A comparative review of HLA associations with hepatitis Band C viral infections across global populations

Hepatitis B （HBV） and hepatitis C （HCV） viral infection or co-infection leads to risk of development of chronic infection, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. Immigration and globalization have added to the challenges of public health concerns regarding chronic HBV and HCV infections worldwide. The aim of this study is to review existing global literature across ethnic populations on HBV and HCV related human leukocyte antigen （HLA） associations in relation to susceptibility, viral persistence and treatment. Extensive literature search was conducted to explore the HLA associations in HBV and HCV infections reported across global populations over the past decade to understand the knowledge status, weaknesses and strengths of this information in different ethnic populations. HLA DR13 is consistently associated with HBV clearance globally. HLADRB1＊11/＊12 alleles and DQB1＊0301 are associated with HBV persistence but with HCV clearance worldwide. Consistent association of DRB1＊03 and ＊07 is observed with HCV susceptibility and non-responsiveness to HBV vaccination across the population. HLA DR13 is protective for vertical HBV and HCV transmission in Chinese and Italian neonates, but different alleles are associated with their susceptibility in these populations. HLA class I molecule interactions with Killer cell immunoglobulin like receptors （KIR） of natural killer （NK） cells modulate HCV infection outcome via regulating immune regulatory cells and molecules. HLA associations with HBV vaccination, interferon therapy in HBV and HCV, and with extra hepatic manifestations of viral hepatitis are also discussed. Systematic studies in compliance with global regulatory standards are required to identify the HLA specific viral epitope, stage specific T cell populations interacting with different HLA alleles during disease progression and viral clearance of chronic HBV or HCV infections among different ethnic populations. These studies would facilitate stage specific therapeutic strategies for clearance of HBV and HCV infections or co-infections across global populations and aid in identification of HBV-HCV combined vaccine. HLA associations of chronic HBV or HCV development with confounding host factors including alcohol, drug abuse, insulin resistance, age and gender are lacking and warrant detailed investigation across global populations.

结直肠癌造口术后患者社会心理适应现状及影响因素分析

目的了解结直肠癌造口术后患者的社会心理适应现状并探讨其影响因素,为结直肠癌造口术后患者造口护理干预提供依据。方法于2017年3月至2019年6月,选取就诊于湖南省肿瘤医院造口伤口护理中心门诊的结直肠癌造口术后患者作为调查对象,采用自制的一般资料问卷和社会心理适应量表对其进行调查。结果共调查造口患者200例,其社会心理适应量表得分为(42.46±12.99)分,处于中等水平。多元线性回归分析结果显示,工作情况、是否自行更换造口袋、造口术后时间及有无并发症是造口术后患者心理社会适应的影响因素。结论结直肠癌造口术后患者的社会心理适应水平处于中等水平;医护人员应通过开展针对性的健康宣教,增强患者自护能力,提高其社会心理适应水平,促进其身心健康。

善用大数据“资产”

“创新，究其本质，意味着迈出一大步，做出重大变革……实际上，创新之前最佳的‘做事方式’在创新之后就不再是最佳方式了。”20世纪著名经济学家约瑟夫·熊彼德的话，反映出大数据的潜能，它可以创造性地破坏现有的商业模式。世界数据总量的90％是在过去两年产生的，预计全球商业数据量每1-2年就翻1倍，2020年产生的数据量将是2009年的44倍。

Radioactive contents and background doses from northern alluvial sediment plains between rivers Ravi and Chenab,Pakistan

Radiometric analysis of soil samples, collected from northern alluvial sediment plains between rivers Ravi and Chenab, has been carried out. Activity concentrations of^(226) Ra,^(232)Th,^(40) K and the artificial radionuclide^(137) Cs were estimated by using high-purity germanium detector. Subsequent values of activity concentrations were used to find terrestrial absorbed dose rate and annual effective doses received by resident of area. The mean radioactivity levels of^(226) Ra,^(232)Th,^(40) K and^(137)Cs were found to be 45.0 ± 1.3,59.6 ± 2.8, 613.8 ± 20.0 and 4.0 ± 0.2 Bq kg^(-1), respectively. Terrestrial absorbed dose rate and annual effective dose received by public were found to be 85.1 n Gy h^(-1)and0.5 m Sv, respectively. The activity concentrations of^(226) Ra,^(232)Th,^(40) K and^(137)Cs and resulting doses obtained for the current study were compared with data available in the literature and with international standards.

