bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potentiation of electrochemotherapy by intramuscular IL-12 gene electrotransfer in murine sarcoma and carcinoma with different immunogenicity
Authors: Sedlar Ales , Dolinsek Tanja , Markelc Bostjan , Prosen Lara , Kranjc Simona , Bosnjak Masa , Blagus Tanja , Cemazar Maja , Sersa Gregor
Published: February 2013

Background. Electrochemotherapy provides good local tumor control but requires adjuvant treatment for increased local response and action on distant metastasis. In relation to this, intramuscular interleukin-12 (IL-12) gene electrotransfer, which provides systemic shedding of IL-12, was combined with local electrochemotherapy with cisplatin. Furthermore, the dependence on tumor immunogenicity and immunocompetence of the host on combined treatment response was evaluated.

Materials and methods. Sensitivity of SA-1 sarcoma and TS/A carcinoma cells to electrochemotherapy with cisplatin was tested in vitro. In vivo, intratumoral electrochemotherapy with cisplatin (day 1) was combined with a single (day 0) or multiple (days 0, 2, 4) intramuscular murine IL-12 (mIL-12) gene electrotransfer. The antitumor effectiveness of combined treatment was evaluated on immunogenic murine SA-1 sarcoma in A/J mice and moderately immunogenic murine TS/A carcinoma, in immunocompetent BALB/c and immunodeficient SCID mice.

Results. Electrochemotherapy in vitro resulted in a similar IC50 values for both sarcoma and carcinoma cell lines. However, in vivo electrochemotherapy was more effective in the treatment of sarcoma, the more immunogenic of the tumors, resulting in a higher log cell kill, longer specific tumor growth delay, and also 17% tumor cures compared to carcinoma where no tumor cures were observed. Adjuvant intramuscular mIL-12 gene electrotransfer increased the log cell kill in both tumor models, potentiating the specific tumor growth delay by a factor of 1.8-2 and increasing tumor cure rate by approximately 20%. In sarcoma tumors, the potentiation of the response by intramuscular mIL- 12 gene electrotransfer was dose-dependent and also resulted in a faster onset of tumor cures. Comparison of the carcinoma response to the combined treatment modality in immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice demonstrated that the immune system is needed both for increased cell kill and for attaining tumor cures.

Conclusions. Based on the comparison of the antitumor effectiveness of electrochemotherapy to intratumoral cisplatin administration, we can conclude that the fraction of cells killed and the tumor cure rate are higher in immunogenic sarcoma tumor compared to moderately immunogenic carcinoma tumor. The tumor cell kill and cure rate depend on the immune response elicited by the destroyed tumor cells, which might depend on the tumor immunogenicity. The effect of adjuvant intramuscular mIL-12 gene electrotransfer is dependent on the amount of IL-12 in the system and the immune competence of the host, as demonstrated by the dose-dependent increase in the cure rate of SA-1 tumors after multiple intramuscular mIL-12 gene electrotransfer and in the differential cure rate of TS/A tumors growing in immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice.
Phosphate ore washing by Na2EDTA for cadmium removal: Optimization of the operating conditions
Authors: Benredjem Zahia , Delimi Rachid , Khelalfa Assia
Published: February 2013

This paper discusses the extraction of cadmium from phosphate ore by the washing method. Various parameters were investigated for the cadmium extraction from phosphate ore. The results from extraction tests showed that cadmium extraction depends on the nature and concentration of the extracting agent, the liquid/phosphate ore ratio, the temperature and the solution pH. The effi ciency of the nine extracting agents for removing cadmium from phosphate ore was found to be in the order: Na2EDTA > citric acid > tartric acid > ammonium citrate > calcium chloride > ammonium acetate > ammonium chloride > oxalic acid > ammonium hydroxide. In this study cadmium extraction kinetics was best described by the product layer diffusion control model.
Modeling of heat and mass transfer in LaNi5 matrix during hydrogen absorption-desorption cycle
Authors: Akanji Olaitan L , Kolesnikov Andrei V
Published: February 2013

Packed bed reactors using metal hydride are attracting a lot of attention as potential hydrogen storage systems. Some operational and design variables are major constraints to obtain a proper infl ow/outfl ow of hydrogen into a metal hydride reactor. These variables include packed bed thermal conductivity, porosity, pressure and temperature distributions in the reactor during the absorption/desorption cycle. They also cause a mechanical stress induced by temperature gradient. In this paper, two dimensional models are implemented in COMSOL multiphysics to simulate the hydrogen fl ow, pressure and temperature distributions in the packed bed reactor during absorption/desorption cycle. Also, stresses in porous metal hydride induced by temperature variation in the heating/cooling cycle were evaluated. A possible effect of stress induced, porosity changes on diffusion and heating of hydrogen in both radial and axial direction in packed bed is discussed. The model consists of a system of partial differential equations (PDE) describing structural mechanics of stress, heat and mass transfer of hydrogen in the porous matrix of the packed bed reactor.
Temperature and moisture influence on the curing process of PAPR-type fertilizer products
Authors: Skut Jakub , Hoffmann Krystyna , Hoffmann Józef
Published: February 2013

