bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The potential role of γδ T cells after allogeneic HCT for leukemia
Authors: Handgretinger Rupert , Schilbach Karin
Published: January 2018

Allogeneic hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (HCT) offers an option for patients with hematologic malignancies, in whom conventional standard therapies failed or are not effective enough to cure the disease. Successful HCT can restore functional hematopoiesis and immune function, and the new donor-derived immune system can exert a graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. However, allogenic HCT can also be associated with serious risks for transplantation-related morbidities or mortalities such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or life-threatening infectious complications. GVHD is caused by alloreactive T lymphocytes, which express the αβ T-cell receptor, whereas lymphocytes expressing the γδ T-cell receptor are not alloreactive and do not induce GVHD but can exhibit potent antileukemia and anti-infectious activities. Therefore, γδ T cells are becoming increasingly interesting in allogeneic HCT, and clinical strategies to exploit the full function of these lymphocytes have been and are being developed. Such strategies comprise the in vivo activation of γδ T cells or subsets after HCT by certain drugs or antibodies or the ex vivo expansion and manipulation of either patient-derived or donor-derived γδ T cells and their subsets and the adoptive transfer of the ex vivo–activated lymphocytes. On the basis of the absence of dysregulated alloreactivity, such approaches could induce potent GVL effects in the absence of GVHD. The introduction of large-scale clinical methods to enrich, isolate, expand, and manipulate γδ T cells will facilitate future clinical studies that aim to exploit the full function of these beneficial nonalloreactive lymphocytes.
Clinical implications of cancer gene mutations in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with lenalidomide
Authors: Takahashi Koichi , Hu Boyu , Wang Feng , Yan Yuanqing , Kim Ekaterina , Vitale Candida , Patel Keyur P. , Strati Paolo , Gumbs Curtis , Little Latasha , Tippen Samantha , Song Xingzhi , Zhang Jianhua , Jain Nitin , Thompson Philip , Garcia-Manero Guillermo , Kantarjian Hagop , Estrov Zeev , Do Kim-Anh , Keating Michael , Burger Jan A. , Wierda William G. , Futreal P. Andrew , Ferrajoli Alessandra
Published: January 2018

Key Points

Cancer gene mutations affect treatment response and survival in patients with CLL treated with lenalidomide. The assessment of cancer gene mutations may be useful in the risk stratification of CLL patients.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from food of animal origin in Bishoftu town, Central Ethiopia
Authors: Bedasa Segni , Shiferaw Daniel , Abraha Ashebr , Moges Tesfanesh
Published: January 2018

Background

Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) have frequently been associated with food borne illness and are considered as most serious of known food borne pathogens leading to severe illnesses and high mortality rates in humans. Most of outbreaks were traced to raw meat and raw milk consumption, as well as to dairy products such as yogurt and cheese derived from raw milk.

Results

Out of 200 samples examined, 40 (20%) and 7 (3.5%) of the samples were positive to E. coli and E. coli O157:H7 respectively. The highest isolation of E. coli was from cheese (40%), followed by raw milk (32%), yogurt (25.71%), beef (13.84%), and pasteurized milk (0%). Among E. coli O157:H7 isolates, the highest isolation was from raw milk (12%) followed by cheese (5.71%) and meat (3.07%). However, no E. coli O157:H7 was isolated from pasteurized milk and yogurt. Antibiotic susceptibility profile showed that E. coli was resistant for vancomycin (89.74%), ampicillin (76.92%) and streptomycin (69.23%). The analysis showed that, 92.5% of isolates showed multidrug resistance comprising 2–4 antimicrobials.

Conclusion

The occurrence of E. coli O157:H7 and its multiple antibiotic resistant profiles shows a risk for public health and food safety as well as animal production. These findings stress the need for an integrated control of E. coli O157:H7 from farm production to consumption of food of animal origin.
Bioprinting of skin constructs for wound healing
Authors: He Peng , Zhao Junning , Zhang Jiumeng , Li Bo , Gou Zhiyuan , Gou Maling , Li Xiaolu
Published: January 2018

Extensive burns and full-thickness skin wounds are difficult to repair. Autologous split-thickness skin graft (ASSG) is still used as the gold standard in the clinic. However, the shortage of donor skin tissues is a serious problem. A potential solution to this problem is to fabricate skin constructs using biomaterial scaffolds with or without cells. Bioprinting is being applied to address the need for skin tissues suitable for transplantation, and can lead to the development of skin equivalents for wound healing therapy. Here, we summarize strategies of bioprinting and review current advances of bioprinting of skin constructs. There will be challenges on the way of 3D bioprinting for skin regeneration, but we still believe bioprinting will be potential skills for wounds healing in the foreseeable future.
Restoring Body Image After Cancer (ReBIC): Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Esplen Mary Jane , Wong Jiahui , Warner Ellen , Toner Brenda
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This study aimed to test a group psychosocial intervention focused on improving disturbances of body image (BI), sexual functioning, and quality of life in breast cancer (BC) survivors.

