A record-linkage study of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in persons with hepatitis C infection in Scotland

We investigated trends in first time hospital admissions and deaths attributable to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a large population based cohort of 22 073 individuals diagnosed with hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection through laboratory testing in Scotland in 1991 2006. We identified new cases of HCC through record linkage to the national inpatient hospital discharge database and deaths registry. A total of 172 persons diagnosed with HCV were admitted to hospital or died with first time mention of HCC. Hepatocellular carcinoma incidence increased between 1996 and 2006 (average annual change of 6.1, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.9 11.6%, P¼0.021). The adjusted relative risk of HCC was greater for males (hazard ratio¼2.7, 95% CI: 1.7 4.2), for those aged 60 years or older (hazard ratio ¼2.7, 95% CI: 1.9 4.1) compared with 50 59 years, and for those with a previous alcohol related hospital admission (hazard ratio¼2.5, 95% CI: 1.7 3.7). The risk of individuals diagnosed with HCV developing HCC was greatlyincreased compared with the general Scottish population (standardised incidence ratio¼127, 95% CI: 102 156). Owing to the advancing age of the Scottish HCV diagnosed population, the annual number of HCC cases is projected to increase, with a consequent increasing burden on the public healthcare system

Scientometric Analysis of the Research Output of biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology of Gujarat University, Ahmedabad

This paper presents a scientometric analysis of research output of biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology from the Gujarat University, Ahmedabad. The research article was published during 1980-2018. However, the data was collected and indexed in Scopus were considered for the analysis included a total of 400 publications. Various scientometric indicators have been calculated to acquire an appropriate perception of the growth and current status of research output of Gujarat University, Ahmedabad. The paper also analysed the publication trend of Gujarat University. The other aspects that were identified in the paper were the most prolific authors, collaborative authorship patterns and trends, most preferred publications, etc

Remotely Activated Virtual Laboratory An e-Learning Tool

Colleges are usually equipped with the laboratory equipment required for the prescribed experiments. However, many theoretical concepts require practical demonstration (with sophisticated equipment) for better understanding. These equipment may not be available in colleges, due to which, teaching faculties face difficulty in demonstrating them. In order to overcome this situation, an attempt has been made to develop a system which provides an interface to the user through which sophisticated equipment situated at a remote location can be easily accessed via any computing device. This work emphasizes on Publisher-Subscriber pattern, Subscriber can be any computing system connected to the internet and the Publisher will be a system with LabVIEW to which the lab equipment will be connected via National Instruments Data Acquisition Module (DAQ). For communication between Publisher and Subscriber, an add-on called Smartphone and Cross-Platform Communication Tool (SCCT) has been used

Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the evolution of form and function in the amniote jaw.

The amniote jaw complex is a remarkable amalgamation of derivatives from distinct embryonic cell lineages. During development, the cells in these lineages experience concerted movements, migrations, and signaling interactions that take them from their initial origins to their final destinations and imbue their derivatives with aspects of form including their axial orientation, anatomical identity, size, and shape. Perturbations along the way can produce defects and disease, but also generate the variation necessary for jaw evolution and adaptation. We focus on molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate form in the amniote jaw complex, and that enable structural and functional integration. Special emphasis is placed on the role of cranial neural crest mesenchyme (NCM) during the species-specific patterning of bone, cartilage, tendon, muscle, and other jaw tissues. We also address the effects of biomechanical forces during jaw development and discuss ways in which certain molecular and cellular responses add adaptive and evolutionary plasticity to jaw morphology. Overall, we highlight how variation in molecular and cellular programs can promote the phenomenal diversity and functional morphology achieved during amniote jaw evolution or lead to the range of jaw defects and disease that affect the human condition

A new and sensitive reaction rate method for spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of thiourea in different water samples based on an induction period

BACKGROUNDAgrilus bigutattus (Fabricius) is a forest pest of increasing importance in the United Kingdom. The larvae damage weakened native oaks and are thought to contribute to premature tree death. Suspected links with acute oak decline (AOD) are not yet confirmed, but AOD-predisposed trees appear to become more susceptible to A. biguttatus attack. Thus, management may be necessary for control of this insect. To explore the possibility of monitoring beetle populations by baited traps, the host tree volatiles regulating A. biguttatus-oak interactions were studied. RESULTSBiologically active volatile organic compounds in dynamic headspace extracts of oak foliage and bark were identified initially by coupled gas chromatography-electroantennography (GC-EAG) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the structures were confirmed by GC coinjection with authentic compounds. Of two synthetic blends of these compounds comprising the active leaf volatiles, the simpler one containing three components evoked strongly positive behavioural responses in four-arm olfactometer tests with virgin females and males, although fresh leaf material was more efficient than the blend. The other blend, comprising a five-component mixture made up of bark volatiles, proved to be as behaviourally active for gravid females as bark tissue. CONCLUSIONSThese initial results on A. biguttatus chemical ecology reveal aspects of the role of attractive tree volatiles in the host-finding of beetles and underpin the development of semiochemically based surveillance strategies for this forest insect. (c) 2015 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry

Search for Gravitational Waves from Primordial Black Hole Binary Coalescences in the Galactic Halo

We use data from the second science run of the LIGO gravitational-wave detectors to search for the gravitational waves from primordial black hole (PBH) binary coalescence with component masses in the range 0.2--$1.0 M_\odot$. The analysis requires a signal to be found in the data from both LIGO observatories, according to a set of coincidence criteria. No inspiral signals were found. Assuming a spherical halo with core radius 5 kpc extending to 50 kpc containing non-spinning black holes with masses in the range 0.2--$1.0 M_\odot$, we place an observational upper limit on the rate of PBH coalescence of 63 per year per Milky Way halo (MWH) with 90% confidence.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, to be submitted to Phys. Rev.

Research Trends In Select Science Faculties Of University Of Jammu.

The study attempts to analyze and report research trends in various subject fields of the faculty of Sciences, Life Sciences and Mathematical Science of University of Jammu. The analysis is based on the data gathered from SCOPUS as on March-May, 2011. The data gathered were meticulously analysed to depict research trends in different Departments and Subject areas viz: collaboration at various levels, authorship patterns, and citation profile. The findings reveal that although the faculties under study have witnessed potential growth in terms of research output. However, several departments are still lagging behind in terms of productivity and quality research, which is evident from low research output and citation count received by the publications. Current study is confined to 1237 research contributions that were published during 39 years from (1972 to May, 2011), by the 15 departments under the faculty of Sciences, Life Sciences and Mathematical Sciences of University of Jammu indexed by SCOPUS. The study is beneficial to highlight potential areas of research and will act as a tool for addressing problems at research front in those subject areas where research output is very meagre

Research Trends In Select Science Faculties Of University Of Jammu.

The study attempts to analyze and report research trends in various subject fields of the faculty of Sciences, Life Sciences and Mathematical Science of University of Jammu. The analysis is based on the data gathered from SCOPUS as on March-May, 2011. The data gathered were meticulously analysed to depict research trends in different Departments and Subject areas viz: collaboration at various levels, authorship patterns, and citation profile. The findings reveal that although the faculties under study have witnessed potential growth in terms of research output. However, several departments are still lagging behind in terms of productivity and quality research, which is evident from low research output and citation count received by the publications. Current study is confined to 1237 research contributions that were published during 39 years from (1972 to May, 2011), by the 15 departments under the faculty of Sciences, Life Sciences and Mathematical Sciences of University of Jammu indexed by SCOPUS. The study is beneficial to highlight potential areas of research and will act as a tool for addressing problems at research front in those subject areas where research output is very meagre