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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mind the gap: Temporal trends in inequalities in infant and child mortality in India (1992-2016).

•Temporal trends in inequalities in infant and child mortality over two and half decades in India.•Relative change in inequalities in child mortality over survey periods.•Scatter plots to identify states with largest inequalities among wealth index groups.•Concentration Index by various background characteristics and decomposition analysis to identify factors contributing in inequality in infant mortality between richest and poorest groups.•Gap between the poorest and richest groups has narrowed in most states in India in recent years.

Monte Carlo Investigation of Photon Beam Characteristics and its Variation with Incident Electron Beam Parameters for Indigenous Medical Linear Accelerator.

PURPOSE: A Monte Carlo model of a 6 MV medical linear accelerator (linac) unit built indigenously was developed using the BEAMnrc user code of the EGSnrc code system. The model was benchmarked against the measurements. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out for different incident electron beam parameters in the study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Simulation of indigenously developed linac unit has been carried out using the Monte Carlo based BEAMnrc user-code of the EGSnrc code system. Using the model, percentage depth dose (PDD), and lateral dose profiles were studied using the DOSXYZnrc user code. To identify appropriate electron parameters, three different distributions of electron beam intensity were investigated. For each case, the kinetic energy of the incident electron was varied from 6 to 6.5 MeV (0.1 MeV increment). The calculated dose data were compared against the measurements using the PTW, Germany make RFA dosimetric system (water tank MP3-M and 0.125 cm3 ion chamber). RESULTS: The best fit of incident electron beam parameter was found for the combination of beam energy of 6.2 MeV and circular Gaussian distributed source in X and Y with FWHM of 1.0 mm. PDD and beam profiles (along both X and Y directions) were calculated for the field sizes from 5 cm × 5 cm to 25 cm × 25 cm. The dose difference between the calculated and measured PDD and profile values were under 1%, except for the penumbra region where the maximum deviation was found to be around 2%. CONCLUSIONS: A Monte Carlo model of indigenous linac (6 MV) has been developed and benchmarked against the measured data.

Purification and characterization of alkaline soda-bleach stable protease from Bacillus sp. APP-07 isolated from Laundromat soil.

The detergent-compatible alkaline protease was produced from the bacterial strain Bacillus sp. APP-07 isolated from Laundromat soil of Solapur, Maharashtra, India. The culture was grown in 1000 ml capacity baffled flask with a working volume of 100 ml and incubated at 55 °C for 33 h on a rotary shaker. After incubation, alkaline protease was partially purified by the sequential method of acetone precipitation followed by nominal molecular weight limit (NMWL) cut-off ultrafiltration using 50 K and 10 K filters. Finally, Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatographic purification was performed to obtain 3.12 fold purified alkaline protease enzyme with a 66.67% final yield. The purified enzyme showed 31907.269 units (U) of enzyme activity containing 8741.718 U/mg of specific enzyme activity. The molecular weight of the enzyme was confirmed about 33.0 kDa (kDa) by the SDS-PAGE analysis. The purified enzyme was stable at higher pH and temperature range, with an optimum pH 10.5 and temperature 55 °C. The enzyme showed excellent stability and compatibility in various detergents, surfactants, bleach, and oxidizing agents. The enzyme activity enhanced in the presence of Ca2+, Cu2+, and surfactants, whereas; the phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF) and Diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) completely inhibit the enzymatic activity, which pointed out that the enzyme affiliated to serine-centered metalloproteases family. In conclusion, the remarkable tolerance and stability of the enzyme explored the promising candidature for the several potential applications in the laundry detergents. The sustainability of the enzyme might serve several possible applications in the laundry detergents, leather industries, and other harsh industrial processes.

Membrane-bound ß-catenin degradation is enhanced by ETS2-mediated Siah1 induction in Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric cancer cells.

ß-catenin has two different cellular functions: intercellular adhesion and transcriptional activity. The E3 ubiquitin ligase Siah1 causes ubiquitin-mediated degradation of the cytosolic ß-catenin and therefore, impairs nuclear translocation and oncogenic function of ß-catenin. However, the effect of Siah1 on the cell membrane bound ß-catenin has not been studied. In this study, we identified that the carcinogenic bacterium H. pylori increased ETS2 transcription factor-mediated Siah1 protein expression in gastric cancer cells (GCCs) MKN45, AGS and Kato III. Siah1 protein level was also noticeably higher in gastric adenocarcinoma biopsy samples as compared to non-cancerous gastric epithelia. Siah1 knockdown significantly decreased invasiveness and migration of H. pylori-infected GCCs. Although, Siah1 could not increase degradation of the cytosolic ß-catenin and its nuclear translocation, it enhanced degradation of the membrane-bound ß-catenin in the infected GCCs. This loss of membrane-bound pool of ß-catenin was not associated with the proteasomal degradation of E-cadherin. Thus, this work delineated the role of Siah1 in increasing invasiveness of H. pylori-infected GCCs.

