bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rethinking Antibiotic Research and Development: World War II and the Penicillin Collaborative
Authors: Quinn Roswell
Published: June 2012

Policy leaders and public health experts may be overlooking effective ways to stimulate innovative antibiotic research and development. I analyzed archival resources concerning the US government’s efforts to produce penicillin during World War II, which demonstrate how much science policy can differ from present approaches. By contrast to current attempts to invigorate commercial participation in antibiotic development, the effort to develop the first commercially produced antibiotic did not rely on economic enticements or the further privatization of scientific resources. Rather, this extremely successful scientific and, ultimately, commercial endeavor was rooted in government stewardship, intraindustry cooperation, and the open exchange of scientific information. For policymakers facing the problem of stimulating antibiotic research and development, the origins of the antibiotic era offer a template for effective policy solutions that concentrate primarily on scientific rather than commercial goals.
Aging in Correctional Custody: Setting a Policy Agenda for Older Prisoner Health Care
Authors: Williams Brie A. , Stern Marc F. , Mellow Jeff , Safer Meredith , Greifinger Robert B.
Published: June 2012

An exponential rise in the number of older prisoners is creating new and costly challenges for the criminal justice system, state economies, and communities to which older former prisoners return. We convened a meeting of 29 national experts in correctional health care, academic medicine, nursing, and civil rights to identify knowledge gaps and to propose a policy agenda to improve the care of older prisoners. The group identified 9 priority areas to be addressed: definition of the older prisoner, correctional staff training, definition of functional impairment in prison, recognition and assessment of dementia, recognition of the special needs of older women prisoners, geriatric housing units, issues for older adults upon release, medical early release, and prison-based palliative medicine programs.
Exposure of California Kindergartners to Students With Personal Belief Exemptions From Mandated School Entry Vaccinations
Authors: Buttenheim Alison , Jones Malia , Baras Yelena
Published: June 2012

Objectives. Personal belief exemptions (PBEs) from mandated school entry vaccinations have increased in California over the past decade. Infectious disease outbreaks in the state may be associated with the aggregation of intentionally unvaccinated children within schools. We sought to quantify the exposure of California kindergartners to children with PBEs at school.

Methods. We used cross-sectional California Department of Public Health data on 3 kindergarten cohorts to define and calculate multiple measures of exposure to children with exemptions, including interaction and aggregation indices, for the state as a whole (2008–2010) and by county (2010).

Results. In 2010, the PBE rate in California was 2.3 per 100 students, and the school PBE rate for the average kindergartner with a PBE was 15.6 per 100. More than 7000 kindergartners in California attend schools with PBE rates greater than 20 per 100, including 2700 kindergartners with PBEs. Exposure measures vary considerably across counties.

Conclusions. Our results suggest increasing levels of exposure among kindergarten students in California to other kindergartners with PBEs. Our data provide a concrete set of metrics through which public health and education officials can identify high-risk areas as targets for policy and programmatic interventions.
The Curious Case of Cuba
Authors: Keck C. William , Reed Gail A.
Published: June 2012

As health professionals in the United States consider how to focus health care and coverage to ensure better, more equitable patient and population health outcomes, the experience of Cuba’s National Health System over the last 5 decades may provide useful insights. Although mutual awareness has been limited by long-term political hostilities between the United States and Cuban governments, the history and details of the Cuban health system indicate that their health system merits attention as an example of a national integrated approach resulting in improved health status. More extensive analysis of the principles, practices, and outcomes in Cuba is warranted to inform health system transformation in the United States, despite differences in political-social systems and available resources.
HIV Infection and Older Americans: The Public Health Perspective
Authors: Brooks John T. , Buchacz Kate , Gebo Kelly A. , Mermin Jonathan
Published: June 2012

HIV disease is often perceived as a condition affecting young adults. However, approximately 11% of new infections occur in adults aged 50 years or older. Among persons living with HIV disease, it is estimated that more than half will be aged 50 years or older in the near future. In this review, we highlight issues related to HIV prevention and treatment for HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected older Americans, and outline unique considerations and emerging challenges for public health and patient management in these 2 populations.
Role of Management Accounting Systems in the Development and Efficacy of Transactive Memory Systems
Authors: Bai Ge , Krishnan Ranjani
Published: June 2012

In-depth understanding of the factors that facilitate group learning and group performance is critical for firms given the preponderance of group-based work in modern organizations. A firm's management accounting system (MAS) can play a critical role in the development of group learning. This paper discusses the role of MAS on an important driver of group learning; i.e., the group's transactive memory system (TMS). TMS refers to a shared memory system whereby group members obtain mutual awareness of relative expertise of individual group members based on interactions between members. Significant extant research reveals positive effects of TMS on team performance. We posit that MAS can influence the development of TMS; for example, MAS can facilitate encoding, storing, and retrieving information for TMS development (the information effect). MAS can also assist in increasing employee motivation to effectively contribute to and utilize TMS (the motivation effect). We discuss these two effects of MAS on TMS and provide implications and directions for future accounting research.
Practices and Perceptions on Contraception Acceptance among Clients Availing Safe Abortion Services in Nepal
Authors: Khanal V , Joshi C , Neupane D , Karkee R
Published: June 2012

