bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primulina crassirhizoma sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from a limestone area along the boundary of Sino-Vietnam
Authors: Zhao Bo , Hong Xin , Huang Shi-Lian , Wen Fang
Published: January 2014

Primulina crassirhizoma F. Wen, Bo Zhao & Xin Hong, a new species from a limestone area along the boundary of Sino-Vietnam, is described and illustrated. It is similar to P. linearifolia and P. longgangensis in leaf and flower shape, but can be distinguished by extremely strong rhozime, with conspicuous internodes, leaf blade adaxial surface nitid, sparsely appressed strigose, lateral veins 68 on each side of midrib, calyx narrowly triangular to narrowly ovate, corolla pale purple to bluish purple, c. 3.5 cm long, tubenearly tubular, adaxial lip c. 6 mm, abaxial lip 8-9 mm, glabrous anthers and staminodes 3.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v20i2.17387Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 20(2):129-134, 2013
Diversity in angiosperm flora of Teknaf wildlife sanctuary, Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin Mohammad Zashim , Alam Md. Fakhrul , Rhaman Md. Abdur , Hassan Md. Abul
Published: January 2014

Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary has been explored to assess angioperm diversity using traditional taxonomic techniques during 2010 to 2011. The assessment has resulted inrecording of total 535 angioperm species under 103 familiies and 370 genera. For each species scientific name, Bangla name (whenever available), family and habit are provided. Of 535 species, 178 represented by herbs, 110 by shrubs, 150 by trees, 87 by climbers and 10 by epiphytes. In Magnoliopsida (dicots), Fabaceae is the largest family represented by 38 species, while in Liliopsida (monocots), Poaceae is the largest family represented by 29 species.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v20i2.17389Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 20(2): 145-162, 2013
Reproductive biology of seven taxa of Magnolia L. in the south of Russian Far East
Authors: Kameneva Lyubov A. , Koksheeva Inna M.
Published: January 2014

This paper presents the phenology of seven taxa of the genus Magnolia L., pollen biology on germination and storage conditions, seed productivity, germinating ability of seeds and its dependence on stratification and germination conditions. It has been found that  M. kobus DC, M. kobus var. boreales Sarg., M. obovata Thurb., M. officinalis Rehd. et Wils., M. salicifolia (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim., M. sieboldii K. Koch. and M. tripetala L. in cultivated condition produce pollen at a low viability rate (9.4 - 31.7%). Real seed productivity of the taxa being studied is less than their potential productivity. However, M. obovata, M. officinalis and M. tripetala are characterized by high seed germinating ability, up to 94%. Optimal germination conditions for seeds of M. tripetala, M. officinalis and M. obovata require protected ground (greenhouse) and stratification at 4ºC during 30 days. The high germinating ability of M. sieboldii seeds in the open ground is explained by stratification duration and temperature required for this species. Sarcotesta effects on higher seed germinating ability have been observed in M. obovata only.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v20i2.17390Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 20(2): 163-170, 2013
Elatostema bioppositum (Urticaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China
Authors: Duan Lin-Dong , Lin Yun
Published: January 2014

A new species of Elatostema J. R. Forst. & G. Forst. (Urticaceae), E. bioppositum L.D. Duan & Y. Lin, is described and illustrated from Guangxi, China. This species was found growing in evergreen broad-leaved forests in limestone hills at altitudes of 410-550 m. The new species is related to E. oppositum Q. Lin & Y. M. Shui, but differs from the latter by stipule linear, lanceolate-linear or lanceolate, 12-25 mm long, 2.0-4.5 mm wide; leaf blade green after drying; male inflorescence 15-30 mm in diameter and peduncle 2-3 mm long; and female inflorescence 7-15 mm in diameter.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v20i2.17392Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 20(2): 179-183, 2013
A new Ranunculus species (Ranunculaceae) from Shaanxi, China
Authors: Luo Min-Rong , Zhao Liang
Published: January 2014

Ranunculus shanyangensis M.R. Luo & L. Zhao, a new species of Ranunculaceae from Shaanxi, China, is described and illustrated. Ranunculus shanyangensis is morphologically similar to R. repens, however, it differs from the latter due to the following characters: longer adventitious roots, wholly creeping stems with no branches, longer rachis, fewer floral organs and pollen wall sculpturing. SEM micrography of thepollens for R. shanyangensis and R. repens are presented along with distribution map.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v20i2.17394Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 20(2): 201-205, 2013
Didymodon cordatus Jur. (Pottiaceae), new to the moss flora of China
Authors: Zhao Dong-Ping , Bai Xue-Liang , Wang Jian-Nan , Liu Yang
Published: January 2014

Not available.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v20i2.17402Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 20(2): 259-261, 2013
Euonymus leiophloeus (Celastraceae) - A new record for the flora of Turkey
Authors: Eminagaoglu Özgür , Özcan Melahat
Published: January 2014

Not available.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v20i2.17403Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 20(2): 263-266, 2013
On the celebration of 20 years endeavour to promote research in plant taxonomy
Authors: Hassan Md. Abul
Published: January 2014

