bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medical-Social Aspects of Chagas Disease
Authors: Teixeira Antonio , Hecht Mariana , Sousa Alessandro
Published: August 2009

Chagas disease has been an important factor that imposes difficulties to the
colonization of Latin America during the last five centuries. Such assertive requires an insight
about an ailment that propagates in the continent, reaching 18 million people, from which one
third will succumb to the disease at the ages ranging from 30 to 45 years of age. The families
that dwelled in rural areas for several generations know well enough that ailment because they
had at least one beloved that succumbed to Chagas disease. Orphanhood and desolation is the
prevalent picture in the inland of this unfortunate continent filled with fear of sudden death
caused by Chagas disease. Formerly it was said that Chagas disease was a disease of the poor
and, therefore, out of fashion. Nowadays, the disease is found in every social class but the
conception of out of fashion persists because it is of the interest of those who insist in not
taking care of the problem inside their own house. However, many people understand the
importance of this disease that has brought suffering to the population. Unfortunately, sectors
with alien thinking sustain the idea that the disease has been controlled and issue geopolitical
certificates of exemption of triatomines, vectors of Chagas disease. The solution of this
problem depends on the mobilization of the society aiming changes on this secular reality.
NANOSTRUCTURE SYNTHESIS IN AQUEOUS MEDIA
Authors: Pyatenko Alexander
Published: August 2009

In this chapter the main experimental methods used for the synthesis of metal nanostructures in
aqueous colloidal form are considered. For convenience, consideration was made separately for noble
metals and magnetic metals, even the most of methods are generally common for both groups. While the
chemical reduction of metal ions still remains the main method for such synthesis, laser ablation in water
solutions as well as combinations of these two methods became more and more popular, and can bring
more promising results in the nearest future.
SURFACTANT BASED SYNTHESIS OF METAL NANOSYSTEMS
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhao Hanying
Published: August 2009

Design of consistant and facile methods for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles is a
significant forward direction in the field of application of materials science, nanotechnology and
medicine. A number of methods have been suggested in the literature for the synthesis of nonagglomerated
nanoparticles. These include natural and synthetic polymers, biological macromolecules,
latex particles, mesoporous inorganic materials, dendrimers, microgels or hydrogels, colloidal systems
and others. In this chapter, we review the latest development of various surfactant based synthesis of
metal nanoparticles with a few illustrations on how the stability, morphology and complexity of
nanosystems differs with current methodologies.
MICROEMULSION MEDIATED SYNTHESIS OF NANOPARTICLES
Authors: Sarkar Deepa , C. Khilar Kartic
Published: August 2009

The water in oil microemulsion or reverse micelle has been used in the past two decades for
the synthesis of many different types of nanoparticles. The nano meter sized aqueous cores of the reverse
micelle provide an appropriate stabilized environment for the production of nanoparticles of fairly
uniform size, through chemical reactions occurring in the core and it also acts as steric stabilizers to
inhibit the aggregation of nanoparticles formed. The water in oil microemulsion has been used to
synthesize different types of core nano particles (metals, and semiconductors) as well as core-shell/
composite nanoparticles. This article describes the preparation techniques, and the various techniques
used to characterize these core and core-shell nanoparticles as well as insights in to the effects of various
process parameters on the terminal particle size. A brief review of our modeling work based on stochastic
population balance is also presented, which can be used to describe the formation of both core and coreshell
nanoparticles. In addition, we have also presented a brief review of the work on the synthesis of
anisotropic nanostructures like nanorods and nanowires by templating against surfactant micelles and
reverse micelles. Some findings of our work, addressing the engineering issues, such as possibility of
reusing surfactant and organic phases are also included in this article.
SYNTHESIS OF METAL NANOSTRUCTURES BY PHOTOREDUCTION
Authors: Hu Bo , Shi Hong-Yan , Yu Shu-Hong
Published: August 2009

Metal nanostructures with the size range of 1-100 nm, featuring unique physical and chemical
properties that arise from their quantum size effects and high surface areas, have been the focus of recent
scientific research. Among a variety of synthetic methods, the photoreduction method represents a
promising strategy for controlled synthesis of metal nanostructures with different sizes, shapes and
composition. In this review, the latest development on synthesis of metal nanostructures by UV radiation,
γ-ray radiation, and laser radiation methods will be overviewed with specific examples to illustrate how to
generate metal nanostructures with unusual structural specialty and complexity. The perspectives on
combination of this method with solution processing and interfacial reactions are given.
SELF-ASSEMBLY OF NANOSTRUCTURES
Authors: Culha Mustafa
Published: August 2009

This chapter is mainly focused on current novel approaches that have been made to
synthesize metal nanoparticles with predetermined shape, size, and fair stability using self assembly
process. It has also demonstrated the influence of various inorganic, organic compounds, polymer,
and biological molecules on the nanostructures of particles.
RATIONAL SYNTHESIS APPROACHES TO METAL NANOPARTICLES AND POLYMER METAL NANOCOMPOSITES
Authors: Samba Sivudu K. , Murali Mohan Y. , Mohana Raju K.
Published: August 2009