PAPRs (Partially Acidulated Phosphate Rocks) are the most prospective phosphate fertilizers, mainly through the use of the smaller amount of reagents and the ability to utilize low-grade phosphate rocks with a low content of P2O5. The aim of our studies was to investigate the temperature and moisture infl uence on the curing process of PAPR-type fertilizer products. Fertilizer preparations of a PAPR-type were obtained in the Atlas model-type apparatus (Syrris Ltd.). The curing temperature and the moisture content were controlled by the heating time of the reaction vessel and the degree of PAPR stoichiometric norm (ηPAPR). Our results indicate that increasing the curing temperature of the PAPR-type fertilizer product by 10oC can lead to a decrease in the moisture content of the fi nal product by an average value of 1.5% w/w. Additionally reducing the moisture content by 1% w/w may correspond to an increase in P2O5 content by an average value of 0.5% w/w.
Recycling of styrofoam waste: synthesis, characterization and application of novel phenyl thiosemicarbazone surface
Authors: Siyal Ali N. , Memon Saima Q. , Khuhawar M.Y.
Published: February 2013

An attempt has been made to recycle Styrofoam waste to a novel functional polymer, Phenyl thiosemicarbazone surface (PTS). Polystyrene (PS) obtained from Styrofoam waste was acetylated and then condensed to PTS by reacting it with 4-Phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazide ligand and characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Synthesized PTS was applied successfully for the treatment of lead contaminated water by batch extraction method. Sorption variables were optimized (pH 8, adsorbent dose 53mg, initial Pb(II) ion concentration 10mgl-1 and agitation time 90min) by factorial design approach. Lead uptake by PTS was found much sensitive to the pH of Pb(II) ion solution. The maximum removal (99.61%) of Pb(II) ions was achieved at optimum conditions. The Langmuir and D-R isotherm study suggested the monolayer, favorable (RL=0.0001-0.01) and chemisorption (E=20.41±0.12kJmol-1) nature of the adsorption process. The sorption capacity of PTS was found to be 45.25±0.69mgg-1. The FT-IR spectroscopy study showed the involvement of nitrogen and sulphur of thiosemicarbazone moiety of PTS for the uptake of Pb(II) ions by five membered chelate formation.
Interrelations between different forms of group variability of quantitative traits in microtus socialis (Cricetidae, mammalia) in the peak phase of population abundance
Authors: Peskov V. N. , Sinyavskaya I. A. , Emelyanov I. G.
Published: February 2013

Interrelations Between Different Forms of Group Variability of Quantitative Traits in Microtus socialis (Cricetidae, Mammalia) in the Peak Phase of Population Abundance. Peskov V. N., Sinyavskaya I. A., Emelyanov I. G.- The amount of input and the interrelation of various forms of group variability of quantitative traits in general morphological disparity of M. socialis in the peak phase of the population abundance was studied. It was found that the variability of 4 exterior and 11 interior traits are determined primarily by the age of the animals, whereas the influence of sex and the season is very low. With ageing, the intensity of sexual differences and seasonal variability increase. The correlated variability of morphological traits was almost the same (Rs = 0.820-0.98) in males and females during different seasons.
Terrestrial Mollusks (Gastropoda) of the Slovechansko-Ovrutsky Ridge (Zhytomyr Region, Northern Ukraine)
Authors: Balashov I.
Published: February 2013

Thirty-five species of terrestrial mollusks were found in the Slovechansko-Ovrutsky ridge. Findings of Clausilia cruciata, Ruthenica filograna and Monachoides vicinus are especially interesting. Reproductive system of Morlina glabra is described. Problems of the conservation of terrestrial mollusks in the region are discussed.
Three New Species of the Genus Kisaura (Trichoptera, Philopotamidae) From Indian Himalaya
Authors: Saini M. S. , Pandher M. S. , Ramamurthy V. V.
Published: February 2013

Kisaura malickyi sp. n., K. bhagati sp. n. from Uttarakhand, and K. kanchenjungaensis sp. n. from Sikkim are described and illustrated in this paper.
Song Repertoire of the Crimean Chaffinch, Fringilla Coelebs (Fringillidae), and Comparative Analysis of the Vocalization Features of F. C. Solomkoi, F. C. Coelebs and F. C. Caucasica Subspecies
Authors: Tsvelykh A. N. , Yablonovska-Grishchenko E. D.
Published: February 2013

Song repertoire of chaffinch F. c. solomkoi subspecies from Crimea was analyzed. We discerned 38 song types in Crimean chaffinches’ repertoire, 27 of them were more frequent. Comparing Crimean chaffinches’ songs with those of nominative subspecies from Eastern Europe showed no common songs. Comparison of individual song elements showed that songs of F. c. solomkoi consisted of 108 elements, of which 18 were distinctive to Crimean birds, 18 were specific to Crimean chaffinches and Carpa-thian F. c. coelebs population while absent in songs of chaffinches from Eastern Europe plains. Comparison of F. c. solomkoi songs with songs of Caucasian subspecies F. c.caucasica revealed no common types of songs. There are certain similarities in song structures between some Crimean chaffinches and hybrid popula-tion of F. c. caucasica and F. c. solomkoi from Northwest Caucasus. Other specifics of vocalization showed drastic differences in rain-call structures of all subspecies and no after-song “kit“ element for Caucasian sub-species
100 Years since the Birth of Milton Friedman
Authors: Loužek Marek
Published: February 2013