Not available.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v20i2.17405
Dynamic Fluctuation of Circulating Tumor Cells during Cancer Progression
Authors: Juratli Mazen , Sarimollaoglu Mustafa , Nedosekin Dmitry , Melerzanov Alexander , Zharov Vladimir , Galanzha Ekaterina
Published: January 2014

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for metastatic tumors. We demonstrate that CTCs’ diagnostic value might be increased through real-time monitoring of CTC dynamics. Using preclinical animal models of breast cancer and melanoma and in vivo flow cytometry with photoacoustic and fluorescence detection schematics, we show that CTC count does not always correlate with the primary tumor size. Individual analysis elucidated many cases where the highest level of CTCs was detected before the primary tumor starts progressing. This phenomenon could be attributed to aggressive tumors developing from cancer stem cells. Furthermore, real-time continuous monitoring of CTCs reveals that they occur at highly variable rates in a detection point over a period of time (e.g., a range of 0–54 CTCs per 5 min). These same fluctuations in CTC numbers were observed in vivo in epithelial and non-epithelial metastatic tumors, in different stages of tumor progression, and in different vessels. These temporal CTC fluctuations can explain false negative results of a one-time snapshot test in humans. Indeed, we observed wide variations in the number of CTCs in subsequent blood samples taken from the same metastatic melanoma patient, with some samples being CTC-free. If these phenomena are confirmed in our ongoing in vivo clinical trials, this could support a personalized strategy of CTC monitoring for cancer patients.
Management for Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreak Suppression: Does Relevant Science Support Current Policy?
Authors: Six Diana , Biber Eric , Long Elisabeth
Published: January 2014

While the use of timber harvests is generally accepted as an effective approach to controlling bark beetles during outbreaks, in reality there has been a dearth of monitoring to assess outcomes, and failures are often not reported. Additionally, few studies have focused on how these treatments affect forest structure and function over the long term, or our forests’ ability to adapt to climate change. Despite this, there is a widespread belief in the policy arena that timber harvesting is an effective and necessary tool to address beetle infestations. That belief has led to numerous proposals for, and enactment of, significant changes in federal environmental laws to encourage more timber harvests for beetle control. In this review, we use mountain pine beetle as an exemplar to critically evaluate the state of science behind the use of timber harvest treatments for bark beetle suppression during outbreaks. It is our hope that this review will stimulate research to fill important gaps and to help guide the development of policy and management firmly based in science, and thus, more likely to aid in forest conservation, reduce financial waste, and bolster public trust in public agency decision-making and practice.
In Vitro Phosphorylation Does not Influence the Aggregation Kinetics of WT α-Synuclein in Contrast to Its Phosphorylation Mutants
Authors: Schreurs Sarah , Gerard Melanie , Derua Rita , Waelkens Etienne , Taymans Jean-Marc , Baekelandt Veerle , Engelborghs Yves
Published: January 2014

The aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-SYN) into fibrils is characteristic for several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Ninety percent of α-SYN deposited in Lewy Bodies, a pathological hallmark of PD, is phosphorylated on serine129. α-SYN can also be phosphorylated on tyrosine125, which is believed to regulate the membrane binding capacity and thus possibly its normal function. A better understanding of the effect of phosphorylation on the aggregation of α-SYN might shed light on its role in the pathogenesis of PD. In this study we compare the aggregation properties of WT α-SYN with the phospho-dead and phospho-mimic mutants S129A, S129D, Y125F and Y125E and in vitro phosphorylated α-SYN using turbidity, thioflavin T and circular dichroism measurements as well as transmission electron microscopy. We show that the mutants S129A and S129D behave similarly compared to wild type (WT) α-SYN, while the mutants Y125F and Y125E fibrillate significantly slower, although all mutants form fibrillar structures similar to the WT protein. In contrast, in vitro phosphorylation of α-SYN on either S129 or Y125 does not significantly affect the fibrillization kinetics. Moreover, FK506 binding proteins (FKBPs), enzymes with peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity, still accelerate the aggregation of phosphorylated α-SYN in vitro, as was shown previously for WT α-SYN. In conclusion, our results illustrate that phosphorylation mutants can display different aggregation properties compared to the more biologically relevant phosphorylated form of α-SYN.
Stem Cells on Biomaterials for Synthetic Grafts to Promote Vascular Healing
Authors: Babczyk Patrick , Conzendorf Clelia , Klose Jens , Schulze Margit , Harre Kathrin , Tobiasch Edda
Published: January 2014

This review is divided into two interconnected parts, namely a biological and a chemical one. The focus of the first part is on the biological background for constructing tissue-engineered vascular grafts to promote vascular healing. Various cell types, such as embryonic, mesenchymal and induced pluripotent stem cells, progenitor cells and endothelial- and smooth muscle cells will be discussed with respect to their specific markers. The in vitro and in vivo models and their potential to treat vascular diseases are also introduced. The chemical part focuses on strategies using either artificial or natural polymers for scaffold fabrication, including decellularized cardiovascular tissue. An overview will be given on scaffold fabrication including conventional methods and nanotechnologies. Special attention is given to 3D network formation via different chemical and physical cross-linking methods. In particular, electron beam treatment is introduced as a method to combine 3D network formation and surface modification. The review includes recently published scientific data and patents which have been registered within the last decade.
Understanding Land Cover Changes in the Italian Alps and Romanian Carpathians Combining Remote Sensing and Stakeholder Interviews
Authors: Malek Žiga , Scolobig Anna , Schröter Dagmar
Published: January 2014

