U.S. Blue Water Navy Veterans of the Vietnam War: Comparisons from the Vietnam Era Health Retrospective Observational Study (VE-HEROeS).

Background: US Vietnam War Blue Water Navy veterans (BWN) conducted military operations on Vietnam's offshore waters and likely experienced various war-related exposures. The overall health of the BWN has never been systematically studied. Purpose: Describe and compare BWN's health with other servicemembers and non-veterans of the Vietnam era. Materials and methods: Survey of 45 067 randomly selected US Vietnam War theatre and non-theatre veterans and 6885 non-veterans. Results: For 22 646 male respondents, self-reported health was contrasted by veteran status defined as BWN (n=985), theatre veterans (n=6717), non-theatre veterans (n=10 698) and non-veterans (n=4246). Exposure was service in the Vietnam War theatre. Collected were demographics, military service characteristics, lifestyle factors and health conditions. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated using multivariable logistic regression. Controlling for cigarette smoking and other covariates, respiratory cancer risk was highest in BWN vs other veterans (theatre: aOR 1.65; 95% CI 1.09, 2.50; non-theatre: aOR 1.77; 1.13, 2.77) and to non-veterans (aOR 1.78; 1.15, 2.74). Other findings showed BWN's health risks between theatre and non-theatre veterans. Conclusion: There was a higher risk for respiratory cancers in BWN. Other risks were less than theatre veterans but greater than non-theatre or non-veterans, indicating a potential role of military exposures in BWN's health.

Reliable metal-graphene contact formation process flows in a CMOS-compatible environment.

The possibility of exploiting the enormous potential of graphene for microelectronics and photonics must go through the optimization of the graphene-metal contact. Achieving low contact resistance is essential for the consideration of graphene as a candidate material for electronic and photonic devices. This work has been carried out in an 8'' wafer pilot-line for the integration of graphene into a CMOS environment. The main focus is to study the impact of the patterning of graphene and passivation on metal-graphene contact resistance. The latter is measured by means of transmission line measurement (TLM) with several contact designs. The presented approaches enable reproducible formation of contact resistivity as low as 660 Ω µm with a sheet resistance of 1.8 kΩ/□ by proper graphene patterning, passivation of the channel and a post-processing treatment such as annealing.

First substantiation of clinico-molecular investigation of pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes in Nili-Ravi buffaloes.

Background: Listeriosis is a zoonotic disease of humans, animals, birds, fish, and crustaceans worldwide. Domestic animals, especially ruminants, are more susceptible to listeriosis. This infectious disease is caused by Listeria monocytogenes, an intracellular bacterium that can cross blood-brain, placental and intestinal barriers. In Pakistan, the incidence and reliable diagnostic tools for the L. monocytogenes are unidentified in Nili-Ravi buffaloes. Aims: This study was designed to inspect listeriosis in buffaloes through molecular techniques and haemato-biochemical analyses. Methods: A total of 230 samples (115 milk and 115 faecal samples) were collected from symptomatic listeriosis cases in Nili-Ravi buffaloes of 3 geographical districts (Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Muzaffargarh) Punjab, Pakistan. These samples were processed for DNA extraction using commercialized kits, and L. monocytogenes was confirmed by conventional PCR. Results: The results revealed that 6.08% and 4.34% of the isolates from milk and faecal samples were found positive for L. monocytogenes, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis of these isolates showed 97-100% similarity to isolates from the USA, Switzerland, Japan, and India. The accession numbers on NCBI GenBank appeared as HF558398 (Switzerland), KP965732 (India), EU372032 (USA), and LC259850 (Japan). Haemato-biochemical examinations showed that the values of WBCs, plasma fibrinogen, ALT, and AST significantly increased (P<0.05) in diseased buffaloes compared to healthy ones. Conclusion: The occurrence of listeriosis in buffaloes urges continuous monitoring and surveillance to prevent this emerging disease in Pakistan.

Influence of plasma treatment on SiO2/Si and Si3N4/Si substrates for large-scale transfer of graphene.