The paper deals with the economic theory of Milton Friedman. Its first part outlines the life of Milton Friedman. The second part examines his economic theories - “Essays in Positive Economics” (1953), “Studies in the Quantity Theory of Money“ (1956), “A Theory of the Consumption Function” (1957), “A Program for Monetary Stability” (1959), “A Monetary History of the United States 1897 to 1960” (1963), and “Price Theory” (1976). His Nobel Prize lecture and American Economic Association lecture in 1967 are discussed, too. The third part analyzes Friedman’s methodology. Milton Friedman was the most influential economist of the second half of the 20th century. He is best known for his theoretical and empirical research, especially consumption analysis, monetary history and theory, and for his demonstration of the complexity of stabilization policy.
The use of the hot-ball method for observing the transport of moisture in porous stones
Authors: Fidríková Danica , Kubičár Ľudovít
Published: February 2013

The effect of moisture on materials leads to changes in their physical and chemicalproperties. Materials with different porosities are saturated by various mechanisms. Thispaper is focused on water transport or diffusion in various porous structures. The Hot-BallMethod is used for determining the water content in certain parts of a specimen. Theprocess of water transport or water diffusion is closely related to a porous structure.Porosity affects the transport properties of a material; therefore, knowledge of themechanisms distributing the water in materials with different porosities is very important.The measurements were carried out by thermal conductivity sensors (hot-ball sensor)located in different positions along the path of the water’s movement. The principle of thehot-ball sensor (thermal conductivity sensor) is based on the Hot-Ball Method formeasuring thermal conductivity. The local moisture content and local temperature ofa porous stone is inspected using the Hot-Ball Method, where the measured values of thethermal conductivity are correlated with the water content. The experimental set up for theinvestigation of the water diffusion in stones is described.
Prison-based drug treatment in Finland: History, shifts in policy making and current status
Authors: Tourunen Jouni , Weckroth Antti , Kaskela Teemu
Published: February 2013

Aim

The article outlines, at the level of political discourse, changes in drug and criminal policy that may have influenced the penal system as a backdrop to the rise of prison-based drug treatment programmes (PBDT) in Finland.

Methods and Data

Our perspective is historical. The article is based on historical and political documents, scholarly research and white papers.

Results

The history of PBDT in Finland is characterised by an absence of drug treatment programmes until the 1980s, first initiatives at the end of the 1980s, enthusiastic programme development from the mid-1990s, and decreasing interest during recent years. Unlike the National Drug Strategy, the Prison Drug Strategy aimed at a drug-free environment (zero tolerance) and implemented harm-reduction measures only to a limited extent.

Conclusion

The development of PBDT represents the new way of performing treatment in prisons, with features of managerialism. PBDT is also affected by an organisational segregation of rehabilitation and medical treatment, which prevents integration of harm-reduction measures with rehabilitative treatment, and is in conflict with general aims of integrating substance abuse treatment to mental and healthcare services in Finland. In the spirit of a new kind of Penal Welfarism, the role of documented individual risk and needs assessment in defining an offender's sentence has increased.
Interpodes: Poland, Tom Keneally and Australian Literary History
Authors: Sharrad Paul
Published: February 2013

This article is framed by a wider interest in how literary careers are made: what mechanisms other than the personal/biographical and the text-centred evaluations of scholars influence a writer’s choices in persisting in building a succession of works that are both varied and yet form a consistently recognizable “brand.”
Translation is one element in the wider network of “machinery” that makes modern literary publishing. It is a marker of success that might well keep authors going despite lack of sales or negative reviews at home. Translation rights can provide useful supplementary funds to sustain a writer’s output. Access to new markets overseas might also inspire interest in countries and topics other than their usual focus or the demands of their home market.
The Australian novelist and playwright Thomas Keneally achieved a critical regard for fictions of Australian history within a nationalist cultural resurgence, but to make a living as a writer he had to keep one eye on overseas markets as well. While his work on European topics has not always been celebrated at home, he has continued to write about them and to find readers in languages other than English.
Poland features in a number of Keneally’s books and is one of the leading sources of translation for his work. The article explores possible causes and effects around this fact, and surveys some reader responses from Poland. It notes the connections that Keneally’s Catholic background and activist sympathies allow to modern Polish history and assesses the central place of his Booker-winning Schindler’s Ark filmed as Schindler’s List.
The Lost Life of Ira Daniel Aldridge (Part 1)
Authors: Lindfors Bernth
Published: February 2013

The sons of famous men sometimes fail to succeed in life, particularly if they suffer parental neglect in their childhood and youth. Ira Daniel Aldridge is a case in point-a promising lad who in his formative years lacked sustained contact with his father, a celebrated touring black actor whose peripatetic career in the British Isles and later on the European continent kept him away from home for long periods. When the boy rebelled as a teenager, his father sent him abroad, forcing him to make his own way in the world. Ira Daniel settled in Australia, married, and had children, but he found it difficult to support a family. Eventually, he turned to crime and wound up spending many years in prison. The son of an absent father, he too became an absent father to his own sons, who also suffered as a consequence.
Passenger Car as Complex Experience
Authors: Logo Emma , Petruska Ildikó , Torok Adam
Published: February 2013

