bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety and efficacy of tinea pedis and onychomycosis treatment in people with diabetes: a systematic review
Authors: Matricciani Lisa , Talbot Kerwin , Jones Sara
Published: December 2011

Background

Effective treatment of tinea pedis and onychomycosis is crucial for patients with diabetes as these infections may lead to foot ulcers and secondary bacterial infections resulting in eventual lower limb amputation. Although numerous studies have assessed the effectiveness of antifungal drug and treatment regimens, most exclude patients with diabetes and examine otherwise healthy individuals. While these studies are useful, results cannot necessarily be extrapolated to patients with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to therefore identify the best evidence‐based treatment interventions for tinea pedis or onychomycosis in people with diabetes.

Methods

The question for this systemic review was: ‘what evidence is there for the safety and/or efficacy of all treatment interventions for adults with tinea pedis and/or onychomycosis in people with diabetes’? A systematic literature search of four electronic databases (Scopus, EbscoHost, Ovid, Web of Science) was undertaken (6/1/11). The primary outcome measure for safety was self‐reported adverse events likely to be drug‐related, while the primary outcome measures assessed for ‘efficacy’ were mycological, clinical and complete cure.

Results

The systematic review identified six studies that examined the safety and/or efficacy of treatment interventions for onychomycosis in people with diabetes. No studies were identified that examined treatment for tinea pedis. Of the studies identified, two were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and four were case series. Based on the best available evidence identified, it can be suggested that oral terbinafine is as safe and effective as oral itraconazole therapy for the treatment of onychomycosis in people with diabetes. However, efficacy results were found to be poor.

Conclusions

This review indicates that there is good evidence (Level II) to suggest oral terbinafine is as safe and effective as itraconazole therapy for the treatment of onychomycosis in people with diabetes. Further research is needed to establish the evidence for other treatment modalities and treatment for tinea pedis for people with diabetes. Future efforts are needed to improve the efficacy of treatment intervention.
NLRP3 E311K mutation in a large family with Muckle-Wells syndrome - description of a heterogeneous phenotype and response to treatment
Authors: Kuemmerle-Deschner Jasmin B , Lohse Peter , Koetter Ina , Dannecker Guenther E , Reess Fabian , Ummenhofer Katharina , Koch Silvia , Tzaribachev Nikolay , Bialkowski Anja , Benseler Susanne M
Published: December 2011

Introduction

Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS) is an inherited autoinflammatory disease characterized by fever, rash, arthralgia, conjunctivitis, sensorineural deafness and potentially life-threatening amyloidosis. The NLRP3/CIAS1 E311K mutation caused a heterogeneous phenotype of MWS in a large family. This study analyzes the clinical spectrum, patterns of inflammatory parameters and reports on response to treatment.

Methods

A total of 42 patients and family members were screened for the presence of the NLRP3 mutation. Clinical symptoms were reviewed in all family members. Classical (erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, C-reactive protein (CRP)) and novel MWS inflammatory markers (serum amyloid A (SAA), cytokines, cytokine receptor levels) were determined. Patients were treated with the IL-1 inhibitors Anakinra or Canakinumab.

Results

All 13 clinically affected patients were heterozygous carriers of the amino acid substitution p.Glu311Lys/E311K encoded by exon 3 of the NLRP3 gene, but none of the healthy family members. Disease manifestations varied widely. Except for one child, all carriers suffered from hearing loss and severe fatigue. TNF-α, IL-6, TNF-RI, and TNF-RII levels as well as SAA were elevated in three, two, one, six and ten patients, respectively. Both clinical and laboratory parameters responded quickly and sustainedly to treatment with Anakinra or Canakinumab.

Conclusion

The NLRP3 E311K mutation is associated with a heterogeneous clinical spectrum, which may expand the view on MWS presentation. The leading symptom was hearing loss. Pericarditis, a rare but severe clinical feature of MWS, was diagnosed in three patients. One patient had a severe course, which led to renal failure secondary to amyloidosis. IL-1 inhibition leads to rapid and sustained improvement of symptoms.
Guest Editor's Introduction
Authors: Lu Tonglin
Published: December 2011