In the last two decades, socio-economic changes in Europe have had a significant effect on land cover changes, but it is unclear how this has affected mountain areas. We focus on two mountain areas: the eastern Italian Alps and the Romanian Curvature Carpathians. We classified land cover from Earth observation data after 1989 by using applied remote sensing techniques. We also analyzed socio-economic data and conducted semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders. In Italy, most of the land conversion processes followed long-term trends. In Romania, they took off with the sudden political changes after 1989. In both areas, forest expansion was the biggest, but potentially not the most consequential change. More consequential changes were urbanization in Italy and small-scale deforestation in Romania, since both increased the risk of hydro-meteorological hazards. Stakeholders’ views were an added value to the spatial analysis and vice versa. For example, stakeholders’ explanations resolved the seeming contradiction of decreased economic activity and increased urbanization (Italian site), as a consequence of secondary home building. Furthermore, spatial analysis revealed that urbanization in Romania was less significant with regard to consequences for the wider human-environment system than many stakeholders thought.
Decoration of ZnO Nanorods with Coral Reefs like NiO Nanostructures by the Hydrothermal Growth Method and Their Luminescence Study
Authors: Abbasi Mazhar , Ibupoto Zafar , Hussain Mushtaque , Pozina Galia , Lu Jun , Hultman Lars , Nur Omer , Willander Magnus
Published: January 2014

Composite nanostructures of coral reefs like p-type NiO/n-type ZnO were synthesized on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrates by hydrothermal growth. Structural characterization was performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. This investigation shows that the adopted synthesis leads to high crystalline quality nanostructures. The morphological study shows that the coral reefs like nanostructures are densely packed on the ZnO nanorods. Cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra for the synthesized composite nanostructures are dominated mainly by a broad interstitial defect related luminescence centered at ~630 nm. Spatially resolved CL images reveal that the luminescence of the decorated ZnO nanostructures is enhanced by the presence of the NiO.
Pd-Catalyzed Amination in the Synthesis of a New Family of Macropolycyclic Compounds Comprising Diazacrown Ether Moieties
Authors: Yakushev Alexei , Chernichenko Nataliya , Anokhin Maxim , Averin Alexei , Buryak Alexei , Denat Franck , Beletskaya Irina
Published: January 2014

N,N'-bis(bromobenzyl) and N,N'-bis(halopyridinyl) derivatives of diaza-12-crown-4, diaza-15-crown-5 and diaza-18-crown-6 ethers were synthesized in high yields. The Pd-catalyzed macrocyclization reactions of these compounds were carried out using a variety of polyamines and oxadiamines were carried out to give novel macrobicyclic and macrotricyclic compounds of the cryptand type. The dependence of the yields of macropolycycles on the nature of the starting diazacrown derivatives and polyamines was established. Generally N,N'-bis(3-bromobenzyl)-substituted diazacrown ethers and oxadiamines provided better yields of the target products. The highest yield of the macrobicyclic products reached 57%.
Influence of Disulfide Connectivity on Structure and Bioactivity of α-Conotoxin TxIA
Authors: Wu Yong , Wu Xiaosa , Yu Jinpeng , Zhu Xiaopeng , Zhangsun Dongting , Luo Sulan
Published: January 2014

Cone snails express a sophisticated arsenal of small bioactive peptides known as conopeptides or conotoxins (CTxs). Through evolutionary selection, these peptides have gained the ability to interact with a range of ion channels and receptors, such as nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Here, we used reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to explore the venom peptide diversity of Conus textile, a species of cone snail native to Hainan, China. One fraction of C. textile crude venom potently blocked α3β2 nAChRs. Subsequent purification, synthesis, and tandem mass spectrometric analysis demonstrated that the most active compound in this fraction was identical to α-CTx TxIA, an antagonist of α3β2 nAChRs. Then three disulfide isoforms of α-CTx TxIA were synthesized and their activities were investigated systematically for the first time. As we observed, disulfide isomerisation was particularly important for α-CTx TxIA potency. Although both globular and ribbon isomers showed similar retention times in RP-HPLC, globular TxIA potently inhibited α3β2 nAChRs with an IC50 of 5.4 nM, while ribbon TxIA had an IC50 of 430 nM. In contrast, beads isomer had little activity towards α3β2 nAChRs. Two-step oxidation synthesis produced the highest yield of α-CTx TxIA native globular isomer, while a one-step production process based on random oxidation folding was not suitable. In summary, this study demonstrated the relationship between conotoxin activity and disulfide connectivity on α-CTx TxIA.
EPR Spectroscopy of a Clinically Active (1:2) Copper(II)-Histidine Complex Used in the Treatment of Menkes Disease: A Fourier Transform Analysis of a Fluid CW-EPR Spectrum
Authors: Gala Lukas , Lawson Michael , Jomova Klaudia , Zelenicky Lubomir , Congradyova Andrea , Mazur Milan , Valko Marian
Published: January 2014