Passenger cars are complex products that consist of millions of parts. Cars have different shapes and colours giving persons different emotional feelings. Therefore the car as a complex product is suitable for marketing specialist for comparing other products through cars. Authors are describing the mathematical background of the theoretical investigation and the practical results of such examination.
Transportation of Liquefied Gases: Assessing the Risk of Thermal Damage to Roadside Infrastructure from a Road Tank “Bleve”
Authors: Vaidogas Egidijus Rytas , Kisežauskienė Lina
Published: February 2013

An assessment of risk posed by a road transportation of liquefied gases to roadside property is considered. The attention is focussed on an estimation of the probability of thermal damage to a roadside object. Such damage can be caused by a boiling-liquid expanding-vapour explosion (BLEVE) of a road tank. It is suggested to estimate this probability by a combined application of stochastic simulation and deterministic models used to predict a thermal effect of a BLEVE fireball. A development of a fragility function expressing the probability of ignition of the roadside object is discussed. The fragility function is integrated into the simulation-based procedure of an estimation of the thermal damage probability. The approach proposed in this study is illustrated by an example which considers an assessment of thermal damage to a reservoir built in the vicinity of a road used for transportation of liquefied gases.
The Royal Components of Melchizedek in Hebrews 7
Authors: Kang Dae-I
Published: February 2013

The Royal Components of Melchizedek in Hebrews 7

The royal component of Melchizedek in Hebrews 7 has often been disregarded.
This study investigates the royal component of Melchizedek in Hebrews 7 through the research
of the divine kingship in the Ancient Near East and the royal components of Melchizedek
in Genesis 14, Psalm 110, and the Second Temple writings. The images of divine kingship
in the Ancient Near East continue in Psalm 110 and Hebrews 7. There is not only the priestly
but also the royal image of Melchizedek in Genesis 14, Psalm 110, and the Second Temple
writings. Based on the research, the royal components of Melchizedek in Hebrews 7 can be
drawn. It is evident that the author of Hebrews focused on the superior priesthood of Christ
by using Melchizedek as a model for Christ in Hebrews 7. As the priesthood of Melchizedek is
a royal priesthood, the priesthood of Christ is also a royal priesthood. Therefore, the royal
priesthood should not be neglected in Hebrews 7.
Tolerance and Intolerance. Contemporary Attitudes withing Religious, Racial, National, and Political Sphere
Authors: Chirimbu Sebastian M.
Published: February 2013

Tolerance and Intolerance. Contemporary Attitudes withing Religious, Racial, National, and Political Sphere

Tolerance is an often debated topic in the contemporary global village. It is
permanently invoked and accusations of intolerance are equaly frequent. It is said that when a
word is too much used it loses its deep meaning, its essence, its initial purpose, so that it
becomes nothnig ore than a meaningless word among other meaningless words making up a
discourse. The word tolerance is not an exception. We hear it every day in the street, at school,
in debates, and especially on television. We might ask ourselves what tolerance stil means in the
contemporay world. Is it a virtue or just a convention used at international level? These
questions start, on the one hand, from Fethullan Gulen’s words who says that tolerance is
forgiveness, forgiveness of all sins, compassion and mercy for the whole Creation, the hiding of
people’s shame and mistakes, and on the other hand from the realities of the 21st century, the
global world ordered by laws, rules, conventions. The present paper is an attempt to define
and to comment on the concepts of tolerance and intolerance.
Calvin's Doctrine of the Lord's Supper
Authors: Janse Wim
Published: February 2013

Calvin's Doctrine of the Lord's Supper

In order to pinpoint its proprium, it is necessary to understand John Calvin’s Eucharistic
theology within the wider context of the intra-Protestant debates of his time. As a second-
generation Reformer, Calvin developed his ideas explicitly in reaction to and as a middle
way between the Lutheran and Swiss Reformed discussions of the 1520’s. To that end this essay
first focuses on the main developments from the Middle Ages onwards, and then presents
Calvin from the perspective of the positions taken up by some of his contemporaries, in particular
Philipp Melanchthon. Next, some representative texts written by Calvin himself are analysed.
Although Calvin’s Eucharistic views were not from the beginning a coherent and unified
doctrine but developed only gradually, they may be described in a systematic-synthetic way.
With respect to the matter of closed, open, and frequent communion, it is observed that for
Calvin a regular celebration is essential to the deepening of the believer’s union with Christ.
A Calvinist and Anabaptist Understanding of the Ban
Authors: Harding Matthew Scott
Published: February 2013

A Calvinist and Anabaptist Understanding of the Ban

Amidst a growing renewal of interest in Calvinism and Calvin scholarship
throughout the globe in the wake of John Calvin’s 500th anniversary of his birth (1509-2009),
this article focuses on John Calvin’s early ecclesiological development. In contrast to advancing
theories that Calvin developed his ecclesiological understanding of church discipline from earlier
Anabaptist doctrines and leaders which he would have been exposed to intimately during
his exile in Strasbourg (1538-1541), this article argues that Calvin had already determined and
articulated a well-balanced and detailed understanding of the ban (church discipline) before
his arrival in the protestant refuge city of Strasbourg. Further, this article argues that Calvin’s
sojourn and interaction with Anabaptists in Strasbourg cannot adequately explain Calvin’s ecclesiological
understanding or increasing practice of Church discipline in Strasbourg or Geneva,
but rather displays a vivid disparity between Calvin and the Anabaptist position on the ban
which Calvin denounces as false perfectionism.
The Plight of Humanity in Paul
Authors: Boo Sang
Published: February 2013