Methods

A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of an 8-week group intervention in women after BC treatment. The manual-based intervention combined two powerful ingredients: expressive guided-imagery exercises integrated within a model of group-therapy principles. The intervention facilitates exploration of identity, the development of new self-schemas, and personal growth. In addition, the intervention included an educational component on the social and cultural factors affecting women’s self-esteem and BI. The control condition included standard care plus educational reading materials. One hundred ninety-four BC survivors who had expressed concerns about negative BI and/or difficulties with sexual functioning participated in the study; 131 were randomly assigned to the intervention, and 63 were assigned to the control condition. Participants were followed for 1 year.

Results

Women in the intervention group reported significantly less concern/distress about body appearance ( P < .01), decreased body stigma ( P < .01), and lower level of BC−related concerns ( P < .01), compared with women in the control group. BC-related quality of life was also better in the intervention group compared with the control group at the 1-year follow-up ( P < .01). There was no statistically significant group difference in sexual functioning.

Conclusion

Restoring Body Image After Cancer (ReBIC), a group intervention using guided imagery within a group-therapy approach, is an effective method for addressing BI-related concerns and quality of life post-BC. The manual-based intervention can be easily adapted to both cancer centers and primary care settings.
Epidemiologic Evidence That Excess Body Weight Increases Risk of Cervical Cancer by Decreased Detection of Precancer
Authors: Clarke Megan A. , Fetterman Barbara , Cheung Li C. , Wentzensen Nicolas , Gage Julia C. , Katki Hormuzd A. , Befano Brian , Demarco Maria , Schussler John , Kinney Walter K. , Raine-Bennett Tina R. , Lorey Thomas S. , Poitras Nancy E. , Castle Philip E. , Schiffman Mark
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Obesity has been inconsistently linked to increased cervical cancer incidence and mortality; however, the effect of obesity on cervical screening has not been explored. We investigated the hypothesis that increased body mass might decrease detection of cervical precancer and increase risk of cervical cancer even in women undergoing state-of-the-art screening.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 944,227 women age 30 to 64 years who underwent cytology and human papillomavirus DNA testing (ie, cotesting) at Kaiser Permanente Northern California (January 2003 to December 2015). Body mass index was categorized as normal/underweight (< 25 kg/m2), overweight (25 to < 30 kg/m2), or obese (≥ 30 kg/m2). We estimated 5-year cumulative risks of cervical precancer and cancer by category of body mass index using logistic Weibull survival models.

Results

We observed lower risk of cervical precancer (n = 4,489) and higher risk of cervical cancer (n = 490) with increasing body mass index. Specifically, obese women had the lowest 5-year risk of precancer (0.51%; 95% CI, 0.48% to 0.54% v 0.73%; 95% CI, 0.70% to 0.76% in normal/underweight women; P trend < .001). In contrast, obese women had the highest 5-year risk of cancer (0.083%; 95% CI, 0.072% to 0.096% v 0.056%; 95% CI, 0.048% to 0.066% in normal/underweight women; P trend < .001). Results were consistent in subgroups defined by age (30 to 49 v 50 to 64 years), human papillomavirus status (positive v negative), and histologic subtype (glandular v squamous). Approximately 20% of cervical cancers could be attributed to overweight or obesity in the women in our study who underwent routine cervical screening.

Conclusion

In this large, screened population, overweight and obese women had an increased risk of cervical cancer, likely because of underdiagnosis of cervical precancer. Improvements in equipment and/or technique to assure adequate sampling and visualization of women with elevated body mass might reduce cervical cancer incidence.
GLP-1 and Insulin Recruit Muscle Microvasculature and Dilate Conduit Artery Individually But Not Additively in Healthy Humans
Authors: Tan Alvin W K , Subaran Sharmila C , Sauder Matthew A , Chai Weidong , Jahn Linda A , Fowler Dale E , Patrie James T , Aylor Kevin W , Basu Ananda , Liu Zhenqi
Published: January 2018

Context

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and insulin increase muscle microvascular perfusion, thereby increasing tissue endothelial surface area and nutrient delivery.

Objective

To examine whether GLP-1 and insulin act additively on skeletal and cardiac microvasculature and conduit artery.

Design

Healthy adults underwent three study protocols in random order.

Setting

Clinical Research Unit at the University of Virginia.

Methods

Overnight-fasted participants received an intravenous infusion of GLP-1 (1.2 pmol/kg/min) or normal saline for 150 minutes with or without a 2-hour euglycemic insulin clamp (1 mU/kg/min) superimposed from 30 minutes onward. Skeletal and cardiac muscle microvascular blood volume (MBV), flow velocity, and flow; brachial artery diameter, flow velocity, and blood flow; and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured.

Results

GLP-1 significantly increased skeletal and cardiac muscle MBV and microvascular blood flow (MBF) after 30 minutes; these remained elevated at 150 minutes. Insulin also increased skeletal and cardiac muscle MBV and MBF. Addition of insulin to GLP-1 did not further increase skeletal and cardiac muscle MBV and MBF. GLP-1 and insulin increased brachial artery diameter and blood flow, but this effect was not additive. Neither GLP-1, insulin, nor GLP-1 and insulin altered PWV. Combined GLP-1 and insulin infusion did not result in higher whole-body glucose disposal.