The scientific and industrial need for novel composite materials and nanoparticles has opened
new paths and led to significant advances in the field of nanocomposites. A number of nanosystems can be
designed based on their unique physico-chemical structures for direct biomedical applications. This review
is focused on the most novel strategies and trends to design metal nanoparticles including thermal
decomposition, chemical reduction and green methods. These methods can be applied to fabricate polymer
metal nanocomposites into different forms: core –shell, hollow core- shell nanoparticle system, metal
nanoparticles in hydrogel matrix and layer by layer assembly systems. The resulting new class of materials
found fascinating interest in antimicrobial, drug delivery and in catalysis.
SYNTHESIS OF METAL NANOPARTICLES USING HYDROGEL NETWORKS
Authors: Thomas Varsha , Murali Mohan Y. , Bajpai Manjula , Bajpai S.K.
Published: August 2009

Hydrogels containing silver nanoparticles have a variety of biomedical applications because of
the excellent compatibility of hydrogels with biological molecules, tissues, cells, and exceptional
antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles. Here we report the design and development of various
hydrogel networks that can be employed as matrices to grow and form metal nanoparticles. This behavior
is achieved because of their enormous hydrophilic groups and free space between gel networks that extend
not only stabilization but also participate in reduction process. This chapter provides an in-depth review of
various hydrogel systems that can be employed for nanoparticles synthesis.
Microvascular Dysfunction in Insulin Resistance
Authors: C. Frisbee Jefferson , W. Brock Robert
Published: August 2009

The increasing incidence and prevalence of insulin resistance and its
associated co-morbidities represents a growing concern to public health policy
across developed economies world wide. While the economic and psycho-social
implications of insulin resistance and the ultimate development of type II diabetes
mellitus are profound, much of this is associated with the increased probability of
afflicted individuals for the development of peripheral vascular disease; with the
hallmark characteristics of impaired matching of skeletal muscle perfusion with
elevated metabolic demand. Two models of insulin resistance are highlighted in
this chapter: the fructose-fed rodent model (which develops insulin resistance in
the absence of obesity) and the obese Zucker rat (which develops insulin
resistance subsequent to a chronic hyperphagia). While this chapter provides an
overview of some of the skeletal muscle perfusion impairments associated with
insulin resistance and its satellite co-morbidities, it also provides a discussion of
key contributing elements to this relative ischemic condition. Specifically, this
chapter will discuss the contributions of altered vascular reactivity from the
perspective of both dilator and constrictor responses, the impact of insulin
resistance on potassium channel function, structural alterations to microvascular
networks (microvascular rarefaction), and the impact of insulin resistance on
patterns of capillary recruitment. What rapidly becomes apparent is that the
profound impact of pathological states such as insulin resistance on skeletal
muscle perfusion represents a spatially and temporally distributed outcome with
many contributors resulting in an integrated negative outcome.
Microvascular Dysfunction: Potential Role in the Pathogenesis of Obesity-Associated Hypertension and Insulin Resistance
Authors: H Serne Erik , I Meijer Rick , P de Boer Michiel , T de Jongh Renate , G IJzerman Richard , Bakker Wineke , C Eringa Etto
Published: August 2009

The intertwined epidemics of obesity and related disorders such as
hypertension, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and subsequent cardiovascular
disease pose a major public health challenge. To meet this challenge, we must
understand the interplay between adipose tissue and the vasculature.
Microvascular dysfunction is important not only in the development of obesityrelated
target-organ damage, but also in the development of cardiovascular risk
factors such as hypertension and insulin resistance. The present chapter
examines the role of microvascular dysfunction as an explanation for the
associations among obesity, hypertension and impaired insulin-mediated
glucose disposal. We also discuss communicative pathways from adipose tissue
to the microcirculation.
Inflammatory Responses to Obesity and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Singer Georg , Neil Granger D.
Published: August 2009

Obesity is likely to become a major worldwide epidemic in the 21st
century. Clinical evidence demonstrates exaggerated inflammatory responses and
an enhanced tissue injury in obese subjects with cardiovascular disease, sepsis,
thrombosis and allergic diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that obesity per se is
associated with a systemic inflammatory response that is characterized by
endothelial cell dysfunction, oxidative stress, and the activation of circulating
immune cells. A large number of cytokine-like substances (adipokines) produced
by adipose tissue have been implicated in the systemic inflammatory response
associated with obesity. Insulin resistance also appears to contribute to the
inflammatory phenotype observed in obesity. There is emerging evidence from
experimental and clinical studies that implicate the microvasculature as a major
target for the deleterious effects of obesity-induced inflammation, and that the
altered microvascular responses underlie the exaggerated injury responses to
cardiovascular disease, sepsis, thrombosis and allergic diseases in obese subjects.
Oxidative Stress and Microvascular Function in Insulin- Resistant States
Authors: Rosen P. , Rosen R.
Published: August 2009