The Plight of Humanity in Paul

In Paul and Palestinian Judaism, E. P. Sanders argues that, for Paul, humanity’s
plight was not the condition that necessitated the solution of Jesus Christ. Instead, the solution
was presented to Paul first on the Damascus road, and humanity’s plight was simply the logical
corollary to the solution. This study will critically examine the particulars of Sanders’s argument—
particularly with regard to Romans 7, Philippians 3, and Galatians 3—and offer some
alternative exegetical analyses. This essay will argue that, while the development of Paul’s thinking
may indeed have run from solution to plight, the exposition of Paul’s thinking goes from
plight to solution. The movement of Paul’s exposition may suggest that his conception of the
plight of humanity was born out of his ideational milieu, which must have been fed, at least, by
the Old Testament and evidenced, at least, by literature such as 4 Ezra.
Does aspirin really reduce the colorectal cancer risk?
Authors: Shrestha Umid Kumar
Published: February 2013

Journal of Advances in Internal Medicine 2013;02(01):1-2 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jaim.v2i1.7627
Outcomes of Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention at Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal
Authors: Adhikari Chandra Mani , Bhatta Yadav Deo , Malla Rabi , Maskey Arun , Rajbandari Rajib , Regmi Shyam Raj , Sharma Ranjit , Kansakar Subodh , Nepal Himanshu Prasad , Shrestha Nagman , Pandey Rabindra , Prajapati Dipankar , Raut Roshan , Dhungana Murari , Yadav Dharma Nath , Rauniyar Binay Kumar , KC Man Bahadur
Published: February 2013

Background and Aims- Reperfusion therapy is indicated for patient with acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction. Several randomized trials and meta-analyses have shown that Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention is better than thrombolysis. Our aim was to determine the outcomes of Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, Nepal. Methods- Medical records of 212 Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention from March 2007 to March 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The primary end point was in-hospital mortality and secondary end points were 30 day mortality and long term mortality. Results- In the patients presenting to emergency with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction, inferior wall Myocardial Infarction 64 (30%) was the most common. Single vessel disease 168 (79%) predominated in emergency coronary angiogram. In majority of the patients Right Coronary Artery 103 (48.7%) was the culprit vessel. Cardiogenic shock was present in 28 (13.2%) patients. There were 11 deaths (39.2%) in cardiogenic shock group where as only 5 deaths (2.7%) among 184 non cardiogenic shock patients, resulting in in hospital mortality rate of 7.5%. Among the 196 patients who were successfully discharged from the hospital, 21 patients lost to follow up. There was one death reported within a month, non within three months and four within a year post discharge from the hospital. Conclusions- The result of this study is comparable to the findings elsewhere in the world. Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention should be the treatment of choice in treating acute myocardial infarction where the facilities and the expertise are available. Journal of Advances in Internal Medicine 2013;02(01):6-9 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jaim.v2i1.7629
Psychiatric Illnesses among the Patients Admitted for Self-poisoning in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Nepal
Authors: Risal Ajay , Sharma Pushpa Prasad , Karki Rajkumar
Published: February 2013

Background and Aims- Self-poisoning is the commonest mode of suicide in our part of the world. Patients attempting suicide by self-poisoning usually land up in the Emergency. They are admitted for management of medical complications and subsequently referred to Psychiatry for evaluation of possible Psychiatric illnesses. The aim of this study was to explore the patterns of psychiatric illnesses in the patients admitted for self-poisoning in a tertiary care center in Nepal. Methods- The study population included those patients who were admitted and being managed for self-poisoning and brought for psychiatric evaluation during the period of one year (1st June 2011- 30th June 2012) at Dhulikhel Hospital, Nepal. Each patient underwent a detailed psychiatric evaluation by a consultant psychiatrist once they were medically stable. Details including sociodemographic data, psychiatric diagnosis, and treatment offered and outcome was tabulated and analyzed using SPSS-16. Results- Among the total patients (N=100), 43 were in the age group 21-40 years, median age being 27.5. There was almost equal gender distribution. Majority was of Mongolian ethnicity, homemaker by occupation and married. More than 90% were single-attempters, suicidal attempt using organophosphorus compounds. Almost 50% had depression; family dispute (19%) and marital disharmony (17%) were the most common psychosocial precipitant. Conclusion- Patients with history of self-poisoning are commonly brought to the Emergency Department of any tertiary care hospital. It is widely prevalent on younger age group. It is usually by the use of Organophosphorus compound in our setting and most commonly associated with depression. Hence, psychiatric care is essential for these patients. Journal of Advances in Internal Medicine 2013;02(01):10-13 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jaim.v2i1.7630
Chilaiditi’s sign
Authors: Saha Kaushik
Published: February 2013

