Assessment of Mental Health and Various Coping Strategies among general population living Under Imposed COVID-Lockdown Across world: A Cross-Sectional Study

The 2019 corona virus disease (COVID-19) which outbreak in December 2019, in the Chinese city of Wuhan has became a global threat and is currently the largest known outbreak of atypical pneumonia affecting every continent of the world with about 6,416,828 cases and 382,867 deaths. Disease enforced lockdowns are known to cause heightened levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Our study aimed to investigate the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic enforced lockdown on mental health and quality of life among general population aged 18 years and to identify various coping strategies used under lockdown. An online survey was conducted between 1st of April-10th of May, 2020; using a validated questionnaire based on DASS-42, employing a snowball sampling technique. A total of 418 responses from 16 different countries were received. The respondents had a high level of depression and anxiety scores, which were significantly different among genders. Also, participants from developing countries-India and Pakistan had severe depression while as participants from India, Pakistan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had severe anxiety. We also found that among the various coping strategies, (a) watching television for entertainment, (b) social networking, (c) listening to music, (d) sleeping, (e) doing mundane house chores like cleaning, washing, etc. (f) eating well, and (g) clearing/finishing thepiled-up work were ranked among the most utilized coping strategies by all participants. This study identifies the need to provide the free professional and psychological services to help cope with stress during the disease-enforced lockdown.

Effects of step-down weaning implementation time on growth performance and blood metabolites of dairy calves

The current study evaluated the effects of step-down weaning implementation time on starter feed intake, growth performance, blood metabolites, and ruminal pH in dairy calves. A total of 48 Holstein dairy calves (24 male and 24 female; 3 ± 1 d old; 41.2 ± 1.8 kg of body weight) were assigned (n = 12 per treatment; 6 male and 6 female) to 4 experimental treatments in a completely randomized block design. All calves were fed 6 L/d of milk from d 3 to 10 of age, and the treatments consisted of the following: calves were offered 8 L/d of milk from d 11 to 28 of age and then 4 L/d from d 29 to 63 (Step-28; total milk offered = 326 L); calves were offered 8 L/d of milk from d 11 to 42 of age and then 4 L/d from d 43 to 63 (Step-42; total milk offered = 382 L); calves were offered 8 L/d of milk from d 11 to 56 of age and 4 L/d from d 57 to 63 (Step-56; total milk intake = 438 L); and calves were fed 8 L/d of milk from d 11 to 63 of age and abruptly weaned (control; total milk offered = 466 L). All calves were housed individually in pens and had ad libitum access to water and solid feed throughout the experiment. All calves were completely milk weaned on d 64, and their performance was measured until d 80 of age. During the experiment, the starter intake (kg/d and % of body weight) was greater in calves in the Step-28 group compared with those in the other groups. However, the total metabolizable energy intake was greater in the Step-56 calves compared with the other calves. Overall, the average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (ADG/dry matter intake), and ADG/total metabolizable energy intake were similar across the treatments. Circulating glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, blood urea nitrogen, albumin, total protein, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, as well as ruminal pH, were not affected by the treatments. The implementation of step-down weaning in early life (4-6 wk of age) could stimulate solid feed intake compared with weaning at a later age with no negative effect on performance.

Plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria augment growth and salinity tolerance in rice plants

Salt stress negatively affects growth and development of plants. However, it is hypothesized that plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria can greatly alleviate the adverse effects of salinity and can promote growth and development of plants. In the present research, we aimed to isolate endophytic bacteria from halotolerant plants and evaluate their capacity for promoting crop plant growth. The bacterial endophytes were isolated from selected plants inhabiting sand dunes at Pohang beach, screened for plant growth-promoting traits and applied to rice seedlings under salt stress (NaCl; 150 mm). Out of 59 endophytic bacterial isolates, only six isolates, i.e. Curtobacterium oceanosedimentum SAK1, Curtobacterium luteum SAK2, Enterobacter ludwigii SAK5, Bacillus cereus SA1, Micrococcus yunnanensis SA2, Enterobacter tabaci SA3, resulted in a significant increase in the growth of Waito-C rice. The cultural filtrates of bacterial endophytes were tested for phytohormones, including indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellins and organic acids. Inoculation of the selected strains considerably reduced the amount of endogenous ABA in rice plants under NaCl stress, however, they increased GSH and sugar content. Similarly, these strains augmented the expression of flavin monooxygenase (OsYUCCA1) and auxin efflux carrier (OsPIN1) genes under salt stress. In conclusion, the pragmatic application of the above selected bacterial strains alleviated the adverse effects of NaCl stress and enhanced rice growth attributes by producing various phytohormones.