It became evident in the last years that an increased vascular risk is not
only associated with frank diabetes, but also already with states of insulin
resistance. This risk does not only affect the large vessels contributing to the
augmented cardiovascular risk often observed in insulin resistant patients, but also
various functions of the microvasculature. Here we present some evidence that
insulin resistant states are clearly associated with an increased formation of
reactive oxygen species (ROS) and linked to a state often called “oxidative stress”.
Various mechanisms (NADPH-oxidase, disturbed mitochondrial function,
uncoupling of nitric oxide synthase) may contribute to oxidative stress, but may
also aggravate insulin resistance. It is discussed whether both oxidative stress and
insulin resistance are causally linked and why oxidative stress leads to various
defects of microvascular function (changes in vasomotion, permeability, reduced
capillary bed, induction of apoptosis, changes in gene expression by activation of
transcription factors (NFkappB, AP-1, STAT).
Microalbuminuria and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Haraldsson Borje
Published: August 2009

The glomerular barrier is highly selective and an only minute amount
reaches the urine. Normally, the daily loss of albumin in urine is less than 30 mg
and microalbuminuria denotes losses between 30-300 mg per day. Overt
proteinuria means daily losses between 300- 3000 mg, whereas larger albumin
losses are in the nephrotic range. There are a wide variety of conditions that
cause microalbuminuria or proteinuria, but recently our understanding of these
phenomena has improved considerably. Microalbuminuria is one of the first
signs of diabetic nephropathy where it reflects endothelial dysfunction and
increased risk of microvascular complications. Microalbuminuria is also an
independent predictor of cardiovascular disease in non-diabetic individuals.
Insulin resistance is an interesting condition that precedes the development of
type II diabetes. Patients with severe kidney disease have insulin resistance
without developing diabetes. Insulin resistance is also associated to
microalbuminuria, hypertension and obesity. Finally, there is an association
between all these conditions and certain inflammatory vascular reactions. In this
chapter, I will try to review our current understanding of microalbuminuria and
how it is related to insulin resistance.
Importance of Microparticles in Microcirculation and Diseases
Authors: Carmen Martinez Maria , Andriantsitohaina Ramaroson
Published: August 2009

Although generation of microparticles from stimulated cells is a universal event
of the cell life, little is known about the mechanisms regulating this process. Only in the last
ten years, microparticles are considered as vectors of biological information between cells.
Levels of circulating microparticles are enhanced in a large number of cardiovascular
pathologies including changes in the microcirculation associated with insulino-resistance
and this has been associated with deleterious effects on cells from vascular wall, mainly,
endothelial cells. However, under several conditions, microparticles released from different
vascular cells can induce beneficial effects, such as repair of injured tissue favoring
angiogenesis, release of nitric oxide from injured endothelium, for instance. This review
emphasizes the increasing significance of microparticles in major cardiovascular
pathological situations, as well as, the recent progress in the identification of other
biological functions for microparticles, mainly, considering microparticles as potential
therapeutic tools.
Hemorheology in Insulin Resistance
Authors: Brun Jean-Frederic , Varlet-Marie Emmanuelle , Aloulou Ikram , Sardinoux Mathieu , Raynaud de Mauverger Eric , Mercier Jacques
Published: August 2009

The insulin resistance syndrome is associated with hemorheologic
abnormalities whose understanding is complex, since rheological properties
of plasma and blood cells are to a large extent determined by the surrounding
milieu: physicochemical factors, metabolism and hormones. It is thus
difficult to delineate the specific role of adiposity, endothelial dysfunction,
and the hormonal disturbance by its own in this complex picture.
Nevertheless, low insulin sensitivity which is associated with both increased
body fat and increased circulating lipids, together with impaired fibrinolysis,
is characterized by a mild hyperviscosity syndrome. Those rheological
alterations are more closely related to insulin resistance than to the clinical
scoring of the metabolic syndrome. Low insulin sensitivity is associated with
increased erythrocyte aggregability. When low insulin sensitivity is
associated with hyperinsulinemia there is an increase in plasma viscosity.
Among those factors, plasma viscosity appears, in multivariate analysis, to be
"independently" related to insulin resistance. Moreover, plasma
hyperviscosity is corrected by insulin-sensitizing procedures (such as
exercise training) and is thus to some extent a marker of this disease.
Post-Myocardial Infarction Insulin Resistance: A Sentinel Role for the Muscle Microcirculation
Authors: C. Poole David , I. Musch Timothy
Published: August 2009

Patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction (MI) and live with
chronic heart failure (CHF) exhibit a substantial reduction in peripheral insulin
sensitivity and increase their risk for developing diabetes by several-fold. To establish
the putative role for post-myocardial infarction (MI) microcirculatory dysfunction in
insulin resistance several questions must be addressed. Paramount amongst these are: 1.
What are the microcirculatory hemodynamic characteristics in healthy resting muscle?
2. How are these impacted in post-infarction CHF? 3. Can current models of bloodtissue
substrate delivery/exchange support a role for CHF-induced functional
alterations in insulin resistance? This brief review considers that skeletal muscle, in
part because of its great mass, prodigious capillarity and metabolic plasticity,
constitutes a primary organ in body glucose homeostasis. The myriad changes in
arteriolar vasoregulation post-MI, whilst certainly important with respect to the control
of bulk muscle blood flow and its distribution, will not be addressed in depth herein.
Rather, the questions posed above will be focussed within the context of recent novel
observations at the capillary level i.e., at the primary site of blood-muscle exchange.
These observations challenge the dogma that, in resting muscle, most capillaries are
not recruited at rest which, if correct, would restrict their participation in glucose
uptake and homeostasis. This is a crucial issue because direct observations suggest that,
in healthy muscle, most capillaries do support continuous red blood cell (RBC) flux. In
contrast, in post-MI CHF, a substantial proportion of skeletal muscle capillaries cease
to support RBC flux both at rest and during contractions and it is likely that this
constitutes a sentinel event in insulin resistance. Development and optimization of
treatment strategies designed to ameliorate insulin resistance and halt or reverse the
progression towards overt diabetes in CHF patients are dependent upon resolving these
issues.
Is Defective Microcirculation Responsible for Insulin Resistance? PART 1: Microvascular Dysfunction and Insulin Resistance are Linked: Evidences from Clinical Observations
Authors: Wiernsperger Nicolas
Published: August 2009