Journal of Advances in Internal Medicine 2013;02(01):16 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jaim.v2i1.7632
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus presenting with Bullous lesion, Lupus Nephritis and Seizure
Authors: Sigdel Mahseh Raj
Published: February 2013

Development of bullous lesion is a rare cutaneous manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Bullous eruptions in SLE are divided into three categories. Firstly, the lesions of SLE may blister. Secondly, a number of primarily blistering diseases have been associated with SLE.Thirdly, bullous SLE (BSLE), characterized bysub-epidermal blisters, IgG deposition at the dermoepidermal junction and autoantibodies against collagen VII, forms a distinct group. We report an18 years girl who met American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria for SLE presenting with bullous lesion and nephritis and developed seizure during the same admission. She had anti-nuclear antibody positive, anti-DsDNA antibody negative and serum complement, C3, level decreased. She was managed with steroid, hydroxychloroquine and cyclophosphamide to which her renal function improved significantly and the skin lesions remitted partially. We would also like to highlight the difficulties in establishing differential diagnoses of bullous lesion in SLE. Journal of Advances in Internal Medicine 2013;02(01):17-20 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jaim.v2i1.7633
Equity Implications of Parking Taxes
Authors: Hamer Paul , Currie Graham , Young William
Published: February 2013

Although considerable research has been conducted into the economic benefits of various congestion pricing measures including parking taxes, the equity implications of such initiatives have received less attention. As the policy debate shifts from the theoretical benefits of congestion pricing to the acceptability issues associated with implementing such measures, however, concerns about the equity of various proposals increasingly are raised. This paper starts with an overview of a congestion levy introduced in 2006 on off-street parking spaces within the inner city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The paper subsequently defines equity in the context of congestion pricing and reviews empirical findings on the equity issues associated with parking taxes. The paper then explores how equitable the Melbourne congestion levy is and whether the tax may, inadvertently, disadvantage certain groups. The analysis reported on in this paper found that a significant proportion of drivers who contributed to the congestion problem did not pay the congestion levy, or else had their parking costs, including the cost of the levy, paid for by their employers. These findings raised concerns about both horizontal and vertical equity.
Pediatric primitive intraneural synovial sarcoma of L-5 nerve root
Authors: Peia Francesco , Gessi Marco , Collini Paola , Ferrari Andrea , Erbetta Alessandra , Valentini Laura G.
Published: February 2013

Primitive intraneural synovial sarcomas are rare in children. The authors report the case of a 7-year-old girl affected by intraneural synovial sarcoma of a lumbar nerve root, the first such lesion in this location described in a child. The lesion mimicked a schwannoma clinically and radiologically. There was long-lasting leg pain in a radicular distribution, and a well-demarcated intraneural tumor was seen on MRI. On this basis, the first resection was conservative. However, histological examination documented a classic biphasic synovial sarcoma, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. After radical resection and adjuvant treatment, complete disease control was achieved and verified at 5-year follow-up. This case strongly suggests that early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach to this unusual spinal lesion are essential to achieving a better prognosis.
Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma with intratumoral hemorrhage
Authors: Ogiwara Hideki , Morota Nobuhito
Published: February 2013

The authors report on 2 cases of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) with intratumoral hemorrhage causing acute hydrocephalus, necessitating emergent resection of the tumor. They review the literature and present their insights on the management of SEGA showing growth on serial imaging.

Intratumoral hemorrhage causing acute hydrocephalus can occur not only in the pediatric ages but also in the early 20s in patients with SEGA. Awareness of this sequela is considered to be important in addressing surgical timing. The authors suggest early resection of the lesions when the evidence of growth has been confirmed, to prevent possible morbidity and mortality.
Evaluation of Serum Levels of Hepatic Enzymes and Plasma Proteins between Different Types of Acute Viral Hepatitis
Authors: Zaman MA , Asad HB , Roy MN , Hoque N , Nasiruddin M , Choudhury MBK , Siddique L , Taluder MAM
Published: February 2013

This cross-sectional study was carried out in 80 serologically diagnosed cases of acute viral hepatitis to assess and compare the serum hepatic enzymes & plasma proteins between four different types (A,B,C,E), 20 in each group. Hepatitis E, hepatitis B and hepatitis C were more prevalent in males than that in females. The study showed that geometric mean of S.AST of all the four types differed significantly (F= 274.94, p<0.001). Geometric mean of S.ALT, S.AST and S.ALP in cases of HCV were significantly lower than others (p<0.001). Geometric mean of S.ALT & S.AST in cases of HEV were significantly increased than others (p<0.001). But the geometric mean of S.ALP of HBV was significantly higher than others (p<0.001). On the other hand though S.ALP of HAV and HEV was lower than HBV but significantly higher than HCV (p<0.001). The mean±SD of serum albumin of HCV was decreased significantly in contrast to those of HAV and HBV (p<0.001). A:G ratio of HCV was also significantly lower than other three (p<0.001). It was revealed through the study that hepatic enzymes were most affected in cases of HEV but least affected in cases of HCV. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v3i1.13803 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2010; 3(1): 19-22
Renal Function Before and After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): Off Pump vs. On Pump
Authors: Akhter SP , Khan S , Mehdi T , Nasiruddin Md , Mollah FH
Published: February 2013

