bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technical and Social Considerations of Tools from Roman-period Ceramic Workshops at Sagalassos (Southwest Turkey)
Authors: Murphy Elizabeth A. , Poblome Jeroen
Published: July 2013

Archaeology has maintained a long-standing interest in ‘the tool’. In light of recent theoretical approaches to tools and technology, this paper presents the results of material analysis on a corpus of artifacts used in red-slipped ceramic production from Roman-period Sagalassos in southwest Turkey. Conceptual themes concern technological choices and the process by which tools were selected and appropriated for use in ceramic production. The tools demonstrate a variety of activity patterns—from reuse and adaptation to design and production. Objects were accordingly employed in complex and creative ways to meet the technical requirements of the artisan. Such needs in some instances also seem to reflect the role of the individual artisan within the organization of the workshop, whereby individuals demarcated their own toolsets within a larger production setting. Patterns of adaptation also highlight a need for interpretive flexibility when assigning functionality and social meaning to material culture. Such processes of selection appear to have been socially situated within the broader urban, suburban, and rural material worlds of Sagalassos.
Fortification and Landscape Transformation in Late Antique Pessinus
Authors: Anderson William
Published: July 2013

Fortified structures were a prominent feature of urban landscapes in late antique Anatolia. They served not only as defensive barriers and oppressive strongholds but also as monuments that delineated residential and inhabited spaces and enclosed zones of administrative and political power. They provided visual and physical focal points that could alter a city’s layout, and were seen and felt daily by city-dwellers. Yet, despite the significance of fortifications to the form of cities and cultural relations within them, scholarship has often isolated such structures from their spatial and social context. There is a tendency to privilege their functional military qualities and to be guided by historical accounts of wars and invasions. Considering the role of fortified buildings in the expression of power and identity has enlivened other fields of archaeology, particularly studies of late medieval castles in northwest Europe, but these perspectives have rarely been applied to the east Mediterranean during Late Antiquity. Using a case study from Pessinus, a Hellenistic-Roman city in westcentral Turkey, I approach fortifications as socially affective loci that are implicated in transformations in the use and meaning of landscapes. Building works sometimes occurred during times of war and could have specific defensive functions; equally, monuments had symbolic meaning as expressions of power and status, and were the subject of conflict and consensus within communities.
Subsidy quantity and recipient community structure mediate plankton responses to autumn leaf drop
Authors: Cottingham Kathryn L. , Narayan Lakshmi
Published: July 2013

Although ecologists appreciate the important contributions of cross‐ecosystem subsidies to a variety of ecological processes, relatively little is known about the ability of detrital subsidies from temperate forests (e.g., leaves and leaf leachates) to stimulate plankton in freshwater lakes and ponds, especially immediately after leaves fall. We hypothesized that subsidy quantity interacts with zooplankton community structure to determine how phytoplankton and zooplankton respond to leaf additions, predicting that phytoplankton would peak at intermediate levels of leaf addition due to a tradeoff between increasing nutrients and decreasing light, while Daphnia would continue to increase due to their ability to exploit increased microbes. To test this hypothesis, we manipulated the amount of freshly‐abscised sugar maple leaves added to artificial pond mesocosms with contrasting zooplankton community structures (with vs. without added Daphnia) in a factorial experiment and then monitored the responses of water chemistry, phytoplankton, and zooplankton to treatments over the next four weeks. Leaf additions increased total phosphorus (TP) concentrations but decreased pH, water clarity, and total nitrogen (TN) to TP ratios; the increases in TP and decreases in TN:TP were smaller in ponds with added Daphnia. Consistent with expectations, chlorophyll a increased following modest leaf additions in the ponds without Daphnia and decreased in response to the largest leaf addition in both zooplankton treatments, probably due to a lack of light. Daphnia increased with increasing leaf quantity in the +Daphnia ponds, as predicted. Surprisingly, the dominant copepods (mainly diaptomids) also increased with leaf quantity in the ponds without Daphnia. We conclude that modest leaf additions can stimulate phytoplankton and zooplankton in autumn, especially in small lakes and ponds surrounded by forest, and suggest that this “hot moment” (sensu McClain et al. 2003) for cross‐ecosystem studies be further evaluated in natural systems.
Impact of Periodontal Disease Experience on Oral Health–Related Quality of Life
Authors: Jansson Henrik , Wahlin Åsa , Johansson Veronica , Åkerman Sigvard , Lundegren Nina , Isberg Per‐Erik , Norderyd Ola
Published: July 2013

Background: Periodontal research has traditionally focused on the site level, regarding etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment outcome. Recently, some studies have indicated that the presence of periodontal disease is associated with reduced quality of life. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of periodontal disease experience on the quality of life.

Methods: This cross‐sectional study includes 443 individuals. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed; in conjunction, the oral health–related quality of life of all participants was assessed using the Swedish short‐form version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14). Based on marginal bone loss, measured on radiographs, three different groups were identified: participants with loss of supporting bone tissue of less than one third of the root length (BL−), loss of supporting bone tissue of one third or more of the root length in <30% of teeth (BL), or loss of supporting bone tissue of one third or more of the root length in ≥30% of teeth (BL+).