Prevalence of reduced visual acuity among school-aged children and adolescents in 6 districts of Changsha city: a population-based survey

Background

To calculate and evaluate the prevalence of reduced uncorrected distant visual acuity (UCDVA) in primary, middle and high schools in 6 districts of Changsha, Hunan, China.

Methods

A population-based retrospective study was conducted in 239 schools in 6 districts of Changsha. After routine eye examination to rule out diseases that can affect refraction, 250,980 eligible students from primary, middle and high schools were enrolled in the survey. Then the uncorrected distant and near visual acuity of each eye were measured. Categories of schools, districts, grades, eye exercises and sports time were also documented and analyzed.

Results

The overall prevalence of reduced UCDVA was 51.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 51.6–52.0%) in 6 districts of Changsha. Results of individual districts were as follows: Furong district 59.9%(95% CI: 57.9–61.8%), Tianxin district 62.3%(95% CI: 60.5–64.0%), Wangcheng district 47.8%(95% CI: 46.8–48.8%), Kaifu district 58.5%(95% CI: 58.0–58.9%), Yuhua district 47.0%(95% CI: 46.7–47.4%) and Yuelu district 52.6%(95% CI: 52.3–52.9%). The proportion of normal VA is seen to decrease from primary grade 3. The proportion of mildly reduced UCDVA is higher in primary grade 1 and 2. The proportion of moderately reduced UCDVA remains similar during 12 grades. The proportion of severely reduced UCDVA increases with grades. Multivariate analysis shows that the prevalence of reduced UCDVA is higher in key schools (risk ratio [RR] = 1.47, 95% CI 1.44–1.50) than non-key schools.

Conclusions

According to the existing data analysis results, the prevalence of reduced UCDVA among primary, middle and high school students in Changsha is very high. Some effective measures need to be taken to prevent it.

Efficacy of Sub-Tenon Micro-Perfusion of Cyclophosphamide in Rabbits with Severe Ocular Inflammation

Purpose

To explore the feasibility of cyclophosphamide (CP) via a sub-Tenon micro-perfusion system (SMS) in rabbits, and assess its therapeutic efficacy in severe ocular inflammation.

Materials and Methods

Distribution and pharmacokinetics of CP were evaluated in vivo, and the concentrations of CP in plasma, vitreous humor, and retina/choroid were quantitated by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) at different time points. After induction of severe experimental uveitis, rabbits were divided into three groups (n=8 in each): the SMS group, subconjunctival injection (SI) group, and control group. Clinical inflammatory score was assessed in rabbits. Electroretinography and histopathology were performed on post-treatment day 8. Statistical analyses were performed using Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests. P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The concentrations of CP in vitreous humor and retina/choroid in the SMS group were significantly higher than that of the SI group at 3, 6, 10, and 24 hours (P<0.01), while plasmatic CP concentrations were comparable at all time points in the SMS group and SI group (P>0.05). The SMS group showed significantly less inflammation compared to the control group and SI group. Furthermore, the restoration of retinal structure and function were more obvious in the SMS group compared with conventional SI application.

Conclusion

Sub-Tenon micro-perfusion of CP exhibited satisfied therapeutic efficacy in rabbits with severe ocular inflammation and may provide a promising alternative for controlling ocular inflammatory disease and immune-mediated ocular diseases.

Effects of conditioner retention time during pelleting of starter feed on nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites, and performance of Holstein female dairy calves

This study evaluated the effects of conditioner retention time during the pelleting process of starter feed on intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites, and growth performance of dairy calves. A total of 30 Holstein female dairy calves [40 ± 1.93 kg of body weight (BW)] were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: (1) pelleted starter conditioned for 0 min (CON), (2) pelleted starter conditioned for 2 min, and (3) pelleted starter conditioned for 4 min. Three pelleted starter feeds had similar nutritional composition, and the starters were blended with 3% chopped wheat straw and fed to individually housed calves from d 3 to 70 of age. All calves were fed 4 L/d of pasteurized whole milk twice daily at 0800 and 1600 h from d 3 to 50 of calf age, followed by 2 L/d of morning feeding from 51 to 56 d of age. All calves were weaned on d 56 of age and remained in the study until d 70 of age. With the increase of conditioner retention time during pellet processing for 0, 2, and 4 min, the gelatinized starch content of pelleted starter feed linearly increased from 14, 30, and 45%, respectively. Additionally, the pellet durability and hardness also linearly increased with increasing conditioner retention time during pelleting. Feeding pelleted feed prepared using different conditioner retention time did not affect feed dry matter intake, metabolizable energy intake, weaning BW, final BW, or feed efficiency during the study. We observed no differences in the total-tract apparent digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein around weaning (d 49 to 56 of age) and after weaning (d 63 to 70 of calf cage); however, the digestibility of dry matter and starch after weaning was increased with increasing conditioner retention time during pelleting of starter feed. No difference was found in overall average daily gain (ADG) or growth rates of hip height, withers height, and heart girth. Ruminal volatile fatty acid profile was not affected by pelleting under different conditioner retention times. The ruminal ammonia concentration tended to be lower for calves fed the 4-min diet compared with those fed the CON diet during the postweaning period. The postweaning (d 57-70 of age) ADG was greater for calves fed the 4-min diet compared with those fed the CON diet. In conclusion, the conditioning time during the pelleting process of starter feed increased the gelatinization of starch, durability, and hardness of the pellets but did not influence feed intake, feed efficiency, and skeletal growth during the first 70 d of age. Increasing conditioning time during the pelleting process improved postweaning ADG; however, the final BW of calves was similar among treatments.