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality and several factors have been identified as predictive of complications. These include renal dysfunction and in particular renal replacement therapy. More than 600,000 coronary artery graft procedures are performed annually in the United States. Of those patients with coronary arterial disease 10% patients undergo CABG surgery. To explore the association of renal function between off-pump and on-pump-CABG. To evaluate the degree of impairment of renal function in on-pump, 80 patients (off-pump group = 50, on-pump group = 30) who underwent CABG were recruited from cardiac surgery dept. of National Heart Foundation and Research Institute Mirpur Dhaka and National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD). Subjects were selected according to exclusion and inclusion criteria. Purpose and procedure of the study were explained in detail and informed written consent was taken from the study subjects. All the information of the study subject including history, clinical finding were recorded in a preformed data sheet. Serum urea and creatinine were significantly higher in on-pump group patients 12 hours after CABG. Serum urea was significantly higher and serum creatinine was slightly in onpump group in comparison to off-pump group. The mean urea and creatinine were found significantly higher in on-pump group in comparison to off-pump group and CCr was slightly higher lower in on-pump but not significantly decreased. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v3i2.13809 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2010; 3(2): 36-41
Correlations of Serum Magnesium and Potassium in Acute Myocardial Infarction, Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease and Normal Healthy Volunteers of Bangladesh
Authors: Choudhury MBK , Hossain MM , Akhtaruzzaman M , Uddin MM Jamal , Rahman MS , Islam MS , Jinnah CMK , Hoque N
Published: February 2013

Magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) are the major intracellular cations whose presence in the serum are low, but minor changes of those may show a remarkable change in the various body functions specially in the heart. The study was designed to find out the correlation between serum Mg and K in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD) and normal healthy volunteers. It was carried out over a period of 18 months in the Department of Biochemistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in collaboration with Department of Cardiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital (SSMC & MH) and Atomic Energy Center, Dhaka. A total of 101 subjects were included in which 32 subjects were AMI, 34 CIHD and 35 normal healthy volunteers. Serum glucose and serum creatinine were estimated to exclude diabetes and renal dystrophies. Estimation of serum CK-MB and ECG tracing were done as diagnostic tools of AMI and to categories the subjects into various groups. Serum Mg was estimated by Atomic absorption spectrophotometer and serum K by Ion sensitive electrode. The present study shows that there is a strong positive correlation of serum Mg and K in AMI, CIHD and healthy control subjects (r = 0.566, p<0.01 level). So it is suggested to estimate and supplement both Mg and K in IHD patients for their better management. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v3i2.13812 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2010; 3(2): 50-56
Tackling the Question of Tanghao on Taiwan's Tombstones in the Framework of Digital Anthropology
Authors: Streiter Oliver , Goudin Yoann
Published: February 2013

This paper tackles the question of the rise and the use of the tánghào [Formula: see text], a mythological placename, on Taiwan's tombstones. This type of placename started to be used during the Japanese colonisation of Taiwan (1895–1945) and replaced placenames, that referred to regions where migration to Taiwan had started generations ago. The questions raised by the tánghào concern its function and meaning in a constantly renegotiated and redefined society. Why was a mythological placename adopted and how could this placename survive changes in regimes and burial practices? The framework we adopt for our analysis is that of Digital Anthropology (DA), using an archive of approximately 35.000 digitised tombstones plus digitised segments of statal discourse. The first puzzle parts of this investigation hint to an extremely diversified, non-orchestrated onset of the new practice. Later, the tánghào was instrumented for nationalist ROC ideologies and fully implemented into burial practices by new professionals, who sell the tánghào as the “right way to do”. The involvement of the ROC state in this propagation of the tánghào can be traced back through character variants that spilled over from offical documents onto tombstone inscriptions.
Electron Density Modification of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNT) by Liquid-Phase Molecular Adsorption of Hexaiodobenzene
Authors: Lu Mingxia , Ohba Tomonori , Kaneko Katsumi , Hata Kenji , Yumura Motoo , Iijima Sumio , Komatsu Hiroto , Sakuma Akira , Kanoh Hirofumi
Published: February 2013

Electron density of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) is effectively modified by hexaiodobenzene (HIB) molecules using liquid-phase adsorption. UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectra of the HIB-adsorbed SWCNT, especially in the NIR region, showed a disappearance of S11 transitions between the V1 valance band and the C1 conduction band of van Hove singularities which can be attributed to the effective charge transfer between HIB and the SWCNT. The adsorption of HIB also caused significant peak-shifts (lower frequency shift around 170 cm−1 and higher shift around 186 cm‑1) and an intensity change (around 100–150 cm−1 and 270–290 cm−1) in the radial breathing mode of Raman spectra. The charge transfer from SWCNT to HIB was further confirmed by the change in the C1s peak of X-ray photoelectron spectrum, revealing the oxidation of carbon in SWCNT upon HIB adsorption.
Effects of Lutein and Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation on Macular Pigment Optical Density in a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: García-Layana Alfredo , Recalde Sergio , Alamán Angel , Robredo Patricia
Published: February 2013