Conclusion

GLP-1 and insulin at physiological concentrations acutely increase skeletal and cardiac muscle microvascular perfusion and dilate conduit artery in healthy adults; these effects are not additive. Thus, GLP-1 and insulin may regulate skeletal and cardiac muscle endothelial surface area and nutrient delivery under physiological conditions.
History of Russia: Challenges of the era of the Rurik
Authors: Жеребкин Михаил , Zherebkin Mihail
Published: January 2018

A training manual «History of Russia. Challenges of the Rurikovich’s epoch» covers a period of Russian history from the moment of the genesis and development of the Old Russian State in Novgorod and Kiev in the second half of the IX century till the ending of the ‘Time of troubles’ and the election of the first tsar of the new Romanov’s dynasty of tsar in the beginning of the XVII century. The analysis of the events of the reign of the Rurikovich’s dynasty princes is represented through the prism of challenges, the country is faced with. The content of the manual is consisted of five chapters. Five historic challenges, which the author highlights, are the depletion of Kievan Rus’ and the emergence of Verhnevolozhskaya Rus’, Mongol and Tatar invasion, the tide of west powers, the reunification of Russian lands around Moscow and Distemper
Model Test for Determination of Hydrodynamic Ocean Coeficient for Design of Aquaculture Mooring System for Oceanic Macroalgae Farming
Authors: Sulaiman O.O.
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT: Ocean and Coastal farming has potential economic benefits as a source of sustainable. Prototype plantations have been deployed in coastal areas and therefore are competing for limited space with other shoreside activities such as recreation and industry. If seaweed can be cultivated in relatively deeper waters away from populated areas, production may be expanded using larger areas not presently exploited for other purposes. Prototype systems aquaculture plantations have so far relied on ad hoc, field developed mooring systems, rather than engineering design principles. Such systems may not be sufficiently reliable for deepwater deployments, where repairs are more costly and resources are scarce. A quickest way to obtain design loadings for seaweed would be to carry out model tests on some available seaweed samples.The main difficulty is that the flow kinematics (fluid velocities/accelerations) that can be produced in the available model basin, at the Marine lab of the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Johor Bahru, where the tests are to be carried out, are suitable only at smaller scale. This paper describes the model tests and analysis used to develop the loads needed so that the mooring system for the aquaculture system can be designed based on methods like those used for offshore structures.
Extraction, Characterization and Fatty Acids Profiles of Nymphaea Lotus and Nymphaea Pubescens Seed Oils
Authors: Aliyu Mukhtar , Atiku Kano Muhammad , Abdullahi Nasiru , Aliyu Kankara Idris , Ismail Ibrahim Salihu , Abdullahi Abdulkadir Imam
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT: Fats and oils are part of food constituents, and may play a vital role in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals industries. There are several underutilized plants which their seeds have not been fully studied in terms of oil extraction and characterization. In this work two underutilized plants seeds Nymphaea lotus and Nymphaea pubescens were studied. Oils from these two seeds were extracted using soxhlet extraction with n-hexane. Gas chromatographic coupled mass spectrometry analysis of the N. lotus seed oil showed that linoleic (13.01%), palmitoleic (4.46%), arachidic (9.01%) and stearic (12.45%) acids were the major fatty acids whereas oleic (37.85%), palmitic (23.57%) and stearic (5.71%) were the major fatty acids detected in N. pubescens seed oil. In addition, oil extracted from N. pubescens seed was found to have better quality than N. lotus seeds. The fatty acids composition of N. pubescens seed oil is similar to palm and groundnut oil. Extracted oil from of N. pubescens seed is unsaturated which type is classified in the oleic – linoleic acid group. This work has shown that N. pubescens seed oils have great nutritional and industrial potentials.
Characterization of Antibacterial Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Moroccan fermented Olives
Authors: El issaoui Kaoutar , Zinebi Sanae , Abrini Jamal , Zahli Rajae , Amajoud Nadia , Skali Senhaji Nadia , Ouardy Khay El
Published: January 2018

