HostSeq: a Canadian whole genome sequencing and clinical data resource

HostSeq was launched in April 2020 as a national initiative to integrate whole genome sequencing data from 10,000 Canadians infected with SARS-CoV-2 with clinical information related to their disease experience. The mandate of HostSeq is to support the Canadian and international research communities in their efforts to understand the risk factors for disease and associated health outcomes and support the development of interventions such as vaccines and therapeutics. HostSeq is a collaboration among 13 independent epidemiological studies of SARS-CoV-2 across five provinces in Canada. Aggregated data collected by HostSeq are made available to the public through two data portals: a phenotype portal showing summaries of major variables and their distributions, and a variant search portal enabling queries in a genomic region. Individual-level data is available to the global research community for health research through a Data Access Agreement and Data Access Compliance Office approval. Here we provide an overview of the collective project design along with summary level information for HostSeq. We highlight several statistical considerations for researchers using the HostSeq platform regarding data aggregation, sampling mechanism, covariate adjustment, and X chromosome analysis. In addition to serving as a rich data source, the diversity of study designs, sample sizes, and research objectives among the participating studies provides unique opportunities for the research community.

Dementia detection practice among primary care practitioners: A cross-sectional study in Hulu Langat District, Selangor

INTRODUCTION

Dementia is a global challenge for healthcare systems, including Malaysia. Despite evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for dementia management in primary care, detection is poor. Improving detection rates requires understanding current practice and influencing factors. This study aims to assess the practice of cognitive evaluation among primary care practitioners (PCPs) and its associated factors, as well as its correlation with their knowledge and attitudes towards early dementia diagnosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study conducted online, using Google FormTM recruited 207 Medical Officers from 14 public primary health centres, with a response rate of 74%. The Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Questionnaire for Family Physicians (KAPQFP) was used to assess PCPs' knowledge, attitude and practice in dementia care. Items in each domain were scored on a 4-point Likert scale, with scores ranging from 1 to 4. Each domain's mean score was divided by 4 and converted to a scale of 100, with higher scores indicating better knowledge, attitude and practice. Bivariate analyses were conducted to determine the factors associated with cognitive evaluation practice.

RESULTS

The overall mean practice score was 3.53±0.52 (88.3%), which is substantially higher than the mean score for perceived competency and knowledge of 2.46±0.51 (61.5%). The mean score for attitude towards dementia and collaboration with nurses and other healthcare professionals was 3.36±0.49 (84.0%) and 3.43±0.71 (85.8%), respectively. PCPs with prior dementia training showed better practice (p=0.006), as did PCPs with longer primary care work experience (p=0.038). A significant positive association was found between knowledge-practice ((rs=0.207, p=0.003), attitude towards dementia practice ((rs=0.478, p<0.001), and attitude towards collaboration with other healthcare professionals-practice (rs= 0.427, p<0.001). Limited time and inadequate knowledge regarding dementia diagnosis and cognitive evaluation tools were among the reasons cognitive evaluations were not performed.

CONCLUSION

PCPs demonstrated better practice of cognitive evaluation, as compared to their knowledge and attitude. Given that their perceived competency and knowledge on dementia diagnosis is low and is positively associated with their practice, it is crucial to implement a comprehensive dementia training to enhance their knowledge and confidence on early detection of cognitive decline and cognitive evaluation in order to achieve better dementia detection in primary care.

The characterization of the bioactive compounds in fermented papaya pulp and leaves: providing new insights on the anti-ageing potential