This chapter describes the arguments supporting our concept that
microcirculatory defects may underlie insulin resistance (IR). Vascular (patho)
physiology and metabolism are vast areas subjected to many confounding factors
detailed here, which are cardinal to sort the many existing contradictory reports. A
thorough analysis of the epidemiological and clinical literature clearly establishes
that microvascular dysfunction and IR are linked and observable very early in life,
well before metabolic syndrome and cardiometabolic diseases develop. In part 2 the
thermodynamic, particularly microvascular effects of insulin itself are detailed and
analyzed in terms of their physiological pertinence. Part 3 deals with underlying
mechanisms, based on selected clinical situations. These reveal puzzling
commonalities: together with cell physiology, they suggest that primary (inherited,
early acquired) or secondary defects in sensing exaggerated physical forces of blood
flow by the microvascular endothelial surface may be responsible. Glycocalyx and
mainly caveolae, which are linked to vasomotor reactions and to insulin signalling
and transport, are tentatively designed as the culprit.
Is Defective Microcirculation Responsible for Insulin Resistance? PART 2. Insulin and Microcirculation: Physiology and Pathophysiology
Authors: Wiernsperger Nicolas
Published: August 2009

Full text available
Is Defective Microcirculation Responsible for Insulin Resistance? PART 3. Microvascular Defects Potentially Leading to Insulin Resistance
Authors: Wiernsperger Nicolas
Published: August 2009

Full text available
Calculation of the Critical Energy of the Power System with Protection Operation
Authors: Lin Jikeng , Wang Xudong , Zheng Weihong
Published: August 2009

Whether a disturbance will trigger unexpected protection operation to exacerbate the normal operation state or even lead to the unstable state depends on the transient energy that the system gains during the fault period. The paper presents a new gradient projection approach to calculate the critical energy for transient stability assessment of the power system with the protection operation. The method takes the projection of the potential energy gradient on the key protection operation surface as search direction and iteratively searches for the critical energy at the surface; in order to let the optimal point be the feasible point, the generator angles are considered as control variables of power flow equation to solve network bus voltage and angle during the searching process. Examples show that the convergence and precision of the new method proposed is much better than that of other methods, which demonstrates the validity and feasibility of the new method.
Reactive Power Optimization Based on Adaptive Immune Algorithm
Authors: Lin Jikeng , Wang Xudong
Published: August 2009

This paper proposes using an adaptive immune algorithm (AIA) for reactive power optimization. The adaptive immune algorithm automatically adjusts the parameters to achieve the balance between fast convergence and high diversity of antibodies, according to the distance between the antibodies. It leads to the reduction of the computation time, compared with other methods. The test results of several examples demonstrate that reactive power optimization based on AIA method has advantages in terms of computation speed and convergence speed.
Advanced Analysis of Clustered Photovoltaic System's Performance Based on the Battery-Integrated Voltage Control Algorithm
Authors: Wu Yuan-Kang , Chen Ching-Shan , Huang Yi-Shuo , Lee Ching-Yin
Published: August 2009

This paper summarizes international experience of significant clustered photovoltaic systems. Based on the operation experience, major system impacts and corresponding solutions have been studied. Among them, voltage raise of power distribution line due to the reverse power flow from the PV system has been one of the main problems. Therefore, this paper proposes the dynamic and steady-state simulations to evaluate the effectiveness of battery-integrated PV system on avoiding the over voltage problem. Furthermore, different types of battery control modes have been compared. In the simulations, the actual product specifications were adopted as the parameters of the component models, and the largest PV cluster system in Taiwan was chosen as the analyzed demonstration site. The simulation results reveal that the developed control algorithms could avoid voltage rise by setting appropriate control parameter values. In addition, these control algorithms could be applicable to other power grids if appropriate settings are made.
Kinetic Simulation of Methacrolein and Lactone Production from the Catalytic Oxidation of Isobutane over Lanthanide Phosphomolybdates
Authors: Kendell Shane M , Alston Amy-Sue , Brown Trevor C
Published: August 2009