Background The Government of Nepal has implemented safe abortion policy since 2002. There are 245 approved sites providing safe abortion services to women across the country. Family planning counselling is one of the components of the safe abortion policy, which is important to reduce unwanted pregnancy, maternal morbidity and mortality due to the consequences of unsafe abortion and the service burden. Objectives This study explains the perceptions, practices and factors affecting the use of family planning among abortion clients attending safe abortion services in Nepal. Methods A cross sectional study was carried out on September, 2008 enrolling 58 women who were waiting in the dressing room for safe abortion services in Paropkar Maternity Hospital, Nepal. All women attending hospital clinic for receiving safe abortion services were approached for interview till the targeted number was fulfilled. A convenience sampling was applied to reach the sample size. Results Of the 58 respondents, majority of the respondents were Hindus (83%), residing in Kathmandu district (76%); of the age group 20-29 years (69%); and 98% were married. One fifth (20.68 %) of the respondents had previous history of spontaneous or induced abortion. The main reason for abortion did not want any more babies/complete family (45%). The knowledge of modern contraception was high (98.27%).The knowledge of emergency contraception was low (25.9%). Side effects was the main reason (48%, n=31) for discontinuation of contraceptives. Intention to use some modern family planning methods after the abortion was expressed by 83% clients. The major enabling factor for continued contraceptive use was the absence of side effects. The family planning counselling was acceptable for 91% clients. ConclusionKnowledge, acceptance of counselling service and intention to use family planning measure was high in the study participants. There is need to provide skills on adapting with the adverse effect of family planning measure through continuous education and reinforcement.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i3.6301 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(3):179-84
Effectiveness of Teachers’ Training in Assessment Techniques: Participants’ Perception.
Authors: Baral N , Gautam A , Lamsal M , Paudel B H , Lal Das B K , Aryal M
Published: June 2012

Background Medical education has experienced a rapidly changing scenario especially during the past three decades. Teachers’ training programs have emerged in recent years as a more in depth and comprehensive mechanisms for strengthening instructional skills and formulating assessment techniques among faculty members. Objective The present study was carried out with the aim of assessing effectiveness of teacher’s training workshop on assessment techniques at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan, Nepal. Methods: In this prospective questionnaire based study, the 26 entry level teachers were enrolled. They were requested to fill the questionnaire before and after the workshop on the assessment techniques at BPKIHS, Dharan. Methods Twenty six teachers majority of whom were entry level teachers comprising of medical, dental, nursing and allied sciences participated in pre- and post test analysis on the various components of written and oral examinations. A two and half days long training was conducted having 9 hours of teaching interactive sessions, 6 hours of group exercises, daily evaluation and 3 hours of presentation by participants. There was high degree of agreement with most topics of the assessment training. Results There was a significant gain in knowledge (p< 0.001) by the participants. All the participants (100%) agreed upon the training being informative and learned new things about assessment. More practice session with longer duration with invited resource persons were also suggested for an effective session. Conclusion Thereis an immense opportunity for a better and comprehensive training in evaluation techniques in medical education..DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i3.6303 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(3):189-92
Analysis of Clavicle in Nepalese Population
Authors: Haque M K , Mansur D I , Krishnamurthy A , Karki R , Sharma K , Shakya R
Published: June 2012

Background Determining the sex of deceased is easy when a complete skeleton is available for examination. On the whole, the bones are heavier, larger and markings of muscular attachments are more pronounced in the male than in the female. Objective The purpose of this study was attempted to evolve an easily applied formula to enable the assessment of sex in an unknown clavicles and to know about comparative differences between the right and left clavicles, from certain metrical parameters. Methods The study was an observational, cross-sectional and descriptive in nature. The present study was conducted on 257 adult clavicles out of which, 135 were of the right side and 122 of left side. The maximum length of the clavicle (in mm) was taken. Results The length of the right clavicles varies from 108 mm to 178 mm with an average of 143.21 mm ±11.13 mm S.D. The length of the left clavicles varies from 111mm to 181 mm with an average 145.53 mm ±11.04 mm S.D. It has been observed that the left clavicle was longer than the right clavicle by 2.32 mm. There was no such single character which can determine the sex of all clavicles. Depending on the length alone, the sex can be decided in 13.33% male and 4.44% female right clavicles and 16.39% male and 9.83% female bones if the left clavicle is considered. Conclusion The left clavicle was longer than the right clavicle. The determination of sex from the clavicle has a great medico legal significance to the toxicologists. It also helps the anthropologists in their study of evolution of mankind and migration of races.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i3.6304 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(3):193-7
Intramedullary Nailing for Paediatric Diaphyseal Forearm Bone Fracture
Authors: Parajuli N P , Shrestha D , Dhoju D , Dhakal G R , Shrestha R , Sharma V
Published: June 2012