The research for antibacterial activities of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Moroccan table olives, revealed 15 bacterial strains having an inhibitory activity against pathogenic germs: Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua and Staphylococcus aureus; as well as Gram-negative germs, such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and others. From 127 samples of table olives, 143 bacterial strains with antibacterial effect were isolated by the double layer method, 15 strains were retained. All are Gram positive, catalase negative and non-sporulating. Cocci constitute 66.33% of the total effective. The remaining 33.33% are represented by bacilli/Ovoid. The lactic acid bacteria retained have a greater inhibitory effect against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Listeria monocytogenes CECT 4032 and Staphylococcus aureus MBLA were inhibited by all the lactic strains studied. The smallest inhibition zones were recorded for the two isolates LB15 and LB96 against E. coli 87739, with diameter less than 10 mm.
Variability in Polyphenol Content in Areca Nut (Areca catechu) Samples of Karnataka
Authors: Gurumurthy B.R. , Nataraju S.P. , Pavithra S.K.
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT: The phenolic compounds or polyphenols, secondary metabolites of plants, are phytochemicals that exhibit antioxidant activity and consequently possess a beneficial physiological effect (Bravo, 1998). Plant polyphenolic compounds have been recognised for their ability to prevent oxidation of susceptible substances by virtue of their electron donating property due to presence of large number of phenolic hydroxyl groups. The seed of Areca catechu contains higher proportions of polyphenolic compounds mainly tannins (Zhang et al., 2008). In India 7.06 lakh ton of arecanut is produced annually (2016-17), major portion of which (App, 90%) utilised for human consumption. Hence it is essential to study variability in polyphenol contents of areca samples grown under diverse conditions and its impact on consumers. In the present study 850 areca samples were collected from 6 important area growing districts of Karnataka and further hobliwise pooling was done before polyphenol content was determined. In Shimogga district high concentration of polyphenol was found in Bhadrvathi thaluk (3.02%) followed by Shimogga (2.68%) and less concentration was found in Sorab taluk (1.17%). Polyphenol content varies from 0.82 % to 2.14 % in Chikkamagalur. The highest concentration was observed in Tarikere (2.14%) and less in Kadur (1.55%) . In Davanagere district polyphenol content was highest in Channagiri (2.50%) followed by Jagalur (1.29%). The results of total polyphenol content in different district are very different. But the regionwise variability was not noticed.
Antioxident activities and Phytochemical Screening of Martynia Annua Fruit Extract
Authors: Arshad Zarina , Saied Sumayya , M.Khan Khalid , Naz Shaista
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT: Martynia annua (cat’s claw, bichu) is part of Martyniaceae family. For centuries, extracts of leaves, roots, stems, fruits and seeds of M. annua have been used to cure eplilepsy, inflammation, tuberculosis, skin infections etc. Present investigations revealed qualitative phytochemical screening and bioactivites of fruit extracts of M.annua in solvents of different polarties. The qualitative phytochemical analysis exhibited the presence of alkaoids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, tannis, anthocyanins, steroids, amino acids and phenols. DPPH (1.1-diphenyl-2-dipicryl hydrzal free radical scanvenging, reducing power assay and lipid peroxidation inhibition assay likability in different solvents were explored which revealed that with increase in concentration of extracts resulted increase in degree of reduction. The outcome of the present studies revealed that the fruit extracts of M. annua have eminent antioxidant activity
Cloning, Sequencing and Phylogenetic Analysis of stn gene of Salmonella Typhimurium
Authors: Singh Yashpal , Tiwari Apoorv , Kumar Rajesh , K. Saxena M.
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT: Salmonella Typhimurium is an important pathogen having broad host range . Several genes contribute in virulence of Salmonella. Stn is an important virulent gene which code for Salmonellatoxin, increases the level of c-AMP in the host, and ultimately results into diarrhoea and vomiting. In present study stn gene was cloned, sequenced and on basis of sequence information of stn gene,phylogenetic relation was deduced between different serovars of Salmonella Typhimurium. Genomic DNA was isolated from field isolate of Salmonella Typhimurium (isolate No-A201) and stn gene was amplified using gene specific primer and cloned in pJET vector by the positive selection system. Amplification of stn gene yielded a product of approximately 750 bp. Subsequently gene was sequenced and a complete ORF of 750 bp was obtained. The sequence was submitted to NCBI Genbank and allotted the Accession No KF032246 was allocated.Sequence was further used for bioinformatics analysis of Stnprotein, which exhibited two major domains and one amino acid substitution at 609residue. On phylogenetic analysis, S.Typhimurium exhibited 99% similarity with Salmonella enterica subsp. entericaserovar Newport.Our findings indicate that stn is an important toxin gene, which is conserved among many serovars of Salmonella. Therefore, it may be proven as a suitable candidate for development of sub-unit vaccine against Salmonella.
Isolation, Identification and Characterization of Streptomyces sp. SN-2
Authors: Talari Vishwanatha Bantanahal , Babu K Girish , Swathi B Malagi Padmashri , J Dandin Chethan , Nayaka Sreenivasa
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT: The present investigation is carried out for the isolation and molecular characterization of actinomycetes from the soil samples from Karnatak University campus, Dharwad, Karnataka, India. Totally four actinomycetes isolated, out of four isolated only one actinomycetes strain (SN-2) showed positive results for antimicrobial activity. SN-2 isolated actinomycetes was further analysed for morphological, physiological, biochemical and 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. The SN-2 strain gene sequence was predicted with secondary structure and restriction sites were identified with the help of Genebee and NEBcutter tools. This investigation clearly indicates that the isolated strain SN-2 as Streptomyces sp.