Comparison of statistical methods for recurrent event analysis using pediatrics asthma data

When the same type of event is experienced by a subject more than once it is called recurrent event, which possess two important characteristics, namely "within-subject correlation" and "time-varying covariate." As a result, the traditional statistical methods do not work well on recurrent event data. Over the past few decades, many alternatives methods have been proposed for the analysis of recurrent event data. In this article, the six most prominent methods for recurrent event analysis have been compared on pediatric asthma data. Three variance corrected models (viz "Anderson and Gill [AG] model," "Prentice, William, and Peterson-Counting Process [PWP-CP] model," and "Prentice, William, and Peterson-Gap Time [PWP-GT] model") and three corresponding frailty variants (AG-frailty, PWP-CP-frailty, and PWP-GT-frailty) were compared using three mathematical criterion (AIC, BIC, and log-likelihood) and one graphical criteria (Cox-Snell goodness of fit, visual test). All model comparison indices showed the PWP-GT model as the most appropriate model on asthma data over other models. By using PWP-GT model, seven predictors of asthma exacerbation (viz "abdominal pain at previous visit," "Z5 (%) at previous visit," "diagnosis of asthma at previous visit," "calendar month of exacerbation," "history of maternal asthma," "monthly per capita income," and "emotional stress") were identified. The PWP-GT model was identified as the most appropriate model over other models on pediatrics asthma data.

Effect of arginine or glutamine supplementation and milk feeding allowance on small intestine development in calves

The development of the small intestine (SI) is important for the health and growth of neonatal calves. This study evaluated the effect of arginine (Arg) and glutamine (Gln) supplementation and 2 levels of milk allowance on the histomorphological development of the SI in preweaning calves. Sixty mixed-sex Friesian × Jersey calves (3-5 d of age) were offered reconstituted whole milk (125 g/L, 26% fat, 26% protein) at either high (20% of arrival body weight/d; HM) or low (10% of arrival body weight/d; LM) milk allowance without (Ctrl) or with supplementary Arg or Gln (at 1% of milk dry matter) in a 2 × 3 factorial design (n = 10/treatment). After 35 d on the diets, all calves were slaughtered to collect tissues for examination of SI development. Calves in the HM group had higher milk intake, total weight gain, and average daily gain compared with LM calves, but no effect of AA supplementation nor an interaction between milk allowance and AA supplementation was observed. For the duodenum, we observed an AA by milk allowance interaction for villus height and width, and goblet cell number per villus (HM-Arg > HM-Gln > HM-Ctrl), and villus height to crypt depth ratio (HM-Arg > HM-Gln = HM-Ctrl), but no effect of AA supplementation in the LM group. Goblet cell numbers per 100 µm of SI were greater in Arg-supplemented calves than in unsupplemented controls, with Gln-supplemented calves intermediate to but not different from the other groups. Epithelium thickness was greater in LM than in HM calves. Villus density, crypt depth, and muscle thickness did not differ between groups. For the jejunum, there was an AA by milk allowance interaction for villus height, villus surface area, and villus height to crypt depth ratio (HM-Arg = HM-Gln > HM-Ctrl), with no effect of AA supplementation in the LM groups. Amino acid supplementation affected goblet cell number per villus (HM-Gln > HM-Ctrl calves, HM-Arg intermediate), and both LM-Arg and LM-Gln calves had greater numbers than LM-Ctrl calves. Villus width, crypt depth, and muscle thickness were greater in HM than LM calves but there was no effect of AA supplementation. Villus density, goblet cell number per 100 µm of SI, and epithelium thickness were unaffected by AA supplementation and milk allowance. Milk allowance and AA supplementation had no effect on SI morphology in the ileum. Increasing milk allowance improved villus height, width, and surface area but only in Arg- or Gln-supplemented calves, not in control calves. The observed changes in development may be important for intestinal functionality, integrity, and barrier function in preweaning calves, potentially through increased cell growth and proliferation or reduced levels of cellular atrophy.