Background Though most of the pediatric diaphyseal forearm bone fracture can be treated with closed reduction and cast application, indications for operative intervention in pediatric both-bone forearm fractures include open fractures, irreducible fractures, and unstable fractures. Controversy exists as to what amount of angulation, displacement, and rotation constitutes an acceptable reduction. Objective To review union time and functional outcome of pediatric diaphyseal forearm bone fracture managed with intramedullary rush pin by closed or open reduction. Methods Fifty patients with both bone fracture of forearm were treated with intramedullary rush pin by closed or open reduction were included in the study and followed up for minimum six months for radilological and functional outcome. Results Out of 50 patients, 31 underwent closed reduction and 19 underwent open reduction. All fractures maintained good alignment post operatively. Forty seven patients had excellent results with normal elbow range of motion and normal forearm rotation and three patients had good results. In all patients good radiological union was seen in three months time. Eight patients had minor complications including skin irritation over prominent hardware, backing out of ulnar pin, superficial skin break down with exposed hardware. Twenty-three (46%) patients had undergone implant removal at an average of 6 months (range 4-8 months) under regional or general anesthesia Conclusion Fixation with intramedullary rush pin for forearm fracture is an effective, simple, cheap, and convenient way for treatment in pediatric age group. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i3.6305 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(3):198-202
A Diagnosis Missed for Several Years- Wegener’s Granulomatosis
Authors: Paudyal B P , Pantha S , Ranjitkar N , Manandhar A , Arjyal A
Published: June 2012

Wegener’s granulomatosis is a form of systemic vasculitis of small to medium sized vessels and affects upper respiratory tract, lungs and kidneys along with various organs. It causes necrotizing granulomatous inflammation of the affected parts and presents with positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in more severe forms. Being a systemic disease with the potential to affect any organ-systems with a wide range of clinical presentations, it is associated with a risk of delay in diagnosis with resultant setback in institution of appropriate treatment. Confusion may arise due to an extent of histological similarity between Wegener’s granulomatosis and the more prevalent tuberculosis, both causing granulomatous inflammation of the affected parts. Here, we present two cases of this rare disorder where the diagnosis was missed for several years in the beginning causing a delay in institution of specific therapy which led to the development of complications.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i3.6309 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(3):218-21
The Journey of a Journal
Authors: Joshi A
Published: June 2012

No abstract available.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i3.6311 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(3):225
Translating Survival, Translation as Survival in Primo Levi's Se questo è un uomo
Authors: Arnds Peter
Published: June 2012

By way of Primo Levi's Se questo è un uomo (If this is a Man) this article discusses the challenges in translating Holocaust literature. On the one hand, the translation of witnessing ‘limit events’ such as the Holocaust into testimony is propelled by attempts to find forms of representation which push their own limits. Here myth often appears as a vehicle of representation, as is the case with Levi's use of the Tantalus myth and of Dante's Inferno. On the other hand, this article shows how the challenges of translating Holocaust literature into other languages can be facilitated by an acute awareness of debates and cultural theories surrounding genocide, such as Giorgio Agamben's theory of the homo sacer and of nuda vita. Such translation into other languages may reveal dimensions of the original that would remain dormant, buried, if the original were not translated. It is especially in the comparison of two or more translations that these deeper layers of the original are revealed.
Lydia Davis’ Rewritings of Proust
Authors: Evans Jonathan
Published: June 2012

Drawing on Moraru's and Lefevere's concepts of rewriting, this article analyses how Lydia Davis rewrites Proust, first as an author in her novel The End of the Story and secondly as a translator in her rendering of Du côté de chez Swann. Davis has acknowledged Proust's influence on her novel, which shows thematic and structural similarities to Proust's novel, but at the same time offers a rewriting of it through a questioning of narrative possibility and through Proustian elements such as memory. Davis’ translation is a rewriting of Proust in English, which seeks self-consciously to create a different representation from previous translations. The dividing line between authorial and translational rewriting is blurred in Davis’ work, since characteristics of her original work can be seen in her translation, which remains, however, functional as a translation.
Low Soil Phosphorus Availability Increases Acid Phosphatases Activities and Affects P Partitioning in Nodules, Seeds and Rhizosphere of Phaseolus vulgaris
Authors: Bargaz Adnane , Faghire Mustapha , Abdi Neila , Farissi Mohamed , Sifi Bouaziz , Drevon Jean-Jacques , Cherkaoui Ikbal Mohamed , Ghoulam Cherki
Published: June 2012