Nowadays, fermented food and beverages derived from plants have become popular choices for consuming functional foods as they provide enormous advantages to human health. Fermented food and beverage might offer more therapeutic benefits than natural nutrition. Papaya contains high antioxidant, antitumor, and immune regulatory effects due to its valuable phytochemical properties. Despite all the advantages, papaya leaves were underutilised as they have an astringent and bitter taste. During this study, papaya pulp and leaves underwent fermentation to enhance their functional properties and improve their taste and flavour. Both papaya pulp and leaves were fermented using mixed cultures of Komagataiebacter sp. bacteria and Dekkera sp. yeast and incubated under a controlled fermentation process. The supernatant extracted from both fermented papaya pulp and leaves was collected and its inhibitory effect towards the elastase, tyrosinase and acetylcholinesterase was analysed. Elastase and tyrosinase were employed for anti-ageing as increasing in dermal enzymatic activities will cause skin disorders. Meanwhile, acetylcholinesterase will affect the cholinergic crisis in the brain. Thus, inhibiting these enzymes is important for preventing hyperpigmentation, skin ageing and improving cognitive function. In comparison to non-fermented papaya pulp and leaves, the fermented papaya extracts demonstrated significant differences (P<0.05) in the inhibition effect against elastase, tyrosinase and acetylcholinesterase with an inhibitory value above 80%. Most of the flavonoids obtained in fermented papaya pulp and leaves were higher than non-fermented pulp and leaves. Protocatechuic acid was the highest compound in fermented papaya pulp (1.22±0.11 µg/mL), while vitexin (113.20±1.18 µg/mL), rutin (10.56±0.52 µg/mL), and ellagic acid (8.76±0.40 µg/mL) highly contained in fermented papaya leaves. The highest organic acids obtained from fermented papaya pulp and leaves acetic acid (13495.42±308.99 µg/mL and 18572.48±78.45 µg/mL), followed by quinic acid (2148.71±63.31 µg/mL and 984.40±2.29 µg/mL) and citric acid (802.57±17.68 µg/ mL and 151.83±6.50 µg/mL), respectively. The findings described the potential of fermented papaya pulp and leaves extracts as potential bio-ingredients to slow down ageing development

Perceived Stress Among Students of Private and Public Sector Medical Colleges of Pakistan: A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction

Medical-education is associated with high overall stress and it is important to identify relevant factors.

Objectives

The study was aimed to discern the differences in perceived stress among the students of public and private medical colleges of Pakistan and to identify factors subservient to any hypothesized difference.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted at different private and public medical colleges of Pakistan using validated tools: PSS-14 (Perceived Stress Scale) to find out the levels of stress faced by each sector and MSSQ (Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire) to determine the factors associated with increased stress.

Results

Total of 424 medical students from various public and private medical colleges of Pakistan (212 each) filled the questionnaires. The mean score +/- SD of PSS-14 was 36.17 ± 6.096 for the public sector and 36.29 ±5.732 for the private sector. Hence, there was no difference between the two comparative means of PSS score, t(422)=-0.213,p=0.831.The results for both sectors were classified as high perceived stress (27-40 score is high perceived stress). Out of 40 individual stress-causing factors in MSSQ, the students from private-sector scored higher as compared to public-sector: Quota System in examination t(422)=-3.951,p=0.000, stress caused by lack of time for friends and family t(422)=-3.225,p=0.001, stress caused by Tests/Examination t(422)=-2.131,p=0.034, stress caused by the parental wish for them to study medicine t(422)=-2.346,p=0.019 and stress caused by fear of getting poor marks t(422)=-2.183,p=0.030.

Conclusions

There exists no overall difference in the perceived-stress among the medical students of public and private medical colleges despite private-sectors having significantly more operational financial resources.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Effect of Fasting on Intraocular Pressure

Purpose:  To determine the effect of fasting on intraocular pressure in fasting individuals. Study Design:  Cross sectional observational study. Place and Duration of Study:  District Headquarter Teaching Hospital/Sahiwal Medical College Sahiwal, from April 2020 to May 2020. Methods:  Four hundred eyes of two hundred healthy fasting subjects were included in this study. Intraocular pressure was measured one week before and during the second week of Ramadan. t-test was used to calculate the difference of means of intraocular pressure one week before and during the second week of Ramadan. Results:  Mean age of the subjects was 34.56 ± 12.52 years. IOP in male subjects before and during Ramadan was 14.23 mmHg and 13.20 mmHg respectively, while IOP in female subjects before and during Ramadan was 14.43 mmHg and 13.20 mmHg respectively. Before Ramadan mean intraocular pressure in the right eye was 14.38 ± 3.00 mmHg and in the left eye was 14.21 ± 2.79 mmHg. During Ramadan mean intraocular pressure in the right eye was 13.24 ± 2.87 mmHg and in the left eye was 13.15 ± 2.71 mmHg. t-test indicated that the difference in means of intraocular pressure for right eye one week before and during the second week of Ramadan was 25.74 (p = 0.000). Similarly, the difference in means of intraocular pressure for left eye one week before and during the second week of Ramadan was 41.54 (p = 0.000). Conclusion:  Fasting results in a decrease in intraocular pressure in normal population. There was no difference in intraocular pressure changes between male and female subjects. Intraocular Pressure was higher in older age group in both genders. Key Words:  Intraocular Pressure, Tonometry, Glaucoma.