Redox active transition metal ions (e.g., iron and copper) have been implicated in the etiology of many oxidative stress-related diseases including also neurodegenerative disorders. Unbound copper can catalyze formation of reactive oxygen species (hydroxyl radicals) via Fenton reaction/Haber–Weiss chemistry and therefore, under physiological conditions, free copper is potentially toxic and very rarely exists inside cells. Copper(II) bound to the aminoacid L-histidine represents a species discovered in blood in the mid 60s and since then extensive research on this complex was carried out. Copper bound to L-histidine represents an exchangeable pool of copper(II) in equilibrium with the most abundant blood plasma protein, human serum albumin. The structure of this complex, in aqueous solution, has been a subject of many studies and reviews, however without convincing success. The significance of the (1:2) copper(II)-L-histidine complex at physiological pH documents its therapeutic applications in the treatment of Menkes disease and more recently in the treatment of infantile hypertrophic cardioencephalomyopathy. While recently the (1:2) Cu(II)-L-His complex has been successfully crystallized and the crystal structure was solved by X-ray diffraction, the structure of the complex in fluid solution at physiological pH is not satisfactorily known. The aim of this paper is to study the (1:2) Cu(II)-L-histidine complex at low temperatures by X-band and S-band EPR spectroscopy and at physiological pH at room temperature by Fourier transform CW-EPR spectroscopy.
Fatty Acid Profile of Cheese from Dairy Goats Fed a Diet Enriched with Castor, Sesame and Faveleira Vegetable Oils
Authors: Medeiros Ertha , Queiroga Rita , Oliveira Maria , Medeiros Ariosvaldo , Sabedot Mayara , Bomfim Marco , Madruga Marta
Published: January 2014

The addition of vegetable oils to the diets of dairy goats is an alternative to supplemental feeding during the dry period and improves the lipid profile of milk and by-products. Cheeses were produced using milk from cross bred goats (Saanen × Alpina) fed diets enriched with 4% vegetable oil (faveleira, sesame or castor), the fatty acid profile of cheeses was studied. Supplementation with vegetable oils did not increase the total fat percentage of the cheese (p ≥ 0.05) but did increase the percentage of CLA isomers, long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA); in addition, the index of desirable fatty acids (DFA - expressed as the sum of unsaturated fatty acids plus stearic acid) was increased for cheese made from milk from goats fed sesame or faveleira oil. Cheeses may have had increased percentages of cis-9,trans-11-CLA due to the supplementation of animal diets with vegetable oils rich in C18:2, such as faveleira and sesame oils. The fatty acid profile of goat cheese did not change significantly in response to the use of castor oil. Thus, the addition of sesame and faveleira oils to goat diets positively altered the fatty acid profile, which improved the nutritional characteristics of the fat present in goat cheese.
Coupling Bioorthogonal Chemistries with Artificial Metabolism: Intracellular Biosynthesis of Azidohomoalanine and Its Incorporation into Recombinant Proteins
Authors: Ma Ying , Biava Hernán , Contestabile Roberto , Budisa Nediljko , Di Salvo Martino
Published: January 2014

In this paper, we present a novel, “single experiment” methodology based on genetic engineering of metabolic pathways for direct intracellular production of non-canonical amino acids from simple precursors, coupled with expanded genetic code. In particular, we engineered the intracellular biosynthesis of L-azidohomoalanine from O-acetyl-L-homoserine and NaN3, and achieved its direct incorporation into recombinant target proteins by AUG codon reassignment in a methionine-auxotroph E. coli strain. In our system, the host’s methionine biosynthetic pathway was first diverted towards the production of the desired non-canonical amino acid by exploiting the broad reaction specificity of recombinant pyridoxal phosphate-dependent O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase from Corynebacterium glutamicum. Then, the expression of the target protein barstar, accompanied with efficient L-azidohomoalanine incorporation in place of L-methionine, was accomplished. This work stands as proof-of-principle and paves the way for additional work towards intracellular production and site-specific incorporation of biotechnologically relevant non-canonical amino acids directly from common fermentable sources.
Host-Defense Peptides with Therapeutic Potential from Skin Secretions of Frogs from the Family Pipidae
Authors: Conlon J. Michael , Mechkarska Milena
Published: January 2014