The effect of phosphorus (P) deficiency on phosphatases activities in N2-fixing legumes has been widely studied in hydroponic culture. However, the response of acid phosphatase (APase) and phytase in rhizosphere, nodules and seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris to low soil’s P-availability is not yet fully understood. In this study, six genotypes of N2-fixing P. vulgaris were grown under contrasting soil P-availabilities; i.e., low (4.3 mg P kg−1) and sufficient (16.7 mg P kg−1) in the Haouz region of Morocco. At flowering and maturity stages, plants were harvested and analyzed for their phosphatases activities, growth and P content. Results show that, low P decreased nodulation, growth, P uptake and N accumulation in all the genotypes, but to a greater extent in the sensitive recombinant inbreed line 147. In addition, while seed P content was slightly reduced under low P soil; a higher P was noticed in the Flamingo and Contender large seeded-beans (6.15 to 7.11 mg g−1). In these latter genotypes, high APase and phytase activities in seeds and nodules were associated with a significant decline in rhizosphere’s available P. APase activity was mainly stimulated in nodules, whereas phytase activity was highly induced in seeds (77%). In conclusion, the variations of APase and phytase activities in nodules and seeds depend on genotype and can greatly influence the internal utilization of P, which might result in low P soil tolerance in N2-fixing legumes.
Decomposition Analysis of Wastewater Pollutant Discharges in Industrial Sectors of China (2001–2009) Using the LMDI I Method
Authors: Lei Hongjun , Xia Xunfeng , Li Changjia , Xi Beidou
Published: June 2012

China’s industry accounts for 46.8% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and plays an important strategic role in its economic growth. On the other hand, industrial wastewater is also the major source of water pollution. In order to examine the relationship between the underlying driving forces and various environmental indicators, values of two critical industrial wastewater pollutant discharge parameters (Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and ammonia nitrogen (NH4-N)), between 2001 and 2009, were decomposed into three factors: i.e., production effects (caused by change in the scale of economic activity), structure effects (caused by change in economic structure) and intensity effects (caused by change in technological level of each sector), using additive version of the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI I) decomposition method. Results showed that: (1) the average annual effect of COD discharges in China was −2.99%, whereas the production effect, the structure effect, and the intensity effect were 14.64%, −1.39%, and −16.24%, respectively. Similarly, the average effect of NH4-N discharges was −4.03%, while the production effect, the structure effect, and the intensity effect were 16.18%, −2.88%, and −17.33%, respectively; (2) the production effect was the major factor responsible for the increase in COD and NH4-N discharges, accounting for 45% and 44% of the total contribution, respectively; (3) the intensity effect, which accounted for 50% and 48% of the total contribution, respectively, exerted a dominant decremental effect on COD and NH4-N discharges; intensity effect was further decomposed into cleaner production effect and pollution abatement effect with the cleaner production effect accounting for 60% and 55% of the reduction of COD and NH4-N, respectively; (4) the major contributors to incremental COD and NH4-N discharges were divided among industrial sub-sectors and the top contributors were identified. Potential restructuring and regulation measures were proposed for pollutant reduction.
Plants versus Fungi and Oomycetes: Pathogenesis, Defense and Counter-Defense in the Proteomics Era
Authors: El Hadrami Abdelbasset , El-Bebany Ahmed F. , Yao Zhen , Adam Lorne R. , El Hadrami Ismail , Daayf Fouad
Published: June 2012

Plant-fungi and plant-oomycete interactions have been studied at the proteomic level for many decades. However, it is only in the last few years, with the development of new approaches, combined with bioinformatics data mining tools, gel staining, and analytical instruments, such as 2D-PAGE/nanoflow-LC-MS/MS, that proteomic approaches thrived. They allow screening and analysis, at the sub-cellular level, of peptides and proteins resulting from plants, pathogens, and their interactions. They also highlight post-translational modifications to proteins, e.g., glycosylation, phosphorylation or cleavage. However, many challenges are encountered during in planta studies aimed at stressing details of host defenses and fungal and oomycete pathogenicity determinants during interactions. Dissecting the mechanisms of such host-pathogen systems, including pathogen counter-defenses, will ensure a step ahead towards understanding current outcomes of interactions from a co-evolutionary point of view, and eventually move a step forward in building more durable strategies for management of diseases caused by fungi and oomycetes. Unraveling intricacies of more complex proteomic interactions that involve additional microbes, i.e., PGPRs and symbiotic fungi, which strengthen plant defenses will generate valuable information on how pathosystems actually function in nature, and thereby provide clues to solving disease problems that engender major losses in crops every year.
Oral Administration of Apigenin Inhibits Metastasis through AKT/P70S6K1/MMP-9 Pathway in Orthotopic Ovarian Tumor Model
Authors: He Jun , Xu Qing , Wang Min , Li Chongyong , Qian Xu , Shi Zhumei , Liu Ling-Zhi , Jiang Bing-Hua
Published: June 2012

Apigenin, a flavonoid commonly present in the daily diet, is known for its potential anti-tumor properties. However, the effect of apigenin via oral administration on tumor growth and metastasis remains unknown. In this study we developed an orthotopic ovarian tumor model in nude mice to test the effect of apigenin oral administration, and showed that apigenin inhibited the micrometastasis of cancer cells in the animal tumor model. To understand the mechanism of apigenin in inhibiting metastasis, we found that apigenin greatly inhibited MMP-9 expression and p-AKT and p-p70S6K1 levels in the tumor tissues compared to the control group. We further demonstrated that the downregulation of MMP-9 by apigenin was mediated by the AKT/p70S6K1 pathway. These findings help to address the question with common interests to the public of whether oral uptake of flavonoids is effective in preventing cancer. Our results demonstrate for the first time that oral uptake of apigenin can inhibit tumor metastasis through MMP-9 expression using the orthotopic ovarian tumor model.
Function Prediction and Analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Hypothetical Proteins
Authors: Mazandu Gaston K. , Mulder Nicola J.
Published: June 2012