Analysis of an SME using Silicon and Flexible Organic Solar Cells as Replacements for Fossil Fuel Sources of Electricity in UK and Iraq

Currently, 86% of the energy originates from fossil fuelsforelectricity. These are expected to run out, causing severe environmental damage threatening future generations. The total impact of Small and Medium Enterprises （SMEs） on the economy is significant. Solar cells harness the sun＇s energy to generate electricity in an environmentally friendly manner. This study compares silicon solar cells to flexible Organic Photovoltaic solar cells （OPV） for electricity energy for a micro-business in the UK and Iraq. It shows that it is feasible to replace existing fossil fuel sources with solar cells in Iraq due to a greater amount of solar radiation striking the earth＇s surface. Flexible solar cells can replace a proportion of the energy requirements in the UK and a larger proportion in Iraq. Using existing 20% efficient solar cells, 28% and 83% of the energy requirements of the microbusiness can be replaced in UK and Iraq respectively. Assuming 20% efficiency for solar cells placed on windows, 74% and 220% of the energy requirements of UK and Kurdistan can be replaced respectively and the surplus stored.

Long-Term Outcomes Comparing Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair versus Conventional Mitral Valve Surgery

Objectives: To compare the long term outcomes between minimally invasive mitral valve repair (MiMVR) and conventional surgery. Current retrospective comparisons between the techniques frequently report echocardiographical (echo) outcomes early after surgery and rarely report them later. Methods: Patients were selected for MiMVR by the surgical multi-disciplinary meeting from June 2008-March 2013. Patients included had at least two transthoracic post-operative echocardiograms. Echocardiographic parameters including left ventricular size and systolic function, degree of mitral regurgitation (MR) and mean mitral valve gradient were recorded. Clinical outcomes including all-cause mortality, re-operation, recurrence of at least moderate MR and elevated mean mitral valve gradients > 5 mmHg were recorded and compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results: 223 patients were screened, 96 (43%) met the criteria and were included. Thirty-seven patients underwent conventional surgery and 59 underwent MiMVR. Mean clinical follow-up was 6.3 years and echo follow up was 3.2 years. There was a significantly higher recurrence of moderate MR in the conventional group (38% (n = 19) versus 17% (n = 10)). The mean LV end-diastolic diameter was 4.8 cm (conventional) versus 5.0 cm (MiMVR). The incidence of elevated PG was 26% (n = 13, conventional) and 23% (n = 14, MiMVR). There was no significant difference in incidence in re-operation (conventional 12% (n = 6), MiMVR 8.3% (n = 5)). Long-term mortality was higher in the conventional group (1.7% vs. 18% p = 0.004) although the logistic Euroscore was significantly higher 6.8% ± 5.4 vs. 3.6% ± 1.6. Conclusions: Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery is safe and feasible in selected patients with good medium and long-term echocardiographic follow-up.

Musculoskeletal Manifestations of Atypical Mycobacterium: Case Reports

Musculoskeletal manifestations of atypical Mycobacterium are very rare and they can be easily missed by the junior doctors. We are presenting two cases of atypical Mycobacterium: the first one was infected by cleaning a fish tank and the other was immune-compromised patients. Both the cases were treated with broad spectrum antiboitics initially, with no results, unless the specimen cultures were obtained surgically and the specific cultures were asked. The treatment was started after obtaining the culture results. Both the patients were started on antituberculous treatment for 3 - 6 months with good functional results.

Squeezing Effects on the Estimation Precision of Cut off Frequency

We study the behavior of quantum Fisher information for a qubit probe that is interacting with a squeezed thermal environment. We analyzed the effect of squeezing parameters on the dynamics of quantum Fisher information which affects the optimal precision of the estimation parameter. We show that the squeezed field may offer a significant role in the precise measurement of the parameter cut-off frequency which is linked to the environment correlation time. Our results may be useful in quantum metrology, communication, and quantum estimation processes.