Results: The effect of periodontal disease experience on quality of life was considerable. For the BL− group, the mean OHIP‐14 score was 3.91 (SD: 5.39). The corresponding mean values were 3.81 (SD: 5.29) for the BL group and 8.47 (SD: 10.38) for the BL+ group. The difference among all groups was statistically significant (P ≤0.001). A comparison among the mean OHIP‐14 scores in the different groups (BL−, BL, and BL+) revealed significant differences in six of seven conceptual domains.

Conclusions: The BL+ individuals experienced reduced quality of life, expressed as the OHIP‐14 score, compared with the BL and BL− participants.
Platelet‐Rich Plasma–Assisted Guided Bone Regeneration for Ridge Augmentation: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Eskan Mehmet Akif , Greenwell Henry , Hill Margaret , Morton Dean , Vidal Ricardo , Shumway Brian , Girouard Marie‐Eve
Published: July 2013

Background: Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) contains a number of biologically active growth factors, and previous studies have reported conflicting ridge augmentation results. The primary aim of this randomized, controlled, masked, clinical trial was to determine if PRP combined with a rapidly resorbing cancellous allograft would enhance the regenerative result compared with an allograft without PRP.

Methods: Thirty‐two patients with an edentulous ridge defect were sequentially entered into the study; four were excluded from data analysis. Fourteen patients received a cancellous allograft (CAN group) and the other 14 received a cancellous allograft mixed with PRP (PRP group). All 28 grafted sites were covered with a resorbable polylactide membrane. After elevation of a full‐thickness flap, horizontal ridge dimensions were measured with a digital caliper at the crest and 5 mm apical to the crest. Vertical ridge dimensions were measured from a tooth‐supported stent. All sites were reentered at 4 months, and a trephine core was obtained for histologic analysis before implant placement.

Results: The crestal ridge width for the CAN group had a mean gain of 2.0 ± 1.2 mm, whereas the PRP group gained 2.9 ± 1.0, and the difference was statistically significant between groups (P <0.05). The percent vital bone was 36% ± 14% for the CAN group compared with 51% ± 15% for the PRP group and was statistically significant between groups (P <0.05). Loss of augmented ridge width was 34% ± 17% for the CAN group and 28% ± 17% for the PRP group (P >0.05).

Conclusion: These clinical and histologic findings suggest that PRP enhanced bone regeneration and resulted in increased horizontal bone gain and percentage vital bone.
The Efficacy of Continuous Versus Intermittent Celecoxib Treatment in Osteoarthritis Patients with Body Mass Index ≥30 and <30 kg/m2
Authors: Sands George H , Brown Pritha Bhadra , Essex Margaret Noyes
Published: July 2013

Objective:

Characterize the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the efficacy of continuous daily celecoxib treatment compared with intermittent celecoxib treatment.

Methods:

Prespecified exploratory analysis of a 24-week, double-blind, parallel-group, randomized, multicenter international study. 858 patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA) were randomized to receive celecoxib 200 mg daily either as continuous or intermittent treatment. Efficacy was measured by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) total and subscale scores and the number of flare events.

Results:

Least squares mean increases (worsening) in WOMAC total scores were significantly less in the continuous treatment group than in the intermittent treatment group in patients with a BMI <30 kg/m2 (1.33 vs 4.85; p=0.016) and in patients with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (1.84 vs 5.12; p=0.019). There was a greater worsening in patients with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 than in those with a BMI <30 kg/m2 in both the continuous and intermittent groups. Fewer flares were reported in the continuous treatment group than in the intermittent group in patients with a BMI <30 kg/m2 (0.55 vs 0.88; p<0.0001) and ≥30 kg/m2 (0.54 vs 0.97; p<0.0001). There were no differences in adverse events in the two BMI groups.

Conclusions:

Continuous celecoxib treatment was significantly more efficacious than intermittent use in patients with a BMI <30 kg/m2 compared with obese patients (≥30 kg/m2) as assessed by WOMAC total scores and the number of flares. These data suggest that including weight loss as part of a treatment regimen for obese OA patients could be important.
Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid as Treatment in Elderly and Middle-Aged Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Uçar Demet , Dıraçoğlu Demirhan , Süleyman Türker , Çapan Nalan
Published: July 2013

Introduction:

Osteoarthritis is the most common age-related degenerative joint disease. It affects all the joints containing hyaline cartilage. Knee osteoarthritis is the most cumbersome in terms of prevalence and disability. The aim of this study to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronic acid in patients with knee osteoarthritis with regard to joint pain and function, as well as patient satisfaction, assessed at one month and at one year, and by age group.

Methods:

In this prospective randomised study, 172 patients who were diagnosed knee OA and who received three consecutive intra-articular injections of HA weekly were included. Patients 65 years of age or older were accepted as the “elderly group”, and those under 65 were accepted as the “middle-aged group”. Clinical evaluations of efficacy and safety were conducted at the beginning of the study, one month after the third injection, and one year after the third injection.

Results:

In the two groups, the intragroup analysis revealed significant improvements following injection when compared with preinjection values. According to the last followup controls (after 12 months) in the middle-aged group, VAS activity pain, VAS rest pain, WOMAC physical function, and WOMAC pain values were found to be statistically lower when compared with pre-injection values. In the elderly group, no statistically significant differences were found between pre-injection and after 12 months.

