Increasing Strength of Sub-grade Layer of Pavement using Geo-grid

This Paper describes the beneficial impact of reinforcing the sub-grade layer with a single layerof geo-grid at different positions and thereby determination of optimum position of reinforcement layer. The( best) optimum position was determined based on California Bearing Ratio (CBR value) and unconfined compression tests were conducted to decide the optimum position of geo-grid. The CBR value of a soil increases by 50-100% when it is reinforced with a single layer of geogrid. The amount of development (Improvement) depends upon the type of soil and position of geo-grid. CBR of sub-grade soil is 6.53% without reinforcement and when geo-grid was placed at 0.2H from the top, the CBR value increased to 19.66%. Soaked Condition CBR of sub-grade soil is 4.77% without reinforcement and when geo-grid was placed at 0.2H from the top, the CBR value increased to 4.46%. Keywords: Pavement, Geo-grid, Reinforced, Sub-grade, CBR, Filtration, Reinforcing

Effectiveness of oral probiotics supplementation in the treatment of adult small chalazion

AIM: To define the possible beneficial impact of probiotics oral supplementation on patients affected by chalazion. METHODS: Prospective comparative pilot study on 20 adults suffering from chalazion randomly divided into two groups. The first group (n=10) received conservative treatment with lid hygiene, warm compression, and dexamethasone/tobramycin ointment for at least 20d. The second group (n=10), in addition to the conservative treatment, received a mixture of probiotic microorganisms of Streptococcus thermophilus ST10 (DSM 25246), Lactococcus lactis LLC02 (DSM 29536) and Lactobacillus delbrueckii (DSM 16606) once a day up to 3mo. Chalazia were classified according to their size into three groups: small (<2 mm), medium (≥2 to <4 mm), or large (≥4 mm). When conservative treatment with and without probiotics supplementation failed to resolve the lesion, invasive methods were used, intralesional steroid injection in medium size chalazion and surgical incision and curettage for the largest ones. RESULTS: Medical treatment with or without probiotics supplementation was effective only on the small size chalazia. There was a significant difference in the time taken for complete resolution of small size chalazia between the two groups in favor of the patients receiving probiotics (38.50±9.04d vs 21.00±7.00d, P=0.039). Medium and large size chalazia did not respond to medical treatment with or without probiotics supplementation over the follow-up period (3mo). The treatment did not induce any complications in both groups and no recurrence of chalaziosis was recorded in both groups. CONCLUSION: The considerable difference in time taken for complete resolution of small chalazia between the two groups in favor of the experimental one confirms the presence of a gut-eye axis.

Telomere elongation in the gut extends zebrafish lifespan

Telomere shortening is a hallmark of aging and is counteracted by telomerase. The gut is one of the earliest organs to exhibit short telomeres and tissue dysfunction during normal zebrafish aging. This is recapitulated in prematurely aged telomerase mutants (tert-/-). Here, we show that gut-specific telomerase activity in tert-/- zebrafish prevents premature aging. Induction of telomerase rescues gut senescence and low cell proliferation to wild-type levels, while restoring gut tissue integrity, inflammation, and age-dependent gut microbiota dysbiosis. Remarkably, averting gut dysfunction results in a systemic beneficial impact. Gut-specific telomerase activity rescues premature aging markers in remote organs, such as the reproductive (testes) and hematopoietic (kidney marrow) systems. Functionally, it also rescues age-dependent loss of male fertility and testes atrophy. Finally, we show that gut-specific telomerase activity increases the lifespan of telomerase mutants. Our work demonstrates that delaying telomere shortening in the gut is sufficient to systemically counteract aging in zebrafish.

INDEPENDENT BENEFICIAL IMPACT OF SURGICAL REVASCULARIZATION ON ISCHEMIC LEFT VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION

Objectives: To assess the improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) among patients with severe LV dysfunction. Methodology: This Quasi experimental study was conducted at Punjab Institute of Cardiology from January to June 2021. One hundred and thirty four patients of severe LV dysfunction with coronary anatomy suitable for CABG were included in the study. Assessment of LVEF was carried out with echocardiography at baseline. All patients underwent CABG under general anaesthesia and were followed-up on 15th day with repeat echocardiography. Pre-CABG and post-CABG EFs were compared and mean changes in EFs were checked for potential effect modifications with gender, diabetes, CAD duration, age and body weight. Results: The mean LVEFs before and after surgery were 23.63 ± 1.17% and 32.11 ± 1.98% respectively. Mean improvement in LVEF after CABG was 8.5 ± 2.7 % (p < 0.001, 95% CI for difference 8.0 – 8.9) and did not different significantly according to gender, diabetes, CAD duration, age and body weight (P = 0.592, 0.167, 0.506, 0.138 and 0.458 respectively). Conclusion: Patients of CAD who underwent CABG had improved post-operative LVEFs independent of evaluated potential effect modifiers.