Eight lanthanum- (La0.25H2.25[PMo12O40], La0.5H1.5[PMo12O40], La0.75H0.75[PMo12O40], La[PMo12O40]) and cerium- (Ce0.25H2.25[PMo12O40], Ce0.5H1.5[PMo12O40], Ce0.75H0.75[PMo 12O40], Ce[PMo12O40]) containing phosphomolybdate catalysts have been synthesized and analysed using a low pressure steady state technique. The products from isobutane oxidation using the catalysts were water, methacrolein, carbon dioxide and lactone. Methacrylic acid is not detected under the low-pressure molecular-flow conditions; lactone is postulated to be intermediary in methacrylic acid production. The methacrolein and lactone data were simulated using two different theoretical models in order to determine kinetic parameters. The activation barriers for methacrolein formation vary substantially throughout each lanthanum and cerium series, however the most active catalyst is determined to be Ce[PMo12O40]. Only three of the eight catalysts produced significant quantities of lactone (La0.75H0.75 [PMo12O40], La[PMo12O40] and Ce[PMo12O40]) and this activity is correlated with the most active catalysts for methacrolein formation. The trends in selective oxidation activity must be due to the acidity and redox properties, as well as the structural phases, but it is difficult to quantify in all cases.
Operability Analysis of MTBE Reactive Distillation Column using a Process Simulator
Authors: Santoso Herry , Bao Jie , Lee Peter L
Published: August 2009

It has been understood for decades that process operability does not depend entirely upon the control system but also on the inherent properties of the process itself. For example, the decision on the size of equipment or the use of a highly integrated process may have a significant impact on the overall operability. Ignoring operability during process design may lead to a very difficult to control process. In this paper, a dynamic operability analysis of a Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) reactive distillation column is presented. The effects of two design parameters, i.e. the reboiler duty and the reflux ratio, on the operability of the reactive distillation system are studied. Process operability is defined as the ability of the process to return to the steady-state in spite of unknown but bounded disturbances. The nonlinearity of the process is represented using a Hammerstein model, which can be easily obtained during process design from the steady-state model combined with some limited information on the process dynamics. The recent operability analysis method proposed by Rojas et al. (2007) is extended such that it can be implemented conveniently as one extra step after the flowsheet simulation using a process simulator. Based on this approach, an optimal controller for this highly nonlinear process is determined by solving a linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimization problem.
Three-Dimensional Numerical Study on Flames
Authors: Luo Caimao , Moghtaderi Behdad , Kennedy Eric , Dlugogorski Bogdan
Published: August 2009

A three-dimensional (3D) model of a methane-air counter-flow, non-premixed flame with a global reaction step for methane oxidation was developed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. A specific computational domain, and relevant thermodynamic and transport data calculated by the chemical kinetic code CHEMKIN, were incorporated into the model. The model was validated by comparing predictions with the spontaneous Raman scattered profiles of major combustion species reported in the literature. The model was employed to carefully examine the self-similarity assumptions normally invoked in simulating counter-flow non-premixed flames. It was found that while most assumptions were strictly satisfied within the jet region for the case of plug flow boundary conditions (B.C.) along the central axis, for the quadratic boundary condition case (corresponding to uniform plug-flow), assumptions were only approximately valid within the jet region. Also, the influence of shroud gas was examined by setting the surrounding gas as air and increasing the shroud gas through widening the shroud gas gap while maintaining a constant shroud gas velocity. Calculations revealed that, the resulting flames for shroud gas gaps greater than half of the jet radius, were totally insulated from mixing with the ambient air. The effect of buoyancy on the flame structures was also studied by comparing contours of the combustion products, temperature and turbulent properties.
MIQP-Based MPC in the Presence of Control Valve Stiction
Authors: Zabiri Haslinda , Samyudia Yudi
Published: August 2009

Stiction in control valve is the most common and long standing problem in process industry, resulting in oscillations in process variables which subsequently lower product quality and productivity, accelerates equipment wear and tear, or leads to system instability. In this paper, we apply the Mixed-Integer Quadratic Programming (MIQP)based Model Predictive Controller (MPC) that was originally developed for system with backlash, to the system with the control valve stiction. The objective is to investigate the robustness of the original MIQP-based MPC in the presence of control valve stiction nonlinearity. To have the real stiction model, we apply neural-network modelling from simulated data of real valve stiction and then use it to test the MIQP-based MPC control. Different scenarios of control valve stiction are considered. Simulation studies using an industrial case study of fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) show that, if the approximate dead-band value is known a priori, the MIQP-based MPC can effectively improve the closed-loop performance in the presence of stiction through the reduction of oscillations in the process variables.
Oxidant–antioxidant Status and Lipid Profile in the Hypertensive Patients.
Authors: Maharjan Babu Raja , Jha J C , Vishwanath P , Alurkar V M , Singh P P
Published: August 2009