High-throughput biology technologies have yielded complete genome sequences and functional genomics data for several organisms, including crucial microbial pathogens of humans, animals and plants. However, up to 50% of genes within a genome are often labeled “unknown”, “uncharacterized” or “hypothetical”, limiting our understanding of virulence and pathogenicity of these organisms. Even though biological functions of proteins encoded by these genes are not known, many of them have been predicted to be involved in key processes in these organisms. In particular, for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, some of these “hypothetical” proteins, for example those belonging to the Pro-Glu or Pro-Pro-Glu (PE/PPE) family, have been suspected to play a crucial role in the intracellular lifestyle of this pathogen, and may contribute to its survival in different environments. We have generated a functional interaction network for Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteins and used this to predict functions for many of its hypothetical proteins. Here we performed functional enrichment analysis of these proteins based on their predicted biological functions to identify annotations that are statistically relevant, and analysed and compared network properties of hypothetical proteins to the known proteins. From the statistically significant annotations and network information, we have tried to derive biologically meaningful annotations relatedto infection and disease. This quantitative analysis provides an overview of the functional contributions of Mycobacterium tuberculosis “hypothetical” proteins to many basic cellular functions, including its adaptability in the host system and its ability to evade the host immune response.
Herbicide-Intercalated Zinc Layered Hydroxide Nanohybrid for a Dual-Guest Controlled Release Formulation
Authors: Hussein Mohd Zobir , Abdul Rahman Nor Shazlirah Shazlyn , Sarijo Siti H. , Zainal Zulkarnain
Published: June 2012

Herbicides, namely 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) butyrate (DPBA) and 2-(3-chlorophenoxy) propionate (CPPA), were intercalated simultaneously into the interlayers of zinc layered hydroxide (ZLH) by direct reaction of zinc oxide with both anions under aqueous environment to form a new nanohybrid containing both herbicides labeled as ZCDX. Successful intercalation of both anions simultaneously into the interlayer gallery space of ZLH was studied by PXRD, with basal spacing of 28.7 Å and supported by FTIR, TGA/DTG and UV-visible studies. Simultaneous release of both CPPA and DPBA anions into the release media was found to be governed by a pseudo second-order equation. The loading and percentage release of the DPBA is higher than the CPPA anion, which indicates that the DPBA anion was preferentially intercalated into and released from the ZLH interlayer galleries. This work shows that layered single metal hydroxide, particularly ZLH, is a suitable host for the controlled release formulation of two herbicides simultaneously.
Role of Microglia in Oxidative Toxicity Associated with Encephalomycarditis Virus Infection in the Central Nervous System
Authors: Ano Yasuhisa , Sakudo Akikazu , Onodera Takashi
Published: June 2012

The single-stranded RNA encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) can replicate in the central nervous system (CNS) and lead to prominent brain lesions in the stratum pyramidale hippocampus and the stratum granulosum cerebelli. Activated microglia cells infected by EMCV produce a massive burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) activation, leading to neuronal death. Balancing this effect is mechanisms by which ROS are eliminated from the CNS. Cellular prion protein (PrPC) plays an important antioxidant role and contributes to cellular defense against EMCV infection. This review introduces recent knowledge on brain injury induced by EMCV infection via ROS generation as well as the involvement of various mediators and regulators in the pathogenesis.
New Antifungal Pyranoisoflavone from Ficus tikoua Bur.
Authors: Wei Shaopeng , Wu Wenjun , Ji Zhiqin
Published: June 2012

Considering the undesirable attributes of synthetic fungicides and the availability of Ficus species in China, the stem of Ficus tikoua Bur. was investigated. One new antifungal pyranoisoflavone, 5,3',4'-trihydroxy-2",2"-dimethylpyrano (5",6":7,8) isoflavone (1), together with two known isoflavones, wighteone (2) and lupiwighteone (3) (with previously reported antifungal activities), were isolated from ethyl acetate extract by bioassay-guided fractionation. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis, such as NMR (1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY), IR, UV and HRMS, as well as ESI-MSn analyses. The antifungal activities of 1–3 against Phytophthora infestans were evaluated by direct spore germination assay, and the IC50 values were 262.442, 198.153 and 90.365 µg·mL−1, respectively.
Production and Isolation of Azaspiracid-1 and -2 from Azadinium spinosum Culture in Pilot Scale Photobioreactors
Authors: Jauffrais Thierry , Kilcoyne Jane , Séchet Véronique , Herrenknecht Christine , Truquet Philippe , Hervé Fabienne , Bérard Jean Baptiste , Nulty Cíara , Taylor Sarah , Tillmann Urban , Miles Christopher O. , Hess Philipp
Published: June 2012