Conclusion:

We can conclude that intra-articular joint HA injections are effective in both young and old patients with OA with regard to pain and functional status over a short-term period. Further, HA injections in patients younger than 65 years can be planned for a one-year period.
Diagnostic efficacy of biophysical tests and cerebral-umbilical index when assessing fetal oxygenation
Authors: Cancarevic-Djajic Branka , Vilendecic Rade
Published: July 2013

Introduction. Perinatal morbidity and mortality are the ultimate indicators
of antenatal care today, whose responsible task is to assess the respiratory
function of the placenta, fetal growth and placental maturation in order to
provide conditions for the delivery of a living and viable newborn. The
diagnostic procedures of antenatal care tested within this study were the
biophysical tests of cardiotocography and the fetal biophysical profile,
along with the colour doppler evaluation of the cerebral-umbilical ratio. The
objective of this study was to determine the most effective diagnostic
procedure when assessing fetal oxygenation. Materials and Methods. The
prospective study included 119 pregnant women. They all underwent
cardiotocography, biophysical profile and colour doppler evaluation of the
cerebral-umbilical ratio. The babies? umbilical artery blood pH was
determined in the first minute upon birth, along with the Apgar score.
Results. The results were processed statistically and the most effective
diagnostic procedure for the evaluation of fetal oxygenation was selected,
after which the rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality were calculated.
The findings revealed that cardiotocography was the most sensitive antepartal
predictor of fetal acidosis, while the fetal biophysical profile proved the
most specific. The rates of perinatal morbidity and of perinatal mortality
were 24.37% and 1.68%, respectively. Conclusion. The findings analysis
revealed a high statistical significance of both biophysical tests and the
cerebral-umbilical ratio evaluation as predictors of the fetal distress
syndrome. The analysis of the cerebral-umbilical ratio and biophysical tests
showed that the cerebral-umbilical ratio evaluation not only was more
sensitive as a parameter compared to biophysical tests but it was also more
specific than cardiotocography. Cardiotocography is the most sensitive
antepartal predictor of fetal acidosis, followed by the cerebral-umbilical
ratio, and the biophysical profile as the least sensitive. The biophysical
profile proved to be the most specific, followed by the cerebral-umbilical
ratio, and cardiotocography as the least specific.
Pathophysiological mechanisms of angiogenesis in atherogenesis
Authors: Vucevic Danijela , Radak Djordje , Milovanovic Ivan , Radosavljevic Tatjana , Mladenovic Dusan
Published: July 2013

Introduction. Atherosclerosis is a progressive, multifactorial, diffuse,
multisystemic, chronic, inflammatory disease, which is manifested by
disorders of vascular, immune and metabolic system. Pathogenesis of this
disease is not fully understood. Accordingly, angiogenesis represents a
special field of research due to its role in atherogenesis. Steps of
Angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is a complex biological process, which requires
the precise coordination of its four steps (vasodilatation and permeability,
vessel destabilization and matrix degradation, endothelial cell proliferation
and migration, and lumen formation and vessel stabilization). Mediators of
Angiogenic Process. The process of forming new blood vessels is regulated by
a delicate balance between proangiogenic and antiangiogenic molecules.
Numerous soluble growth factors and inhibitors, cytokines, proteases,
extracellular matrix proteins and adhesion molecules, as well as hypoxia,
inflammatory process, shear stress, hypertension and interaction between
cells and extracellular matrix strictly control the angiogenic process.
Neovascularization is halted due to the downregulation of angiogenic factors
or the increase of inhibitors of this process. Tumor Vascularization. In the
asymptomatic phase of cancerogenesis, cancer rarely exceeds the diameter of
1-2 millimeters. However, when the metabolic demand increases, it leads to
tumor vascularization. In this way, tumor switches to an angiogenic
phenotype. The molecular basis of angiogenic switch refers to increased
production of angiogenic factors and/or loss of angiogenic inhibitors.
Conclusion. The contribution of angiogenic process has become increasingly
meaningful in understanding the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Epidemiology of lower jaw fracture in patients treated at the Department of maxillofacial and oral surgery of the Clinical Centre of Vojvodina
Authors: Nalic Benjamin , Mijatov Ivana , Mijatov Sasa
Published: July 2013

Introduction. The position and prominence are the reasons why the lower jaw
is one of the most commonly injured facial bones. Material and Methods. A
retrospective study was conducted to analyze medical records of patients who
had been treated at the Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery in the
period from January 1st, 1998 to December 31st, 2012. These data included
patients? age and gender, mechanism of injury, anatomic localization of the
fracture, associated injuries and treatment of fractures. Results. Out of 630
treated patients, 531 were men (84.3%) and 99 were women (15.7%). The highest
incidence of the lower jaw fractures was found in the age group 21-30 years
(36.2%) and the lowest in the age group over 70 years (1.1%). The most common
causes of injuries were physical assault (47.3%), followed by traffic
accidents (24.3%) and falls (20.8%). Most patients referred to our Department
were treated non-surgically 436 (69.2%), 165 of them (26.2%) were treated
surgically, whereas in 29 patients (4.6%) none of the above treatments was
performed. Discussion and Conclusion. This study has shown that fractures of
the lower jaw are mainly found in men aged 21-30 years. The obtained
statistical data could certainly be used to establish the health system that
would allow better prevention of these injuries, and the possibility of an
adequate and effective treatment modality.
Dynamic multipole polarizabilities of Li and Na atoms interacting with Debye potentials
Authors: Kar Sabyasachi , Li Hua-Wei , Shen Zuo-Chun
Published: July 2013