Isolation, Purification and Application of Secondary Metabolites From Lichen Parmelia Perlata
Authors: Leela K. , Anchana Devi C.
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT: Lichens are composite algae having a symbiotic association with a fungal partner. They produce numerous secondary metabolites, which play an important role in pharmaceutical and in other industrial applications. The Secondary metabolites produced by lichens are found to be 80% more when compared to that produced by other organisms. Not much work has been carried out on lichens due to the difficulty in their cultivation but still it emerges as a potential source in developing therapeutically important drugs which are widely beneficial in all fields of application. The Present study was aimed to isolate, purify and determine the applications of secondary metabolites from Lichen Parmelia perlata. The presence of these compounds were detected and purified by thin layer chromatography and column chromatography using specific solvent systems. The purified fractions were then identified by Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The compounds were then subjected to application oriented studies such as antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity and antidiabetic activity. Not much work have been carried out on the isolation of a specific glycoside and alkaloid compound from Lichen Parmelia perlata, so this study was an attempt to explore the applications of these individual compounds which could prove beneficial to the mankind for different purposes.
Rapid and Efficient Method of Immobilization of Invertase on Long Chain Akylamine Controlled Pore Glass
Authors: Naqvi Azmi , C. Sharma Dinesh
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT: Herein, we describe a quick method of immobilization of invertase onto photoreactive long chain alkylamine controlled pore glass (LCAA-CPG). Photorective LCAA-CPG which is prepared using microwave radiation holds at least one photoactivable functional group capable of forming a covalent bond with the biomolecule in a photochemical reaction. Invertase is subsequently immobilized onto Photorective LCAA-CPG using photochemical reaction.
Induction of MPK3, MPK6 and MPK4 Mediated Defense Signaling in Response to Alternaria Blight in Transgenic Brassica juncea
Authors: Tasleem Mohd , Baunthiyal Mamta , Taj Gohar
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT: Alternaria brassicae causes a highly destructive disease in Brassica juncea (Rapeseed mustard) resulting in significant yield losses. Studies of MAPK machinery components in Arabidopsis thaliana have indicated that MPK3, MPK4, & MPK6 are involved in defense response and provide resistance against various bacterial and fungal pathogens. In this study, we analyzed the expression level of MPK3, MPK4 & MPK6 in overexpressed MPK3 transgenic (BjV5) Brassica juncea at different stages of Alternaria brassicae inoculation.Expression study revealed that MPK3/MPK6 was involved in early defense response and MPK4 in late defense response. These results suggested that BjMPK3 positively regulate SA mediated defense response, which might play an important role in resistance to Alternaria brassicae in Brassica juncea.
Protoprotection and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Non–cytotoxic Melanin from Marine Isolate Providencia rettgeri strain BTKKS1
Authors: Kiriyachan Kurian Noble , Ganapathy Bhat Sarita
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT: Photoprotection and Anti-inflammatory properties of characterized melanin produced by marine proteobacterium Providencia rettgeri strain BTKKS1 was explored in the study. Characterization of melanin was carried out by chemical, FTIR, proton NMR and EPR analysis. The radical scavenging property was estimated using DPPH assay and Fe 2+ chelating potential was also evaluated. Effect of melanin on the activities of Cyclooxygenase, Lipoxygenase, Myeloperoxidase and Cellular Nitrite is used to evaluate anti-inflammatory potential. Enhancement of Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is evaluated to study its effectiveness in photoprotection. Cytotoxicity of melanin was estimated using MTT assay.The chemical, FTIR, proton NMR and EPR characterization were typical of eumelanin. The pigment also showed profound radical scavenging activity (63.73%) and metal chelating potential (97.09%). Melanin significantly inhibited the activity of the inflammatory enzymes in a dose dependent manner and enhanced the SPF value of commercial sunscreens at an average of 2.64 factors. This melanin was also less cytotoxic with an IC50 value of 97.87μg/mL. The immense Anti-inflammatory property of the pigment can be utilized in therapeutic applications. The photoprotection potential of melanin can be utilized in cosmetic formulations, UV protection devices etc.
Study of Combining Ability for Quality Component in Forage Sorghum [Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench]
Authors: Kumar Dehinwal Ashok , Pahuja S. K. , Joshi U. N , Kumari Pummy , Arya S.
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT: The study envisaged assessing the general combining ability of the parents and specific combining ability of the hybrids, using line x tester mating design. Twenty four hybrids along with their parents and checks ((SSG 59-3 and MFSH 4)) were evaluated at two locations with two date of sowing (Early and late sowing) during the kharif season of 2015-16. Data on five randomly taken plants from each genotype in each replication were recorded on different quantitative characters at first cut (55 days after sowing) and second cut (45 days after first cut). The ratio of σ2 GCA/σ2 SCA was less than unity for all the characters indicating preponderance of non-additive gene action (dominance and epistasis). Female parents 9A and 56A were also better combiners for HCN content, IVDMD and DDM in more than two different environments. HJ 513 and G 46 were found to be good general combiner male parents for protein content, protein yield, IVDMD and DDM in more than two different environments. The Cross combination of 465A × HJ 513 and 9A × IS 2389 were better for protein yield, IVDMD and DDM in more than two different environments. This suggests the usefulness of heterosis breeding or any breeding plan which makes use of specific combining ability effects for improvement in these traits.
Proximidad ideológica en las elecciones presidenciales de Costa Rica, El Salvador y Honduras
Authors: Otero Felipe Patricia , Rodríguez Zepeda Juan Antonio
Published: January 2018