Drug resistance and associated genetic mutations among patients with suspected MDR-TB in Uttar Pradesh, India.

SETTING: Programmatic Management of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (PMDT) programme in 32 districts of Uttar Pradesh (UP), India. OBJECTIVE: To provide epidemiological status of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and associated microbial genetic mutations among suspected cases in UP. DESIGN: We retrospectively studied and tested using line-probe assay (LPA) 4895 retreatment patients with suspected MDR-TB who were enrolled for PMDT during 2012-2015. The demographic characteristics of cases, LPA-determined drug resistance, the genetic mutation profile, trends in drug resistance over the study period as well as the comparative performance of LPA and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) were analysed. RESULTS: MDR-TB and rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) were confirmed in respectively 34.5% and 40.3% cases. The RR-TB detection rate (a valid proxy for MDR-TB) initially declined during the study period. Age â©¿30 years and implemented MDR-TB suspicion criteria were independent predictors for RR-TB (P < 0.01). LPA indicated predominant distribution of S531L (1483/1970, 75.3%) and S315T1 (1981/2116, 93.6%) mutations in the rpoB and katG genes, respectively, and had >94.0% agreement with phenotypic DST in determining rifampicin/isoniazid resistance. CONCLUSION: MDR-TB prevalence in retreatment cases is very high, highlighting the need to reduce the development and transmission of drug-resistant TB.

A novel therapeutic approach with Caviunin-based isoflavonoid that en routes bone marrow cells to bone formation via BMP2/Wnt-ß-catenin signaling.

Recently, we reported that extract of Dalbergia sissoo made from leaves and pods have antiresorptive and bone-forming effects. The positive skeletal effect attributed because of active molecules present in the extract of Dalbergia sissoo. Caviunin 7-O-[ß-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-6)-ß-D-glucopyranoside] (CAFG), a novel isoflavonoid show higher percentage present in the extract. Here, we show the osteogenic potential of CAFG as an alternative for anabolic therapy for the treatment of osteoporosis by stimulating bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) and Wnt/ß-catenin mechanism. CAFG supplementation improved trabecular micro-architecture of the long bones, increased biomechanical strength parameters of the vertebra and femur and decreased bone turnover markers better than genistein. Oral administration of CAFG to osteopenic ovariectomized mice increased osteoprogenitor cells in the bone marrow and increased the expression of osteogenic genes in femur and show new bone formation without uterine hyperplasia. CAFG increased mRNA expression of osteoprotegerin in bone and inhibited osteoclast activation by inhibiting the expression of skeletal osteoclastogenic genes. CAFG is also an effective accelerant for chondrogenesis and has stimulatory effect on the repair of cortical bone after drill-hole injury at the tissue, cell and gene level in mouse femur. At cellular levels, CAFG stimulated osteoblast proliferation, survival and differentiation. Signal transduction inhibitors in osteoblast demonstrated involvement of p-38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway stimulated by BMP2 to initiate Wnt/ß-catenin signaling to reduce phosphorylation of GSK3-ß and subsequent nuclear accumulation of ß-catenin. Osteogenic effects were abrogated by Dkk1, Wnt-receptor blocker and FH535, inhibitor of TCF-complex by reduction in ß-catenin levels. CAFG modulated MSC responsiveness to BMP2, which promoted osteoblast differentiation via Wnt/ß-catenin mechanism. CAFG at 1 mg/kg(/)day dose in ovariectomy mice (human dose ∼0.081 mg/kg) led to enhanced bone formation, reduced bone resorption and bone turnover better than well-known phytoestrogen genistein. Owing to CAFG's inherent properties for bone, it could be positioned as a potential drug, food supplement, for postmenopausal osteoporosis and fracture repair.

Conservative management of a case of traumatic pancreatitis in childhood: a case report.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is relatively uncommon in pediatric age group. Traumatic injury is an important cause of AP in children. Ductal disruption resulting from pancreatic trauma usually needs surgical intervention. A three-and-a-half year old child presented with complaints of abdominal pain and distension following blunt trauma abdomen. Computed tomography of abdomen revealed presence of grade III pancreatic injury with fluid collection in lesser sac. The patient was managed with antibiotics and pigtail drainage and he improved. Therapy for traumatic pancreatitis in paediatric patients must be individualised. Even high grade injuries can be managed non-operatively.

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.