Background: Hypertension is associated with an elevation of ROS and frequently also with an impairment of endogenous antioxidant mechanisms. Increased level of serum cholesterol, TG, VLDL has been observed in patients with hypertension. It has been shown that oxidized lipoprotein inactivates NO and aggravates hypertension. This study intends to know the association of oxidative stress and lipid profile with hypertensive patients of the Western Nepal.Methods: Our study group comprised of 32 confirmed cases of HTN. Inclusion criteria included the patients with blood pressure ≥140/90mm of Hg. Patients with secondary hypertension, past history of stroke, coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction, and peripheral vascular disease and diabetes mellitus were excluded. Serum lipid profile, plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (PTBARS), plasma total antioxidant activity (TAA) and urinary thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (UTBARS) were estimated in these patients by standard procedures and the values were compared with 30 age, sex and socioeconomically matched normal healthy control subjects.Results: TBARS levels and Lipid profile were significantly raised in HTN patients, but TAA and urinary TBARS levels were comparable to normal subjects. BMI and W/H ratio in patients were comparable to control. Smoking and alcohol did not influence lipid profile, TBARS and TAA.Conclusion: Lipid profile and TBARS were significantly raised in HTN patients compare to controls. Thus, monitoring lipid level and maintaining oxidative balance in hypertensive patients would be helpful in preventing the diseases associated with hypertension. Key words: Hypertension; Lipid profile; Oxidative stress; Antioxidant; Nepal.doi: doi: 10.3126/jnhrc.v6i2.2185Journal of Nepal Health Research Council Vol. 6, No. 2, 2008 October Page : 63-68
Public Health Awareness Building in the field of Safe Motherhood
Authors: Bhatta Badri Nath
Published: August 2009

Background: The study aims to explore the awareness level of people on safe motherhood in some selected districts and to compare the situation on the given issues among the selected districts.Methods: A total of 400 sample households (HHs) were represented from the 20 wards from 10 VDCs of four districts in the country during the fieldwork from April to August 2006. The sampled VDCs and wards were selected with the meeting of respective stakeholders from district to village levels respectively. A semi- structured questionnaire and ethnographic observation were administrated for garnering required data.Results: Out of the total respondents, the awareness level in marital age has been slightly increased in sampled communities. 29% marriages took place below the age of 18 years. 58.3% reported they married at the age of 18 to 22 years followed by above 22 years (12.5%). In case of cutting placenta, 58.9% are found to use blades followed by sterilized blades (20%) and others including sickle and knife (15%). Among them, majority people still practiced delivery at home rather than public health institutes. The study indicates that 80.5% population reported they managed home delivery followed by health institutes (18.3%). Similarly, 30% respondents expressed mothers- in- law assist during delivery. 69% informants reported that they milked colostrums to infant. Therefore, public health awareness program has to be arranged for the increase its level in some selected areas.Conclusion: Safe motherhood is the significant component of reproductive health. Uterus prolapse in Nepal is the most complicated problem in this field. Despite the various efforts, public health awareness programs have to be arranged in the critical areas of reproductive health.Key words: awareness, health education, public, safe motherhooddoi: 10.3126/jnhrc.v6i2.2187J Nepal Health Research Council,  2008 Oct; 6(13) Page: 69-73
Perceptions of Malaria and pattern of treatment seeking behaviour among Tharu and Pahari communities of Jhalari
Authors: Budhathoki Chitra Bahadur , BC R K
Published: August 2009

Background: Community understanding and practices relating to causation, transmission, prevention and treatment are the main socio-cultural factors that can influence malaria control but studies done social aspect of malaria control are limited in Nepal.Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted in 2003 in Jhalari VDC of Kanchanpur district where both Tharus and Pahari communities coexist. Total of 184 households were included in the study through systematic random sampling procedure for household survey. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were applied for data collection.Results: Fever, headache, chills, shivering, joint pain and spasmodic fever were the most frequently mentioned symptoms of malaria. Though most people knew that mosquito bite might cause malaria fever, they had multiple notions of malaria causations such as hot weather, living near forest, season change, overwork and weakness. They were not clear how a mosquito gets infected and transmit the disease from one person to another. The results showed that people incorporated traditional and modern elements into their concepts of the diseases and treatment strategies. Home remedy with herbs and self-treatment with anti-malarial pills are rare in both communities. Use of government health facility is significantly higher in Paharis than in Tharus. Tharus initially consult their traditional healers and visit the drug retailers in the most cases and government facility in some cases. Tharus were less informed of free diagnosis and treatment of malaria at the government health facilities.Conclusion: Both Tharus and Paharis are aware of malaria fever and actively seeking medical help from available sources of treatment; however, they are poorly informed of dangerous falciparum malaria and process of the disease transmission through infected mosquitoes. Tharus have less access to the government health facility than Paharis. Thus the improved health services in terms of availability, quality and accessibility, and effective information and communication regarding diseases and services can go a long way in tackling the problem.  Key words: Malaria; Fever; Knowledge; Perceptions; Treatment; Health-seeking behaviour.doi: 10.3126/jnhrc.v6i2.2189Journal of  Nepal Health Research Council 2008 Oct;6(13) Page : 84-92
Prevalence of HIV in Blood Donors
Authors: Tiwari B R , Karki S , Ghimire P. , Yadav P. , Rajkarnikar M
Published: August 2009

