: Caesarean section (C-section) rates of over 15% suggest overuse of the surgery which may be difficult to justify on medical grounds. One important contributor to the rise in Csection rates is the rapid expansion of unregulated private-sector providers in number of settings. This study analyses the contribution of private sector in the rapid rise in Csection deliveries in India and the extent to which these can be justified on medical grounds. METHODS: This is a cross sectional study design using National Family Health Surveys. Logistic regression and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses are performed. The main outcome measured is avoidable C-sections in the private sector. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Our findings suggest that the rising trend in C-section rates in the private sector cannot be explained by medical reasons alone. The odds of C-section among women who chose to deliver in private was over 4 times higher than women who chose to delivery in public facilities. Despite, controlling for medical complications, women's characteristics and preferences, our PSM analysis suggest that the public-private gap has doubled over the years and that the difference cannot be explained by known determinants of C-section. Over supply of avoidable C-section to the extent of 21%, as a result of physician induced demand and perverse financial incentives was observed in the private sector. CONCLUSIONS: This paper attempts to understand the reason for the high C-section rates in the private sector in India and the extent to which these are avoidable. Our analysis supports the assumption that physician induced demand as a result of perverse financial incentives in the private sector is at play.

Studies on insulin biosynthesis. Subcellular distribution of leucine-H3 radioactivity during incubation of goosefish islet tissue.

Islet tissue from the goosefish (Lophius piscatorius) was incubated in the presence of leucine-H(3). The tissue was then separated into subcellular fractions and the radioactivity determined in total acid alcohol-soluble proteins, insoluble proteins, and insulin. At any time, microsomal protein had a higher activity than secretion granule protein. Pulse-chase experiments further suggest the microsomes as primary sites of protein synthesis. The data are evidence for microsomal synthesis of insulin and for its subsequent transfer into the secretion granules.

Insulin secretion from toadfish islet tissue stimulated by pyridine nucleotides.

The addition of glucose stimulated release of insulin from the isolated islet tissue of the toadfish incubated in vitro. Reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide also stimulated insulin release, whereas the oxidized form had no effect. Both oxidized and reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleatide phosphate stimulated insulin release, but the reduced form was significantly more effective.

Gastrointestinal dysfunction in diabetic rats relates with a decline in tissue L-arginine content and consequent low levels of nitric oxide.

Diabetic subjects exhibit low levels of nitric oxide (NO), its precursor L-arginine, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in tissues like endothelium and kidney. In view of this, we speculated that gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction in diabetes could be related to similar changes in NO turnover in GI tissues. Hence, the studies were carried out in rats after eight weeks of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia, wherein the GI functions were assessed in terms of gastric emptying and intestinal transit using barium sulfate semisolid test meal, and the levels of L-arginine and NO in pylorus and ileum were estimated, respectively, by HPLC and amperometry. The results revealed that diabetic group exhibited significant delay in gastric emptying and intestinal transit, and the pylorus and ileum tissues had significantly low levels of NO and L-arginine. Daily treatment of non-diabetic rats with NOS inhibitor [Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10mg/kg/day, p.o.)] for eight weeks produced similar delay in gastric emptying and intestinal transit with associated low levels of NO in GI tissues. Daily supplementation of L-arginine (100mg/kg, p.o.) for eight weeks to diabetic and NOS inhibitor treated non-diabetic group was found to restore the gastric emptying and intestinal transit and improved the levels of NO in GI tissues. The findings indicate that diabetes-induced L-arginine deficiency and consequent low levels of NO in GI tissues could be possible cause for the GI dysfunction, and L-arginine supplementation can prevent the same. However, extensive clinical investigations are necessary to recommend the use of L-arginine for the treatment of GI dysfunctions in diabetes.

Microchip system for monitoring microbial physiological behaviour under drug influences.

Single-step real-time high-throughput monitoring of drug influences on bacterial cell behaviour has become important with growing interests in personalized therapy and medication. Conventional microchip assemblies to perform similar work do exist. However, most of these devices have complex set-ups incorporating micromixers, separators, pumps, or valves. These microcomponents can sometimes damage the entities being monitored because of the creation of unfavourable biological environments. This paper presents a microchip-based system that enables single-step mixing of two solutions in various ratios, without the need for additional microcomponents such as mixers and pumps, in order to screen effectively their combinatory effects on cell outcomes. In this work, in-vitro experiments were carried out using ampicillin at various concentrations to investigate their effects on Escherichia coli (E. coli). Results showed that the microchip provided effective screening, which yielded useful results such as effective dosages, ineffective dosages, and other possible outcomes; for instance, in this case, the occurrence of adaptive mutation of the bacteria at certain drug concentrations. Comparative microbiological laboratory tests were carried out as standard for confirmation of the results.

Multiple odontogenic keratocysts associated with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome.

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome or Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder with a predisposition to cancer. Features like basal cell carcinoma, odontogenic keratocysts, calcification of falx cerebri, bifid ribs, pits on palms and soles and hypertelorism are evident. A case of this rare disease seen on a 13 year old female patient is presented here, where multiple odontogenic keratocysts were causing disfigurement of the lower jaw as well as displacement and malocclusion of the lower teeth.

WITHDRAWN: GLP-1 Has an Anti-Inflammatory Effect on Adipose Tissue Expression of Cytokines, Chemokines, and Receptors in Obese Women.

The above-named article by Manning PJ, Dixit P, Satthenapalli VR, Katare R, and Sutherland WHF (J Clin Endocrinol Metab. [published online ahead of print 21 May 2019]; doi: 10.1210/jc.2018-00197) has been withdrawn by the authors. The authors report, "The reason for this decision is that the statistical methodology we used did not adequately limit the impact of outlier data points on our findings. This was evident after reanalysis of the data using a different method." doi: 10.1210/jc.2019-01393.