Dual solutions of magnetized radiative flow of Casson Nanofluid over a stretching/shrinking cylinder: Stability analysis.

The enhanced thermal efficiency exhibited by Casson nanofluids offers significant practical applications across various industrial and engineering sectors. This study focuses on the mathematical investigation of the steady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) boundary layer flow of Casson nanofluid through a stretched/shrinking cylinder, taking into account the effects of suction and thermal radiation. The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) have been subjected to a similarity transformation, resulting in a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). These ODEs were solved numerically utilizing the code of bvp4c in the software of Matlab which offers high accuracy (4th order). The employed nanofluid model incorporates the effects of Brownian motion and thermophoresis. The present study illustrates the graphical depictions of the impacts of different governing parameters, namely Hartmann (M) number, curvature (γ) parameter, Brownian motion (Nb) parameter, mass suction (S) parameter, thermal radiation (Rd) parameter, and thermophoresis (Nt) parameter, on heat transfer, flow, and mass transfer characteristics. Comprehensive determination and visual presentation of the coefficient of skin friction, local Nusselt number, and local Sherwood number were conducted for a range of estimates of applied parameters. Based on our examination, it has been determined that dual similarity solutions are present within a specific range of mass suction parameters. The relationship between the Casson parameter and various fluid dynamic properties, such as skin friction coefficient, heat transfer rate, and mass transfer rates, has been found to exhibit a decreasing trend. Furthermore, the stability analysis discovered that the first solution exhibits linear stability, whereas the second solution displays linear instability. Additionally, the motivation behind this study is to enhance industrial performance through the optimization of thermal power generation systems, thereby increasing their overall efficiency.

Entropy generation in magneto couple stress bionanofluid flow containing gyrotactic microorganisms towards a stagnation point on a stretching/shrinking sheet.

The study focuses on the behavior of an electrically conducting non-Newtonian fluid with couple stress properties, using water-based bionanofluid. The fluid is analyzed as it flows across a porous stretching/shrinking sheet within its own plane. This Study also explores the Bejan Number and Entropy Generation. To facilitate this investigation, the governing nonlinear partial differential equations undergo a transformation, wherein they are converted into nonlinear ordinary differential equations through a suitable similarity transformation. An ideal strategy has been employed to achieve the desired results from the modeled challenge. The Homotopy Analysis Method is applied to determine the solution of the system of differential equations. The convergence of the applied method and their comparison with the numerical method are described through graphs and tables. The main features of the different profiles are briefly described. Graphs are used to analyze the impact of the Bejan number, concentration, temperature, velocity profile, and entropy production rate. Tables present the characteristics of skin friction, Nusselt, and Sherwood numbers for various limitations. The stretching and ambient fluid velocities should fluctuate linearly as the distance from the stagnation point increases. A rise in the magnetic and porosity parameters is accompanied by an increase in the velocity profile. While the velocity profile falls off as a Couple of fluid parameters are increased. The phenomenon of temperature boost is observed to be positively correlated with the increase in Brownian motion parameter while exhibiting no significant dependence on other parameters such as Brinkman number, Prandtl number Lewis number and Thermophoresis parameter. Entropy generation increases with the Brinkman number while decreasing with the radiation parameter and diffusion parameter as is plainly demonstrated.

A fractional modeling approach for the transmission dynamics of measles with double-dose vaccination.

Measles, a member of the Paramyxoviridae family and the Morbillivirus genus, is an infectious disease caused by the measles virus that is extremely contagious and can be prevented through vaccination. When a person with the measles coughs or sneezes, the virus is disseminated by respiratory droplets. Normally, the appearance of measles symptoms takes 10-14 d following viral exposure. Conjunctivitis, a high temperature, a cough, a runny nose, and a distinctive rash are some of the symptoms. Despite the measles vaccination being available, it is still widespread worldwide. To eradicate measles, the Reproduction Number (i.e. R0<1) must remain less than unity. This study examines a SEIVR compartmental model in the caputo sense using a double dose of vaccine to simulate the measles outbreak. The reproduction number R0 and model properties are both thoroughly examined. Both the local and global stabilities of the proposed model are determined for R0 less and greater than 1. To achieve the model's global stability, the Lyapunov function is used while the existence and uniqueness of the proposed model are demonstrated In addition to the calculated and fitted biological parameters, the forward sensitivity indices for R0 are also obtained. Simulations of the proposed fractional order (FO) caputo model are performed in order to analyse their graphical representations and the significance of FO derivatives to illustrate how our theoretical findings have an impact. The graphical results show that the measles outbreak is reduced by increasing vaccine dosage rates.