The effects of Debye potentials on the dynamic multipole polarizabilities of Li and Na atoms are investigated using the symplectic algorithm. Frequency-dependent multipole polarizabilities of Li(2s 2S) and Na(3s 2S) are reported in terms of scaled number density of the plasma electrons for arbitrary plasma temperature.
Location and chemical composition of semi-permeable layer of forage seeds
Authors: Zhou Jing , Wang Yanrong , Jahufer Zulfi
Published: July 2013

The presence of the semi-permeable layer is determined in Roegneria nutans (Keng.) Keng, Achnatherum inebrians (Hance.) Keng, Hordeum vulgare var. nudum Hook. f., Triticale, Festuca sinensis Keng., and Bromus inermis Leyss. using the lanthanum nitrate tracer method, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. It was an amorphous membranous structure firmly attached on the external portion of the seed coat. The diversified chemical composition of the semi-permeable layer of the species studied is also analyzed by histochemical staining. R. nutans, A. inebrians, H. vulgare var. nudum, and Triticale were found to contain lipids in the semi-permeable layer. F. sinensis had pectin whereas B. inermis has cellulose in the said layer. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v42i1.15802 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42(1): 23-29, 2013 (June)
Alleviation of sea water stress on tomato plants by foliar application of aspartic acid and glutathione
Authors: Akladious Samia Ageeb , Abbas Salwa Mohamed
Published: July 2013

Tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) treated with 8 and 16% of sea water reduced growth parameters and chemical constituents. Both aspartic acid and glutathione increased plant growth, anthocyanin, ?-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and enzymatic activities. Increased endogenous amino acids led to positive changes in protein electrophoresis and caused obvious changes in anatomical features of the stems. The effect of aspartic acid was superior to that of glutathione in increasing plant growth. Under low saline conditions, maximum plant growth was obtained from plants treated with aspartic acid and 8% of sea water, followed by 4%. Data revealed that antioxidants could partially alleviate the harmful effects of salinity. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v42i1.15822 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42(1): 31-43, 2013 (June)
Biology of rediscovered rare endemic Cota fulvida (Grierson) Houlb. in Eski?ehir-Turkey
Authors: Koyuncu Onur , Erkara Ísmühan Potoglu , Yaylaci Ö Koray , Ocak Atila , Osoydan Kadir , Özgisi Kurtulus
Published: July 2013

The present study determines the morphological, anatomical, palynological, karyological, chorological features and conservation status of the rediscovered rare endemic Turkish taxon Cota fulvida (Grierson) Holub. (Asteraceae) after ca.110 years. C. fulvida distributes naturally in Gölcük Plateau (Türkmen Mountain), Eski?ehir-Turkey. In the cross-sections of the root of C. fulvida, the pith was found completely covered by xylem cells. As to stem, it was observed that large parenchymatic cells were present in the pith of the stems. Leaves are equifacial and amphistomatious having amaryllis type of stomata. They are mesomorphic. Stomata are anisocytic. The results of the light and scanning electron microscope investigation revealed that the pollen grains of C. fulvida are tricolporatae, amb shape triangular, pollen shape spheroidal. Exine tectatae-echinate. The somatic chromosome number of C. fulvida was found to be 2n =18 without any satellite. It is considered "Critically Endangered" (CR) based on IUCN category.
Comparative anatomy of stem and leaf of Ricotia L. growing in Turkey
Authors: Selvi Selami , Paksoy Mehmet Yavuz
Published: July 2013

The present paper deals with a comparative anatomy of stem and leaf of Ricotia species growing in Turkey. In addition, stomatal index and rate of these species were calculated. A diagnostic key based on combined stem, leaf and leaf epidermal characteristics were presented. The presence or absence of trichome, cortex parenchyma layer, sclerenchyma, mesophyll structure and epidermal surface were found to be important characters for the identification of Ricotia species. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v42i1.15875 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42(1): 123-130, 2013 (June)
Adaptive anatomical structure for nastic movement in Mimosa pudica L.
Authors: Chen Ming-Lin , Mao Wen-Bin , Cui Mei-Chen
Published: July 2013

In order to study the adaptive anatomical structures during nastic movement of Mimosa pudica L., anatomical structures of main pulvinus, common petioles, rachis and leaflets were compared with Albizia julibrissin Durazz. (taken as control). The anatomical structures of main pulvinus and common petiole of M. pudica were different from that of A. julibrissin. Upon stimuliti, the protoplast volume of M. pudica in the lower cortical parenchyma cells become smaller than that in upper ones, a feature seldom found in A. julibrissin. There were found many reticulate lacunas on the two side of adaxial petiole of M. pudica, but nil in A. julibrissin. Similarly some ill developed lacunas were found in the pulvinus of rachis and leaflet of M. pudica, but absent in A. julibrissin. It appears that reticulate lacunas in common petiole of M. pudica are responsible for its strong nastic movement. The main sensitivity position lies at the base of common petiole, where the lower cortex is more sensitive than the upper cortex, and the ordinal sensitivity positions are rachis and leaflets. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v42i1.15876 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42(1): 131-137, 2013 (June)
Detection of metabolites of benzo(a)pyrene in Sorbus sibirica Hedl. leaves and their use in the assessment of air pollution of Kemerovo City (Russian Federation)
Authors: Neverova OA , Bykov AA , Legoshina OM
Published: July 2013