Skin secretions from frogs belonging to the genera Xenopus, Silurana, Hymenochirus, and Pseudhymenochirus in the family Pipidae are a rich source of host-defense peptides with varying degrees of antimicrobial activities and cytotoxicities to mammalian cells. Magainin, peptide glycine-leucine-amide (PGLa), caerulein-precursor fragment (CPF), and xenopsin-precursor fragment (XPF) peptides have been isolated from norepinephrine-stimulated skin secretions from several species of Xenopus and Silurana. Hymenochirins and pseudhymenochirins have been isolated from Hymenochirus boettgeri and Pseudhymenochirus merlini. A major obstacle to the development of these peptides as anti-infective agents is their hemolytic activities against human erythrocytes. Analogs of the magainins, CPF peptides and hymenochirin-1B with increased antimicrobial potencies and low cytotoxicities have been developed that are active (MIC < 5 μM) against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Despite this, the therapeutic potential of frog skin peptides as anti-infective agents has not been realized so that alternative clinical applications as anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-diabetic, or immunomodulatory drugs are being explored.
Neonatal sepsis following prolonged rupture of membranes in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Alam Muhammad Matloob , Saleem Ali Faisal , Shaikh Abdul Sattar , Munir Owais , Qadir Maqbool
Published: January 2014

Introduction: Prolonged rupture of membrane (PROM) is an important risk factor for early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS), which is associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality. We reported the incidence and associated risk factors of PROM for culture-proven EONS. Methodology:The medical records of all neonates born at Aga Khan University, Karachi over a period of five years (2007-2011) with PROM (> 18 hours) were reviewed. Data about maternal and neonatal risk factors for EONS was collected and adjusted logistic regression (AOR) analysis was applied. Results:Incidence of PROM in this neonatal birth cohort was 27/1,000 live births. A total of 17 (4%) cases with blood-culture proven bacterial sepsis were identified within 72 hours of birth. Klebsiella pneumonia (n = 5; 29%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 4; 24%) were the commonest isolates followed by group B Streptococcus (n = 3; 18%) and Escherichia coli (n = 2; 12%). Maternal fever (p = <0.001; AOR, 36.6), chorioamnionitis (p < 0.001; AOR, 4.1), PROM > 48 hr. (p < 0.001; AOR, 8.2), neonatal prematurity < 34 weeks (p < 0.001; AOR, 4.1) and low birth weight < 1,500 grams (p 0.001; AOR, 9.8) along with neonatal thrombocytopenia and raised CRP were found to be independent risk factors associated with culture-proven EONS in PROM. Conclusions: Preventive measures should focus on recognition of these high-risk infants with prompt laboratory screening for sepsis and early institution of empirical antibiotic based on local data. Such approaches would be a safe and cost-effective strategy, especially in developing countries.
Geohelminths: public health significance
Authors: Ojha Suvash Chandra , Jaide Chayannan , Jinawath Natini , Rotjanapan Porpon , Baral Pankaj
Published: January 2014

The worldwide prevalence of geohelminths and their unique place in evolutionary biology have attracted research focus. These major soil-transmitted intestinal nematodes that cause human diseases are the nematode roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), the whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) and the two hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus), often collectively referred as geohelminths. Studies of geohelminthiasis in poorly nourished children in developing regions report that geohelminths contribute to stunted growth and cognitive impairment. Insights into immunology have shed light on the modulatory role of the parasite on the host immune system and have defined the role of T cells in controlling geohelminthic infection. Recent molecular biological techniques have created an opportunity to analyse the interaction between parasites and their hosts at the molecular level. This paper is a review of the recent literature that examined the prevalence of geohelminthiasis in developing countries, the association between geohelminths in relation to public health, parasitological/diagnostic features, and therapeutic and preventive aspects of these major soil-transmitted helminth (STH) pathogens in humans.
Cost-effectiveness in the diagnosis of tuberculosis: choices in developing countries
Authors: Molicotti Paola , Bua Alessandra , Zanetti Stefania
Published: January 2014

Tuberculosis remains one of the major causes of global death from a single infectious agent. This situation is worsened by the HIV/AIDS pandemic because one-third of HIV/AIDS patients are co-infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Failure to control the spread of tuberculosis is largely due to our inability to detect and treat all infectious cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in a timely manner, allowing continued M. tuberculosis transmission within communities. Diagnosis of tuberculosis can be made using indirect and direct methods. The indirect tests, such as interferon-gamma release assays, provide a new diagnostic method for M. tuberculosis infection, but do not discriminate between infection and active disease. The most common direct method for diagnosing TB worldwide is sputum smear microscopy (developed more than 100 years ago), where bacteria are observed in sputum samples examined under a microscope. In countries with more developed laboratory capacities, cases of tuberculosis may also be diagnosed using culture methods (the current gold standard) or, increasingly, using rapid molecular tests. In this review, we discuss the traditional methods for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. We also discuss other inexpensive assays that can be used to detect the presence of M. tuberculosis.
Interleukin-8 is elevated in severe hand, foot, and mouth disease
Authors: Wang Wen , Li Wei , Yang Xue , Zhang Tong , Wang Yuxuan , Zhong Rui , Jiao Yanmei , Li Tongzeng , Jiang Taiyi , Tian Yakun , Wu Hao
Published: January 2014