Comparative Assessment of Distribution Characteristics and Ocular Pharmacokinetics of Norvancomycin Between Continuous Topical Ocular Instillation and Hourly Administration of Eye Drop

Background

The aim of this study was to compare the distribution characteristics and ocular pharmacokinetics of norvancomycin (NVCM) in ocular tissues of the anterior segment between continuous topical ocular instillation and hourly administration of eye drop in rabbits.

Methods

Sixty rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: continuous topical ocular instillation drug delivery (CTOIDD) group and eye drop (control) group. In the CTOIDD group, NVCM solution (50 mg/mL) was perfused to the ocular surface using the CTOIDD system at 2 mL/h up to 10 h and the same solution was administered at one drop (50 μL) per hour for 10 h in the control group. Animals (N=6 per time-point per group) were humanely killed at 2, 4, 6, 10, and 24 h to analyze their ocular tissues and plasma. The concentrations of NVCM in the conjunctiva, cornea, aqueous humour, iris, ciliary body and plasma were measured by HPLC with photodiode array detector. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by Kinetica 5.1.

Results

The highest concentrations of NVCM for the CTOIDD group and control group were 2105.45±919.89 μg/g and 97.18±43.14 μg/g in cornea, 3033.92±1061.95 μg/g and 806.99±563.02 μg/g in conjunctiva, 1570.19±402.87 μg/g and 46.93±23.46 μg/g in iris, 181.94±47.11 μg/g and 15.38±4.00 μg/g in ciliary body, 29.78±4.90 μg/mL and 3.20±1.48 μg/mL in aqueous humour, and 26.89±5.57 μg/mL and 1.90±1.87 μg/mL in plasma, respectively. The mean NVCM levels significantly increased at all time-points in cornea, iris, and ciliary body (p<0.05) in the CTOIDD group. The AUC_0–24 values in the CTOIDD group were 27,543.70 μg·h/g in cornea, 32,514.48 μg·h/g in conjunctiva, 8631.05 μg·h/g in iris, 2194.36 μg·h/g in ciliary body and 343.9 μg·h/mL in aqueous humour, which were higher than for the eye drop group in all tissues.

Conclusion

Since continuous instillation of NVCM with CTOIDD could reach significantly higher concentrations and was sustained for a longer period compared with hourly administration of eye drop, CTOIDD administered NVCM could be a possible method to treat bacterial keratitis.

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[Medical Rehabilitation after Hydronephrosis Surgical Treatment in Children]

The article presents modern technologies of medical rehabilitation of children operated for hydronephrosis. The importance of medical rehabilitation of children with hydronephrosis is associated with high incidence, possibility of developing chronic kidney disease, and early disability of these patients. After surgery on the ureter it is important to use medical rehabilitation technologies aimed at preventing urodynamics disorders of upper and lower urinary tract, and at stimulation of regenerative processes. In recent years, particular attention has been paid to high-intensity pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, which has a more significant and long-term stimulating effect compared to various types of electrical stimulation. Clinical studies were conducted in 80 children operated for hydronephrosis, aged 3 to 15. The main group consisted of 40 children who received high-intensity pulsed magnetic therapy, and 40 children were included in the control group (without physiotherapy). Basic treatment included uroseptics and exercise therapy. Effectiveness of the method was assessed using clinical, laboratory and ultrasound data, and Doppler ultrasound of the renal blood flow. The results of the study demonstrated the rationale of including high-intensity pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in medical rehabilitation of children operated for hydronephrosis. The positive effect of high-intensity pulsed electromagnetic therapy on the urodynamics of the urinary tract (reduction in the size of renal pelvis and calyx) and renal blood flow (restoration of blood flow to the renal cortex) were revealed. This method helped to reduce inflammation in the renal parenchyma (reduction of proteinuria, leukocyturia) in children operated on for hydronephrosis. A significantly higher effectiveness of medical rehabilitation with the use of high-intensity pulsed magnetic therapy was proved (87.5%).

"Mobile Health" for the Management of Spondyloarthritis and Its Application in China

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a group of inflammatory diseases characterized by inflammation in the spine, peripheral joints, and entheses that usually start at the prime of one's life and lead to impaired physical function and reduced quality of life. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is prototype of SpA. This article reviews the opportunities and challenges of using mobile health (mHealth) in managing SpA, and report some of our experiences using a mHealth solution for management of SpA patients and performing related research in China.