One of the limiting factors of graphene integration into electronic, photonic, or sensing devices is the unavailability of large-scale graphene directly grown on the isolators. Therefore, it is necessary to transfer graphene from the donor growth wafers onto the isolating target wafers. In the present research, graphene was transferred from the chemical vapor deposited 200 mm Germanium/Silicon (Ge/Si) wafers onto isolating (SiO2/Si and Si3N4/Si) wafers by electrochemical delamination procedure, employing poly(methylmethacrylate) as an intermediate support layer. In order to influence the adhesion properties of graphene, the wettability properties of the target substrates were investigated in this study. To increase the adhesion of the graphene on the isolating surfaces, they were pre-treated with oxygen plasma prior the transfer process of graphene. The wetting contact angle measurements revealed the increase of the hydrophilicity after surface interaction with oxygen plasma, leading to improved adhesion of the graphene on 200 mm target wafers and possible proof-of-concept development of graphene-based devices in standard Si technologies.

Non-genetic factors affecting pre-weaning growth and morphometric traits in Assam Hill goat.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the genetic and non-genetic factors affecting pre-weaning body weight (BW) and morphometry in Assam Hill goat along with the genetic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The detailed information in respect of BW and body measurements of 960 animals at birth and 3 months of age belonging to three different populations of Assam Hill goat maintained at field units, namely, Batabari, Nahira, and Tetelia under "All India Coordinated Research Project on Goat Improvement" were utilized in the present study. The data were analyzed using least squares technique. RESULTS: The least squares means for BW, height at withers (HW), heart girth (HG), and body length (BL) were 1.166±0.008 kg, 26.198±0.070 cm, 26.695±0.096 cm, and 29.482±0.119 cm at birth and 4.590±0.083 kg, 36.850±0.105 cm, 40.741±0.115 cm, and 39.703±0.108 cm at 3 months of age, respectively. Location had a significant effect on BW, HW, and BL at both birth and 3 months and on HG at 3 months of age. Season of birth exerted significant effect only on BL at birth, whereas the significant effect of sex was observed on HG and BL at 3 months of age. The heritability estimates for BW and body measurements were moderate indicating the scope of selection. The phenotypic and genetic correlations among BWs and body measurements at birth and 3 months of age were positive in direction and high in magnitude. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the present findings, it could be concluded that the weaning weight of kids can be considered for the selection of parent stock to increase productivity and eventually the economic efficiency. Further, animals with higher body measurements at initial phases of growth will perform better with respect to even BW at later stages of growth.

Metal-Free CVD Graphene Synthesis on 200 mm Ge/Si(001) Substrates.

Good quality, complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology compatible, 200 mm graphene was obtained on Ge(001)/Si(001) wafers in this work. Chemical vapor depositions were carried out at the deposition temperatures of 885 °C using CH4 as carbon source on epitaxial Ge(100) layers, which were grown on Si(100), prior to the graphene synthesis. Graphene layer with the 2D/G ratio ∼3 and low D mode (i.e., low concentration of defects) was measured over the entire 200 mm wafer by Raman spectroscopy. A typical full-width-at-half-maximum value of 39 cm-1 was extracted for the 2D mode, further indicating that graphene of good structural quality was produced. The study also revealed that the lack of interfacial oxide correlates with superior properties of graphene. In order to evaluate electrical properties of graphene, its 2 × 2 cm2 pieces were transferred onto SiO2/Si substrates from Ge/Si wafers. The extracted sheet resistance and mobility values of transferred graphene layers were ∼1500 ± 100 Ω/sq and µ ≈ 400 ± 20 cm2/V s, respectively. The transferred graphene was free of metallic contaminations or mechanical damage. On the basis of results of DFT calculations, we attribute the high structural quality of graphene grown by CVD on Ge to hydrogen-induced reduction of nucleation probability, explain the appearance of graphene-induced facets on Ge(001) as a kinetic effect caused by surface step pinning at linear graphene nuclei, and clarify the orientation of graphene domains on Ge(001) as resulting from good lattice matching between Ge(001) and graphene nucleated on such nuclei.