This article analyzes the ability of woody plants to metabolize benzapyrene and shows the assessment of the level of long-term air pollution in the city of Kemerovo by benzapirene from the industrial area with the help of modelling approach. Metabolites of benzo(a)pyrene - B(a)P-1,3-dione, 1-hydroxy-B(a)P and B(a)P- 7,8- dihydrodiol are identified in extracts of Sorbus sibirica Hedl. leaves. It is found that there is a close correlation between the sum of relative abundance of hydroxyl derivatives of benzapyrene (?OH-B(a)P) of S. sibirica leaves and air pollution by benzapirene (Q). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v42i1.15905 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42(1): 145-153, 2013 (June)
Estimation of nitrogen transforming microorganisms in soils of different tea valleys of Bangladesh
Authors: Gafur MA , Sultana Afroza
Published: July 2013

Physico-chemical properties of soils and quantitative estimation and distribution of population of Azotobacter, ammonifying, nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria in soils under tea plants of tea valleys of Bangladesh were studied. Soil texture ranged from loam to clay loam, pH ranged from 4.84 - 5.65 and organic carbon varied between 0.18 and 2.12%. Population of Azotobacter, ammonifying bacteria, Nitrosomonas, Nitrobacter and denitrifying bacteria ranged from 18.0 × 109/g - 88.4 × 109cfu/g soil, 0.20 × 109/g - 0.24 × 109/g soil, 0.20 × 109/g - 0.24 × 109/g soil, 0.20 × 109/g - 0.24 × 109/g soil and 0.17 × 109/g - 0.24 × 109/g soil, respectively. The populations of microorganisms were not related with soil pH and organic carbon. Ammonifying bacteria was positively and significantly correlated with Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas with Nitrobacter at 0.01% level. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v42i1.15907 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42(1): 161-165, 2013 (June)
The Necessity of Peer Review
Authors: Karim SM Fazlul
Published: July 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dmcj.v1i2.15914 Delta Med Col J. Jul 2013;1(2):29-30
Urinary Tract Infection in Children: A Review
Authors: Hamid Farzana , Islam Md Rafiqul , Paul Nibedeta , Nusrat Nadia , Parveen Rafia
Published: July 2013

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common paediatric infections. By the time children are 5 years old, about 8% of girls and about 1-2% of boys have had at least one episode of UTI. UTIs are caused mainly by colonic bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, followed by Klebsiella and Proteus. However, any organism that gains access to the urinary tract system may cause infection, including fungi (Candida species) and viruses. In some instances, UTI results in recognition of an important underlying structural abnormality of the urinary tract. The febrile infant or child with clinically significant bacteriuria and no other site of infection to explain the fever, even in the absence of systemic symptoms has UTI. Signs and symptoms of UTIs vary depending on the child's age and on which part of the urinary tract is infected. The diagnosis of UTI is based on routine microscopic examination and culture of a properly collected urine specimen. Imaging studies are done in selected patients to identify anatomic abnormalities. Most cases of uncomplicated UTI respond readily to outpatient antibiotic treatment without further sequelae. All patients should have close follow-up to evaluate response to antibiotics and to prevent the development of long term complication. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dmcj.v1i2.15919 Delta Med Col J. Jul 2013;1(2):51-57
Reviewers in this issue Vol.1(2)
Authors: Editor The
Published: July 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dmcj.v1i2.15921Delta Med Col J. Jul 2013;1(2):62
Flicker Mitigation by Speed Control of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator Variable-Speed Wind Turbines
Authors: Hu Weihao , Zhang Yunqian , Chen Zhe , Hu Yanting
Published: July 2013

Grid-connected wind turbines are fluctuating power sources that may produce flicker during continuous operation. This paper presents a simulation model of a MW-level variable speed wind turbine with a full-scale back-to-back power converter and permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) developed in the simulation tool of PSCAD/EMTDC. Flicker emission of this system is investigated. The 3p (three times per revolution) power oscillation due to wind shear and tower shadow effects is the significant part in the flicker emission of variable speed wind turbines with PMSG during continuous operation. A new method of flicker mitigation by controlling the rotational speed is proposed. It smoothes the 3p active power oscillations from wind shear and tower shadow effects of the wind turbine by varying the rotational speed of the PMSG. Simulation results show that damping the 3p active power oscillation by using the flicker mitigation speed controller is an effective means for flicker mitigation of variable speed wind turbines with full-scale back-to-back power converters and PMSG during continuous operation.
Results of Current Density Distribution Mapping in PEM Fuel Cells Dependent on Operation Parameters
Authors: Heuer Maik , Bernstein Paul , Wenske Michael , Styczynski Zbigniew
Published: July 2013