En este artículo contrastamos la teoría del voto por proximidad ideológica en las más recientes elecciones presidenciales de tres países centroamericanos: Costa Rica, El Salvador y Honduras. Para tal efecto especificamos modelos Probit Mutinomiales Mixtos, a partir de los cuales encontramos que la cercanía ideológica tuvo un efecto relevante en dichas elecciones. La distancia entre votantes y candidatos afectó de manera diferente a estos últimos, dependiendo del contexto partidista en que competían.
La movilidad de estudiantes en América Central: ¿en busca del Hegemonic Knowledge?
Authors: Camino Esturo Edorta
Published: January 2018

La dinámica de la movilidad estudiantil centroamericana está caracterizada por la unidireccionalidad hacia los países occidentales, que constituyen centros de saber hegemónico, especialmente Estados Unidos. No obstante, se aprecia un aumento de la movilidad a Cuba, creándose un espacio alternativo y de contrapeso a dicha tendencia. En cambio, la movilidad hacia la región centroamericana es doméstica y periférica, con mayores aportes intrarregionales que foráneos, situándose al margen de los centros universitarios de producción científica.
Una sensibilidad focalizada: opinión pública y política exterior de Costa Rica hacia Nicaragua
Authors: Pignataro Adrián , Cascante Segura Carlos Humberto
Published: January 2018

Investigaciones previas han constatado la importancia de la opinión pública sobre los asuntos de política exterior. Este estudio busca identificar la estructura de la opinión costarricense y estimar el efecto de un evento internacional relevante: un fallo de la Corte Internacional de Justicia en el caso Costa Rica vs. Nicaragua. Para ello, se utiliza una serie de encuestas que han incorporado de forma periódica preguntas sobre asuntos exteriores. Se puede confirmar que la valoración de la política exterior constituye una dimensión relativamente autónoma respecto a la política doméstica. Además, los modelos indican que la percepción sobre la conducción de las relaciones exteriores en el país mejoró significativamente luego de conocerse el fallo. Estos resultados muestran que la opinión pública responde ante lo internacional, aunque esto acontece en condiciones de especial sensibilidad, como las relaciones con Nicaragua.
Comparisons between Forms of Visual Narration
Authors: Ahmed Maaheen
Published: January 2018

After tracing the means of generating openness in comics in the genres discussed in the previous chapters, the last chapter of analyses concentrates on related visual narratives such as illustrated novels and artists’ books.
This chapter begins with two comics, or graphic novel versions, of literary texts, City of Glass and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. These comics’ adaptations are compared with the transposition of Franz Kafka’s stories in Dave Mairowitz and Robert Crumb’s Introducing Kafka and Oliver Deprez’s version of The Castle. The chapter ends with a discussion of the variety of complex relationships (between words and images as well as images alone) and the role of materiality in artists’ books, comparing them with those discernible in more open comics in order to show how both incorporate indirect and multivalent word-image relationships to create greater interpretational scope, which is frequently complemented by aesthetic appeal.
From Daniel Boone to Captain America
Authors: Barbour Chad A.
Published: January 2018

This book examines the transmission of the ideals and myths of playing Indian in American popular culture. In the nineteenth century, American art and literature developed and nurtured images of the Indian and the frontiersman that
exemplified ideals of heroism, bravery, and manhood, as well as embodying fears
of treason, loss of civilization, and weakness. During this time, Daniel Boone emerged as an exemplary figure of crossing the white-Native line. In the
twentieth century, comic books, among other popular forms of media, would
inherit these images. The Western genre of comic books participated fully in that genre’s conventions, replicating and perpetuating the myths and ideals long associated with the frontier in the United States. A fascination with Native Americans was also present in comic books devoted to depicting the Indian past
of the U.S. In such stories, the Indian is always a figure of the past, romanticized
as a lost segment of U.S. history, ignoring contemporary and actual Native
peoples. Playing Indian occupies a definite subgenre of the Western comics, especially during the postwar period when a host of comics featuring a “white Indian” as the hero were being published. Playing Indian migrates into superhero comics, a phenomenon that heightens and amplifies the notions of heroism,
bravery, and manhood already attached to the white Indian trope. Instances of superheroes, such as Batman and Superman, playing Indian corroborate with the depictions found in the strictly Western comics. The superhero as Indian is
revived in the twenty-first century via Captain America, attesting to the
continuing power of this ideal and image.
Introduction
Authors: Barbour Chad A.
Published: January 2018

The introduction discusses the connection between Native activism and popular culture as an entry into considering the recurring trope of playing Indian in
American culture, especially focusing on comics. Comics provide a representative body of work for American popular culture, demonstrating how playing Indian circulates and is transmitted throughout American culture. A theoretical
consideration of visual rhetoric, including Charles Peirce's semiotics, helps
establish the unique nature of playing Indian in comics because
of the visual nature of the medium. A consideration of whiteness and control of racial identity illustrates the contradictory dynamic of playing Indian.
Conclusion
Authors: Barbour Chad A.
Published: January 2018