Operationalising targeted next-generation sequencing for routine diagnosis of drug-resistant TB.

BACKGROUND: Phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (pDST) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis can take up to 8 weeks, while conventional molecular tests identify a limited set of resistance mutations. Targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) offers rapid results for predicting comprehensive drug resistance, and this study sought to explore its operational feasibility within a public health laboratory in Mumbai, India. METHODS: Pulmonary samples from consenting patients testing Xpert MTB-positive were tested for drug resistance by conventional methods and using tNGS. Laboratory operational and logistical implementation experiences from study team members are shared below. RESULTS: Of the total number of patients tested, 70% (113/161) had no history of previous TB or treatment; however, 88.2% (n = 142) had rifampicin-resistant/multidrug-resistant TB (RR/MDR-TB). There was a high concordance between resistance predictions of tNGS and pDST for most drugs, with tNGS more accurately identifying resistance overall. tNGS was integrated and adapted into the laboratory workflow; however, batching samples caused significantly longer result turnaround time, fastest at 24 days. Manual DNA extraction caused inefficiencies; thus protocol optimisations were performed. Technical expertise was required for analysis of uncharacterised mutations and interpretation of report templates. tNGS cost per sample was US$230, while for pDST this was US$119. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of tNGS is feasible in reference laboratories. It can rapidly identify drug resistance and should be considered as a potential alternative to pDST.

CONTEXTE: Les tests phénotypiques de sensibilité aux médicaments (pDST) pour Mycobacterium tuberculosis peuvent prendre jusqu'à 8 semaines, tandis que les tests moléculaires conventionnels identifient un ensemble limité de mutations de résistance. Le séquençage ciblé de la prochaine génération (tNGS) offre des résultats rapides pour prédire la résistance globale aux médicaments, et cette étude avait pour objectif d'explorer sa faisabilité opérationnelle au sein d'un laboratoire de santé publique à Mumbai, en Inde. MÉTHODES: Des échantillons pulmonaires de patients consentants testés positifs au Xpert MTB ont été testés pour la résistance aux médicaments par des méthodes conventionnelles et en utilisant le tNGS. Les expériences des membres de l'équipe de l'étude en matière de fonctionnement du laboratoire et de mise en œuvre logistique sont présentées ci-dessous. RÉSULTATS: Sur le nombre total de patients testés, 70% (113/161) n'avaient pas d'antécédents de TB ou de traitement ; cependant, 88,2% (n = 142) présentaient une TB résistante à la rifampicine/multirésistante aux médicaments (RR/MDR-TB). La concordance entre les prédictions de résistance de la tNGS et de la pDST était élevée pour la plupart des médicaments, la tNGS identifiant globalement la résistance avec plus de précision. La tNGS a été intégrée et adaptée au flux de travail du laboratoire ; toutefois, la mise en lots des échantillons a entraîné un délai d'obtention des résultats beaucoup plus long, le plus rapide étant de 24 jours. L'extraction manuelle de l'ADN a été source d'inefficacité ; le protocole a donc été optimisé. L'analyse des mutations non caractérisées et l'interprétation des modèles de rapport ont nécessité une expertise technique. Le coût du tNGS par échantillon s'élevait à US$230, contre US$119 pour le pDST. CONCLUSIONS: La mise en œuvre de la tNGS est possible dans les laboratoires de référence. Elle permet d'identifier rapidement la résistance aux médicaments et devrait être considérée comme une alternative potentielle à la pDST.

Clinical utility of target-based next-generation sequencing for drug-resistant TB.