Background: Nepal is categorized as a country with ‘concentrated' epidemic of HIV Nepal Red Cross Society, Blood Transfusion Service has implemented considerable efforts to supply the safe blood and blood products according to the increasing demand. A trend analysis might prove valuable to understand the outcome and appropriately plan for further  improvements in providing safe blood supply. The study aimed to assess the trends of HIV seroprevalence over the six years in nationwide and in urbanized setting of Kathmandu Valley.Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted among Nepalese blood donors through the years 2001-2007. Serum samples were tested using third generation ELISA tests, strictly following the instructions of manufacturers. The donors' information was collected through the donor record register through the respective Blood Transfusion Services.Results: The overall seroprevalence of HIV among the total blood donors in nation wide and in Central Blood Transfusion Service (CBTS), Kathmandu through the six years of review (from 2001-2007) was 0.33% and 0.4% respectively. A significant decreasing trend in HIV seroprevalence was observed both in nationwide and in Central Blood Transfusion Service, Kathmandu (P< 0.001).Conclusion: The analysis of trends in HIV seroprevalence among blood donors through the year 2001- 2007 showed a significantly decreasing trend, probably due to the cumulative effect of increasing awareness of HIV and improved screening system for safe blood donation. However, an abrupt increase in demand of blood supply was associated with significant increase in seroprevalence in the year 2005/2006. Key words: Nepalese blood donors; Seroprevalence; Trends.doi: 10.3126/jnhrc.v6i2.2203Journal of  Nepal Health Research Council 2008 Oct;6(13): Page: 93-97
Seroprevalence of Specific Antibodies to Treponema pallidum in Blood Donors
Authors: Karki S. , Tiwari B. R. , Ghimire P. , Maharjan A , Rajkarnikar M
Published: August 2009

Background: Detection of specific antibodies to Treponema pallidum in serum is correlated with present or past Syphilis. The study aimed to know the seroprevalence of syphilis among blood donors in relation to age, sex, type of donation and times of donation.Methods: A total of 24,000 blood donors were screened to detect the presence of specific antibodies against T. pallidum by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) according to standard test kit protocol. Initially reactive samples were reconfirmed by repeat testing and repeatedly reactive samples were considered seropositive for Syphilis.Results: The seroprevalence of specific antibodies to T. pallidum among blood donors was found 0.42% (95% CI= 0.3-0.5%). There was an increasing trends of syphilis as the age of the donors increased (Cochrane-armitage test, P < 0.001). The seroprevalence in males was 0.45% and in females was 0.24% (P >0.05), in first time donors was 0.36% and in repeated donors was 0.48% (P > 0.05), among volunteer donors was 0.41% and among replacement donors was 0.50% (P > 0.05).Conclusion: The similar seroprevalence in first time and repeat donors as well as in volunteer and replacement donors urges the need of more effective donor education and counselling.  Key words:  Blood donors; Seroprevalence; Specific treponemal antibodies; Syphilis.doi: 10.3126/jnhrc.v6i2.2212Journal of Nepal Health Research Council,  2008 Oct;6(13): Page: 98-101
Glycogen Rich Clear Cell Carcinoma of Breast
Authors: Malla S. , Shakya Geeta , Regi S. , Mudvari D. S.
Published: August 2009

A 37 years old woman presented with a palpable mass in outer upper quadrant of the right breast. Excision biopsy showed Glycogen rich clear cell carcinoma (GRCCC) based on histological, PAS staining and immunohistochemical staining findings Histologically, most of tumor cells were clear cell type with variable intracytopasmic PAS positivity Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for progesterone receptor and vimention and foceally positive for cytokeratin and negative for estrogen receptor and S100. The patient underwent right quadrantectomy with right axillary clearance. This case was in stage IIa (T2N0Mx) and Elston and Ellis histological grade 2(Scores 3+2+1=6). GRCCC is a rare variant of breast carcinoma, with incidence calculated to be 1.4 to 3% and reports indicated a poorer prognosis for patient with GRCCC than those with usual breast cancer.  Key words: Breast; Cancer glycogen rich clear cell carcinomadoi: 10.3126/jnhrc.v6i2.2218Journal of Nepal Health Research Council Vol. 6, No. 2, 2008 Page: 117-119
Comonitoring of adenosine and dopamine using the Wireless Instantaneous Neurotransmitter Concentration System: proof of principle
Authors: Shon Young-Min , Chang Su-Youne , Tye Susannah J. , Kimble Christopher J. , Bennet Kevin E. , Blaha Charles D. , Lee Kendall H.
Published: September 2009

Object

The authors of previous studies have demonstrated that local adenosine efflux may contribute to the therapeutic mechanism of action of thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) for essential tremor. Real-time monitoring of the neurochemical output of DBS-targeted regions may thus advance functional neurosurgical procedures by identifying candidate neurotransmitters and neuromodulators involved in the physiological effects of DBS. This would in turn permit the development of a method of chemically guided placement of DBS electrodes in vivo. Designed in compliance with FDA-recognized standards for medical electrical device safety, the authors report on the utility of the Wireless Instantaneous Neurotransmitter Concentration System (WINCS) for real-time comonitoring of electrical stimulation–evoked adenosine and dopamine efflux in vivo, utilizing fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) at a polyacrylonitrile-based (T-650) carbon fiber microelectrode (CFM).

Methods

The WINCS was used for FSCV, which consisted of a triangle wave scanned between −0.4 and +1.5 V at a rate of 400 V/second and applied at 10 Hz. All voltages applied to the CFM were with respect to an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The CFM was constructed by aspirating a single T-650 carbon fiber (r = 2.5 μm) into a glass capillary and pulling to a microscopic tip using a pipette puller. The exposed carbon fiber (the sensing region) extended beyond the glass insulation by ~ 50 μm. Proof of principle tests included in vitro measurements of adenosine and dopamine, as well as in vivo measurements in urethane-anesthetized rats by monitoring adenosine and dopamine efflux in the dorsomedial caudate putamen evoked by high-frequency electrical stimulation of the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra.