Azaspiracid (AZA) poisoning has been reported following consumption of contaminated shellfish, and is of human health concern. Hence, it is important to have sustainable amounts of the causative toxins available for toxicological studies and for instrument calibration in monitoring programs, without having to rely on natural toxin events. Continuous pilot scale culturing was carried out to evaluate the feasibility of AZA production using Azadinium spinosum cultures. Algae were harvested using tangential flow filtration or continuous centrifugation. AZAs were extracted using solid phase extraction (SPE) procedures, and subsequently purified. When coupling two stirred photobioreactors in series, cell concentrations reached 190,000 and 210,000 cell·mL−1 at steady state in bioreactors 1 and 2, respectively. The AZA cell quota decreased as the dilution rate increased from 0.15 to 0.3 day−1, with optimum toxin production at 0.25 day−1. After optimization, SPE procedures allowed for the recovery of 79 ± 9% of AZAs. The preparative isolation procedure previously developed for shellfish was optimized for algal extracts, such that only four steps were necessary to obtain purified AZA1 and -2. A purification efficiency of more than 70% was achieved, and isolation from 1200 L of culture yielded 9.3 mg of AZA1 and 2.2 mg of AZA2 of >95% purity. This work demonstrated the feasibility of sustainably producing AZA1 and -2 from A. spinosum cultures.
Chalinulasterol, a Chlorinated Steroid Disulfate from the Caribbean Sponge Chalinula molitba. Evaluation of Its Role as PXR Receptor Modulator
Authors: Teta Roberta , Della Sala Gerardo , Renga Barbara , Mangoni Alfonso , Fiorucci Stefano , Costantino Valeria
Published: June 2012

Chalinulasterol (1) a new chlorinated sterol disulfate was isolated from the Caribbean sponge Chalinula molitba. Its structure was elucidated using mass spectrometry and NMR experiments. The possible role of chalinulasterol as modulator of the PXR nuclear receptor was investigated but, in spite of the close structural relationship with the PXR agonist solomonsterol A (2), it showed no activity. The structural requirements for the PXR nuclear receptor activity were discussed.
Antioxidant Activity of Various Parts of Cinnamomum cassia Extracted with Different Extraction Methods
Authors: Yang Cheng-Hong , Li Rong-Xian , Chuang Li-Yeh
Published: June 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activities of various parts (barks, buds, and leaves) of Cinnamomum cassia extracted with ethanol and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). For the antioxidant activity comparison, IC50 values of the SFE and ethanol extracts in the DPPH scavenging assay were 0.562–10.090 mg/mL and 0.072–0.208 mg/mL, and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) values were 6.789–58.335 mmole Trolox/g and 133.039–335.779 mmole Trolox/g, respectively. In addition, the total flavonoid contents were 0.031–1.916 g/ 100 g dry weight of materials (DW) and 2.030–3.348 g/ 100 g DW, and the total phenolic contents were 0.151–2.018 g/ 100 g DW and 6.313–9.534 g/ 100 g DW in the SFE and ethanol extracts, respectively. Based on the results, the ethanol extracts of Cinnamon barks have potential value as an antioxidant substitute and this study also provide a better technique to extract the natural antioxidant substances from C. cassia.
Optimizing the Extraction of Anti-tumor Polysaccharides from the Fruit of Capparis spionosa L. by Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Ji Yu-Bin , Dong Fang , Ma Dong-Bin , Miao Jing , Jin Li-Na , Liu Zhen-Feng , Zhang Ling-Wen
Published: June 2012

Capparis spionosa L. is a traditional medicinal plant in China and central Asia. In this study, an experiment was designed to investigate the optimization of the extraction of anti-tumor polysaccharides from the fruit of Capparis spionosa L. (CSPS) by response surface methodology (RSM). Four independent variables (extraction temperature, extraction time, ratio of water to sample and extraction cycles) were explored. Meanwhile, the in vivo anti-tumor activity of CSPS was investigated. The results showed that the experimental data could be fitted to a second-order polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis. The optimum extraction conditions were as follows: extraction temperature 92 °C, extraction time 140 min, ratio of water to sample 26 mL/g, and three extraction cycle. Under these conditions, the yield of polysaccharides reached 13.01%, which was comparable to the predicted yield (12.94%, p > 0.05). This indicated that the model was adequate for the extraction process. Additionally, CSPS could prolong the survival time of H22 bearing mice in vivo. The anti-tumor activities of CSPS were dose-dependent.
Isolation and Partial Characterization of an Antifungal Protein Produced by Bacillus licheniformis BS-3
Authors: Cui Tang-Bing , Chai Hai-Yun , Jiang Li-Xiang
Published: June 2012