The conclusion considers the power and persistence of playing Indian in American culture. From Daniel Boone to Captain America, from the frontiersman to the superhero, from the frontier to the city, playing Indian maintains a powerful presence in American popular culture, reflecting and shaping perceptions of race, gender, and national identity.
From the Margins to Center Stage: Tyler Perry’s Popular African American Theatre
Authors: Shaw Rashida Z.
Published: January 2018

If Perry now functions as a platform onto himself, his career began with seemingly much less broad, but no less significant, aspirations. In her analysis of taste, class, and the popular, in Chapter TwoRashida D. Shaw places Tyler Perry’s career within the context of a Black performance and theatre history that extends back to the nineteenth century, as she centralizes the history of the “Chitlin Circuit” or “Urban Theatre.” After establishing a literary cultural history that frames and restages the popularity, appeal, and reception of Perry’s plays, Shaw’s analysis more closely explores the ramifications of Perry’s behind-the-scenes role and onstage presence at the 2012 Tony Awards during a year that resulted in numerous historic successes for not only African American theatre-makers, but also for African American–centric productions in general.
The Case for Calling George Lucas the “White Tyler Perry”
Authors: Reinsch Paul N.
Published: January 2018

Incomparing and contrasting Perry’s media influence with that of another famous director, Paul Reinsch concludes the collection by reframing the media discourse around Tyler Perry’s work and career to consider him alongside a comparable media mogul: George Lucas. What might the creator of Star Wars and the creator of Madea possibly have in common (aside from a possible penchant for high fantasy)? In closely analyzing the critical reception, aesthetics, and ideologies of Perry’s For Colored Girls(2010) and Lucas’s Red Tails(2012), Reinsch exposes how each filmmaker ultimately negotiates a particular nostalgia for Classical Hollywood Cinema while also maintaining a particular intrusiveness.
Introduction
Authors: Sanders Joe Sutliff
Published: January 2018

Although Hergé is most famous for crystalizing and popularizing the “clear line” art style, the lines of his life and work are anything but clear. His lifelong gratitude to the Boy Scouts for their influence during his formative years notwithstanding, Hergé came under fire for both a lack of loyalty (to the resistance during occupation, to his first wife) as well as excessive loyalty (to the exiled king and his wartime friends). Scholarship on Hergé has explored the artist’s work as it blurs the lines between high art and low, biography and cultural history, psychoanalysis and gender.
Signifying Nothing
Authors: Casey Jim
Published: January 2018

The chapter considers Hergé’s struggles to represent absence. These struggles come to the fore in the characters’ arguments over whether the Tibetan yeti can be real as well as in Hergé’s own longing for purity in a life that had grown increasingly complex. The chapter invokes Heidegger to help explicate Hergé’s representations of empirical knowledge and the mysteries of the unknown.
Alph-Art, B-Movies, Cast Corpses
Authors: Schulman Vanessa Meikle
Published: January 2018

This chapter works through anxieties of representation and authenticity as represented in Hergé’s final work, the incomplete and posthumously published Tintin and Alph-Art (1986). This essay places the story between arguments about representation in circles concerned with high art and gruesome low-brow stories about murder. Hergé himself never quite resolved his feelings about his place in high or low art; this essay suggests that his place was always between them.
A Retrospective View from Richmond Hill: An Interview with Bernard Coard
Authors: Grenade Wendy C.
Published: January 2018

This chapter reproduces an interview conducted with Bernard Coard prior to his release from prison in 2009. In this interview, Coard reflects on the radical 1970s in the Caribbean and throughout the Third World. He centers the anti-Gairy struggle in Grenada within the larger anti-imperialist and anti-dictatorial struggles of the Caribbean Left. He points to the highs and lows of the 1979-83 period and argues that, despite committing fratricide, the revolution has placed its stamp on Grenada and the Caribbean that is indelible as it is permanent. He admits, however, that the revolutionaries made many grave errors.
Development
Authors: Svorinich Victor
Published: January 2018

To many critics and fans, Bitches Brew appeared to have come out of nowhere. His transition from being a “jazz” artist to a “popular” artist parallels the drastic transition Bob Dylan made from being a “folk” artist to a “rock” artist shortly before. Bitches Brew, however, was not a revolution. This chapter illustrates how Bitches Brew came from a ten-plus year development period and an abundance of African-American culture. Like Dylan’s music, Bitches Brew illustrates both continuity and change. Many of the traits of this album show how existing elements can reach a new synthesis that gives the illusion of the radically new, when there is actually a blend of the new and the familiar.
Music
Authors: Svorinich Victor
Published: January 2018

This chapter provides a complete day to day account of the Bitches Brew sessions. Although Davis conducted his rehearsals for Bitches Brew loosely, his concepts were well developed. He had specific structural ideas which were drawn from past concepts mixed with new innovations. He was also reliant on his band mates to help formulate the compositions. With the combination of precondition and spontaneity, Davis was able to create a very complex musical world.
Aftermath
Authors: Svorinich Victor
Published: January 2018

