Golimumab, a human antibody to tumour necrosis factor α given by monthly subcutaneous injections, in active rheumatoid arthritis despite methotrexate therapy: the GO-FORWARD Study

Keystone, E C,Genovese, M C,Klareskog, L,Hsia, E C,Hall, S T,Miranda, P C,Pazdur, J,Bae, S-C,Palmer, W,Zrubek, J,Wiekowski, M,Visvanathan, S,Wu, Z,Rahman, M U BMJ Publishing Group 2009 Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases Vol.68 No.6

<P><B>Objective:</B></P><P>The phase III GO-FORWARD study examined the efficacy and safety of golimumab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite methotrexate therapy.</P><P><B>Methods:</B></P><P>Patients were randomly assigned in a 3 : 3 : 2 : 2 ratio to receive placebo injections plus methotrexate capsules (group 1, n  =  133), golimumab 100 mg injections plus placebo capsules (group 2, n  =  133), golimumab 50 mg injections plus methotrexate capsules (group 3, n  =  89), or golimumab 100 mg injections plus methotrexate capsules (group 4, n  =  89). Injections were administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks. The co-primary endpoints were the proportion of patients with 20% or greater improvement in the American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR20) at week 14 and the change from baseline in the health assessment questionnaire-disability index (HAQ-DI) score at week 24.</P><P><B>Results:</B></P><P>The proportion of patients who achieved an ACR20 response at week 14 was 33.1% in the placebo plus methotrexate group, 44.4% (p = 0.059) in the golimumab 100 mg plus placebo group, 55.1% (p = 0.001) in the golimumab 50 mg plus methotrexate group and 56.2% (p<0.001) in the golimumab 100 mg plus methotrexate group. At week 24, median improvements from baseline in HAQ-DI scores were 0.13, 0.13 (p = 0.240), 0.38 (p<0.001) and 0.50 (p<0.001), respectively. During the placebo-controlled portion of the study (to week 16), serious adverse events occurred in 2.3%, 3.8%, 5.6% and 9.0% of patients and serious infections occurred in 0.8%, 0.8%, 2.2% and 5.6%, respectively.</P><P><B>Conclusion:</B></P><P>The addition of golimumab to methotrexate in patients with active RA despite methotrexate therapy significantly reduced the signs and symptoms of RA and improved physical function.</P>

Growth and Nutrient Utilization in Buffalo Calves Fed Urea-ammoniated Wheat Straw and Hydrochloric Acid plus Urea Treated Wheat Straw

Nair, P.V.,Verma, A.K.,Dass, R.S.,Mehra, U.R. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.5

Ten growing male buffalo calves (aged 6-8 months, average body weight $88.2{\pm}0.57$ kg were divided randomly into two groups. Animals in group I were fed on concentrate mixture A (CP 20.2%, TDN 77.4%) and urea- ammoniated wheat straw (UAWS) while the animals in group II were fed on concentrate mixture B (CP 17.9%, TDN 77.6%) and HCl plus urea treated wheat straw (HCl UAWS) to meet their nutrient requirement for 500 g gain/d as per Kearl (1982). This feeding practice lasted for 120 days, during which fortnightly body weight were recorded to assess their growth rate. A metabolism trial was conducted after 90 days of experimental feeding to compare the digestibility of nutrients, their balance, plane of nutrition and relative cost of feeding in two groups of animals. Results revealed a significant increase in the CP content of ammoniated wheat straw due to addition of HCl viz 12.1% from 7.5%. There was a decrease in the intake of DM (p<0.05), OM (p<0.05), EE (p<0.05), NDF (p<0.01), ADF (p<0.01), cellulose (p<0.01) and hemicellulose (p<0.01) in group II as compared to group I. The digestibility (%) of DM, OM and CP was significantly (p<0.01) more in group II, whereas the digestibility (%) was significantly more for NDF (p<0.05) and hemicellulose (p<0.01) in group I than group II. There was no significant difference in the N, Ca and P balance in two groups. Intake of total DM (g/d) or (g/kg $W^{0.75}$) was significantly (p<0.01) more in group I as compared to group II, whereas the intake of DCP and TDN (g/d or g/kg $W^{0.75}$) was alike in two groups. The total body weight gain (kg), average daily gain (g/d) and feed conversion efficiency were significantly (p<0.01) more in UAWS fed group as compared to HCl UAWS fed group. Feeding cost (Rs./kg. weight gain) was significantly (p<0.05) more in group II as compared to group I. It is concluded that HCl UAWS is not suitable for the feeding of growing buffalo calves as it reduced the growth rate in comparison to UAWS fed buffalo calves.

Ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of ZnTe nanostructures and their structural, electrochemical and photoelectrical properties

Ilanchezhiyan, P.,Mohan Kumar, G.,Xiao, Fu,Poongothai, S.,Madhan Kumar, A.,Siva, C.,Yuldashev, Sh.U.,Lee, D.J.,Kwon, Y.H.,Kang, T.W. Elsevier 2017 Ultrasonics sonochemistry Vol.39 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Colloidal zinc telluride (ZnTe) nanostructures were successfully processed through a simple and facile ultrasonic (sonochemical) treatment for photoelectronic applications. The particle-like morphological features, phase and nature of valence state of various metal ions existing in ZnTe were examined using electron and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic tools. Raman spectroscopic measurements revealed the dominance of exciton-phonon coupling and occurrence of TeO<SUB>2</SUB> traces in ZnTe through the corresponding vibrations. Optical bandgap of the ZnTe suspension was estimated to be around 2.15eV, authenticating the direct allowed transitions. The <I>p</I>-type electrical conductivity and charge carrier density of ZnTe were additionally estimated from the Bode, Nyquist and Mott-Schottky type impedance plots. The photoelectrical properties of ZnTe were investigated by fabricating <I>p</I>-ZnTe/<I>n</I>-Si heterostructures and studying their corresponding current-voltage characteristics under dark and white light illumination. The diodes revealed excellent rectifying behaviour with significant increase in reverse current under illumination. The stability of the devices were also affirmed through the time-dependent photoresponse characteristics, which actually suggested the improved and effective separation of photo generated electron hole pairs across the integrated heterojunctions. The obtained results also augment the potential of sonochemically processed ZnTe for application in photo detection and sensor related functions.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Nanostructured ZnTe were ultrasonically processed for photoelectronics. </LI> <LI> Raman, XPS and electron microscopic tools affirmed their physico-chemical traits. </LI> <LI> Electrical properties were studied using Nyquist and Mott-Schottky plots. </LI> <LI> <I>I</I>-<I>V</I> studies augment the improved photo response in p-ZnTe/n-Si heterojunctions. </LI> </UL> </P>

Interfacial charge transfer in ZnTe/ZnO nano arrayed heterostructures and their improved photoelectronic properties

Ilanchezhiyan, P.,Mohan Kumar, G.,Xiao, Fu,Madhankumar, A.,Siva, C.,Yuldashev, Shavkat U.,Cho, H.D.,Kang, T.W. North-Holland 2018 Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells Vol. No.

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The demand for low-cost high efficient photoelectronic devices tends to drive the present need for investigations on advanced multi-functional semiconducting nanostructures. In this regard, the physico-chemical traits of sonochemically processed ZnTe nanostructures and hydrothermally grown ZnO nanostructures were studied using Raman, UV–vis absorbance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and high resolution microscopic tools. The p-n ZnTe/ZnO heterojunctions were then fabricated via spin casting a colloidal ZnTe suspension on periodically aligned ZnO nanowires and investigated for their photoelectronic functionalities. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics revealed an obvious rectifying behaviour with the forward current and rectification ratio getting improved on lowering the threshold voltages. The series resistance of the diodes were additionally studied using the dV/dlnI derivate plots. The stability of the diodes were also affirmed using their time-dependent photoresponse characteristics, which actually suggested the improved and effective separation of photo generated electron hole pairs across the interface. Finally, the ZnTe/ZnO heterojunction behaviour was assimilated using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) results that were studied individually for ZnTe and ZnO nanostructures and collectively across ZnTe/ZnO heterostructure.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> ZnTe integrated ZnO nanowire diodes revealed excellent rectifying behaviour/rectification ratio. </LI> <LI> Series resistance of diodes were studied using dV/dlnI derivate plots. </LI> <LI> Stability of devices were evidenced through their photoresponse characteristics. </LI> <LI> Electrochemical data revealed improved interfacial charge transfer along the heterostructure. </LI> </UL> </P>