RECENT FINDINGS

The recent rapid development of mobile communications and the common use of intelligent electronic devices have led to the increasing application of mHealth for chronic disease management by healthcare providers and patients alike. This is a promising new technology that can help mitigate limitations in time and space for patient management, promote easier communication between patients and their healthcare providers, reduce medical expenses, and optimize medical services. We have developed a smartphone-based mHealth SpA management system (SpAMS) that also helps the patients to monitor, manage, and share information on their disease with their physician at regular intervals. There is a shift from a paternalistic model of healthcare to more personalized healthcare in which disease management is conducted by the patient together with their healthcare providers. The increasing utility of mHealth is expected to benefit disease management, promote patient-doctor communication, reduce medical expenses, and optimize medical services.

A clinical study to describe the corneal topographic pattern and estimation of the prevalence of keratoconus among diagnosed cases of vernal keratoconjunctivitis

Background

Association of keratoconus with vernal keratoconjunctivitis is well known, but there are few topographic studies describing actual prevalence especially in India where it is a common condition. There is also scarce literature on the topographic patterns and subclinical topographic anomalies in cases of vernal catarrh and their relationship with various subtypes. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of subclinical keratoconus among Indian subjects with vernal keratoconjunctivitis and describe the various topographic abnormalities which can help in screening for these cases.

Methods

In the cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care center, 76 established cases of vernal keratoconjunctivitis were evaluated with placido disc-based videokeratography for topographic abnormalities and early keratoconus based on modified Rabinowitz-McDonnell criteria.

Results

Seventeen (11.2%) eyes satisfied both the modified Rabinowitz-McDonnell criteria of keratoconus. Corneal topographic pattern analysis showed asymmetric bowtie with inferior steepening in 17.11% of the patients. None of these patients had clinical evidence of keratoconus.

Conclusions

The study showed 11.2% prevalence of keratoconus in patients suffering from vernal keratoconjunctivitis. The findings highlight the importance of using a simple placido disc-based corneal topography system for screening the patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis for keratoconus. This can help in early detection and preventive intervention.

Maintenance of photosynthesis and the antioxidant defence systems have key roles for survival of Halopeplis perfoliata (Amaranthaceae) in a saline environment

Coastal salt marsh plants employ various combinations of morphological and physiological adaptations to survive under saline conditions. Little information is available on salinity tolerance mechanisms of Halopeplis perfoliata, a C3 stem succulent halophyte. We investigated the growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant defence mechanisms of H. perfoliata under saline conditions (0, 150, 300 and 600 mM NaCl) in an open greenhouse. Optimal shoot succulence, projected shoot area and relative growth rate were obtained in the low (150 mm NaCl) salinity treatment, while growth was inhibited at the highest salinity (600 mm NaCl). The CO₂ compensation point and carbon isotope composition of biomass confirmed C₃ photosynthesis. Increases in salinity did not affect the photosynthetic pigment content or maximum quantum efficiency of PSII of H. perfoliata. Assimilation of CO₂ (A) also remained unaffected by salinity. A modest effect on some gas exchange and photochemistry parameters was observed at 600 mm NaCl. With increasing salinity, there was a continual increase in respiration, suggesting utilisation of energy to cope with saline conditions. Under 300 and 600 mm NaCl, there was an increase in H₂ O₂ and MDA with a concomitant rise in AsA, GR content and CAT activity. Hence, H. perfoliata appears to be an obligate halophyte that can grow up to seawater salinities by modulating photosynthetic gas exchange, photochemistry and the antioxidant defence systems.

A Novel Recombinant Eel Pout (Macrozoarces americans) Type III Antifreeze Protein Improves Cryosurvival of Buffalo Sperm

BACKGROUND

The quality of cryopreserved buffalo semen is low due to high susceptibility of sperm membranes to cold shock.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of recombinant type-III antifreeze protein from the eel pout Macrozoarces americanus (rAFPIII) on freezability of buffalo semen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Semen was collected from three buffalo bulls for three weeks (replicates). Qualified ejaculates (N=18) were split into four aliquots and diluted in Tris-citric acid extender containing 0.0, 0.1, 1 and 10 µg mL^-1 of rAFPIII. Semen was cooled to 4 C, evaluated for sperm motility and PMI, cryopreserved and assessed for post-thaw quality.

RESULTS

Supplementation of the extender with rAFPIII didn't affect motility and PMI of chilled semen. Post-thaw sperm motility and PMI were higher in extender supplemented with rAFPIII (10µg mL^-1) compared to control. Sperm viability and acrosome integrity remained the same.

CONCLUSION

Addition of rAFPIII in extender improved motility and PMI of cryopreserved buffalo semen.

Sub-Tenon Sustained Controllable Delivery of Dexamethasone for Treating Severe Acute Experimental Uveitis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of dexamethasone (DXM) through sub-tenon sustained controllable drug delivery system (SSCDDS) for treating severe acute experimental uveitis.