BACKGROUND: In high TB burden countries, access to drug susceptibility testing is a major bottleneck. Targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) is a promising technology for rapid resistance detection. This study assessed the role of tNGS for the diagnosis of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB).METHODS: A total of 161 samples from bacteriologically confirmed TB cases were subjected to tNGS using the Deeplex® Myc-TB kit and sequenced using the MiSeq platform. These samples were also processed for conventional phenotypic DST (pDST) using 13 drugs on Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube and line-probe assays (MTBDRplus and MTBDRsl).RESULTS: There were 146 DR-TB and 15 drug-susceptible TB (DS-TB) samples. About 70% of patients with DR-TB had no previous TB treatment history. Overall, 88.2% had rifampicin-resistant/multidrug-resistant TB (RR/MDR-TB), 58.5% pre-extensively drug-resistant TB (pre-XDR-TB) and 9.2% had XDR-TB as defined by the WHO (2020). Around 8% (n = 13) of samples were non-culturable; however, identified 8 were resistant to first and second-line drugs using tNGS. Resistance frequency was similar across methods, with discordance in drugs less reliable using pDST or with limited mutational representation within databases. Sensitivities were aligned with literature reports for most drugs. We observed 10% heteroresistance, while 75% of strains were of Lineages 2 and 3.CONCLUSIONS: Programme data supported tNGS in the diagnosis of DR-TB for early treatment using individualised regimens.

Rescued back from extinction in the wild: past, present and future of the genetics of the Arabian oryx in Oman.

The Arabian oryx was the first species to be rescued from extinction in the wild by the concerted efforts of captive programmes in zoos and private collections around the world. Reintroduction efforts have used two main sources: the 'World Herd', established at the Phoenix Zoo, and private collections in Saudi Arabia. The breeding programme at the Al-Wusta Wildlife Reserve (WWR) in Oman has played a central role in the rescue of the oryx. Individuals from the 'World Herd' and the United Arab Emirates have been the main source for the WWR programme. However, no breeding strategies accounting for genetic diversity have been implemented. To address this, we investigated the diversity of the WWR population and historical samples using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We found individuals at WWR contain 58% of the total mtDNA diversity observed globally. Inference of ancestry and spatial patterns of SNP variation shows the presence of three ancestral sources and three different groups of individuals. Similar levels of diversity and low inbreeding were observed between groups. We identified individuals and groups that could most effectively contribute to maximizing genetic diversity. Our results will be valuable to guide breeding and reintroduction programmes at WWR.

Investigation of Interaction of Noble Metals (Cu, Ag, Au, Pt and Ir) with Nanosheets.

Two-dimensional nanomaterials, such as graphene and hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets, have attracted tremendous interest in the research community and as a starting point for the development of nanotechnology. Using classical applied mathematical modeling, we derive explicit analytical expressions to determine the binding energies of noble metals, including copper, silver, gold, platinum and iridium (Cu, Ag, Au, Pt and Ir) atoms, on graphene and hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets. We adopt the 6-12 Lennard-Jones potential function, together with the continuous approach, to determine the preferred minimum energy position of an offset metal atom above the surface of the graphene and hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets. The main results of this study are analytical expressions of the interaction energies, which we then utilize to report the mechanism of adsorption of the metal atoms on graphene and hexagonal boron nitride surfaces. The results show that the minimum binding energy occured when Cu, Ag, Au, Pt and Ir were set at perpendicular distances in the region from 3.302 Å to 3.683 Å above the nanosheet surface, which correspond to adsorption energies in the region ranging from 0.842 to 2.978 (kcal/mol). Our results might assist in providing information on the interaction energies between the metal atoms and the two-dimensional nanomaterials.

How physical activity behavior affected well-being, anxiety and sleep quality during COVID-19 restrictions in Iran.

OBJECTIVE: The Islamic Republic of Iran has displayed one of the highest rates of COVID-19 infection in the world and the highest rate of mortality in the Middle East. Iran has used a stringent package of preventive health measures to mitigate the spread of infection, which however has negatively affected individuals' physical and psychological health. This study aimed at examining whether physical-activity (PA) behavior, anxiety, well-being, and sleep-quality changed in response to the COVID-19-related public health restrictions enforced in Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An online questionnaire was disseminated to adults residing in Iran from November 17, 2020, to February 13, 2021 (~88 days), during Iran's strictest public health restrictions. Main outcome measures included Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, General Anxiety Disorder-7, Mental Health Continuum-Short Form, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: A total of 3,323 adults (mean age 30±11 years, 54.3% female) participated in the survey. Firstly, the restrictions generally reduced PA behavior: (a) among inactive participants (IPs), 60.6% became less active vs. 5.1% who became more active; and (b) among active participants (APs), 49.9% became less active vs. 22.8% who became more active. Secondly, PA behavior was associated with higher well-being and sleep quality during the restrictions: (a) APs reported higher (or lower) levels of well-being and sleep quality (or anxiety) than did IPs; and (b) among IPs as well as among APs, the more active the participants, the greater (or lower) the levels of well-being and sleep quality (or anxiety). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the beneficial role of PA behavior for well-being, anxiety, and sleep quality during the COVID-19 restrictions, whereas such restrictions appeared to decrease PA participation. Active lifestyle should be then encouraged during the COVID-19 outbreak while taking precautions.