Assessing The Impacts of TRAIN Law on Consumption, Savings, and Unemployment in the Philippines

The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) policy intends to make the tax system simpler, fairer, and more efficient while also encouraging investments, job creation, and poverty reduction. This tax reform package 1 lowers personal income taxes, removes VAT exemptions, and changes the excise tax on petroleum goods and automobiles, making the tax system more equitable while simultaneously rectifying injustice. This study determines the relationship between the TRAIN Law and the increase in income on the country's consumption, savings, and unemployment rate. Using the multiple regression analysis, this study proves that TRAIN Law and the additional income positively affect consumption. The savings also has a significant positive relationship with the increase in income; however, it has a significant negative relationship with TRAIN Law. This study also shows that while the unemployment rate in the country decreases when income rises, the TRAIN law, on the other hand, relates to the increase in the unemployment rate. The results of this research suggest that the said tax reform has had a considerable beneficial impact on consumption, it has had an adverse influence on the growth rate of savings and unemployment in the country, hence in order to improve the delivery of essential services and better future social and economic results, the government should consider modifying the TRAIN Law and introducing a tax or policy that would stimulate private savings and employment.

CaCO3 Polymorphs Used as Additives in Filament Production for 3D Printing

Nowadays, additive manufacturing—also called 3D printing—represents a well-established technology in the field of the processing of various types of materials manufacturing products used in many industrial sectors. The most common type of 3D printing uses the fused filament fabrication (FFF) method, in which materials based on thermoplastics or elastomers are processed into filaments. Much effort was dedicated to improving the properties and processing of such printed filaments, and various types of inorganic and organic additives have been found to play a beneficial role. One of them, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), is standardly used as filler for the processing of polymeric materials. However, it is well-known from its different applications that CaCO3 crystals may represent particles of different morphologies and shapes that may have a crucial impact on the final properties of the resulting products. For this reason, three different synthetic polymorphs of CaCO3 (aragonite, calcite, and vaterite) and commercially available calcite powders were applied as fillers for the fabrication of polymeric filaments. Analysis of obtained data from different testing techniques has shown significant influence of filament properties depending on the type of applied CaCO3 polymorph. Aragonite particles showed a beneficial impact on the mechanical properties of produced filaments. The obtained results may help to fabricate products with enhanced properties using 3D printing FFF technology.

Đánh giá hiệu quả lọc máu hấp phụ cytokin trong điều trị bệnh nhân covid-19

TÓM TẮT Đặt vấn đề: Lọc máu hấp phụ được xem là một phương pháp điều trị ở bệnh nhân Covid-19 nặng do có khả năng loại bỏ cytokine viêm. Nghiên cứu này mục đích để đánh giá hiệu quả lọc máu hấp phụ theo phương thức lọc máu ngắt quãng (IHD) ở bệnh nhân Covid-19. Phương pháp nghiên cứu: Nghiên cứu can thiệp, thực hiện trên các bệnh nhân được chẩn đoán viêm phổi do Covid-19 mức độ nặng ở trung tâm hồi sức tích cực bệnh viện dã chiến số 14, thành phố Hồ Chí Minh. Bệnh nhân được điều trị với thuốc kháng virus, kháng sinh, kháng đông và corticoid và liệu pháp oxy và 3 lần lọc máu hấp phụ sử dụng máy lọc máu ngắt quãng. Các chỉ số lâm sàng và xét nghiệm được thu thập và so sánh ở thời điểm trước và sau lọc máu. Kết quả: Có 6 bệnh nhân nam và 4 bệnh nhân nữ ở độ tuổi trung bình 54,60 ± 14,00 điều trị lọc máu hấp phụ, có 7 bệnh nhân cải thiện và cai dần với liệu pháp oxy. Giá trị SpO2 tăng từ 92,00 ± 2,31% đến 94,40 ± 1,71% với p = 0,02. IL - 6 trong máu bệnh nhân giảm từ 110,80 ± 126,84 pg/mL xuống 26,55 ± 26,80 pg/ mL với p = 0,06, CRP giảm từ 139,90 ± 57,41mg/L xuống 56,10 ± 53,10mg/L với p = 0,03. Kết luận: Lọc máu hấp phụ có thể giúp cải thiện SpO2 và hỗ trợ cai liệu pháp oxy ở hầu hết bệnh nhân trong nhóm nghiên cứu. Tuy nhiên, trong tương lai cần có nghiên cứu đa trung tâm, có đối chứng trên nhiều bệnh nhân để có thể đánh giá chắc chắn hiệu quả lọc máu hấp phụ ở bệnh nhân Covid-19. ABSTRACT EFFECTIVENESS OF HEMOPERFUSION IN COID-19 PATIENTS Backgrounds: Extracorporeal blood purification has been proposed as one of the therapeutic approaches in patients with coronavirus infection, because of its beneficial impact on elimination of inflammatory cytokines. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of hemoperfusion in coid-19 patients. Methods: This experimental research has been conducted on severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients who admitted in field hospital in Ho Chi Minh city, receiving antiviral, antibacterial drugs, anticoagulant drugs and steroid, and different modalities of respiratory treatments. No randomization and blindness were considered. All of the participants underwent three sessions of resin-directed hemoperfusion using intermittent hemodialysis machine. Results: Six men and four women with a mean age of 54.60 ± 14.00 years has been enrolled in the study, and seven of them have improved after the intervention. Peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) changed after cytokine removal therapy. Mean SpO2 before the three session of hemoperfusion was 92.00 ± 2.31% and increased to 94.40 ± 1.71% after them (p = 0.02). Serum IL - 6 showed a reduction from 110.80 ± 126.84 pg/mL to 26.55 ± 26.80 pg/mL p = 0.06; and C-reactive protein decreased from 139.90 ± 57.41mg/L to 56.10 ± 53.10mg/L p = 0.03. Conclusions: Extracorporeal hemoadsorption using intermittent dialyisis machine could improve the general condition in most of recruited patients with severe coronavirus disease, however, large prospective multicenter trials in carefully selected patients are needed to definitely evaluate the efficacy of hemoperfusion in COVID-19 patients. Keywords: Intermittent dialyisis machine, hemoperfusion, COVID-19 pneumonia.