An antifungal protein produced by Bacillus licheniformis strain BS-3 was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-52 column chromatography and Sephadex G-75 column chromatography. The purified protein was designated as F2 protein, inhibited the growth of Aspergillus niger, Magnaporthe oryzae and Rhizoctonia solani. F2 protein was a monomer with approximately molecular weight of 31 kDa in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gave a single peak on High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Using Rhizoctonia solani as the indicator strain, the EC50 of F2 protein was 35.82 µg/mL, displaying a higher antifungal activity in a range of pH 6.0 to pH 10.0, and at a temperature below 70 °C for 30 min. F2 protein was moderately resistant to hydrolysis by trypsin, proteinase K, after which its relative activities were 41.7% and 59.5%, respectively. F2 protein was assayed using various substrates to determine the enzymatic activities, the results showed the hydrolyzing activity on casein, however, no enzymatic activities on colloidal chitin, CM-cellulose, xylan, M. lysodeikticus, and p-nitrophenyl-N-acetylglucosaminide.
Experimental Artifacts for Morphological Tweaking of Chemical Sensor Materials: Studies on ZnO
Authors: Haq Ikram Ul , Azad Abdul-Majeed
Published: June 2012

Sensing mechanisms of gases on solid structures are predominantly surface-dominated. Benign surface features in terms of small grain size, high aspect ratio, large surface area and open and connected porosity, are required to realize a successful sensor material. Such morphological artifacts are a function of the fabrication and processing techniques employed. In this paper, we describe the fabrication of monoshaped and monosized zinc oxide (ZnO) particles by a homogeneous precipitation method, using urea and/or hexmethyltetraamine as the reductant. The effect of operating conditions and experimental variables, such as the relative concentration of the precursors, temperature, and the aging time on the morphology of the resulting particles was studied systematically. These experimental parameters were optimized in order to achieve particles of uniform morphology and of narrow size distribution. Some of these particles were employed for the detection of ammonia gas at room temperature.
Intelligent Lead: A Novel HRI Sensor for Guide Robots
Authors: Cho Keum-Bae , Lee Beom-Hee
Published: June 2012

This paper addresses the introduction of a new Human Robot Interaction (HRI) sensor for guide robots. Guide robots for geriatric patients or the visually impaired should follow user’s control command, keeping a certain desired distance allowing the user to work freely. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire control commands and a user’s position on a real-time basis. We suggest a new sensor fusion system to achieve this objective and we will call this sensor the “intelligent lead”. The objective of the intelligent lead is to acquire a stable distance from the user to the robot, speed-control volume and turn-control volume, even when the robot platform with the intelligent lead is shaken on uneven ground. In this paper we explain a precise Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) procedure for this. The intelligent lead physically consists of a Kinect sensor, the serial linkage attached with eight rotary encoders, and an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) and their measurements are fused by the EKF. A mobile robot was designed to test the performance of the proposed sensor system. After installing the intelligent lead in the mobile robot, several tests are conducted to verify that the mobile robot with the intelligent lead is capable of achieving its goal points while maintaining the appropriate distance between the robot and the user. The results show that we can use the intelligent lead proposed in this paper as a new HRI sensor joined a joystick and a distance measure in the mobile environments such as the robot and the user are moving at the same time.
Types de temps dans la région parisienne
Authors: Maréchal M.
Published: June 2012

1 . La région parisienne est comprise dans la zone des climats tempérés à influence océanique.

a) Il existe 2 types essentiels de temps d'hiver : l'hiver humide tiède à la température moyenne de 7° environ et l'hiver sec et froid où le thermomètre descend au-dessous de 0°.

b) Les étés sont souvent secs et chauds ; les orages apportent en juillet et août des pluies passagères et abondantes.

2. Ces types de temps s'expliquent par le régime variable des pressions atmosphériques. Les vents d'Ouest, d'origine maritime, dominent une grande partie de l'année. Lorsque les influences continentales l'emportent, les hivers deviennent rigoureux et les étés particulièrement torrides.

3. Les caractères généraux du climat parisien sont plus ou moins nuancés. Les variations climatiques dépendent de l'agglomération parisienne elle-même, du relief et de l'éloignement vers l'Est.

4. La persistance ou l'instabilité des types de temps marquent fortement la vie agricole. Le caractère tempéré du climat explique la végétation ; l'alternance des saisons transforme les paysages naturels.
Electronic Health Records
Authors: Bourgeois Stacy , Yaylacicegi Ulku
Published: June 2012

Electronic health records (EHRs) have been proposed as a sustainable solution for improving the quality of medical care. This study investigates how EHR use, as implemented and utilized, impacts patient safety and quality performance. Data in this paper include nonfederal acute care hospitals in the state of Texas, and the data sources include the American Hospital Association, the Dallas Fort Worth Hospital Council, and the American Hospital Directory. The authors use partial least squares modeling to assess the relationship between hospital EHR use, patient safety, and quality of care. Patient safety is measured using 11 indicators as identified by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and quality performance is measured by 11 mortality indicators as related to 2 constructs, that is, conditions and surgical procedures. Results identify positive significant relationships between EHR use, patient safety, and quality of care with respect to procedures. The authors conclude that there is sufficient evidence of the relationship between hospital EHR use and patient safety, and that sufficient evidence exists for the support of EHR use with hospital surgical procedures.
The Introduction of an Electronic Patient Care Information System and Health Care Providers’ Job Stress
Authors: Wallace Jean E. , Friesen Steven P. , White Deborah E. , Gilmour Janet G. , Lemaire Jane B.
Published: June 2012