New TB drugs for the treatment of children and adolescents with rifampicin-resistant TB in Mumbai, India.

SETTING: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) clinic in Mumbai, India.OBJECTIVE: To determine the final treatment outcomes, culture conversion and adverse events (AEs) during treatment among children and adolescents (0-19 years) with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) who received ambulatory injectable-free treatment, including bedaquiline (BDQ) and/or delamanid (DLM) during September 2014-January 2020.DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study based on review of routinely collected programme data.RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were included; the median age was 15.5 years (min-max 3-19) and 15 (63%) were females. None were HIV-coinfected. All had fluoroquinolone resistance. Twelve received treatment, including BDQ and DLM, 11 received DLM and one BDQ. The median exposure to BDQ (n = 13) and DLM (n = 23) was 82 (IQR 80-93) and 82 (IQR 77-96) weeks, respectively. Seventeen (94%) patients with positive culture at baseline (n = 18) had negative culture during treatment; median time for culture-conversion was 7 weeks (IQR 5-11). Twenty-three (96%) had successful treatment outcomes: cured (n = 16) or completed treatment (n = 7); one died. Eleven (46%) had 17 episodes of AEs. Two of 12 serious AEs were associated with new drugs (QTcF >500 ms).CONCLUSION: Based on one of the largest global cohorts of children and adolescents to receive new TB drugs, this study has shown that injectable-free regimens containing BDQ and/or DLM on ambulatory basis were effective and well-tolerated among children and adolescents and should be made routinely accessible to these vulnerable groups.

Instability and translocation through nanopores of DNA interacting with single-layer materials.

In this study, we use classical applied mathematical modelling to employ the 6-12 Lennard-Jones potential function along with the continuous approximation to investigate the interaction energies between a double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) molecule and two-dimensional nanomaterials, namely graphene (GRA), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), molybdenum disulphide (MoS2), and tungsten disulphide (WS2). Assuming that the dsDNA molecule has a perpendicular distance Δ above the nano-sheet surface, we calculated the molecular interaction energy and determined the relation between the location of the minimum energy and Δ. We also investigated the interaction of a dsDNA molecule with the surface of each nano-sheet in the presence of a circular hole simulating a nanopore. The radius of the nanopore that results in the minimum energy was determined. Our results show that the adsorption energies of the dsDNA molecule with GRA, h-BN, MoS2, and WS2 nano-sheets corresponding to the perpendicular distance Δ = 20 Å are approximately 70, 82, 28, and 26 (kcal mol-1), respectively, and we observed that the dsDNA molecule moves through nanopores of radii greater than 12.2 Å.

Patient-centered care factors and access to care: a path analysis using the Andersen behavior model.

OBJECTIVES: Using the Andersen behavioral model, we examined the complex relationships among geographic access to care, financial disadvantage, patient-centered care factors, and access to care outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of the US civilian non-institutionalized population. METHODS: Our analytic sample included 15,787 US adults aged 18 years or older who had health insurance coverage for a full year in Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2014-2015. Structural equation modeling was used to determine the associations among usual source of care, travel time to provider, financial disadvantage, patient-centered care factors (perceived interaction with health provider, shared decision-making, and value of health care), and access to care (perceived access to care and unmet need of health services). RESULTS: Our analysis showed that patient-centered care factors were associated with improved perceived access to care (ß = 0.03 to 0.56, P = .002) and reduced unmet needs of health care (ß = -0.03 to -0.17, P = .03 to < .001). Although longer travel time to provider and having financial disadvantage of paying medical bills had negative effects on access to care outcomes, these associations were mediated by patient-centered care quality factors. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that better patient-centered care factors are associated with enhanced patient access to care. Efforts that focus on improving patient experience could be an effective approach along with coverage expansion to enhance access to quality care.