Formulation and evaluation of antioxidant and antityrosinase activity of Polygonum amplexicaule herbal gel

Medicinal plants are long been used for pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Among medicinal plants, Polygonum amplexicaule of family polygonaceae has traditional use in medicines and skin care. P. amplexicaule belongs to genus Polygonum that contains several important phytochemicals and considered as a rich source of antioxidants. The present study was designed to formulate herbal gel containing P. amplexicaule extract and evaluate its different physical properties as well as antioxidants and antityrosinase activities. Chitosan gel base was used as gelling agent and different gel formulations were prepared by different concentrations of extracts and polymers. Physical properties like pH, colour, odour, appearance and homogeneity, spreadability, extrudability and stability were optimized and analysed. A stable gel formulation containing 1% chitosan gel base and 5% plant extract was prepared that showed good appearance and homogeneity, easily spread ability and excellent extrudability. This gel formulation was tested for antioxidant and skin whitening properties by DPPH free radical scavenging assay and tyrosinase inhibition assay respectively and ascorbic acid was used as reference standard. DPPH scavenging activity with an IC₅₀ value of 0.446 mg/mL and tyrosinase inhibition activity with an IC₅₀ value of 0.805 mg/mL was observed and results indicated that this herbal gel formulation has a good potential for cosmetic use.

Correlation between hematological profile and theileriosis in Bali cattle from Muara Bulian, Jambi, Indonesia

Background and Aim

Theileriosis is a parasitic disease caused by the hemoprotozoan Theileria spp. The main transmission route of this disease is through tick vector bite. Theileriosis causes economic losses in livestock such as Bali cattle. This study aims to analyze the prevalence of theileriosis and its correlation with the hematological profile of Bali cattle from the subdistrict of Muara Bulian, Batang Hari, Jambi, Indonesia.

Materials and Methods

Ninety-four blood samples were collected through jugular vein of Bali cattle. The presence of Theileria spp. was determined using blood smear. Routine blood tests and double-staining immunohistochemistry against CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes were conducted on all blood samples.

Results

A total of 34.04% of the samples were infected by Theileria spp. Theileriosis affected only hemoglobin level (p<0.05); it did not affect the other parameters of the hematological profile (p>0.05). However, it also decreased CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio (p<0.05), besides increasing CD8+ (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Theileriosis does not change the hematological profile of Bali cattle except for the hemoglobin levels. Moreover, it promotes T-cell depletion.

Critical care usage after major gastrointestinal and liver surgery: a prospective, multicentre observational study

BACKGROUND

Patient selection for critical care admission must balance patient safety with optimal resource allocation. This study aimed to determine the relationship between critical care admission, and postoperative mortality after abdominal surgery.

METHODS

This prespecified secondary analysis of a multicentre, prospective, observational study included consecutive patients enrolled in the DISCOVER study from UK and Republic of Ireland undergoing major gastrointestinal and liver surgery between October and December 2014. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore associations between critical care admission (planned and unplanned) and mortality, and inter-centre variation in critical care admission after emergency laparotomy.

RESULTS

Of 4529 patients included, 37.8% (n=1713) underwent planned critical care admissions from theatre. Some 3.1% (n=86/2816) admitted to ward-level care subsequently underwent unplanned critical care admission. Overall 30-day mortality was 2.9% (n=133/4519), and the risk-adjusted association between 30-day mortality and critical care admission was higher in unplanned [odds ratio (OR): 8.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.51-19.97) than planned admissions (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.43-3.85). Some 26.7% of patients (n=1210/4529) underwent emergency laparotomies. After adjustment, 49.3% (95% CI: 46.8-51.9%, P<0.001) were predicted to have planned critical care admissions, with 7% (n=10/145) of centres outside the 95% CI.