Introduction: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infections can cause hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), which is a potentially fatal illness in children. Epidemics of HFMD are seen every year globally and present an increasing threat to public health worldwide. Methodology: To identify potential severity markers for severe HFMD, laboratory findings and levels of eight serum cytokines in 143 EV71-infected patients in Beijing You’an Hospital were analyzed. Patients were grouped by disease severity: Mild (no severe complications) (n = 59), isolated isolated brainstem encephalitis (BE) (n = 47), isolated pulmonary edema (PE) (n = 12), and BE+PE (n = 25). Results: IL-8 levels peaked at day one after admission and were found to be correlated to disease severity, maximal body temperature, and length of hospital stay. Among all tested cytokines, IL-8 was correlated to only IL-6 (p = 0.010). IL-6 and IL-10 were elevated in most patients (98.6% and 70.6%), but not correlated to disease severity (both p > 0.05). IFNg was only negatively correlated to mild cases (p = 0.025). Conclusions: IL-8 was correlated to disease severity of HFMD. IL-6 and IL-10, although elevated in most HFMD patients, were not correlated to disease severity.
Continued Benefit of Tocilizumab Plus Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drug Therapy in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inadequate Clinical Responses by Week 8 of Treatment
Authors: Keystone Edward C. , Anisfeld Andrew , Ogale Sarika , Devenport Jenny N. , Curtis Jeffrey R.
Published: January 2014

Objective.

To evaluate whether patients with rheumatoid arthritis who did not respond sufficiently to tocilizumab (TCZ) plus disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment by Week 8 responded at later timepoints when continuing to take their original dose of TCZ.

Methods.

In this posthoc analysis of data from phase III randomized controlled trials of inadequate responders (IR) to DMARD or tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors (anti-TNF), percentages of patients meeting early response criteria were calculated by randomized treatment arm (TCZ 4 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg, or placebo in combination with DMARD). Percentages of patients achieving certain disease activity thresholds at later timepoints were calculated for patients who had/had not achieved response by Week 8.

Results.

In DMARD-IR early nonresponders, 29.0%, 17.2%, and 3.7% of TCZ 8 mg/kg-randomized, TCZ 4 mg/kg-randomized, and placebo-randomized patients, respectively, achieved 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) ≤ 3.2 by Week 24. Among anti-TNF-IR patients without early response, 26.5%, 8.5%, and 1.9% of TCZ 8 mg/kg-randomized, TCZ 4 mg/kg-randomized, and placebo-randomized patients, respectively, achieved DAS28 ≤ 3.2 at Week 24.

Conclusion.

A substantial number of DMARD-IR patients taking TCZ 4 or 8 mg/kg and anti-TNF-IR patients taking TCZ 8 mg/kg who failed to respond by 8 weeks benefited from continued TCZ treatment in combination with DMARD. In contrast, the anti-TNF-IR patients without early responses who continued to take TCZ 4 mg/kg were unlikely to experience a cumulative benefit. ClinicalTrials.gov registration numbers: NCT00106548, NCT00106574, NCT00106535, NCT00106522.
Classroom Response Systems in the Wild: Technical and Non-Technical Observations
Authors: Vetterick Jonas , Garbe Martin , Dähn Andreas , Cap Clemens H.
Published: January 2014

Classroom Response Systems (CRS) provide lecturers a communication channel to get feedback from their students. In lessons with large audiences, CRS allow students to ask questions or state issues as the lesson continues. During the development and usage of our new CRS "Tweedback", we observed several technical and non-technical problems, which are likely to be general CRS issues. Observed problems are caused by necessary devices, their connectivity and lecturersâ?? and studentsâ?? different ways to use CRS. In this paper, we describe our observations of technical and nontechnical problems and suggest solutions, which may be applied generically to interactive feedback systems.
Teaching Fourier Series Expansions in Undergraduate Education with the Help of the FouSE Android Application
Authors: Reis Manuel Cabral , Soares Salviano , Cardeal Simão , Morais Raul , Peres Emanuel , Ferreira Paulo J. S. G.
Published: January 2014

This paper discusses the teaching of Fourier Series concepts in undergraduate Electrical Engineering education with the help of an Android application, especially developed to that end. In order to better understand the links and implications, some of the basic Fourier series theory is briefly reviewed. The Android application has an easy-to-use, friendly interface, conceived to help undergraduate students test and assess the Fourier series expansions on a typical set of signals. The application also allows the students to control the total approximation error and the number of terms/harmonics used in the expansions. It has been found a very useful learning resource in the Fourier series context.
Lunar Observation Support System Using Smartphone AR for Astronomy Education
Authors: Tian Ke , Endo Mamoru , Urata Mayu , Mouri Katsuhiro , Yasuda Takami
Published: January 2014

It is possible to improve learnersâ?? understanding of the concept of lunar phases by using Observation based Learning (OBL). In this research, Smartphone Augmented Reality (AR) technology was used to develop a multi-viewpoint AR-based mobile learning (M-VARML) system for moon observation that can be used in the real world environment. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of our system. Participants were given five moon observation tasks, which they had to perform manually and using the M-VARML system. After each task, they were given follow-up questionnaires on the usefulness of the functions in the system. Finally, they were asked about the operational usability and the effect our system had in motivating them to pursue lunar observation. The results show that the M-VARML system is effective in improving the observation and learning of students and in enhancing their motivation to pursue lunar learning.
Burden on university hospitals of handling Portable Data for Imaging (PDI) media
Authors: Nemoto A. , Inoue T. , Hagiwara H.
Published: January 2014