Studies on the adsorption of chromium(VI) onto 3-Mercaptopropionic acid coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

Chromium (Cr) in the form of Cr(VI) is deemed toxic in water due to its mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. For the successful removal of Cr(VI), we demonstrate a novel adsorbent consisting of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) functionalized with 3-Mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the functionalization of nanoparticles and presence of sulfonate groups. Batch adsorption experiments showed that the functionalized adsorbent recovered 45 mg of Cr(VI)/g of 3-MPA coated SPION at initial concentration of 50mg/L aqueous solution at pH 1 with less than 1% of Fe dissolution from SPION. The results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that Cr(VI) chemisorbed onto the adsorbent. Hence, the XPS spectra did not indicate any reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) upon adsorption. The adsorption data were better fitted for the Freundlich model. Moreover, the Cr(VI) adsorption kinetics on functionalized SPION followed a pseudo-second order rate, revealing chemisorption as the dominant mechanism. The high Cr(VI) removal, rapid adsorption kinetics and stability of adsorbent indicate that 3-MPA coated SPION could be an efficient adsorbent for the removal of Cr(VI).

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy buffaloes in Lahore District, Pakistan.

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy buffaloes ( Bubalus bubalis ) was assessed in the Lahore District of Punjab Province, Pakistan. The study revealed an overall prevalence of 54.7% for N. caninum antibodies determined through a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay performed on randomly collected serum samples. The highest prevalence was observed in buffaloes >3-5 yr of age (64.1%), followed by 57.9% for 5 to 6 yr olds, and 55.8% in 1-yr-old neonates, with high probability of infection under intensive dairy farming conditions. The pattern of prevalence was closely associated with the season as reflected by the highest prevalence (70.5%) in summer (May-August) and lowest (39.6%) in winter (November-January). Aborting buffaloes illustrated significantly higher (78.9%) exposure compared with non-aborting dams (59.8%). Prevalence in animals with canine contact was significantly higher (60.3%) than without contact (48.1%). This is the first reported prevalence of N. caninum in Pakistan.

Fungicidal activity of thymol and carvacrol by disrupting ergosterol biosynthesis and membrane integrity against Candida.

Natural isopropyl cresols have been reported to have antifungal activity. This work is an attempt to examine thymol and carvacrol against 111 fluconazole-sensitive and -resistant Candida isolates. Insight into the mechanism of action was elucidated by flow cytometric analysis, confocal imaging and ergosterol biosynthesis studies. The susceptibility tests for the test compounds were carried out in terms of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), disc diffusion assays and time-kill curves against all Candida isolates by employing standard protocols. Propidium iodide (PI) cell sorting has been investigated by flow cytometric analysis and confocal imaging. Haemolytic activity on human erythrocytes was studied to exclude the possibility of further associated cytotoxicity. Both compounds were found to be effective to varying extents against all isolates, including the resistant strains. In contrast to the fungistatic nature of fluconazole, our compounds were found to exhibit fungicidal nature. Significant impairment of ergosterol biosynthesis was pronouncedly induced by the test entities. Negligible cytoxicity was observed for the same compounds. Furthermore, it was observed that the positional difference of the hydroxyl group in carvacrol slightly changes its antifungal activity. Carvacrol and thymol show strong fungicidal effect against all of the Candida isolates. The mechanisms of action of these natural isopropyl cresols appear to originate from the inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis and the disruption of membrane integrity.

Living related renal transplants with lifelong follow-up. A model for the developing world.

AIMS: To describe the dynamic of a model of public government partnership for dialysis and transplantation in developing countries. MATERIALS: A model was established on the philosophy of public-government partnership to provide an integrated dialysis and transplant service "Free with dignity" with lifelong follow-up care and medications. The government provided 50% of funds and the public was motivated to donate the rest. This included affluent individuals, corporations, business houses and the general public. RESULTS: This model has been sustained for the last two decades. In 2008, 655,000 patients were treated at SIUT. Over 600 patients are dialyzed each day with a total of 165,411 dialysis sessions/year. Thus far 2,249 transplants have been performed, 431 in 2008. One- and 5-year graft survival rates were 92% and 85%, respectively. The laboratory performed 4.1 million tests and radiological investigations numbered 164,217. Over $ 6 million were spent on medications. Free services offered by the model have motivated the government to increase its funding from $ 2.1 million in 1998 to $ 10 million in 2008 and the public has matched these figures with total donations exceeding $ 20 million. CONCLUSIONS: For transplantation to be successful in developing countries, it has to be made available to the common people who constitute 90% of the population. Our model of public-government partnership has made dialysis and transplantation available to the disenfranchised with lifelong follow-up and medications. Transplantation has become relevant to them, resulting in societal acceptance of transplantation as a preferred mode of therapy. This has motivated society to support both living related and deceased donor programs.