Effect of Sources of Supplementary Protein on Intake, Digestion and Efficiency of Energy Utilization in Buffaloes Fed Wheat Straw Based Diets

Mehra, U.R.,Khan, M.Y.,Lal, Murari,Hasan, Q.Z.,Das, Asit,Bhar, R.,Verma, A.K.,Dass, R.S.,Singh, P. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.5

Sixteen adult male buffaloes (average body weight $443{\pm}14kg$) were equally distributed into four groups in an experiment to study the effect of supplementary protein sources on energy utilization efficiency in buffaloes fed a wheat straw-based diet. The animals in the control group were offered a basal diet composed of 700 g deoiled ground nut cake and ad libitum wheat straw. Animals of other groups were offered 1.8 kg of soyabean meal (SBM), linseed meal (LSM) or mustard cake (MC) along with the basal diet. Protein supplementation increased the digestibility of DM (p<0.01), OM (p<0.01) CP (p<0.01) and CF (p<0.05). Maximum CP digestibility was observed on SBM, followed by LSM and MC when compared to the control. Total DMI and DOMI was significantly (p<0.01) higher in protein supplemented groups with no differences between treatment groups. Digestible crude protein (DCP) intake and N balance were significantly (p<0.01) different between the groups; maximum response was obtained with SBM supplementation, followed by LSM and MC. Faecal energy was significantly (p<0.01) lower in SBM and LSM groups in comparison to other groups. Methane production (% DEI) was significantly (p<0.05) lower on the SBM treatment. Metabolizable energy (ME) intake increased significantly due to protein supplementation. Metabolizable energy intake (MEI) of animals in the MC group was less than LSM and SBM. Energy balance was increased significantly (p<0.01) due to protein supplementation and within supplement variation was also significant with maximum balance in SBM followed by LSM and MC groups. Protein supplementation significantly (p<0.05) increased the digestibility and metabolizability of energy from whole ration. Metabolizable energy (ME) content (Mcal/kg DM) of SBM, LSM and MC was 4.49, 3.56 and 2.56, respectively. It was concluded that protein supplementation of wheat straw increased intake, digestibility and metabolizability of energy and maximum response could be obtained when soybean meal was used as a supplement.

Impact of Aging on Urinary Natriuretic Peptides in Nocturia and Nocturnal Polyuria

Lakshay Khosla,Joseph U. Boroda,Joshua Salama,Syed N. Rahman,Danielle J. Gordon,Matthew W. Moy,Yonatan Akivis,Alla Akivis,Jason M. Lazar,Jeffrey P. Weiss,Lori A. Birder 대한배뇨장애요실금학회 2022 International Neurourology Journal Vol.26 No.2