METHODS

Rabbits were treated with either DXM (treated group) or normal saline (control group) through SSCDDS. Clinical signs of uveitis were assessed at days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 after treatment. Histopathologic examinations were performed to evaluate inflammatory cell infiltration on posttreatment days 7 and 14.

RESULTS

All signs of experimental uveitis were reduced by SSCDDS of DXM according to clinical criteria, and the treated group had significantly less inflammation than the control group (p<0.05). Histopathologic examinations showed severe inflammation and marked inflammatory cell infiltration in the control group, but minimal inflammation in the treated group.

CONCLUSIONS

Sub-tenon sustained controllable delivery of DXM effectively suppresses severe acute inflammation in a rabbit model of uveitis. The proposed minimal invasive system might be a promising candidate for managing severe ocular diseases.

[The application of the pulsed low-frequency electrostatic field in pediatrics]

One of new methods for the physiotherapeutic treatment in pediatrics is the application of the pulsed low-frequency electrostatic field the action of which is based on the effects of deep resonant vibration on the affected tissue region with the minimal mecha-nical impact. Under the influence of the electrostatic field, the tissues at the site of interest become tightened and descend which causes their vibration due to the alternation of the pulses and intervals between them. The fast consecutive repetition of this process results in rhythmical deformation of the tissues. The electrostatic pulses are responsible for the increased friction between separate parts of the tissues while in the intervals between the pulses the tissue elastically resists their influence. In this way, the tissues subjected to such influence 'are pumped over' throughout their depth. It leads to the restoration of elasticity and mobilization of separate fibers and layers inside the tissue as well as to the development and improvement of the blood flow in the tissues and their blood supply. During the recent years, a large number of reports have been published in the literature concerning the possibilities of application of the pulsed low-frequency electrostatic field for the treatment and prevention of various di-seases in the children, including both monotherapy and its combination with other therapeutic modalities. The favourable action of the pulse low-frequency electrostatic field on the clinical course of bronchial asthma, mucoviscidosis, I and II degree scoliosis in the young children, remittent multiple sclerosis in the adolescents has been demonstrated. The data obtained give evidence of the high effectiveness of the proposed method, its excellent tolerance, and a wide range of beneficial effects on the main pathogenetic components of the diseases which creates the good prerequisites for the further active introduction of the therapeutic phy-sical factors in the practical work of the children's medical organizations.

Feasibility of ureteroscopy as a pure day-case procedure

Objective:

Ureteroscopy (URS) is a procedure that is commonly performed by endourologists for stone surgery and other diagnostic and therapeutic indications. With stone disease becoming an increasing burden on the health economy, there is a clear incentive to perform URS as a day-case procedure.

Patients and methods:

This single-centre, single-surgeon study prospectively considered all patients for day-case rigid or flexible URS over a 12-month period, with the only exclusion criteria being an American Society of Anesthesiologists score greater than 3 or a lack of aftercare.

Results:

Sixty-six patients were included with 61 being discharged the same day of surgery, meaning a pure day-case rate of 92% and 30-day postoperative readmission rate of 6%.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that URS should primarily be considered a day-case procedure whenever feasible.

Level of evidence:

2c

Effect of weaning age on growth, mammary gland development, and immune function in Holstein Friesian calves fed conserved alfalfa (FiberStart)

This study aimed to evaluate intake, body growth, and the development of the rumen, mammary gland, and immune system in Holstein Friesian calves reared for 100 d on the commercially available feed FiberStart (conserved alfalfa, Medicago sativa; Fiber Fresh Feeds Ltd., Reporoa, New Zealand) and fed calf milk replacer (CMR) for either 56 or 91 d. Eighty calves (40 bulls and 40 heifer calves) were reared indoors in groups (n = 5 of the same sex/pen). All calves were fed 4 L of CMR/d (175 g/L of CMR) in 2 feeds/d for the first 10 d and then 1 feed/d until d 49 or 84. The calves were gradually weaned by d 56 (earlier weaned; n = 8 pens) and d 91 (later weaned; n = 8 pens). All calves were fed FiberStart ad libitum as the only solid feed source from d 1 to 100 of the study. Irrespective of treatment, all calves had similar body weights at d 0 (40.9 ± 3.0 kg) and d 49 (74.2 ± 5.1 kg) of the study. Calf sex had no effect on intake, growth, blood, and immune system parameters. Earlier-weaned calves consumed 18% more solid feed dry matter but had 16% lower body weight gain (28.9 vs. 38.5 kg, respectively) from d 56 to 100 relative to later-weaned calves, resulting in different body weight at 100 d (104 vs. 121 ± 1.3 kg). Although earlier-weaned calves could compensate for the loss of CMR dry matter and crude protein intake from d 56 to 100 by increasing forage intake, they were unable to compensate for the loss of energy from the CMR by increasing solid feed consumption. Plasma β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were 52% greater in earlier-weaned calves than in later-weaned calves at d 84, indicating greater metabolic activity of the rumen wall. The duration of CMR feeding had no influence on humoral or cell-mediated immune functions of the calves, as evidenced by a lack of effect on antivaccine antibody responses as well as on immune gene expression. Earlier- versus later-weaned heifer calves had 5% lower mammary gland mass, indicating that greater energy supply increased mammary mass. The results of this experiment demonstrate the ability to artificially rear dairy calves on a conserved alfalfa as the only solid feed. Furthermore, earlier weaning off CMR promotes solid feed intake and an associated increase in blood β-hydroxybutyrate, an indicator of rumen development, but increasing the duration of CMR feeding improves growth and mammary gland mass by d 100. The implications of these findings on lifetime growth, health, and milk production in dairy heifers warrant further investigation.