This paper presents in situ measurements of a newly developed current density measurement system for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). While the functional principle and technical evaluation of the measurement system were presented in a previous paper, this paper analyzes the influence of various operation parameters, including multiple start-stop operation, at the anode, cathode and cooling locations on the distribution and long-term development of the current density. The system was operated for 500 h over two years with long periods of inactivity between measurements. The measurement results are evaluated and provide additional information on how to optimize the operation modes of fuel cells, including the start and stop of such systems as well as the water balance.
Lower Paleogene Tectonostratigraphy of Balochistan: Evidence for Time-Transgressive Late Paleocene-Early Eocene Uplift
Authors: Khan Intizar , Clyde William
Published: July 2013

Analysis of lithofacies, paleoflow directions, and sandstone petrography of upper Paleocene-lower Eocene paralic and continental sediments exposed along the transpressional suture zone of the western margin of the Indian plate indicate that the process of deformation and uplift of the carbonate shelf in this area had started by late Paleocene time. This tectonic uplift and deformation is documented by: (1) an overall shallowing upward synorogenic sequence of sediments, (2) proximal conglomerate facies (consisting of lower Paleocene and Mesozoic clasts) dominating in the western part of the study area and distal facies of sandstone and shale dominating in the eastern part of the study area, (3) the existence of an unconformity of late Paleocene-early Eocene age in the Quetta and Kalat regions, (4) paleocurrent directions in deltaic and fluvial deposits indicating southeastward flowing sediment dispersal paths during late Paleocene-early Eocene time, which is opposite to that found in the late Cretaceous, suggesting a reversal in the depositional slope of the Cretaceous shelf, and (5) petrographic study of sandstones indicating a collision suture/fold thrust belt provenance. This episode of uplift and deformation could be the result of India-Arabian transpression with associated ophiolite obduction or, more likely, to represent the local response to initial India-Asia contact. The unroofing pattern and uplift geometry of the western Indian shelf suggests that this tectonism first started in the southern part of the study area (Kalat-Khuzdar area) during the late Paleocene-early Eocene and proceeded northward in a time-transgressive fashion.
Provenance of Late Paleozoic-Mesozoic Sandstones, Taimyr Peninsula, the Arctic
Authors: Zhang Xiaojing , Omma Jenny , Pease Victoria , Scott Robert
Published: July 2013

The sedimentary and provenance characteristics of seven Permo-Carboniferous and two early Cretaceous samples from the Taimyr Peninsula provide information about the latest evolution of Uralian orogeny and the opening of the Amerasian Basin. The Permo-Carboniferous samples have a mixed provenance of recycled and first cycle sediment, sourced from metamorphic and igneous terranes. U-Pb detrital zircon ages represent a mixture of Precambrian-Paleozoic grains with euhedral, penecontemporaneous late Carboniferous and Permian grains consistent with derivation from the Uralian Orogen, plus additional Timanian and Caledonian material presumably derived from Baltica. Differences between the late Permian sample and the other Carboniferous and early Permian samples are interpreted to reflect the final collisional stage of Uralian orogeny. Early Cretaceous sediments deposited at the time of the Amerasian Basin opening preserve a mixed provenance of mainly first cycle metamorphic and igneous source material, as well as an unstable heavy mineral assemblage dominated by staurolite, suggesting local derivation. Detrital zircon ages fall almost exclusively into one late Permian-early Triassic cluster, indicating a Siberia Trap-related magmatic source. The detrital zircon age spectra support a passive margin setting for Taimyr during the opening of the Amerasian Basin in the early Cretaceous.
Lessons Learned about Human Stem Cell Responses to Ionizing Radiation Exposures: A Long Road Still Ahead of Us
Authors: Sokolov Mykyta , Neumann Ronald
Published: July 2013

Human stem cells (hSC) possess several distinct characteristics that set them apart from other cell types. First, hSC are self-renewing, capable of undergoing both asymmetric and symmetric cell divisions. Second, these cells can be coaxed to differentiate into various specialized cell types and, as such, hold great promise for regenerative medicine. Recent progresses in hSC biology fostered the characterization of the responses of hSC to genotoxic stresses, including ionizing radiation (IR). Here, we examine how different types of hSC respond to IR, with a special emphasis on their radiosensitivity, cell cycle, signaling networks, DNA damage response (DDR) and DNA repair. We show that human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) possess unique characteristics in how they react to IR that clearly distinguish these cells from all adult hSC studied thus far. On the other hand, a manifestation of radiation injuries/toxicity in human bodies may depend to a large extent on hSC populating corresponding tissues, such as human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC), human hematopoietic stem cells (hHSC), neural hSC, intestine hSC, etc. We discuss here that hSC responses to IR differ notably across many types of hSC which may represent the distinct roles these cells play in development, regeneration and/or maintenance of homeostasis.
Mild Oxidative Damage in the Diabetic Rat Heart Is Attenuated by Glyoxalase-1 Overexpression
Authors: Brouwers Olaf , Vos-Houben Joyce , Niessen Petra , Miyata Toshio , Nieuwenhoven Frans , Janssen Ben , Hageman Geja , Stehouwer Coen , Schalkwijk Casper
Published: July 2013