Maternal, neonatal and child health in Pakistan: towards the MDGs by moving from desire to reality.

Of the 10 million annual deaths of children below five years of age, four million are neonates. Pakistan's neonatal mortality rate of 54/1000 live births, which accounts for 57% of the under-five mortality, the contraceptive prevalence rate stagnating at 30%, the meagre number of deliveries assisted by skilled birth attendants (39%) and the low coverage of cost-effective child survival interventions hamper the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5. The Government launched the national maternal, neonatal and child health programme in 2007 to promote access to evidence-based cost-effective interventions; strengthen district health system capacities; empower communities; expand the community midwives' cadre; and promote utilization of essential services. This paper reviews the implementation of the programme and the likelihood of attaining the MDG4 and 5 targets by 2015, and provides strategic directions for scaling-up programme implementation.

Maternal, neonatal and child health in Pakistan: towards the MDGs by moving from desire to reality

Of the 10 million annual deaths of children below five years of age, four million are neonates. Pakistan's neonatal mortality rate of 54/1000 live births, which accounts for 57% of the under-five mortality, the contraceptive prevalence rate stagnating at 30%, the meagre number of deliveries assisted by skilled birth attendants [39%] and the low coverage of cost-effective child survival interventions hamper the achievement of Millennium Development Goals [MDGs] 4 and 5. The Government launched the national maternal, neonatal and child health programme in 2007 to promote access to evidence-based cost-effective interventions; strengthen district health system capacities; empower communities; expand the community midwives' cadre; and promote utilization of essential services. This paper reviews the implementation of the programme and the likelihood of attaining the MDG4 and 5 targets by 2015, and provides strategic directions for scaling-up programme implementation

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation in hematological disorders: single center experience from Pakistan.

One hundred and fifty-four patients received allogeneic stem cell transplantations from HLA-matched siblings for various hematological disorders from July 2001 to September 2006. Indications for transplantation included aplastic anemia (n=66), beta-thalassemia major (n=40), CML (n=33), acute leukemia (n=8), and miscellaneous disorders (n=7). One hundred and twenty patients were males and 34 were females. Median patient age was 14 years (range, 1(1/4)-54 years). All patients achieved successful engraftment. Median time to engraftment (ANC>0.5x10(9)/L) was 14 days. Posttransplant complications encountered in our patients included acute graft versus host disease (GvHD) (grade II-IV) 28.5%, chronic GvHD 15.5%, hemorrhagic cystitis 9.7%, VOD liver 5.1%, acute renal failure 3.2%, bacterial infections 51.2%, fungal infections 15.0%, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection 4%, herpes zoster 4%, tuberculosis 2.6%, Pneumocystis jirovicii infection 0.6%, malaria 0.6% patients, graft rejection 5.2% patients, and relapse in 4% patients. Certain unexpected and rare posttransplant complications were also observed in our patients. These included Hickman catheter embolization, Guillain-Barré (GB) syndrome, deep vein thrombosis, hemorrhagic pericarditis with clots leading to cardiac tamponade, idiopathic polycythemia, dengue fever, and cyclosporine-induced neurotoxicity. Mortality was observed in 27.2% patients. Major causes of mortality were GvHD, VOD, disease relapse, intracranial hemorrhage, acute renal failure, pseudomonas septicemia, tuberculosis, disseminated aspergillosis, and CMV infection. At 5 years, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 72.5% and 70.7%, respectively.

Outcome of pregnancy in renal allograft recipients: SIUT experience.