In vivo induction of hepatocellular carcinoma by diethylnitrosoamine and pharmacological intervention in Balb C mice using Bergenia ciliata extracts

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most frequent primary malignancy of liver and accounts for as many as one million deaths worldwide in a year.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-cancerous efficiency of Bergenia ciliata rhizome against diethylnitrosoamine induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Balb C mice.

METHODS

One percent diethylnitrosoamine was prepared by using 99 ml of normal saline NaCl (0.9 percent) solution to which was added 1 ml of concentrated diethylnitrosoamine (DEN) solution (0.01 μg/μl). Extract of Bergenia ciliata was prepared by maceration technique. Mice were classified into four groups as follows: Group 1 a control group (N=7) received saline solution (3.5 μl/mg), group 2 (N=14) received diethylnitrosoamine (3.5 μl/mg) intraperitoneally once in a week for eight consecutive weeks, group 3 (N=7) received plant extract (150 mg/kg (Body weight)) once in a week, while group 4 (N=7) was given combination of diethylnitrosoamine (3.5 μl/mg) and plant extract (150 mg/kg (Body weight)). After eight weeks of DEN induction group 2 mice were divided into two subgroups containing seven mice each, subgroup 1 was sacrificed while subgroup 2 was treated with plant extract (150 mg/kg (Body weight)) once in a week for eight consecutive weeks.

RESULTS

The model of DEN injected hepatocellular carcinomic (HCC) mice elicited significant decline in levels of albumin with concomitant significant elevations in tumor markers aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alpha feto protein (AFP), gamma glutamyl transferase (Y-GT), 5 nucleotidase (5NT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and bilirubin. The intraperitoneal administration of B. ciliata as a protective agent, produced significant increase in albumin levels with significant decrease in the levels of tumor markers aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alpha feto protein (AFP), gamma glutamyl transferase (Y-GT), 5 nucleotidase (5NT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and bilirubin.

CONCLUSION

Bergenia ciliata has potent antioxidant activity, radical scavenging capacity and anticancerous properties. Bergenia ciliata extracts may provide a basis for development of anti-cancerous drug.

Application of fractional calculus to combined modified function projective synchronization of different systems

This paper presents the analysis of fractional order dynamical system of combined modified function projective synchronization of different systems. Initially, we formulate the model in fractional order and then investigate their associated properties. We then investigate the chaotic behavior of different systems by considering the fractional order parameter. To obtain the simulation results of the models, we use the Runge-Kutta order four scheme and Adams-Bashforth scheme. The obtained results are discussed in detail for the various values of the fractional order parameters. The obtained graphical results reveal the significance of the fractional order modeling.

Modelling the effects of heavy alcohol consumption on the transmission dynamics of gonorrhea with optimal control

Alcoholism has become a global threat and has a serious health consequence in the society. In this paper, a deterministic alcohol model is formulated, analyzed and the basic properties established. The reproduction number R₀ of system is determined. The steady states examined and local stability is found to be both locally and globally stable. The endemic state exhibit three equilibra solutions. Furthermore, time dependent control is incorporated into the system in order to establish the best strategy in controlling the alcohol consumption and gonorrhea dynamics, using Pontryagin's Maximum Principle. The numerical results depict that the best strategy to controlling gonorrhea is the application of the three controls at the same time.

Evaluating the collection, comparability and findings of six global surgery indicators

Background

In 2015, six indicators were proposed to evaluate global progress towards access to safe, affordable and timely surgical and anaesthesia care. Although some have been adopted as core global health indicators, none has been evaluated systematically. The aims of this study were to assess the availability, comparability and utility of the indicators, and to present available data and updated estimates.