In this paper, the authors explore how the introduction of an electronic Patient Care Information System (PCIS) relates to changes in health care providers’ (HCPs’) perceptions of computer use, quality of patient care and job stress. Data were collected using a mixed-methods case study approach over a 20 month period following the introduction of this system. Initially stress levels appeared to increase, but over time declined significantly. After 3 months, the majority of HCPs reported they spent more time entering, retrieving and searching for patient information than before; however, these increases in computer use were unrelated to HCP stress. The potentially negative impact of the system on the quality of patient care was highly correlated with increased job stress. After 20 months, HCPs reported spending less time searching, entering and retrieving patient information, but these indicators of computer use were now highly correlated with stress. While some negative perceptions of the impact of the PCIS declined over time, HCPs reported ongoing stress related to concerns about quality of patient care even after 20 months of use.
Factors Affecting the Sustainability of Computer Information Systems
Authors: McDermid Donald C. , Kristjanson Linda J , Spry Nigel
Published: June 2012

This study explores the issues and barriers to developing a sustainable system for the collection of quality of life data in hospitals. A set of sustainability factors was identified and tested in a study that introduced tablet computers to collect questionnaires from cancer patients. These factors are considered a good starting point for practitioners and researchers to use in other IT contexts if they wish to develop sustainable information systems.
Measuring the Effects of Information Systems on the Performance of Operating Rooms (OR)
Authors: Harison Elad , Berghout Egon
Published: June 2012

The paper applies various qualitative and quantitative methods to measure the influence of information technology on the performance of operating rooms (ORs). It provides a comprehensive set of indicators to evaluate the impact of IT on the quality, efficiency and performance of ORs. This set of indicators was further enriched by conducting interviews with hospital professionals. The result is a new set of performance indicators, divided into five major categories: productivity, efficiency, quality, cost savings and employee satisfaction. This set of indicators serves as a basis for a weighed performance model that can be applied as a useful tool for selecting new OR information systems. Additionally, the model can be used for improving existing applications. The research identifies time registration, integration with the medical and financial systems of the hospital and production of activity queries and reports as the most common functions of ORs systems. However, despite their potential to contribute to productivity, efficiency and quality of ORs, automatic conflict recognition, material and personnel planning are less frequently applied by hospitals. Finally, the paper highlights the links between efficient use of OR systems, larger volumes of operations and higher occupation rates, and assists in identifying positive effects of systems used in ORs on their performance.
A Framework for Data and Mined Knowledge Interoperability in Clinical Decision Support Systems
Authors: Kazemzadeh Reza S. , Sartipi Kamran , Jayaratna Priya
Published: June 2012

Due to reliance on human knowledge, the practice of medicine is subject to errors that endanger patients’ health and cause substantial financial loss to healthcare institutions. Computer-based decision support systems assist healthcare personnel to improve quality of clinical practice. Currently, most clinical guideline modeling languages represent decision-making knowledge in terms of basic logical expressions. In this paper, we focus on encoding, sharing, and using results of data mining analyses to influence decision making within Clinical Decision Support Systems. A knowledge management framework is proposed that addresses the issues of data and knowledge interoperability by adopting healthcare and data mining modeling standards. In a further step, data mining results are incorporated into a guideline-based decision support system. A prototype tool has been developed to provide an environment for clinical guideline authoring and execution. Also, three real world case studies have been presented, one of which is used as a running example throughout the paper.
On Sharp Boundary Problem in Rule Based Expert Systems in the Medical Domain
Authors: Olufunke Oladipupo O. , Charles Uwadia O. , Charles Ayo K.
Published: June 2012

Recently, the application of the conventional rule based expert system for disease risk determination in medical domains has increased. However, a major limitation to the effectiveness of the rule based expert system approach is the sharp boundary problem that leads to underestimation or overestimation of boundary cases, which ultimately affects the accuracy of their recommendation. In this paper, an expert driven approach is used to investigate the viability of a fuzzy expert system in the determination of risk associated with coronary heart disease with regards to the sharp boundary problem in rule based expert system.
Changes in Brain White Matter Assessed Via Textural Features Using a Neural Network
Authors: Kalpana R. , Muttan S. , Agrawala B.
Published: June 2012

Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DTMRI) has proved useful for microstructure characterization of the brain. This technique also helps determining complex connectivity of fiber tracts. The brain white matter (BMW) changes with respect to age and corresponding appearance of white-matter lesions among the brain’s message-carrying axons affects cognitive functions in old age. In this paper, the observed morphology in BWM on ageing is analyzed using statistical parameters extracted from DTMR images of different age groups. The gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) obtained from the segmented images gives 14 textural features, subsets of which are adopted as the input sets in a backpropagation neural network classifier. The network is trained to predict the age based on BMW details used as the inputs. The proposed method helps in understanding the age-related changes in white matter. This is useful for the physician in understanding miscorrelation in motor activities and relevant causes in elderly subjects.