善用大数据创新

45%以上的公司在过去两年中已采取了商业智能或者大数据相关的举措;90%以上的全球500强企业在一年之内会开展至少一个大数据项目。如果能有效地利用这股浪潮,企业便可以大幅增加收入和利润20世纪著名的经济学家约瑟夫·熊彼德说,＂创新,究其本质,意味着迈出一大步,做出重大变革……实际上,创新之前最佳的＂做事方式＂在创新之后就不再是最佳方式了。＂熊彼德的话反映出大数据的潜能,它可以创造性地破坏现有的商业模式。

A novel homozygous frameshift variant in DNAH8 causes multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella in a consanguineous Pakistani family

Multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella(MMAF)is a severe form of asthenozoospermia categorized by immotile spermatozoa with abnormal flagella in ejaculate.Whole-exome sequencing(WES)is used to detect pathogenic variants in patients with MMAF.In this study,a novel homozygous frameshift variant(c.6158_6159insT)in dynein axonemal heavy chain 8(DNAH8)from two infertile brothers with MMAF in a consanguineous Pakistani family was identified by WES.Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)confirmed DNAH8 mRNA decay in these patients with the DNAH8 mutation.Hematoxylin–eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy revealed highly divergent morphology and ultrastructure of sperm flagella in these patients.Furthermore,an immunofluorescence assay showed the absence of DNAH8 and a reduction in its associated protein DNAH17 in the patients'spermatozoa.Collectively,our study expands the phenotypic spectrum of patients with DNAH8-related MMAF worldwide.

A recurrent homozygous missense mutation in CCDC103 causes asthenoteratozoospermia due to disorganized dynein arms

Asthenoteratozoospermia is one of the most severe types of qualitative sperm defects.Most cases are due to mutations in genes encoding the components of sperm flagella,which have an ultrastructure similar to that of motile cilia.Coiled-coil domain containing 103(CCDC103)is an outer dynein arm assembly factor,and pathogenic variants of CCDC103 cause primary ciliary dyskinesia(PCD).However,whether CCDC103 pathogenic variants cause severe asthenoteratozoospermia has yet to be determined.Whole-exome sequencing(WES)was performed for two individuals with nonsyndromic asthenoteratozoospermia in a consanguineous family.A homozygous CCDC103 variant segregating recessively with an infertility phenotype was identified(ENST00000035776.2,c.461A>C,p.His154Pro).CCDC103 p.His154Pro was previously reported as a high prevalence mutation causing PCD,though the reproductive phenotype of these PCD individuals is unknown.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)of affected individuals’spermatozoa showed that the mid-piece was severely damaged with disorganized dynein arms,similar to the abnormal ultrastructure of respiratory ciliary of PCD individuals with the same mutation.Thus,our findings expand the phenotype spectrum of CCDC103 p.His154Pro as a novel pathogenic gene for nonsyndromic asthenospermia.

Dynamic trip point categorisation using manufacturing process for polycrystalline diamond compact bits as case study

Disruptions in the manufacturing process cast substantial impacts on the consumer’s centric values,cost,and overall efficiency.The ripple effect of these disruptions is observed in the whole assembly line.The proper analysis and mitigation of disruptions is the key to the proficiency of the plant and resource utilisation.The research focuses on the quantitative analysis of the impact of disruptions of the manufacturing process,which is performed by analysing the disruptive workstation dynamically.The disruptive workstations have a significant impact on succeeding and preceding workstations,which have been analysed dynamically,and accordingly,the preset alarm trip points are elevated.The results show that lowering the number of starts and stops decreases the number of rejections of valuable process batches that finally improve efficiency.Finally,the developed model is implemented on a polycrystalline diamond compact drill bit manufacturing plant.The results are compared with the research work of other researchers,showing a 60%reduction in the number of start/stop events,60%reduction in downtime,while a 75%reduction in the number of rejections is noted.