Methods

Nationally representative data were compiled for all World Health Organization (WHO) member states from 2010 to 2016 through contacts with official bodies and review of the published and grey literature, and available databases. Availability, comparability and utility were assessed for each indicator: access to timely essential surgery, specialist surgical workforce density, surgical volume, perioperative mortality, and protection against impoverishing and catastrophic expenditure. Where feasible, imputation models were developed to generate global estimates.

Results

Of all WHO member states, 19 had data on the proportion of the population within 2h of a surgical facility, 154 had data on workforce density, 72 reported number of procedures, and nine had perioperative mortality data, but none could report data on catastrophic or impoverishing expenditure. Comparability and utility were variable, and largely dependent on different definitions used. There were sufficient data to estimate that worldwide, in 2015, there were 2 038 947 (i.q.r. 1 884 916–2 281 776) surgeons, obstetricians and anaesthetists, and 266·1 (95 per cent c.i. 220·1 to 344·4) million operations performed.

Conclusion

Surgical and anaesthesia indicators are increasingly being adopted by the global health community, but data availability remains low. Comparability and utility for all indicators require further resolution.

Optimal control strategies for dengue transmission in pakistan

This paper presents a deterministic model for dengue virus transmission. The model is parameterized using data from the 2017 dengue outbreak in Pakistan. We estimated the basic reproduction number (R₀) without any interventions for the 2017 dengue outbreak in Peshawar district of Pakistan as R₀≈2.64, the distribution of the reproduction number lies in the range R₀∈[1.21,5.24] (with a mean R₀≈2.64). Optimal control theory is then applied to investigate the optimal strategy for curtailing the spread of the disease using two time-dependent control variables determined from sensitivity analysis. These control variables are insecticide use and vaccination. The results show that the two controls avert the same number of infections in the district regardless of the weights on the costs this is due to the reciprocal relationship between the cost of insecticide use and vaccination. A strong reciprocal relationship exists between the use of insecticide and vaccination; as the cost of insecticide increases the use of vaccination increases. The use of insecticide on the other hand slightly increases when vaccination level decreases due to increase in cost.

Optimal control strategies for dengue transmission in pakistan

This paper presents a deterministic model for dengue virus transmission. The model is parameterized using data from the 2017 dengue outbreak in Pakistan. We estimated the basic reproduction number (R₀) without any interventions for the 2017 dengue outbreak in Peshawar district of Pakistan as R₀≈2.64, the distribution of the reproduction number lies in the range R₀∈[1.21,5.24] (with a mean R₀≈2.64). Optimal control theory is then applied to investigate the optimal strategy for curtailing the spread of the disease using two time-dependent control variables determined from sensitivity analysis. These control variables are insecticide use and vaccination. The results show that the two controls avert the same number of infections in the district regardless of the weights on the costs this is due to the reciprocal relationship between the cost of insecticide use and vaccination. A strong reciprocal relationship exists between the use of insecticide and vaccination; as the cost of insecticide increases the use of vaccination increases. The use of insecticide on the other hand slightly increases when vaccination level decreases due to increase in cost.

Evaluation of the relative efficacy of autologous platelet-rich fibrin membrane in combination with β-tricalcium phosphate (Septodont- resorbable tissue replacement)™ alloplast versus β-TCP alloplast alone in the treatment of grade II furcation defects

Introduction:

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is considered as the second-generation platelet concentrate, contains combined properties of fibrin, platelets, leukocytes, growth factors, and cytokines that make it as healing biomaterial with incredible potential for hard tissue and soft tissue regeneration. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PRF with β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) graft (R. T. R) and compare it with β-TCP allograft alone in the treatment of mandibular Grade II furcation defects.

Material and Methods:

A total of 20 mandibular Grade II furcation defects sites were assigned in the study and treated with either β-TCP alone (Group I) or β-TCP with PRF membrane (Group II). The clinical parameters analyzed were probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival recession (GR), horizontal defect depth (HDD), and vertical defect depth (VDD), recorded baseline and at 6 months reentry.

Results:

At 6 months, both groups showed statistically significant results for all parameters from their baseline value, although intergroup changes were statistically insignificant. In Group I, gain in CAL was 2.80 ± 1.40 and in Group II it was 3.00 ± 1.44. Bone fill in Group I was VDD (3.50 ± 2.12) and HDD (3.70 ± 0.67), whereas Group II showed VDD (3.70 ± 1.57) and HDD (4.0 ± 0.88), respectively. PPD reduction was higher in Group I (3.50 ± 2.27) than Group II (2.80 ± 1.93). At reentry GR was established, Group I showed higher GR (0.70 ± 0.67) and Group II (0.40 ± 0.52).

Conclusions:

Significant improvement was found in both groups, but the combination of PRF with β-TCP allograft led to more favorable improvement in the management of Grade II furcation defect except PPD.