Results

The WINCS provided reliable, high-fidelity measurements of adenosine efflux. Peak oxidative currents appeared at +1.5 V and at +1.0 V for adenosine, separate from the peak oxidative current at +0.6 V for dopamine. The WINCS detected subsecond adenosine and dopamine efflux in the caudate putamen at an implanted CFM during high-frequency stimulation of the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra. Both in vitro and in vivo testing demonstrated that WINCS can detect adenosine in the presence of other easily oxidizable neurochemicals such as dopamine comparable to the detection abilities of a conventional hardwired electrochemical system for FSCV.

Conclusions

Altogether, these results demonstrate that WINCS is well suited for wireless monitoring of high-frequency stimulation-evoked changes in brain extracellular concentrations of adenosine. Clinical applications of selective adenosine measurements may prove important to the future development of DBS technology.
Gastric symptoms and quality of life
Authors: Qazi Hammad
Published: August 2009

Keywords: Gastric, Quality of lifeOnline: 27 August 2009DOI: 10.3329/bmrcb.v35i2.2123Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2009; 35: 72-74
Antioxidant potential study of some synthesized N-heterocycles
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Mamun , Shaha Sukanta Kumar , Aziz Foysal
Published: August 2009

Nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds such as oxindoles especially isatins and their derivatives have excellent biological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer activity. In addition, this is first time ever we would like to report the antioxidant properties of the said class of compounds. To determine such an important bioactivity a number of halogenated oxindoles 1-3, their diaza-biphenyl derivatives (4-6), ring extended biphenyl (7) and bis-amide (8) were synthesized by classical heating method. The antioxidant activity of all the synthesized compounds was screened by DPPH method with respect to ascorbic acid. In our present investigation some of the synthesized compounds (1, 2, 3, 5 and 6) were found to be active.Keywords: Antioxidant; Isatin; OxindoleOnline 12 August 2009DOI: 10.3329/bmrcb.v35i2.2564Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2009; 35: 49-52
Assessment of quality of care in maternal and newborn health services available in public health care facilities in Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Sameena , Hossain Syed Akram , Halim Abdul
Published: August 2009

The study was conducted using the exit interview with patients (n=120), in depth interview with health care providers (n=87) and focus group discussion (n=16) with stakeholders to assess the perceived level of quality of care in maternal and newborn health at public facilities in Bangladesh.  Both clients and providers expressed dissatisfaction for inadequate quality of care represented by poor cleanliness, long waiting time with less consultation time, poor compassion by providers, inadequate supply of drugs and unnoticed cost for services varied by level of facilities. Inadequacy in human resource and absenteeism and poor laboratory service were reported to worsen the condition especially at lower level of service delivery. Thus this study explored some important factors like poor quality of care, inadequate technical competencies, information exchange and follow-up services. A deficit in supplies and logistics are strong barrier in regards to quality of care at various levels which needs to be addressed immediately.Keywords: Bangladesh; Maternal health; Newborn health; Quality of careOnline: 13 August 2009DOI: 10.3329/bmrcb.v35i2.3044Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2009; 35: 53-56
GERD and Asthma
Authors: Ahad Md Abdul
Published: August 2009

doi: 10.3329/taj.v19i2.3148TAJ June 2006; Volume 19 Number 2
Study on follow up of patients in the Department of Radiotherapy in a teaching hospital
Authors: Hussain Quazi Mushtaq , Mahbub-Ul-Alam Md , Hai MA
Published: August 2009

Follow-up of patients is one of the most important parts of cancer management. But in our country as most of the patients do not come for follow-up, at present it is only possible to find the total number of patients, their sex, number of patients planned for radiotherapy and chemotherapy and or other treatment modality and their percentage but not possible to find out the cure rate and survival rate due to above mentioned limitations. So it is suggested to improve the documentation system in a computerized manner and increase patient counseling so that patients come for follow-up and when ever a patient comes whether he or she is new or old can be recognized at once.   doi: 10.3329/taj.v19i2.3150 TAJ 2006; 19(2): 57-59
A Clinical Study of Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Authors: Hossain Md Moazzem
Published: August 2009

This study was done in the outpatient department of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital from April 2005 to March 2006. In this study the clinical patterns of allergic contact dermatitis and their causative allergic products was studied. Out of 50 patients, 34(68%) were female and 16(32%) were male. The study shows that the clinical patterns of allergic contact dermatitis are eczema 24(48%), hyperpigmentation 14(28%), urticaria 6(12%), acneform eruption 04(08%) and hypopigmentation 02(04%). Allergic products causing allergic contact dermatitis was cosmetics 20(40%), shoe 08(16%), clothing 06(12%), occupation 05(10%) adhesive 04(08%), metals & metal salts 04(08%) topical drugs 02(04%) and rubber gloves 01(02%).   doi: 10.3329/taj.v19i2.3151 TAJ 2006; 19(2): 60-62