Purpose: The pathophysiology of nocturia and nocturnal polyuria (NP), conditions that become more prevalent with aging, may in part be explained by changes in hormones involved in water homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of aging on urinary natriuretic peptides in nocturia and NP. Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years completed 24-hour bladder diaries for assessment of nocturia and NP. They were divided into subgroups of ≥65 years old and <65 years old. Urine samples were collected and analyzed for natriuretic peptide (NTproANP, NT-proBNP, and NT-proCNP) levels. Peptide levels were compared between patients with and without nocturia/NP and within age subgroups; correlation to the NP index (NPi) was determined. Results: Compared to patients without nocturia (N=15), patients with nocturia (N=36) had higher median levels of urinary NT-proANP (15.8 pmol/mmol Cr vs. 10.9 pmol/mmol Cr, P=0.016) and NT-proBNP (6.3 pmol/mmol Cr vs. 4.5 pmol/mmol Cr, P=0.021), but showed no differences in NT-proCNP (2.4 pmol/mmol Cr vs. 2.5 pmol/mmol Cr, P=0.967). Patients ≥65 years old with nocturia had higher NT-proANP (29.8 pmol/mmol Cr vs. 11.0 pmol/mmol Cr, P<0.001) and NT-proBNP (9.6 pmol/mmol Cr vs. 5.0 pmol/mmol Cr, P<0.001) than patients <65 years old. Additionally, patients with NP (N=30) showed higher urinary NT-proANP (19.6 pmol/mmol Cr vs. 10.5 pmol/mmol Cr, P<0.001) and NT-proBNP (6.7 pmol/mmol Cr vs. 4.7 pmol/mmol Cr, P=0.020) compared to patients without NP (N=21). NP patients ≥65 years had higher NT-proANP (29.8 pmol/mmol Cr vs. 12.5 pmol/mmol Cr, P<0.001) and NT-proBNP (9.6 pmol/mmol Cr vs. 4.4 pmol/mmol Cr, P=0.004) than patients <65 years old. NPi positively correlated with urinary NT-proANP (RS=0.417, P=0.002) and NT-proBNP (RS=0.303, P=0.031), but not with NT-proCNP (RS=-0.094, P=0.510). Conclusions: Since urinary NT-proANP and NT-proBNP were greater in aged patients with nocturia and NP, natriuretic peptides may contribute to the pathophysiology of these conditions and further research should aim to explore them as targets for management.

Electroluminescence of n-Zn1-xMgxO/ZnO/p-Zn1-xMgxO Heterostructures Grown on Si Substrates

Sh. U. Yuldashev,T. W. Kang,R. A. Nusretov,I. V. Khvan,P. K. Khabibullaev,Y. K. Yeo,R. L. Hengehold 한국물리학회 2008 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.53 No.5

The n-Zn0.9Mg0.1O/ZnO/p-Zn0.9Mg0.1O heterojunction structures were grown on single-crystal p-type Si (100) substrates by using a simple process of ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. Aqueous solutions of zinc acetate, magnesium acetate, and ammonium acetate were used as the sources of Zn, Mg, and N, respectively. P-type conductivity was observed for the nitrogen-doped ZnO and Zn0.9Mg0.1O films. A distinct visible electroluminescence was observed at room temperature from the n-Zn0.9Mg0.1O/ZnO/p-Zn0.9Mg0.1O heterojunction structures under forward bias conditions.

Study of the Λ–Λ interaction with femtoscopy correlations in p p and p–Pb collisions at the LHC

Acharya, S.,Adamová,, D.,Adhya, S.P.,Adler, A.,Adolfsson, J.,Aggarwal, M.M.,Aglieri Rinella, G.,Agnello, M.,Agrawal, N.,Ahammed, Z.,Ahmad, S.,Ahn, S.U.,Aiola, S.,Akindinov, A.,Al-Turany, M.,Alam North-Holland Pub. Co 2019 Physics letters. Section B Vol.797 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This work presents new constraints on the existence and the binding energy of a possible Λ–Λ bound state, the H-dibaryon, derived from Λ–Λ femtoscopic measurements by the ALICE collaboration. The results are obtained from a new measurement using the femtoscopy technique in ▪ collisions at s = 13 TeV and p – Pb collisions at <SUB> s NN </SUB> = 5.02 TeV, combined with previously published results from ▪ collisions at s = 7 TeV. The Λ–Λ scattering parameter space, spanned by the inverse scattering length f 0 − 1 and the effective range <SUB> d 0 </SUB> , is constrained by comparing the measured Λ–Λ correlation function with calculations obtained within the Lednický model. The data are compatible with hypernuclei results and lattice computations, both predicting a shallow attractive interaction, and permit to test different theoretical approaches describing the Λ–Λ interaction. The region in the ( f 0 − 1 , <SUB> d 0 </SUB> ) plane which would accommodate a Λ–Λ bound state is substantially restricted compared to previous studies. The binding energy of the possible Λ–Λ bound state is estimated within an effective-range expansion approach and is found to be <SUB> B Λ Λ </SUB> = 3.2 − 2.4 + 1.6 (stat) − 1.0 + 1.8 (syst) MeV.</P>