Background: Portable Data for Imaging (PDI) is regularly used as a guideline for sharing medical imaging data between hospitals and other medical institutions. When a patient is referred to another location, the patient almost always brings PDI media on a CD or DVD. However, problems often occur when trying to view images on PDI discs inserted into computer terminals, and it is more efficient to view images on the hospitals’ own picture archiving and communication system (PACS). On the request of doctors, it has become a routine practice to import PDI data to the PACS of the referred hospital.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the increase in PDI image importing and investigate methods for reducing the burden caused by importing images.

Methods: We compiled representative data on image importing over time and analyzed the test modalities, number of images, volume of data, and referring hospital or medical clinic from which the data originated.

Results: The amount of PDI images imported to the PACS has risen despite no large increase in the number of patients. Currently, images imported from PDI media make up 22.8% of the total number of images stored in the PACS. The images come from a diverse array of hospitals (184 hospitals) and 82% are essential for medical care. The total annual expenditure associated with PDI data management is estimated to be 98,300 USD.

Conclusion: The spreading use of the PDI guideline has led to a dramatic increase in data image sharing in the field of healthcare. While this has great benefits for patients and doctors, it is also associated with a greater cost and an overall burden for hospitals. These results indicate the need for a system to enable many hospitals and clinics to participate in image sharing at a cheaper cost.

Citation: Hagiwara H, Nemoto A, Inoue T. Burden on university hospitals of handling Portable Data for Imaging (PDI) media.Appl Clin Inf 2014; 5: 46–57

http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2013-07-RA-0052
Influence of Surface Inclination on the Spreading Velocity of Simplified Adhesive Systems
Authors: Pazinatto Flavia Bittencourt , Castro Fabrício Luscino Alves de , Atta Maria Teresa
Published: January 2014

Aim

Adhesion can be influenced by adhesives spreading. Both slow and fast spreading can be deleterious as they can respectively lead adhesive to partially cover the demineralized substrate or to accumulate on line angles of cavity preparations. Since brands of dentin bonding systems present distinct compositions and thus different behaviors its important to know how fast they spread over dental substrates. The purpose is to determine the influence of surface inclinations on the spreading velocity of simplified adhesive systems.

Materials and methods

Spreading velocities of adhesive systems (Adper Single Bond, Adper Single Bond Plus, Adper Prompt, Prime and Bond 2.1, Prime and Bond NT, One-Up Bond F) were measured on glass slide surfaces inclined at 45° and 90°. The spreading of each drop was observed at a 30 seconds interval. Data was recorded and the values obtained at 30 seconds were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) tests (α = 0.05).

Results

The type of adhesive system and the angle of inclination influenced spreading velocity (p < 0.05). Adper Single Bond Plus and One-Up Bond F exhibited the lowest spreading velocities of all materials tested (p < 0.01). Adhesives spreading were similar on surfaces inclined 45° and 90°, except for Adper Single Bond Plus which spread faster and Prime and Bond NT that spread slower on 90° angled surfaces (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The materials tested showed complex spreading patterns since the spreading velocities changed only when some specific material/inclination combinations where tested.