CONCLUSIONS

After risk adjustment, no 30-day survival benefit was identified for either planned or unplanned postoperative admissions to critical care within this cohort. This likely represents appropriate admission of the highest-risk patients. Planned admissions in selected, intermediate-risk patients may present a strategy to mitigate the risk of unplanned admission. Substantial inter-centre variation exists in planned critical care admissions after emergency laparotomies.

Studies on two polyherbal formulations (ZPTO and ZTO) for comparison of their antidyslipidemic, antihypertensive and endothelial modulating activities

Background

Cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) are the leading cause of disease burden worldwide. Apart from available synthetic drugs used in CVDs, there are many herbal formulations including POL-10 (containing 10 herbs), which have been shown to be effective in animal studies but POL-10 was found to cause tachycardia in rodents as its side effect. This study was designed to modify the composition of POL-10 for better efficacy and/or safety profile in CVDs.

Methods

To assess the antidyslipidemic, antihypertensive and endothelial modulatory properties of two herbal formulations, (ZPTO and ZTO) containing Z: Zingiber officinalis, P: Piper nigrum, T: Terminalia belerica and O: Orchis mascula, different animal models including, tyloxapol and high fat diet-induced dyslipidemia and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were used. Effect on endothelial function was studied using isolated tissue bath set up coupled with PowerLab data acquisition system. The antioxidant activity was carried out using DPPH radical-scavenging assay.

Results

Based on preliminary screening of the ingredients of POL-10 in tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidemic rats, ZPTO and ZTO containing four active ingredients namely; Z, P, T and O were identified for further studies and comparison. In tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidemic rats, both ZPTO and ZTO caused significant reduction in serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC). In high fat diet-fed rats, ZPTO decreased TC, low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C) and atherogenic index (AI). ZTO also showed similar effects to those of ZPTO with additional merits being more effective in reducing AI, body weight and more importantly raising high-density lipoproteins. In SHR, both formulations markedly reduced systolic blood pressure, AI and TG levels, ZTO being more potent in reversing endothelial dysfunction while was devoid of cardiac stimulatory effect. In addition, ZTO also reduced LDL-C and improved glucose levels in SHR. In DPPH radical-scavenging activity test, ZTO was also more potent than ZPTO.

Conclusion

The modified formulation, ZTO was not only found more effective in correcting cardiovascular abnormalities than ZPTO or POL-10 but also it was free from tachycardiac side-effect, which might be observed because of the presence of Piper nigrum in ZPTO.

Time to viral load suppression in antiretroviral-naive and -experienced HIV-infected pregnant women on highly active antiretroviral therapy: implications for pregnant women presenting late in gestation

OBJECTIVE

To compare time to achieve viral load <400 copies/ml and <1000 copies/ml in HIV-infected antiretroviral (ARV) -naive versus ARV-experienced pregnant women on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Three university medical centers, USA.

POPULATION

HIV-infected pregnant women initiated or restarted on HAART during pregnancy.

METHODS

We calculated time to viral load <400 copies/ml and <1000 copies/ml in HIV-infected pregnant women on HAART who reported at least 50% adherence, stratifying based on previous ARV exposure history.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Time to HIV viral load <400 copies/ml and <1000 copies/ml.