Diabetes significantly increases the risk of heart failure. The increase in advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) and oxidative stress have been associated with diabetic cardiomyopathy. We recently demonstrated that there is a direct link between AGEs and oxidative stress. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate if a reduction of AGEs by overexpression of the glycation precursor detoxifying enzyme glyoxalase-I (GLO-I) can prevent diabetes-induced oxidative damage, inflammation and fibrosis in the heart. Diabetes was induced in wild-type and GLO-I transgenic rats by streptozotocin. After 24-weeks of diabetes, cardiac function was monitored with ultrasound under isoflurane anesthesia. Blood was drawn and heart tissue was collected for further analysis. Analysis with UPLC-MSMS showed that the AGE Nε-(1-carboxymethyl)lysine and its precursor 3-deoxyglucosone were significantly elevated in the diabetic hearts. Markers of oxidative damage, inflammation, and fibrosis were mildly up-regulated in the heart of the diabetic rats and were attenuated by GLO-I overexpression. In this model of diabetes, these processes were not accompanied by significant changes in systolic heart function, i.e., stroke volume, fractional shortening and ejection fraction. This study shows that 24-weeks of diabetes in rats induce early signs of mild cardiac alterations as indicated by an increase of oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis which are mediated, at least partially, by glycation.
Fructus Gardenia Extract Ameliorates Oxonate-Induced Hyperuricemia with Renal Dysfunction in Mice by Regulating Organic Ion Transporters and mOIT3
Authors: Hu Qing-Hua , Zhu Ji-Xiao , Ji Jing , Wei Lin-Lin , Miao Ming-Xing , Ji Hui
Published: July 2013

The potent anti-hyperuricemia activities of Fructus Gardenia Extract (FGE) have been well reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the uricosuric and nephro-protective effects of FGE and explore its possible mechanisms of action in oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice. FGE was orally administered to hyperuricemic and normal mice for 1 week. Serum and urinary levels of uric acid, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and fractional excretion of uric acid (FEUA) were measured. The mRNA and protein levels of mouse urate transporter 1 (mURAT1), glucose transporter 9 (mGLUT9), ATP-binding cassette, subfamily G, 2 (mABCG2), organic anion transporter 1 (mOAT1), mOAT3, oncoprotein induced transcript 3 (mOIT3), organic cation/carnitine transporters in the kidney were analyzed. Simultaneously, Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THP) levels in urine and kidney were detected. FGE significantly reduced serum urate levels and increased urinary urate levels and FEUA in hyperuricemic mice. It could also effectively reverse oxonate-induced alterations in renal mURAT1, mGLUT9, mOAT1 and mOIT3 expressions, as well as THP levels, resulting in the enhancement of renal uric acid excretion. Moreover, FGE decreased serum creatinine and BUN levels, and up-regulated expression of organic cation/carnitine transporters, improving renal dysfunction in this model. Furthermore, FGE decreased renal mABCG2 expressions in hyperuricemic mice, contributing to its beneficial actions. However, further investigation is needed in clinical trials of FGE and its bioactive components.
Synthesis and Relaxivity Studies of a DOTA-Based Nanomolecular Chelator Assembly Supported by an Icosahedral Closo-B122− -Core for MRI: A Click Chemistry Approach
Authors: Goswami Lalit , Ma Lixin , Kueffer Peter , Jalisatgi Satish , Hawthorne M.
Published: July 2013

An icosahedral closo-B122− scaffold based nano-sized assembly capable of carrying a high payload of Gd3+-chelates in a sterically crowded configuration is developed by employing the azide-alkyne click reaction. The twelve copies of DO3A-t-Bu-ester ligands were covalently attached to an icosahedral closo-B122− core via suitable linkers through click reaction. This nanomolecular structure supporting a high payload of Gd3+-chelate is a new member of the closomer MRI contrast agents that we are currently developing in our laboratory. The per Gd ion relaxivity (r1) of the newly synthesized MRI contrast agent was obtained in PBS, 2% tween/PBS and bovine calf serum using a 7 Tesla micro MRI instrument and was found to be slightly higher (r1 = 4.7 in PBS at 25 °C) compared to the clinically used MRI contrast agents Omniscan (r1 = 4.2 in PBS at 25 °C) and ProHance (r1 = 3.1 in PBS at 25 °C).
Marrubiin
Authors: Popoola Olugbenga , Elbagory Abdulrahman , Ameer Farouk , Hussein Ahmed
Published: July 2013

The ethno-medicinal approach to drug discovery represents one of the most important sources of new and safe therapeutic agents to the challenges confronting modern medicine and daily life. Many of the traditionally important medicinal plants contain active molecules or ones that serve as precursors to biosynthesised secondary metabolites to which the biological activity could be attributed. Marrubiin is one such compound and is a potential valuable compound which exists in high concentrations in many traditionally important Lamiaceae species which have demonstrated excellent pharmacological properties with commendably high safety margins. Marrubiin’s attributes include a low turnover, high stability and little catabolism, which are core characteristics required for therapeutic compounds and nutraceuticals of economic importance. In addition, marrubiin is considered a potential substrate for potent active compounds viz; marrubiinic acid, and marrubenol. The contribution of marrubiin to drug discovery thus needs to be put into prospective due to its ready availability, high potential applications and ease of modification. In this short review we highlight the most important chemical and pharmacological aspects reported on marrubiin since it was discovered.
Gastric Lipase Secretion in Children with Gastritis
Authors: Tomasik Przemyslaw , Wędrychowicz Andrzej , Rogatko Iwona , Zając Andrzej , Fyderek Krzysztof , Sztefko Krystyna
Published: July 2013