How to cite this article

Pazinatto FB, de Castro FLA, Saini R, Atta MT. Influence of Surface Inclination on the Spreading Velocity of Simplified Adhesive Systems. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2013;2(2):92-97.
Estimation of cloud condensation nuclei concentration from aerosol optical quantities: influential factors and uncertainties
Authors: Liu Jianjun , Li Zhanqing
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Large-scale measurements of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) are difficult to obtain on a routine basis, whereas aerosol optical quantities are more readily available. This study investigates the relationship between CCN and aerosol optical quantities for some distinct aerosol types using extensive observational data collected at multiple Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility (CRF) sites around the world. The influences of relative humidity (RH), aerosol hygroscopicity (fRH) and single scattering albedo (SSA) on the relationship are analyzed. Better relationships are found between aerosol optical depth (AOD) and CCN at the Southern Great Plains (US), Ganges Valley (India) and Black Forest sites (Germany) than those at the Graciosa Island (the Azores) and Niamey (Niger) sites, where sea salt and dust aerosols dominate, respectively. In general, the correlation between AOD and CCN decreases as the wavelength of the AOD measurement increases, suggesting that AOD at a shorter wavelength is a better proxy for CCN. The correlation is significantly improved if aerosol index (AI) is used together with AOD. The highest correlation exists between CCN and aerosol scattering coefficients (σsp) and scattering AI measured in situ. The CCN–AOD (AI) relationship deteriorates with increasing RH. If RH exceeds 75%, the relationship where AOD is used as a proxy for CCN becomes invalid, whereas a tight σsp–CCN relationship exists for dry particles. Aerosol hygroscopicity has a weak impact on the σsp–CCN relationship. Particles with low SSA are generally associated with higher CCN concentrations, suggesting that SSA affects the relationship between CCN concentration and aerosol optical quantities. It may thus be used as a constraint to reduce uncertainties in the relationship. A significant increase in σsp and decrease in CCN with increasing SSA is observed, leading to a significant decrease in their ratio (CCN / σsp) with increasing SSA. Parameterized relationships are developed for estimating CCN, which account for RH, particle size, and SSA.
Extensive spatio-temporal analyses of surface ozone and related meteorological variables in South Korea for 1999–2010
Authors: Seo J. , Youn D. , Kim J. Y. , Lee H.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Spatio-temporal characteristics of surface ozone (O3) variations over South Korea are investigated with consideration of meteorological factors and time-scales based on the Kolmogorov–Zurbenko filter (KZ-filter), using measurement data at 124 air quality monitoring sites and 72 weather stations for the 12 yr period of 1999–2010. In general, O3 levels at coastal cities are high due to dynamic effects of the sea breeze while those at the inland and Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA) cities are low due to the NOx titration by local precursor emissions. We examine the meteorological influences on the O3 using a combined analysis of the KZ-filter and linear regressions between O3 and meteorological variables. We decomposed O3 time-series at each site into short-term, seasonal, and long-term components by the KZ-filter and regressed them on meteorological variables. Impact of temperature on the O3 levels is significantly high in the highly populated SMA and inland region while that is low in the coastal region. In particular, the probability of high-O3 occurrence doubled with 4 °C of temperature increase in the SMA during high-O3 months (May to October). It implies that those regions will experience frequent high-O3 events in the future warming climate. In terms of short-term variation, distribution of high-O3 probability classified by wind direction shows the effect of both local precursor emissions and long-range transport from China. In terms of long-term variation, the O3 concentrations have increased by +0.26 ppbv yr−1 on nationwide average, but their trends show large spatial variability. Additional statistical analysis of the singular value decomposition further reveals that the long-term temporal evolution of O3 is similar to that of the nitrogen dioxide measurement although the spatial distributions of their trends are different. This study would be helpful as a reference for diagnostics and evaluation of regional- and local-scale O3 and climate simulations and a guide to appropriate O3 control policy in South Korea.
Interference of sulphur dioxide to balloon-borne ECC ozone sensors over the Valley of Mexico
Authors: Kanda I. , Basaldud R. , Horikoshi N. , Okazaki Y. , Benítez Garcia S. E. , Ortínez A. , Ramos Benítez V. R. , Cárdenas B. , Wakamatsu S.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Abnormal decrease in the ozonesonde sensor signal occurred during air-pollution study campaigns in November 2011 and March 2012 in Mexico City. Sharp drops around 5 km a.s.l. and above were observed in November 2011, and a broad deficit in the convective boundary layer in March 2012. Various circumstantial evidence indicates that the decrease was due to interference of SO2 gas to Electrochemical Concentration Cell (ECC) ozone sensors. The sharp drops in November 2011 are considered to be caused by the SO2 plume from the Popocatépetl volcano to the south-east of Mexico City. Response experiments of the ECC sensor to representative atmospheric trace gases showed that only SO2 could generate the observed abrupt drops. The vertical structure of the plume reproduced by a Lagrangian particle diffusion simulation also supported this assumption. The near-ground deficit in March 2012 is considered to be generated by the SO2 plume from the Tula industrial complex to the north-west of Mexico City. Sporadic large SO2 emission is known to occur from this region, and before and at the ozonesonde launching time, large intermittent peaks of SO2 concentration were recorded at the ground-level monitoring stations. The difference between the O3 concentration obtained by ozonesonde and that by UV-based O3 monitor was consistent with the SO2 concentration measured by a UV-based monitor on the ground. The plume vertical profiles estimated by the Lagrangian particle diffusion simulation agreed fairly well with the observed profile. Statistical analysis of the wind field in Mexico City revealed that the Popocatépetl effect is most likely to occur from June to October, and the Tula effect all the year.
Short Communication: TopoToolbox 2 – MATLAB-based software for topographic analysis and modeling in Earth surface sciences
Authors: Schwanghart W. , Scherler D.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. TopoToolbox is a MATLAB program for the analysis of digital elevation models (DEMs). With the release of version 2, the software adopts an object-oriented programming (OOP) approach to work with gridded DEMs and derived data such as flow directions and stream networks. The introduction of a novel technique to store flow directions as topologically ordered vectors of indices enables calculation of flow-related attributes such as flow accumulation ∼20 times faster than conventional algorithms while at the same time reducing memory overhead to 33% of that required by the previous version. Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) enable visual exploration and interaction with DEMs and derivatives and provide access to tools targeted at fluvial and tectonic geomorphologists. With its new release, TopoToolbox has become a more memory-efficient and faster tool for basic and advanced digital terrain analysis that can be used as a framework for building hydrological and geomorphological models in MATLAB.