RESULTS

We evaluated 138 HIV-infected pregnant women, comprising 76 ARV-naive and 62 ARV-experienced. Ninety-three percent of ARV-naive women achieved a viral load < 400 copies/ml during pregnancy compared with 92% of ARV-experienced women (P = 0.82). The median number of days to achieve a viral load < 400 copies/ml in the ARV-naive cohort was 25.0 (range 3.5-133; interquartile range 16-34) days compared with 27.0 (range 8-162.5; interquartile range 18.5-54.3) days in the ARV-experienced cohort (P = 0.02). In a multiple predictor analysis, women with higher adherence (adjusted relative hazard [aRH] per 10% increase in adherence 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.54, P = 0.01) and receiving a non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) -based regimen (aRH 2.48, 95% CI 1.33-4.63, P = 0.01) were more likely to achieve viral load <400 copies/ml earlier. Increased baseline HIV log10 viral load was associated with a later time of achieving viral load <400 copies/ml (aRH 0.60, 95% CI 0.39-0.92, P = 0.02). In a corresponding model of time to achieve viral load <1000 copies/ml, adherence (aRH per 10% increase in adherence 1.79, 95% CI 1.34-2.39, P < 0.001), receipt of NNRTI (aRH 2.95, 95% CI 1.23-7.06, P = 0.02), and CD4 cell count (aRH per 50 count increase in CD4 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.22, P = 0.01) were associated with an earlier time to achieve viral load below this threshold. Increasing baseline HIV log10 viral load was associated with a longer time of achieving viral load <1000 copies/ml (aRH 0.54, 95% CI 0.34-0.86, P = 0.01). In multiple predictor models, previous ARV exposure was not significantly associated with time to achieve viral load below thresholds of <400 copies/ml and <1000 copies/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnant women with ≥50% adherence, whether ARV-naive or ARV-experienced, on average achieve a viral load <400 copies/ml within a median of 26 days and a viral load of <1000 copies/ml within a median of 14 days of HAART initiation. Increased adherence, receipt of NNRTI-based regimen and lower baseline HIV log10 viral load were all statistically significant predictors of earlier time to achieve viral load <400 copies/ml and <1000 copies/ml. Increased CD4 count was statistically significant as a predictor of earlier time to achieve viral load <1000 copies/ml.

Antispasmodic and vasodilator activities of Morinda citrifolia root extract are mediated through blockade of voltage dependent calcium channels

Background

Morinda citrifolia (Noni) is an edible plant with wide range of medicinal uses. It occurs exclusively in tropical climate zone from India through Southeast Asia and Australia to Eastern Polynesia and Hawaii. The objective of this study was to explore the possible mode(s) of action for its antispasmodic, vasodilator and cardio-suppressant effects to rationalize its medicinal use in gut and cardiovascular disorders.

Methods

Isolated tissue preparations such as, rabbit jejunum, rat and rabbit aorta and guinea pig atria were used to test the antispasmodic and cardiovascular relaxant effects and the possible mode of action(s) of the 70% aqueous-ethanolic extract of Morinda citrifolia roots (Mc.Cr).

Results

The Mc.Cr produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of spontaneous and high K⁺ induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum preparations. It also caused right ward shift in the concentration response curves of Ca⁺⁺, similar to that of verapamil. In guinea-pig right atria, Mc.Cr caused inhibition of both atrial force and rate of spontaneous contractions. In rabbit thoracic aortic preparations, Mc.Cr also suppressed contractions induced by phenylephrine (1.0 μM) in normal- Ca⁺⁺ and Ca⁺⁺-free Kerb's solutions and by high K⁺, similar to that of verapamil. In rat thoracic aortic preparations, Mc.Cr also relaxed the phenylephrine (1.0 μM)-induced contractions. The vasodilatory responses were not altered in the presence of L-NAME (0.1 mM) or atropine (1.0 μM) and removal of endothelium.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the spasmolytic and vasodilator effects of Mc.Cr root extract are mediated possibly through blockade of voltage-dependent calcium channels and release of intracellular calcium, which may explain the medicinal use of Morinda citrifolia in diarrhea and hypertension. However, more detailed studies are required to assess the safety and efficacy of this plant.

CXCL13 expression in Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the female reproductive tract

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common cause of acute salpingitis worldwide. The socioeconomic impact of sexually transmitted infections (STI) caused by C. trachomatis is considerable. The purpose of this study was to investigate secretion of a unique chemokine, CXCL13, during the inflammatory process in human fallopian tube tissue in response to infection with C. trachomatis. We employed two models for our experiments: archived fallopian tube paraffin sections from known cases of salpingitis of unknown etiology and human fallopian tube organ culture established from fresh fallopian tube biopsies subsequently infected in vitro with C. trachomatis serovar E. We used immunohistochemistry, microarray analysis and cytometric bead array to study these specimens. In both models, we found that the fallopian tissue infected with C. trachomatis expressed CXCL13 and other characteristics of tertiary lymphoid tissue. In addition, we found that CXCL13 was expressed in multiple cell types, including endothelial cells, demonstrating a mechanism for the lymphoid aggregation seen in fallopian tube tissue during salpingitis and infection with C. trachomatis.

