Centrality and Transverse Momentum Dependence of Elliptic Flow of Multistrange Hadrons and ϕ Meson in Au+Au Collisions at √[sNN]=200 GeV

We present high precision measurements of elliptic flow near midrapidity (|y|<1.0) for multistrange hadrons and ϕ meson as a function of centrality and transverse momentum in Au+Au collisions at center of mass energy √[sNN]=200  GeV. We observe that the transverse momentum dependence of ϕ and Ω v2 is similar to that of π and p, respectively, which may indicate that the heavier strange quark flows as strongly as the lighter up and down quarks. This observation constitutes a clear piece of evidence for the development of partonic collectivity in heavy-ion collisions at the top RHIC energy. Number of constituent quark scaling is found to hold within statistical uncertainty for both 0%-30% and 30%-80% collision centrality. There is an indication of the breakdown of previously observed mass ordering between ϕ and proton v2 at low transverse momentum in the 0%-30% centrality range, possibly indicating late hadronic interactions affecting the proton v2.

Observation of Transverse Spin-Dependent Azimuthal Correlations of Charged Pion Pairs in p^{↑}+p at sqrt[s]=200 GeV

We report the observation of transverse polarization-dependent azimuthal correlations in charged pion pair production with the STAR experiment in p^{↑}+p collisions at RHIC. These correlations directly probe quark transversity distributions. We measure signals in excess of 5 standard deviations at high transverse momenta, at high pseudorapidities η>0.5, and for pair masses around the mass of the ρ meson. This is the first direct transversity measurement in p+p collisions.

Azimuthal Anisotropy in U+U and Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

Collisions between prolate uranium nuclei are used to study how particle production and azimuthal anisotropies depend on initial geometry in heavy-ion collisions. We report the two- and four-particle cumulants, v_{2}{2} and v_{2}{4}, for charged hadrons from U+U collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=193  GeV and Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. Nearly fully overlapping collisions are selected based on the energy deposited by spectators in zero degree calorimeters (ZDCs). Within this sample, the observed dependence of v_{2}{2} on multiplicity demonstrates that ZDC information combined with multiplicity can preferentially select different overlap configurations in U+U collisions. We also show that v_{2} vs multiplicity can be better described by models, such as gluon saturation or quark participant models, that eliminate the dependence of the multiplicity on the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions.

Modelling of lindane transport in groundwater of metropolitan city Vadodara, Gujarat, India

Migration pattern of organochloro pesticide lindane has been studied in groundwater of metropolitan city Vadodara. Groundwater flow was simulated using the groundwater flow model constructed up to a depth of 60 m considering a three-layer structure with grid size of 40 × 40 × 40 m(3). The general groundwater flow direction is from northeast to south and southwest. The river Vishwamitri and river Jambua form natural hydrologic boundary. The constant head in the north and south end of the study area is taken as another boundary condition in the model. The hydraulic head distribution in the multilayer aquifer has been computed from the visual MODFLOW groundwater flow model. TDS has been computed though MT3D mass transport model starting with a background concentration of 500 mg/l and using a porosity value of 0.3. Simulated TDS values from the model matches well with the observed data. Model MT3D was run for lindane pesticide with a background concentration of 0.5 μg/l. The predictions of the mass transport model for next 50 years indicate that advancement of containment of plume size in the aquifer system both spatially and depth wise as a result of increasing level of pesticide in river Vishwamitri. The restoration of the aquifer system may take a very long time as seen from slow improvement in the groundwater quality from the predicted scenarios, thereby, indicating alarming situation of groundwater quality deterioration in different layers. It is recommended that all the industries operating in the region should install efficient effluent treatment plants to abate the pollution problem.

Relevance of hepatitis B surface antigen levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B during 5 year of tenofovir treatment

