Excelitas Technologies (Germany)

Objective: To investigate the primary β-globin gene mutations and their association with secondary genetic modifiers—Xmn-1 polymorphism and BCL11A variant—in patients diagnosed with β-thalassemia intermedia in Pakistan. Study Design: Descriptive Cross-sectional study. Setting: Fauji Foundation Hospital, Islamabad. Period: June 2021 to January 2022. Methods: Seventy patients with β-TI were enrolled. DNA was extracted using the Chelex method, and molecular analysis was performed using PCR-RFLP and ARMS-PCR to detect BCL11A (rs11886868) and Xmn-1 polymorphisms, respectively. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 17. Results: The most frequent primary mutations included Cd-15 (14.3%), IVSI-5 (11.4%), and Fr 8-9 (12.9%). Xmn-1 and BCL11A polymorphisms were identified in 37.1% and 71.4% of patients, respectively. Statistically significant associations were found between certain primary mutations (e.g., IVSI-5 and IVSI-5/cap +1) and both secondary modifiers (p < 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). Dual modifier presence was observed in 26% of patients. Conclusion: This study reveals considerable molecular diversity in β-thalassemia intermedia in Pakistan. The significant association between specific β-globin mutations and secondary genetic modifiers highlights the complex genotype-phenotype interplay. These findings underscore the need for larger, multi-centric genetic studies to enhance predictive accuracy for clinical management and personalized therapy in thalassemia.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a malignant lymphoid neoplasm showing specific neoplastic cells and background of reactive non-neoplastic cells. Classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma involves germinal or post germinal center B-cells which are positive for CD15 and CD 30 immunophenotypically. Mixed cellularity classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma occurs in old age and is mostly seen in males. Extra nodal involvement is rare. Bone marrow involvement is considered as stage IV disease and it has poor prognosis. Here we present a unique case of CHL mixed cellularity with bone marrow infiltration showing three different patterns of infiltration.

Latar Belakang: SICHI adalah singkatan dari Screening Adolesscent Mental Health Indonesia. SICHI ini merupakan alat berupa media website yang dikembangkan oleh peneliti sebagai alat bantu untuk melakukan skrining gangguan kesehatan mental seperti stres pada remaja. Kesehatan mental merupakan keadaan kesehatan mental yang memungkinkan seseorang untuk melakukan hal yang terbaik, bisa kerja secara efektif dan berkontribusi dalam hal positif terhadap lingkungan, bahkan ketika menghadapi situasi kehidupan yang penuh dengan tekanan. Remaja termasuk salah satu kelompok umur yang rentan terhadap gangguan kesehatan mental. Tujuan dalam penelitian ini adalah untuk mengembangkan website yang mempermudah dalam melakukan screening gangguan kesehatan mental pada remaja dan melakukan screening secara mandiri. Metode: Metode penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian Research and Development dengan menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif analitik. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada bulan Juli 2024 dengan jumlah sampel sebanyak 36 orang mahasiswa prodi sarjana kebidanan tingkat 1 di Universitas Awal Bros yang diminta untuk mengisi data dengan login di website yang telah berisi pertanyaan terkait tingkat stres remaja serta sudah dilakukan uji validitas dan reabilitas. Hasil: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa website SICHI dapat menampilkan skrining tingkat stres remaja secara real time. Kesimpulan: didapatkan hasil sebanyak 17 orang (47,2%) responden berada pada kategori stres berat, hal ini membuktikan bahwa website SICHI dapat digunakan untuk skrining gangguan kesehatan mental remaja secara real time.

Abstract The microbial colony growth is driven by the activity of the cells located on the edges of the colony. However, this process is not visible unless specific staining or cross-sectioning of the colony is done. Speckle imaging technology is a non-invasive method that allows visualization of the zones of increased microbial activity within the colony. In this study, the laser speckle imaging technique was used to record the growth of the microbial colony. This method was tested on three different microorganisms: Vibrio natriegens, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that the speckle analysis system is not only able to record the growth of the microbial colony but also to visualize the microbial growth activity in different parts of the colony. The developed speckle imaging technique visualizes the zone of “the highest microbial activity” migrating from the center to the periphery of the colony. The results confirm the accuracy of the previous models of colony growth and provide algorithms for analysis of microbial activity within the colony.

Die MitarbeiterInnen haben in ihrer Arbeit ein sehr hohes Mas an korperlicher und psychischer Belastung zu tragen und mussen sehr oft schwierige ethische Entscheidungen treffen, vor allem wenn es sich um schwer kranke und sterbende Menschen handelt. Sie begleiten auch deren Angehorige. Hinzu kommt, dass ihre Arbeit die Kooperation mit einer Reihe anderer Dienstleister erfordert. Der Arbeitsalltag ist aber gepragt von einem grosen Zeitdruck bei oftmals fehlender Qualifikation in Hospiz und Palliative Care. Die Ziele des Pilotprojektes sind: Nachhaltige Verankerung von HPC in jeder Organisation; Verbesserungspotenziale in Ablaufen teilnehmender Organisationen zu erkennen und umzusetzen; Entlastung der MitarbeiterInnen im Umgang mit schwer kranken und sterbenden Menschen. Folgende Trager nehmen am Projekt teil: Arbeiter Samariter Bund Wien, CS Caritas Socialis, Caritas der ED Wien, Sozial Global AG, Volkshilfe Wien. Univ. Prof. Dr. Ralph Grossmann begleitet das Projekt aus der Sicht der Organisationsentwicklung (OE). Das Pilotprojekt wird vom Fonds Gesundes Osterreich (FGO) gefordert. Methoden: Die Entwicklung und Umsetzung von Leitzielen, Leistungen und Indikatoren, des Curriculums HPC Mobil, strukturelle und ablauforganisatorische Veranderungen in den Tragerorganisationen, sind Teil der Masnahmen. Die wissenschaftliche Begleitung, durchgefuhrt vom NPO & SE Kompetenzzentrum der WU Wien, erhebt und analysiert die Wirkungen des Projekts vor dem Hintergrund der gesetzten Ziele. Als Herangehensweise wurde ein Mix aus quantitativen und qualitativen Methoden gewahlt.

The Town of Flower Mound is located in Denton and Tarrant Counties of north Texas and has a population of approximately 68,000 people. The backbone of the Flower Mound water distribution system is a 20- and 30-inch water main which was constructed in the early 1970’s using bar wrapped pipe (BWP) and mortar lined steel pipe. The Town recently elected to proactively assess the condition of the pipeline to determine if its remaining useful life could exceed the original 50 year design life. To accomplish such a task, a comprehensive condition assessment approach was developed to provide actionable information pertaining to each individual pipe section in the 4.5 mile long water main. The Town of Flower Mound intends to make specific localized repairs based on the condition assessment of the pipeline to extend its remaining useful life and more efficiently manage the pipeline. This paper will provide an overview of the process used to assess the condition of the 20-inch and 30-inch critical water main for the Town of Flower Mound and present the results of the inspections and recommendations. More so, it will demonstrate how the Town of Flower Mound is effectively managing their finances and risk, while continuing to provide the community with a safe and reliable delivery of quality water.