We studied the macular pigment ocular density (MPOD) in patients with early age macular degeneration (AMD) before and 1 year after nutritional supplementation with lutein and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Forty-four patients with AMD were randomly divided into two groups that received placebo (n = 21) or a nutritional supplement (n = 23, 12 mg of lutein and 280 mg of DHA daily). Heterochromatic flicker photometry was used to determine the MPOD. At baseline, the MPOD in AMD patients with placebo was 0.286 ± 0.017 meanwhile in AMD patients with supplementation it was 0.291 ± 0.016. One year later, the mean MPOD had increased by 0.059 in the placebo group and by 0.162 in patients receiving lutein and DHA. This difference between groups was significant (p < 0.05). Lutein and DHA supplementation is effective in increasing the MPOD and may aid in prevention of age related macular degeneration.
Effects of Dietary Carbohydrate Replaced with Wild Rice (Zizania latifolia (Griseb) Turcz) on Insulin Resistance in Rats Fed with a High-Fat/Cholesterol Diet
Authors: Han Shufen , Zhang Hong , Qin Liqiang , Zhai Chengkai
Published: February 2013

Wild rice (WR) is a very nutritious grain that has been used to treat diabetes in Chinese medicinal practice. City diet (CD) is based on the diet consumed by Asian area residents in modern society, which is rich in saturated fats, cholesterol and carbohydrates. The present study was aimed at evaluating the effects of replacing white rice and processed wheat starch of CD with WR as the chief source of dietary carbohydrates on insulin resistance in rats fed with a high-fat/cholesterol diet. Except the rats of the low-fat (LF) diet group, the rats of the other three groups, including to high-fat/cholesterol (HFC) diet, CD and WR diet, were fed with high-fat/cholesterol diets for eight weeks. The rats fed with CD exhibited higher weight gain and lower insulin sensitivity compared to the rats consuming a HFC diet. However, WR suppressed high-fat/cholesterol diet-induced insulin resistance. WR decreased liver homogenate triglyceride and free fatty acids levels, raised serum adiponectin concentration and reduced serum lipocalin-2 and visfatin concentrations. In addition, the WR diet potently augmented the relative expressions of adiponectin receptor 2, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, alpha and gamma, and abated relative expressions of leptin and lipocalin-2 in the tissues of interest. These findings indicate that WR is effective in ameliorating abnormal glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in rats, even when the diet consumed is high in fat and cholesterol.
MICROBIAL COMMUNITY CHANGES IN TNT SPIKED SOIL BIOREMEDIATION TRIAL USING BIOSTIMULATION, PHYTOREMEDIATION AND BIOAUGMENTATION
Authors: Nõlvak Hiie , Truu Jaak , Limane Baiba , Truu Marika , Cepurnieks Guntis , Bartkevičs Vadims , Juhanson Jaanis , Muter Olga
Published: February 2013

Trinitrotoluene (TNT), a commonly used explosive for military and industrial applications, can cause serious environmental pollution. 28-day laboratory pot experiment was carried out applying bioaugmentation using laboratory selected bacterial strains as inoculum, biostimulation with molasses and cabbage leaf extract, and phytoremediation using rye and blue fenugreek to study the effect of these treatments on TNT removal and changes in soil microbial community responsible for contaminant degradation. Chemical analyses revealed significant decreases in TNT concentrations, including reduction of some of the TNT to its amino derivates during the 28-day tests. The combination of bioaugmentation-biostimulation approach coupled with rye cultivation had the most profound effect on TNT degradation. Although plants enhanced the total microbial community abundance, blue fenugreek cultivation did not significantly affect the TNT degradation rate. The results from molecular analyses suggested the survival and elevation of the introduced bacterial strains throughout the experiment.
Treatment of 139 Pregnancies in Antiphospholipid-positive Women Not Fulfilling Criteria for Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Del Ross Teresa , Ruffatti Amelia , Visentin Maria Serena , Tonello Marta , Calligaro Antonia , Favaro Maria , Hoxha Ariela , Punzi Leonardo
Published: February 2013

Objective.

The effect of low-dose aspirin (LDA) on pregnancy outcome in antiphospholipid (aPL)-positive women not fulfilling the criteria for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) was evaluated retrospectively.

Methods.

We evaluated 139 pregnancies of 114 aPL-positive women not fulfilling the Sydney classification criteria for definite APS (104 treated with LDA, 35 untreated). Inclusion criteria consisted of (1) any titer of aPL and no previous pregnancy or no pregnancy losses (defined as aPL carriers); (2) any titer of aPL and 1 or 2 pregnancy losses before the 10th gestational week. No women had previous thrombosis. The rate of pregnancy loss, gestational age at delivery, and birth weight percentile were compared in the treated and untreated patients. Associations between clinical and laboratory characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were investigated.

Results.

The rate of pregnancy loss was low in both treated and untreated groups (7.7% vs 2.9%, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in the rate of pregnancy loss, gestational age at birth, or birth weight percentile in the treated and untreated groups. There were significant associations between gestational age at birth ≤ 34th week and positivity for lupus anticoagulant (p = 0.025) and anti-ß2-glycoprotein I IgG antibodies at titers > 99th (p = 0.016).

Conclusion.

LDA treatment does not appear to improve pregnancy outcome in low-risk women not fulfilling the criteria for APS. Because antibody profile seems to influence pregnancy outcome, further studies of patients stratified according to their antibody profile are warranted.