The role of quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels in patients receiving highly potent oral antiviral therapy is controversial, and here, we determined the HBsAg response in 121 chronic hepatitis B patients treated with tenofovir 300 mg daily. During tenofovir treatment, HBsAg decline of ≥ 1.0 log from baseline was seen in 16.1%, 16.3%, 18.4%, 34.6%, 36.4% and 11.8%, 15.2%, 14.8%, 28.6%, 20% at years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 for HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients, respectively. Early decline in HBsAg levels at week 4 was predictive of subsequent significant HBsAg level decline. HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 29.9% of HBeAg-positive patients. On multinomial logistic regression, HBsAg level decline from baseline at week 4 and week 12 or any time subsequently did not correlate with HBeAg seroconversion and HBV DNA level decline from baseline at week 4 and week 12 (OR = 3.704; 95% CI = 1.511-9.076; P = 0.006 and OR = 1.732; 95% CI = 1.032-2.867; P = 0.037, respectively) was significantly predictive of seroconversion. A small proportion of chronic HBV-infected patients treated with tenofovir exhibit a significant (≥ 1.0 log) decline in HBsAg levels. Early decline in HBsAg levels at week 4 was predictive of subsequent and significant HBsAg level decline. The HBsAg decline did not correlate with HBeAg seroconversion in HBeAg-positive patients. Reduction in HBV DNA levels at week 4 and 12 correlated with seroconversion.

Sutureless and glue free limbal conjunctival auto graft for primary pterygium surgery

Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013; 5(9):139-140 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i1.7845

A profile of low vision among the blind school students in Lumbini Zone of Nepal

INTRODUCTION

There is an increasing awareness about the needs of students with low vision, particularly in developing countries where programs of integrated education are being developed. However, the appropriate low vision services are usually neither available, nor affordable.

OBJECTIVES

To study the profile of students with low vision in Lumbini Zone of Nepal.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study included students with low vision from 8 integrated schools. The reading performance was measured using their own text-books with optical low vision devices prescribed for near reading. The reading rates were measured on a range of print sizes. The Standard Clinical Low Vision Assessment Form and the National Low Vision Program protocol were used. SPSS software was used in data analysis.

RESULTS

Of 46 students enrolled, 23 had a mild visual impairment, 18 had severe visual impairment and 5 were blind. Spectacles were needed for 29 (63 %) students. Of the 11 students who had been wearing glasses, the visual acuity improved in 4 with a change in prescription. 91 % of the students had near vision better or equal to 1.5 M with optical low vision services for near reading. The reading rate was 24 WPM at the age of 5 years, whereas at the age of 21 years, it was 55 WPM.

CONCLUSION

The majority of the students with low vision need optical low vision services. Accurate refraction is important in these students. The reading rate increases significantly with improved near visual acuity.

A comprehensive study of early outcome (at the time of discharge from the hospital) after lumber discectomy for degenerative spine disease

AIM

To find out early outcomes after lumbar discectomy in patients with degenerative spine disease at discharge (10-12 days after surgery) from the hospital.

METHODS

The study was performed on 50 patients who have undergone lumbar discectomy for degenerative disc/spine disease in their pre- and post-operative stages of treatment. The study included 50 patients, taking into account both anamnesis and postoperative follow-up data. The outcomes were evaluated using modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and location of pain.

RESULTS

The study group consisted of 50 patients who completed the questionnaire in the pre- and post-operative period. The mean age of the patients was 50.0±2.1 years (male-27, female-23). The questionnaire contained questions about severity of pain (VAS), pain tolerance, well-being, walking, standing, sitting and sleeping. The data was compared in the pre- and post-operative stage, differences were evaluated using paired 't' test. There was a significant difference pain severity, walking, standing and sleeping among pre- and post-operative patients. Forty two percent of patients noted significant reduction of pain in the post-operative period. 48% of patients showed normalization of sleep without analgesics and hypnotics. About 72% of patients on the onset of the disease noted pain in both back and leg, and 6% had only low back pain, at the pre-operative stage. 52% of patients had no pain soon after surgery.

CONCLUSION

The majority of patients noted an improvement - rapid reduction of pain and restoration of sleep without analgesics and hypnotics in the post-operative period.

Unprecedented Mn(II) - Phosphate 3D Coordination Polymer with Novel pkb1 Topological Network Showing Spin-Canted Antiferromagnetism

A novel Mn(II)phosphate coordination polymer, {Mn2.5(HPO4PO4)H2O)2}n, has been synthesized under solvothermal conditions. This is the first phosphate-based Mn(II) complex, which is obtained in excellent yield without using any external organic amine as a structure directing agent. The complex has a 3D non-interpenetrated unprecedented 5-nodal (5,5,6,6,7)-connected pkb1 topological network. It has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis (CHN analyzer and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), and thermogravimetry. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that the complex exhibits spin-canted antiferromagnetic behaviour at low temperature. The electron paramagnetic resonance measurements, at ambient and at low temperature, of the complex are also consistent with magnetic behaviour.