Surgical interventions for pulmonary tuberculosis in Mumbai, India: surgical outcomes and programmatic challenges.

Setting: While surgery for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is considered an important adjunct for specific cases, including drug-resistant tuberculosis, operational evidence on its feasibility and effectiveness is limited. Objective: To describe surgical outcomes and programmatic challenges of providing surgery for PTB in Mumbai, India. Design: A descriptive study of routinely collected data of surgical interventions for PTB from 2010 to 2014 in two Mumbai hospitals, one public, one private. Results: Of 85 patients, 5 (6%) died and 17 (20%) had complications, with wound infection being the most frequent. Repeat operation was required in 12 (14%) patients. Most procedures were performed on an emergency basis, and eligibility was established late in the course of treatment. Median time from admission to surgery was 51 days. Drug susceptibility test (DST) patterns and final treatment outcomes were not systematically collected. Conclusion: In a high-burden setting such as Mumbai, important data on surgery for PTB were surprisingly limited in both the private and public sectors. Eligibility for surgery was established late, culture and DST were not systematically offered, the interval between admission and surgery was long and TB outcomes were not known. Systematic data collection would allow for proper evaluation of surgery as adjunctive therapy for all forms of TB under programmatic conditions.

Contexte : La chirurgie de la tuberculose pulmonaire (TBP) est considérée comme un adjuvant important dans des cas spécifiques, notamment celui de la TB pharmacorésistante ; les preuves opérationnelles de sa faisabilité et de son efficacité sont cependant limitées.Objectif : Décrire les résultats de la chirurgie et les défis programmatiques liés à l'offre de chirurgie à Mumbai, Inde.Schéma : Une étude descriptive de données recueillies en routine relatives aux interventions chirurgicales de TBP de 2010 à 2014 dans deux hôpitaux de Mumbai (un public, un privé).Résultats : Sur 85 patients, 5 (6%) sont décédés, 17 (20%) ont eu des complications, dont la plus fréquente était une infection de la plaie. Une deuxième intervention a été nécessaire dans 12 cas (14%). La majorité des procédures a été réalisée en urgence et l'éligibilité a été établie tardivement au cours du traitement. Le délai médian de l'admission à la chirurgie a été de 51 jours. Les profils de résistance de la TB et le résultat final du traitement n'ont pas été recueillis de façon systématique.Conclusion : Dans un contexte lourdement touché comme Mumbai, des données importantes relatives à la chirurgie de la TBP ont été étonnamment limitées à la fois dans le secteur privé et public. L'éligibilité à la chirurgie a été établie tardivement, la culture et le test de pharmacosensibilité n'ont pas été systématiquement proposés, l'intervalle entre l'admission et la chirurgie a été long et les résultats en matière de TB n'ont pas été notés. Un recueil systématique des données permettrait une évaluation correcte de la chirurgie comme traitement adjuvant de toutes les formes de TB dans des conditions de programme.

Marco de referencia: El tratamiento quirúrgico se considera un complemento importante en el manejo de casos específicos de tuberculosis pulmonar (TBP), como la TB farmacorresistente; sin embargo, las pruebas operativas de su factibilidad y eficacia son escasas.Objetivo: Describir los desenlaces quirúrgicos y las dificultades programáticas de la prestación de opciones quirúrgicas a los casos de TBP en Bombay, en la India.Método: Fue este un estudio descriptivo de los datos recogidos de manera sistemática sobre las intervenciones quirúrgicas por TBP, realizadas del 2010 al 2014 en dos hospitales de Bombay (uno del sector público y otro del sector privado).Resultados: De los 85 pacientes tratados, cinco fallecieron (6%), 17 presentaron complicaciones (20%), de las cuales la infección de la herida fue la más frecuente. Fue necesaria una segunda intervención en 12 pacientes (14%). La mayoría de los procedimientos tuvieron lugar en un contexto de urgencia y los criterios de selección se analizaron tarde en el curso del tratamiento. La mediana del tiempo entre la hospitalización y la cirugía fue 51 días. El tipo de resistencia de la TB y los desenlaces terapéuticos no se registraron de manera sistemática.Conclusión: En un entorno con alta carga de morbilidad por TB como Bombay, los datos importantes sobre la cirugía por TBP son sorprendentemente escasos en el sector público y también en el sector privado de atención. Los criterios de selección para la cirugía se analizan tarde, no se ofrece de manera sistemática el cultivo y las pruebas de sensibilidad a los medicamentos, el intervalo entre la hospitalización y el procedimiento es prolongado y se desconocen los desenlaces clínicos de la tuberculosis. La recogida sistemática de datos facilitaría una evaluación adecuada de la cirugía como tratamiento complementario en todas las formas de TB en un contexto programático.