The course of pregnancy and its outcome was studied in renal allograft recipients. Between November 1985 and November 2005, a total of 1481 renal transplants were carried out at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT); among them were 348 females, with 73 potential females for pregnancy. All patients received cyclosporine and prednisolone, with 82% also receiving azathioprine and 4 patients mycophenolate mofetil as a third immunosuppressant drug. We evaluated incidence of hypertension, diabetes, pre-eclampsia, urinary tract infection (UTI), rejection during pregnancy and during 3 months' postdelivery as well as outcomes of pregnancy. Among 73 potential candidates, 31 had 47 pregnancies, after an average of 31 months (8-86 months). Of 31 subjects, 21 subjects were hypertensive on one or two drugs prior to conception. A rise in blood pressure during pregnancy was noticed in 7 patients. Albuminuria from trace to 3+ appeared in 13 patients and glycosuria in one other. Blood sugar levels remained within normal range in all subjects. UTIs occurred during pregnancy in 7 patients. Among 47 pregnancies, 9 had abortions (7 spontaneous, 2 therapeutic) and 6 had preterm deliveries. The others were full-term deliveries: 12 via a lower segment caesarean section and 20 were normal vaginal deliveries. Average birth weight was 4.8 lbs. At an average follow-up of 38 months the serum creatinine values ranged from 0.94 to 2.3 mg %. One patient developed acute irreversible graft dysfunction soon after delivery. Our study demonstrated that pregnancy did not reduce renal graft survival, but newborns are at greater risk of premature birth and low birth weight.

Efficacy of isoniazid prophylaxis in renal allograft recipients.

The efficacy of isoniazid (INH) prophylaxis in renal allograft recipients who are on long-term immunosuppression in a region highly prevalent for tuberculosis (TB) was studied. INH (300 mg/d in patients weighing more than 35 kg and 5 mg/kg/d in patients with <35 kg body weight) together with Pyridoxine 50 mg/d for 1 year was started in randomly assigned renal allograft recipients. Occurrence of clinical tuberculosis during the initial 2 years posttransplantation was observed in the risk group and patients at no risk. Risks were defined as acute rejection episodes and exposure to antirejection therapy, past history of TB completely or incompletely treated, radiological evidence of past tuberculosis, history of tuberculosis in close contacts. Among 480 patients registered in the study, INH prophylaxis was given to 219 randomly assigned renal allograft recipients. Results were compared among patients developing TB during the initial 2 years posttransplantation in both the groups. Risk factors were analyzed for comparison in both groups. No significant difference was observed in terms of past history of TB, TB in close contacts, episodes of acute rejection during the initial 3 months, and comorbidities such as cytomegalovirus infection, hepatitis C virus infection, and posttransplant diabetes. One patient from the INH group and 10 patients from the non-INH group developed TB during the initial 2 years posttransplantation (P < .0001). None of patients required discontinuation of INH. INH was observed to be safe and effective as a chemoprophylactic agent in renal allograft recipients.

Cyclosporine withdrawal in post-renal transplant thrombotic microangiopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a well known complication of cyclosporine (CsA)-treated renal transplantation but optimum treatment strategies are not clearly defined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients transplanted between January 1996 and December 2001 at our center who had biopsy-proven TMA and in whom CsA was withdrawn were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: The TMA was found in nine of 688 patients (1.3%). All except one donor were living related. HLA matching was one haplotype in all except one where both haplotypes were different. There were five males and four females and the mean age was 24.9 +/- 9 yr. All of them developed TMA within 3 months of transplant. Five of nine had evidence of microangiopathic hemolysis on peripheral film. Serum creatinine at the time of diagnosis of TMA was 3.1 +/- 1.3 mg/dL. Cyclosporine was discontinued in all and mycophenolate mofetil was substituted for azathioprine. No episode of acute rejection occurred after CsA withdrawal. Graft function did not improve in four who eventually became dialysis-dependent after a mean duration of 12.6 +/- 8.3 months. Remaining patients showed stabilization or improvement in function and all had serum creatinine below 2 mg/dL after a mean follow up of 24 months. CONCLUSION: The CsA withdrawal in cases with TMA at a stage when significant functional deterioration has not taken place can salvage the graft.

Radiation processed hydrogel of poly (vinyl alcohol) with biodegradable polysaccharides.

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) can be modified to polymer hydrogels by radiation crosslinking and can be used in different biomedical applications. A study was done on the optimization of ingredients concentration for preparing good quality PVA hydrogels with natural polysaccharides. The synthesized hydrogels were also characterized by measuring the different physical properties e.g. gel fraction, swelling and absorption rate. Besides these, sterility test were also performed. Good quality hydrogels were obtained from PVA and natural polysaccharides solutions with 27 kGy radiation dose. There is an influence of natural polysaccharides on the gel fraction of hydrogel. The increase in the amount of polysaccharide causes a decrease in gel fraction that is decrease in the crosslinking density of PVA hydrogel network. The prepared hydrogels were found to be sterile.