Aberrant methylation and associated transcriptional mobilization of Alu elements contributes to genomic instability in hypoxia

Hypoxia is an integral part of tumorigenesis and contributes extensively to the neoplastic phenotype including drug resistance and genomic instability. It has also been reported that hypoxia results in global demethylation. Because a majority of the cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) islands are found within the repeat elements of DNA, and are usually methylated under normoxic conditions, we suggested that retrotransposable Alu or short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) which show altered methylation and associated changes of gene expression during hypoxia, could be associated with genomic instability. U87MG glioblastoma cells were cultured in 0.1% O₂ for 6 weeks and compared with cells cultured in 21% O₂ for the same duration. Real-time PCR analysis showed a significant increase in SINE and reverse transcriptase coding long interspersed nuclear element (LINE) transcripts during hypoxia. Sequencing of bisulphite treated DNA as well as the Combined Bisulfite Restriction Analysis (COBRA) assay showed that the SINE loci studied underwent significant hypomethylation though there was patchy hypermethylation at a few sites. The inter-alu PCR profile of DNA from cells cultured under 6-week hypoxia, its 4-week revert back to normoxia and 6-week normoxia showed several changes in the band pattern indicating increased alu mediated genomic alteration. Our results show that aberrant methylation leading to increased transcription of SINE and reverse transcriptase associated LINE elements could lead to increased genomic instability in hypoxia. This might be a cause of genetic heterogeneity in tumours especially in variegated hypoxic environment and lead to a development of foci of more aggressive tumour cells.

Stress and coping behaviors among smokers

Positive association has been seen between stress and smoking behavior. This relationship has not been explored in relation to one's coping behavior and desire to quit smoking. The present study examined stress, coping and readiness to change among smokers. 50 smokers were selected using a cross sectional design. Assessment Proforma, Fagerstrom test for Nicotine Dependency, General Health Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, Coping Checklist and Readiness to Change Questionnaire were administered on them. Stress was related to smoking behavior as well as initiation and maintenance of smoking. Individuals in the early adulthood stage were using maladaptive coping strategies. Perceived stress was higher among the middle age group. Stress and maladaptive coping behaviors were found to be associated with initiation and maintenance of smoking. It has implications for psychosocial interventions in tobacco cessation.

Surgical outcome of pars plana vitrectomy: a retrospective study in a peripheral tertiary eye care centre of Nepal

BACKGROUND

Trans-pars plana vitrectomy (TPPV) is an effective surgical procedure to retain the useful vision in vitreoretinal diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the surgical outcome of pars plana vitreoretinal surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective non-comparative interventional case series.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A hospital-based retrospective interventional study of series of cases was carried out in retina clinic of Lumbini Eye Institute, Nepal, over a period of one-and-a-half years. Records of 64 patients who underwent vitreo-retina surgeries were reviewed. Demography, duration of symptoms, risk factors and indications, preoperative and post-operative visual acuity, intra-operative and post-operative complications were analyzed.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENT

The parameters studied were post-operative visual acuity and complications.

RESULTS

Of 64 patients, 61% presented 2 months after the onset of symptoms. Preoperatively, 65.5% had visual acuity of hand motions to 3/60 followed by perception of light only in 26.6%. The main indication for TPPV was vitreous haemorrhage (VH), in 53%. The visual acuity improved to better than 6/60 in patients with VH (68%), whereas, overall, in 72% of the subjects, it improved by 2 lines postoperatively. The commonest intra-operative complications were iatrogenic retinal break (5, 7.8%) at the sclerostomy site.

CONCLUSION

The main indication for TPPV is vitreous haemorrhage. Useful vision can be restored by pars plana vitrectomy in the majority of the patients. Retinal break is the commonest complication of TPPV.

Molecular cloning and characterization of cDNA encoding buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) cytochrome P450 aromatase in the ovary

One of the predominant causes of poor reproduction in buffaloes is low levels of ovarian estrogens. A rate limiting enzyme in estrogen biosynthesis is cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450 AROM), the product of CYP19 gene. In the present study CYP19 cDNA was cloned and its 5'UTR was characterized by 5'RACE in granulosa cells of large follicles. CYP19 transcripts with four different 5'UTRs (206, 114, 90 and 3 bases) were found in buffalo granulosa cells of large ovarian follicles. Interestingly, a predominant aromatase transcript with short 5'UTR (3 nucleotides) was found. Further studies are required to understand the relevance of these transcripts and their translational efficiency in granulosa cells of large follicles during folliculogenesis of buffalo ovary.