Assessment of vitamin D levels in newly diagnosed children with type 1 diabetes mellitus comparing two methods of measurement: a facility's experience in the Middle Eastern country of Bahrain.

BACKGROUND: The number of children being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is on the rise and has more than doubled in the past 10 years in Bahrain. Some studies have linked low vitamin D levels with an increased risk of diabetes. There are concerns regarding the variations in circulating 25(OH)D levels measured by different laboratories and by using different analytical techniques. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D levels of newly diagnosed children with T1DM using the "gold standard method" with high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods compared to the chemiluminescence micro-particle immunoassay (CMIA) used in a hospital laboratory. SUBJECTS: Eighteen children, aged 6-12 years, who received a confirmed diagnosis of T1DM in 2014 were chosen as subjects. METHODS: Serum vitamin D levels were assessed in a hospital, while an extra aliquot of blood collected during routine blood collection after acquiring informed written consents from the subjects, and sent to Princess Al-Jawhara Center for Molecular Medicine and Inherited Disorders to be analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). RESULTS: The mean age of the study group was 9±2 years. The mean total of 25(OH)D levels (D3 and D2) assessed by UPLC-MS/MS was 49.7±18.8, whereas the mean total of 25(OH)D levels obtained from the CMIA assay was 44.60±13.20. The difference in classification between the two methods was found to be statistically significant (P=0.004). A Bland-Altman plot showed a poor level of agreement between the two assay methods. The CMIA overestimated insufficient values and underestimated deficiency, when compared to UPLC-MS/MS. CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant difference between the two assay methods with CMIA overestimating vitamin D insufficiency. Clinicians should be prudent in their assessment of a single vitamin D reading, when the gold standard method is not available or feasible.

Energy behaviour for DNA translocation through graphene nanopores.

Nanoparticles have considerable promise for many applications in electronics, energy storage, bioscience and biotechnologies. Here we use applied mathematical modelling to exploit the basic principles of mechanics and the 6-12 Lennard-Jones potential function together with the continuum approach, which assumes that a discrete atomic structure can be replaced by an average constant atomic surface density of atoms that is assumed to be smeared over each molecule. We identify a circular hole in a graphene sheet as a nanopore and we consider the molecular interaction energy for both single-strand and double-strand DNA molecules assumed to move through the circular hole in a graphene sheet to determine the radius b of the hole that gives the minimum energy. By minimizing the interaction energy, we observe that the single-strand DNA and double-strand DNA molecules penetrate through a graphene nanopore when the pore radii b> 7.8Å and b> 12.7Å, respectively. Our results can be adopted to offer new applications in the atomic surface processes and electronic sensing.

Double trouble: tuberculosis and substance abuse in Nagaland, India.

The diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in people who use and/or inject illicit drugs (PWUIDs) remains a barrier to achieving universal coverage for TB in India and globally. This report describes treatment outcomes in PWUIDs who received treatment for drug-susceptible TB at the Mon District Hospital in Nagaland, India, during 2012-2013. The median age of the patients was 39 years, and most (92%) were male. Two thirds (33/49) of the patients had a successful TB treatment outcome. A previous TB episode and residence in a semi-urban area were associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Separate diagnostic and treatment algorithms, including regular adherence counselling and opioid substitution therapies, should be considered for PWUIDs.