Gastric lipase is one of the prepancreatic lipases found in some mammalian species and in humans. Our knowledge of the hormonal regulation of gastric lipase secretion in children and adolescents is still very limited. The aim of this study was to compare the activity of human gastric lipase (HGL) in gastric juice in healthy adolescents and in patients with gastritis. The adolescents were allocated to three groups: the first including patients with Helicobacter pylori gastritis (HPG; n = 10), the second including patients with superficial gastritis caused by pathogens other than H. pylori (non-HPG; n = 14) and the control group including healthy adolescents (n = 14). Activity of HGL was measured in gastric juice collected during endoscopy. Plasma concentrations of cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) were measured in all adolescents. Activity of HGL in the non-HPG group was significantly lower than in the HPG group (p < 0.005) and the control group (p < 0.005). Mean plasma GIP levels in the control group were lower than in the non-HPG group (p < 0.003) and the HPG group (p < 0.01). We conclude that the regulation of HGL secretion by GLP-1 and CCK is altered in patients with gastritis. Moreover, GIP is a potent controller of HGL activity, both in healthy subjects and in patients with gastritis.
Electrical Detection of C-Reactive Protein Using a Single Free-Standing, Thermally Controlled Piezoresistive Microcantilever for Highly Reproducible and Accurate Measurements
Authors: Yen Yi-Kuang , Lai Yu-Cheng , Hong Wei-Ting , Pheanpanitporn Yotsapoom , Chen Chuin-Shan , Huang Long-Sun
Published: July 2013

This study demonstrates a novel method for electrical detection of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a means of identifying an infection in the body, or as a cardiovascular disease risk assay. The method uses a single free-standing, thermally controlled piezoresistive microcantilever biosensor. In a commonly used sensing arrangement of conventional dual cantilevers in the Wheatstone bridge circuit, reference and gold-coated sensing cantilevers that inherently have heterogeneous surface materials and different multilayer structures may yield independent responses to the liquid environmental changes of chemical substances, flow field and temperature, leading to unwanted signal disturbance for biosensing targets. In this study, the single free-standing microcantilever for biosensing applications is employed to resolve the dual-beam problem of individual responses in chemical solutions and, in a thermally controlled system, to maintain its sensor performance due to the sensitive temperature effect. With this type of single temperature-controlled microcantilever sensor, the electrical detection of various CRP concentrations from 1 µg/mL to 200 µg/mL was performed, which covers the clinically relevant range. Induced surface stresses were measured at between 0.25 N/m and 3.4 N/m with high reproducibility. Moreover, the binding affinity (KD) of CRP and anti-CRP interaction was found to be 18.83 ± 2.99 µg/mL, which agreed with results in previous reported studies. This biosensing technique thus proves valuable in detecting inflammation, and in cardiovascular disease risk assays.
Dynamic Sensor Interrogation Using Wavelength-Swept Laser with a Polygon-Scanner-Based Wavelength Filter
Authors: Kwon Yong , Ko Myeong , Jung Mi , Park Ik , Kim Namje , Han Sang-Pil , Ryu Han-Cheol , Park Kyung , Jeon Min
Published: July 2013

We report a high-speed (~2 kHz) dynamic multiplexed fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor interrogation using a wavelength-swept laser (WSL) with a polygon-scanner-based wavelength filter. The scanning frequency of the WSL is 18 kHz, and the 10 dB scanning bandwidth is more than 90 nm around a center wavelength of 1,540 nm. The output from the WSL is coupled into the multiplexed FBG array, which consists of five FBGs. The reflected Bragg wavelengths of the FBGs are 1,532.02 nm, 1,537.84 nm, 1,543.48 nm, 1,547.98 nm, and 1,553.06 nm, respectively. A dynamic periodic strain ranging from 500 Hz to 2 kHz is applied to one of the multiplexed FBGs, which is fixed on the stage of the piezoelectric transducer stack. Good dynamic performance of the FBGs and recording of their fast Fourier transform spectra have been successfully achieved with a measuring speed of 18 kHz. The signal-to-noise ratio and the bandwidth over the whole frequency span are determined to be more than 30 dB and around 10 Hz, respectively. We successfully obtained a real-time measurement of the abrupt change of the periodic strain. The dynamic FBG sensor interrogation system can be read out with a WSL for high-speed and high-sensitivity real-time measurement.
Efficient continuous-flow synthesis of novel 1,2,3-triazole-substituted β-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid derivatives with gram-scale production
Authors: Ötvös Sándor B , Georgiádes Ádám , Mándity István M , Kiss Lóránd , Fülöp Ferenc
Published: July 2013

The preparation of novel multi-substituted 1,2,3-triazole-modified β-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid derivatives in a simple and efficient continuous-flow procedure is reported. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions were performed with copper powder as a readily accessible Cu(I) source. Initially, high reaction rates were achieved under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions. Subsequently, the reaction temperature was lowered to room temperature by the joint use of both basic and acidic additives to improve the safety of the synthesis, as azides were to be handled as unstable reactants. Scale-up experiments were also performed, which led to the achievement of gram-scale production in a safe and straightforward way. The obtained 1,2,3-triazole-substituted β-aminocyclohexanecarboxylates can be regarded as interesting precursors for drugs with possible biological effects.