The effect of hearing aids on cognitive function: A systematic review

Rationale Dementia currently affects 50 million people globally with this expected to triple by 2050. Even though hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Considering hearing loss is the largest modifiable risk factor for developing dementia, it is essential to study the effect of hearing aids on cognitive function. Objective To systematically review the existing literature to examine the evidence for using hearing aids intervention as a treatment for deteriorating cognitive function. Design A search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and grey literature was conducted revealing 3060 unique records between 1990–2020. Two reviewers independently selected longitudinal studies observing the effects of hearing aids on cognitive function in persons without dementia at onset of the study. Due to the heterogeneity of the data, a meta-analysis could not be performed. Outcomes are described in a summary of findings table and portrayed diagrammatically. Results We identified 17 unique studies, spanning 30 years of research and 3526 participants. The included studies made use of 50 different cognitive function tests. These tests were grouped into separate cognitive domains according to the DSM-V classification for further analysis. The most beneficial impact of hearing aids seems to be in the cognitive domain of executive function, with six studies showing improvement, two studies being inconclusive and three studies not demonstrating a significant effect. Three of five studies demonstrated significant improvement when screening for brief mental status. The least beneficial impact is seen in domain of complex attention, with eight studies showing no significant effects, compared with one demonstrating improvement with intervention. Conclusions Based on this systematic review, we conclude that there is controversy about the effects of hearing aids on cognition. Additional research through randomized clinical trials with standardized cognitive assessment and longer follow-up is warranted to further elucidate this relationship.

The Beneficial Impact of the Black Chokeberry Extract against the Oxidative Stress in the Sublingual Salivary Gland of Rats Intoxicated with Cadmium

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most harmful xenobiotics to which humans are exposed, mainly by the oral route, throughout life. Preventive strategies are searched as low intoxication with this element, among others due to its prooxidative properties, can be deleterious to health and the exposure to it is continuously increasing. Recently, interest has been paid to plant raw materials with a high antioxidative potential to oppose the prooxidative properties of cadmium, such as black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa L. fruit), which is rich in polyphenolic compounds. The study was aimed at assessing whether the chokeberry extract may counteract the prooxidative impact of low-level and moderate repeated intoxication with cadmium on the sublingual salivary gland. The investigation was performed on 96 Wistar rats (females), which were treated with a 0.1% aqueous extract from chokeberries or/and a diet containing 1 or 5 mg Cd/kg for 3 and 10 months, and control animals. The intoxication with cadmium, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, attenuated the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidative potential and increased the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and total oxidative status of the sublingual salivary gland resulting in an occurrence of oxidative stress, enhancement of lipid peroxidation, and oxidative injuries of proteins in this salivary gland. The treatment with the black chokeberry extract during the intoxication with cadmium prevented this xenobiotic-caused oxidative/reductive imbalance and oxidative modifications of proteins and lipids in the salivary gland. The above results allow the conclusion that the consumption of black chokeberry products during intoxication with cadmium can prevent oxidative stress and its consequences in the sublingual salivary gland and thus counteract the unfavourable impact of this xenobiotic on the oral cavity.

WOMEN AND CHILDREN 'EMPOWERMENT IN ANABANUA VILLAGE THROUGH ENGLISH LEARNING USING A COLLABORATIVE LEARNING APPROACH

Academicians or lecturers are responsible for a variety of topics in villages in order to tackle society's difficulties. Anabanua is a village with the distinction of being a developed village in terms of both natural and human resources. Even though society has a poor income, the spirit of society is strong. As a result, a community service team in Anabanua, Kabupaten Wajo, has begun to assist children and teenagers in learning English. Collaborative learning is one of the approaches utilized in this community service activity because it engages and gives learners plenty of opportunities to share and discuss information and solve problems. As a result of using the collaborative learning strategy, learners are expected to be more engaged in learning and cooperating, allowing them to apply their learning and collaboration habits in the workplace. The outcomes of the community service reveal that assistance and empowerment in learning English have a beneficial impact on learners and a positive response from the community. Learners' empowerment has a critical role in boosting their motivation and raising their achievement levels. The community service activity is anticipated to be sustainable and to develop into a partnership between institutions and villages, allowing the institutions to contribute to the shaping of a smart, wise, and prosperous society.