This chapter examines the marketing behind Bitches Brew and its response from the media, critics, and fans once the album was released. Davis was now forty-three and wanting to remain relevant. In order to stay on top, many critics argued that Davis sold his soul for commercial success, leading to his fall from grace. Davis was hostile towards the accusations and criticism he had received by releasing this album.
Miles in 3-D: Images of Bitches Brew
Authors: Svorinich Victor
Published: January 2018

Using new commentary from the people behind the lens blended with revealing photographs, this chapter examines the visual narrative of Bitches Brew. Although the sessions were never shot, Miles Davis was photographed just about everywhere else at the time, whether it was on stage, at home, at the gym, or driving around New York in his Ferrari. Despite his shy and difficult demeanor, Davis had a warm and sincere relationship with the camera and the people behind it. These photographers were not only able to document this period in Davis’s life, but were also able to unveil a whole other side of him.
With No End (An Epilogue)
Authors: Svorinich Victor
Published: January 2018

Growing up, I never liked jazz. Even when I began taking music seriously, my heroes were still Kiss and the like. It was not until my high school years, when I stumbled across a worn copy of Bitches Brew at the local library, that I began to take notice of jazz. My curiosity came from both boredom with my music collection at home and the wild album cover that was in my grasp. It felt like holding ...
Alvogyl versus zinc oxide eugenol after saline irrigation as a treatment for alveolar osteitis
Authors: Khalifah Mosaad
Published: January 2018

Background: Alveolar osteitis is one of the most common post-odontectomy complications. An agreement is lacking regarding the relative merits of various treatment methods. Of these treatments were alvogyl and Zinc oxide eugenol after saline irrigation.Objectives: The aim of the current study therefore was to evaluate the efficacy of both agents.Methods: A total of 987 patients were categorized into 4 groups (I, II, III, and IV) according to pain severity (mild, moderate, severe, or agonizing, respectively). Each group was randomly divided into two subgroups according treatment method: Alvogyl (Alv) and Zinc oxide eugenol following saline irrigation (I+Z).Results: Although, Alv was palliative in group. I, I+Z was curative in group, I and palliative in group II. Both agents were ineffective otherwise.Conclusion: The author recommends I + Z over alv.
GREEN MARKETING AND REPRESENTATION OF THE OTHER (An Analysis of Green Image Ad Represented by Teh Kotak Ad, ‘Persembahan dari Alam’ Version)
Authors: Wibowo Tangguh Okta
Published: January 2018

This paper presents a theoretical link among green marketing of Teh Kotak ad, “Persembahan dari Alam” version. This is an ad telling as if the product of Teh Kotak is truly from nature. In addition, this research explored the portrayal of how this ad contains metaphorical element to juxtapose nature and technology as the same level. In the analysis, this study attempts to use Green marketing theory as a tool for analysis to explore what is the message behind the ad. Moreover, exploring the representation of the portion of the position of gender where the ad uses a woman as the main actor picking tea leaf, as if this ad looks natural. The result of the study revealed that Green marketing showed it competences to cover with political agenda. It is reflected in green image which told that The Kotak is a gift from nature. Overall, this study concludes that green image of this ad relays the hidden meaning, where the main aim is inviting people to buy its product as political agendas. Keywords: Green marketing; gift; Nature; Teh Kotak
Single-Cell Stimulation in Barrel Cortex Influences Psychophysical Detection Performance
Authors: Tanke Nouk , Borst J. Gerard G. , Houweling Arthur R.
Published: January 2018

A single whisker stimulus elicits action potentials in a sparse subset of neurons in somatosensory cortex. The precise contribution of these neurons to the animal's perception of a whisker stimulus is unknown. Here we show that single-cell stimulation in rat barrel cortex of both sexes influences the psychophysical detection of a near-threshold whisker stimulus in a cell type–dependent manner, without affecting false alarm rate. Counterintuitively, stimulation of single fast-spiking putative inhibitory neurons increased detection performance. Single-cell stimulation of putative excitatory neurons failed to change detection performance, except for a small subset of deep-layer neurons that were highly sensitive to whisker stimulation and that had an unexpectedly strong impact on detection performance. These findings indicate that the perceptual impact of excitatory barrel cortical neurons relates to their firing response to whisker stimulation and that strong activity in a single highly sensitive neuron in barrel cortex can already enhance sensory detection. Our data suggest that sensory detection is based on a decoding mechanism that lends a disproportionally large weight to interneurons and to deep-layer neurons showing a strong response to sensory stimulation.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTRat whisker somatosensory cortex contains a variety of neuronal cell types with distinct anatomical and physiological characteristics. How each of these different cell types contribute to the animal's perception of whisker stimuli is unknown. We explored this question by using a powerful electrophysiological stimulation technique that allowed us to target and stimulate single neurons with different sensory response types in whisker cortex. In awake, behaving animals, trained to detect whisker stimulation, only costimulation of single fast-spiking inhibitory neurons or single deep-layer excitatory neurons with strong responses to whisker stimulation enhanced detection performance. Our data demonstrate that single cortical neurons can have measurable impact on the detection of sensory stimuli and suggest a decoding mechanism based on select cell types.