The Measurement of Neutron Activation Cross Section of ^(59)Co Below 36 MeV

E. Simeckov,P. Bem,V. Burjan,M. Gotz,M. Honusek,V. Kroha,J. Novak,U. Fischer,S. P. Simakov,R. A. Forrest 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.59 No.23

An accurate knowledge of the cross section for neutron-induced reactions on ^(59)Co is of importance due to use of cobalt as a structural material in fission and fusion reactors, its applicability in neutron dosimetry and for testing theoretical models as well. The thin Co foils (0.25 mm thickness, 99.9% purity, Goodfellow product) were irradiated in the quasi-momoenergetic p-Li neutron field. For the production of the neutron fields, the proton beam from the NPI energy-variable cyclotron U120M at proton energies 19.8, 25.1, 27.6, 30.1, 32.7, 35.0, and 37.4 MeV and thin ^7Li target with carbon stopper were used. The reaction ^7Li(p,n) produces the high-energy quasi-monoenergetic neutrons with tail to lower energies. The flux density and neutron spectra were evaluated by MCNPX code using ^7Li(p,n) cross section measurement of other authors and including correction to the NPI target layout. The time profile of the neutron source strength during the irradiation was monitored by the proton beam current on the neutron-source target, recorded by a calibrated current-to-frequency converter on a PC. Au foils were used as additional monitors. The foil activity determination was performed by the nuclear spectrometry method employing two calibrated HPGe detectors of 23 and 50% efficiency and of FWHM (Full Width Half Maximum) 1.8 keV at 1.3 MeV for gamma-ray measurement. The reaction rates for ^(59)Co(n,p)^(59)Fe, ^(59)Co(n,α)^(56)Mn, ^(59)Co(n,2nα)^(54)Mn, ^(59)Co(n,3n)^(57)Co, ^(59)Co(n,2n)^(58m)Co, and ^(59)Co(n,2n)^(58g)Co were obtained. Integral activation cross sections were estimated. The preliminary results are discussed.

Estimation of Rumen Microbial Protein Supply Using Urinary Purine Derivatives Excretion in Crossbred Calves Fed at Different Levels of Feed Intake

Singh, M.,Sharma, K.,Dutta, N.,Singh, P.,Verma, A.K.,Mehra, U.R. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2007 Animal Bioscience Vol.20 No.10

A study was carried out to study the response of total purine derivatives (PD) excretion in urine to determine microbial N (MN) supply at four fixed levels of feed intake (namely 95, 80, 60 and 40% of voluntary intake). The crossbred (CB) calves were allocated according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square Design and fed wheat straw and concentrate (1:1). The rate of PD excretion (mmol/d) as a linear function of feed intake was 15.85/kg DMI and 20.12/kg DOMI. Based on the endogenous and PD excretion rates obtained in this study, a relationship between daily urinary PD excretion (Y, mmol) and daily microbial protein supply (X, mmol) was developed for crossbred calves as Y = 0.83X+0.296 kg $W^{0.75}$. The derived microbial N values using this equation differed (p<0.001) among the 4 groups and was the highest in L-95 followed by L-80, L-60 and L-40. The relationship between urinary nitrogen loss (Y, g/d) and DOMI (X, kg/d) was established as: Y = 6.038X+21.753 ($r^2$ = 0.663, p<0.01). When urinary excretion of PD (Y, mmol/d) was plotted against intake of DM and DOM (X, kg/d), the equations obtained were: Y = 7.1711X+8.674 ($r^2$ = 0.889, p<0.01) and Y = 12.434X+7.683 ($r^2$ = 0.896, p<0.01), respectively. The proportional contribution of allantoin and uric acid to total PD remained stable irrespective of level of feed intake. Similarly, urinary excretion of creatinine did not differ (p>0.05) between animals fed at different levels. The MN supply was the highest to animals at intake levels L-95, and decreased linearly with corresponding decrease in feed intake. However, the MN supply when expressed per kg DOMI remained statistically (p>0.05) similar irrespective of level of intake. The results revealed that the excretion of urinary purine derivatives were positively correlated with the level of feed intake as well as rumen microbial supply and thus it could be a good indicator for measuring the microbial protein supply and nutritional status of animals.