Le diagnostic et le traitement de la tuberculose (TB) chez les personnes qui consomment et/ou s'injectent des drogues (PWUID) constitue encore un obstacle à l'atteinte d'une couverture universelle de la TB en Inde et dans le monde. Ce rapport décrit les résultats du traitement de PWUID qui ont bénéficié d'un traitement de TB pharmacosensible à l'hôpital Mon District de Nagaland, Inde, en 2012­2013. L'âge médian des patients a été de 39 ans et la majorité (92%) étaient des hommes. Les deux tiers (33/49) des patients ont eu un bon résultat thérapeutique. L'existence d'un épisode préalable de TB et le fait de résider en zone semi-urbaine ont été associés à un échec thérapeutique. Des algorithmes séparés de diagnostic et de traitement, incluant des séances régulières de conseil pour l'observance et des traitements de substitution aux opiacés, devraient être envisagées pour les PWUID.

El diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la tuberculosis (TB) en las personas que consumen o se inyectan drogas (PWUID) siguen creando obstáculos al cumplimiento de la cobertura universal de la TB en la India y en el mundo. En el presente informe se describe el desenlace terapéutico en personas de este grupo que recibieron un tratamiento por TB normosensible en el hospital Mon District de Nagaland, en la India, del 2012 al 2013. La mediana de la edad de los pacientes fue 39 años y la mayoría (92%) era de sexo masculino. Dos tercios de los pacientes (33 de 49) alcanzaron un desenlace favorable del tratamiento antituberculoso. Se asociaron con los desenlaces desfavorables el antecedente de un episodio TB y la residencia en una zona periurbana. Se propone que en las personas que consumen o se inyectan drogas se consideren diferentes algoritmos de diagnóstico y tratamiento que comprendan orientación en materia de cumplimiento y un tratamiento de sustitución de opioides.

Offset configurations for single- and double-strand DNA inside single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Nanotechnology is a rapidly expanding research area, and it is believed that the unique properties of molecules at the nano-scale will prove to be of substantial benefit to mankind, especially so in medicine and electronics. Here we use applied mathematical modelling exploiting the basic principles of mechanics and the 6-12 Lennard-Jones potential function together with the continuum approximation, which assumes that intermolecular interactions can be approximated by average atomic surface densities. We consider the equilibrium offset positions for both single-strand and double-strand DNA molecules inside a single-walled carbon nanotube, and we predict offset positions with reference to the cross-section of the carbon nanotube. For the double-strand DNA, the potential energy is determined for the general case for any helical phase angle ϕ, but we also consider a special case when ϕ = π, which leads to a substantial simplification in the analytical expression for the energy. As might be expected, our results confirm that the global minimum energy positions for a single-strand DNA molecule and a double-strand DNA molecule will lie off axis and they become closer to the tube wall as the radius of the tube increases.

Identification of specific tumor necrosis factor-α-susceptible and -protective haplotypes associated with the risk of type 1 diabetes.

AIM: We investigated the association of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α gene polymorphism with type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS: TNF-α -1031T/C, -863C/A, -857C/T, -376G/A, -308G/A, -238G/A, and +488G/A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were assessed in 198 T1DM patients and 180 age-and gender-matched, normoglycemic control subjects using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RESULTS: Higher frequencies of -863A (p = 8.0 × 10-6), -857T (p = 1.4 × 10-4), and -238A (p = 0.002) alleles were seen in T1D patients than in the control group. Significant differences were noted in the distribution of -863T/C, -857C/T, -376G/A, -308G/A, and -238G/A genotypes between patients and controls. Haploview analysis revealed high linkage disequilibrium (LD) between the -376G/A and -308G/A SNPs, but this was lower between the other polymorphisms. Five-locus TNFα haplotypes were constructed based on the prevalence of individual SNPs and the LD between them. An increased frequency of CTGGG, CCGAG, and ACGGG haplotypes, and a reduced frequency of the CCGGG haplotype was seen in patients. When the Bonferroni correction was applied, differences were significant for the CTGGG (Pc = 1.4 × 10-3), CCGAG (Pc = 0.023), and ACGGG (Pc = 1.2 × 10-3) haplotypes which were greater, and the CCGGG haplotype (Pc = 3.8 × 10-5) which was smaller, among T1D patients, thereby conferring susceptibility to and protection from T1D, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that TNF-α polymorphisms, in particular -863C/A, -857C/T, and -238G/A, are significantly associated with T1D. Additional studies, on other racial groups, are needed to confirm our findings.