Antihypertensive, antioxidant, antidyslipidemic and endothelial modulating activities of a polyherbal formulation (POL-10)

The present investigation was aimed at providing the pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of a polyherbal formulation (POL-10) in hypertension and dyslipidemia. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, POL-10 significantly (p<0.05) reduced blood pressure to 183.2+/-2.97 vs 198.1+/-5.2 mmHg (Mean+/-S.E.M; n=7-10), improved endothelial dysfunction (p<0.01) by increasing acetylcholine-induced relaxation up to 46.0+/-6.7% vs 24.6+/-3.8% (n=5-10) and decreased serum triglycerides (TG) to 54.5+/-3.3 vs. 93.84+/-5.7 mg/dl (p<0.001). In high fat diet-induced hypercholesterolemia, POL-10 caused reduction in total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoproteins (LDL) levels and the atherogic index (TC-HDL/HDL). It decreased TG levels in tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidemia and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and reduced atherogenic index in normotensive rats. It exhibited strong antioxidant activity in different in vitro assays. In isolated smooth muscle preparation, POL-10 exhibited calcium channel blocking (CCB) activity by inhibition of high K(+)- induced contractions and rightward shift of Ca(++) concentration-response curves similar to that of verapamil. In conclusion, these findings rationalize the medicinal use of POL-10 in cardiovascular disorders which are mediated through multiple pathways such as, antioxidant, CCB, inhibition of lipid biosynthesis and absorption.

Development of Sigmoidnet Based NARX Model for a Distillation Column

Distillation exhibits highly nonlinear dynamic behavior and the development of suitable nonlinear model to distillation pose a challenging problem to current process industry. In the absence of a reasonably accurate nonlinear model, distillation column is difficult to control using advanced model based control strategies. In this paper, a novel sigmoidnet based nonlinear auto-regressive with exogenous inputs (NARX) model is developed for high purity distillation column and verified using the experimentally validated first principle model. The model validation and regressor analysis proved that the developed NARX model was capable of capturing the nonlinear dynamics of a distillation column.

Risk to household contacts of tuberculous patients based on Mantoux test and antibody titre

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis, being an infectious disease, carries a risk of infection to contacts attending tuberculous patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the risk for household contacts of tuberculous patients as compared to non-contacts. The study was conducted at PGMI, Gulab Devi Hospital and Defence Housing Authority Lahore. The study included 120 household contacts and 80 non-contacts.

METHODS

A Cross sectional study for evaluation of antituberculous antibodies levels by ELISA method in two groups; Mantoux positive household contacts 49, Mantoux negative household contacts 71 and normal healthy persons 'non contacts' 80. Routine Haematological investigations like HB, TLC and ESR were done by conventional methods and all the sera of 200 subjects included in the study were tested for IgM, IgG and IgA anti tuberculous antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Purified protein derivative 0.1 ml containing 5 TU was injected intradermally. The test was read after 72 hours by measuring the induration around injection site of forearm.

RESULTS

There was no difference in the average age of the household contacts and non-contacts. The complaints of pyrexia, night sweats and weight loss were more in house hold contacts as compared to non-contacts. The awareness about BCG vaccination was equal in both. There were 49 contacts with positive Mantoux test while negative Mantoux test was found in 71 contacts. There were only three Mantoux positive among eighty non-contacts. There was no significant difference in the presence of IgM among household contacts as compared to non-contacts. However both IgG and IgA were present in significantly higher number of household contacts compared to non-contacts.

CONCLUSION

Household contacts of patients suffering from active pulmonary tuberculosis have more chances of being infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis as compared to the healthy non-contact, as shown by the higher levels of antituberculous antibodies & positivity of Mantoux test.

Adsorption of direct dye on palm ash: kinetic and equilibrium modeling

Palm ash, an agriculture waste residue from palm-oil industry in Malaysia, was investigated as a replacement for the current expensive methods of removing direct blue 71 dye from an aqueous solution. The experimental data were analyzed by the Langmuir and Freundlich models of adsorption. Equilibrium data fitted well with Freundlich model in the range of 50-600mg/L. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of the palm ash was determined with the Langmuir equation and found to be 400.01mg dye per gram adsorbent at 30 degrees C. The rates of adsorption were found to conform to the pseudo-second-order kinetics with good correlation. The results indicate that the palm ash could be employed as a low-cost alternative to commercial activated carbon.