As China emerges from its Maoist isolationism and rapidly integrates into the global capitalist market, it is no longer possible to preserve the rigid boundaries between these sides — a theorist with international standing can no longer grasp today's world while closing his (or her) eyes to China; a Chinese scholar can no longer take refuge in the mystery of oriental culture, because intensified globalization has made the distinction between East and West almost irrelevant. This special issue can be considered a collective experiment from both sides, an experiment that embraces the gradual disappearance of these boundaries. On the one hand, Žižek analyzes contemporary Chinese culture and politics from the perspective of a Marxist-Lacanian theorist. On the other hand, the contributors from China studies examine the Chinese intelligentsia's fascination with Žižek's work and how it may open different horizons to Chinese cultural studies in the era of global capitalism. I hope that this collective experiment into each other's territory will break ground for similar dialogues in the future, as such mutual experiments enrich our critical perspectives in an increasingly globalized world.
A Cinematic Parallax View: Taiwanese Identity and the Japanese Colonial Past
Authors: Lu Tonglin
Published: December 2011

This essay uses a Žižekian concept of parallax view to examine the connection between the formation of Taiwanese identity and the imposed meanings on suffering caused by Japanese colonial history. Taiwanese politicians from different ideological spectra have “parallactically” imposed meanings on this history of suffering to serve their own interests. This has contributed to keeping alive the division between Taiwanese and mainlanders. These two groups, initially divided on a vague and problematic notion of ethnicity, have lived together for six decades on the same island.
Growth of Cadmium Hexacyanidoferrate(III) Nanocubes and Its Application in Voltammetric Determination of Morphine
Authors: Ali Shah Raj , Chandra Prakash , Latwal Mamta , Jain Shalabh Kumar , Bansal Vipin Kumar
Published: December 2011

Cadmium hexacyanidoferrate(III) nanocubes (CdFeNc) have been synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction technique. FE-SEM image showed that nanoparticles have cubic shape with size range 60–90 nm. Electrochemical behavior of CdFeNc has been studied. Electrocatalytic oxidation of morphine was studied using a cadmium hexacyanidoferrate(III) nanocube–carbon nanotube composite modified glassy carbon electrode (CdFeNc–CNT/GCE). The modified electrode reduced the peak potential of morphine by nearly 95 mV. The CdFeNc–CNT/GCE showed a linear response in a concentration range of 500–20 µM. The correlation coefficients (R) for phenolic and t-amine groups of morphine were 0.9925 and 0.9996 respectively while their sensitivity was 3.363 and 4.154 µA µM−1. The CdFeNc–CNT/GCE exhibited a detection limit of 0.21 µM for phenolic and t-amine groups of morphine.
The value of telephone triage for patients with appendicitis
Authors: North Frederick , Odunukan Olufunso , Varkey Prathibha
Published: December 2011

Although it has been assumed that telephone triage can directly benefit patients by facilitating early diagnosis and treatment, this potential benefit has not been well documented. Using appendicitis cases ascertained from claims data, we compared telephone triage recommendations with what the callers originally intended to do. Over a two-year period, there were 20,230 calls to a telephone triage centre in the US where insurance information was available. Of these, 12,709 calls (63%) had insurance claims made within seven days of the call. Among these calls, 46 had a diagnosis of appendicitis. In 72% of calls concerning appendicitis, the telephone triage recommendation was for a more rapid evaluation than the caller originally intended ( P < 0.0001). In 91% of the appendicitis cases, triage nurses directed callers to care within 8 h, but without triage advice, only 39% of callers stated they would have sought care within 8 h ( P < 0.0001). Telephone triage significantly reduced the delay in care for appendicitis in comparison with what the caller would have done. This suggests that telephone triage potentially reduces the morbidity associated with appendicitis.
The added value of video for consultations in telemedicine for minor injuries work
Authors: Mair Fiona , McClusky Christine , Wilsgaard Tom , Wootton Richard
Published: December 2011

We examined the decisions made about transfer of patients with minor injuries, when telemedicine support was provided to the remote nurses in two different ways: the telemedicine doctor either used a video link, or a telephone call with viewing of digital X-ray images (a low resolution version of Picture Archiving and Communications Systems [PACS]). A quasi-randomized study design was used, with a panel of 20 emergency medicine doctors who independently reviewed previously-stored consultations using the two modalities. In total, 60 case reviews were conducted during five sessions, representing 33 different cases from the routine workload of Minor Treatment Centres in Scotland. More experienced doctors transferred fewer patients than less experienced doctors. The proportion of patients transferred was higher when PACS was used than when video was used in most of the cases. A mixed effects logistic regression model was fitted to the data. The estimated odds for patient transfer were 56% lower when video was used instead of PACS (odds ratio 0.44, 95% confidence interval 0.20, 0.93). Although the cost implications are not yet known, video support for local decision-making should remain the preferred method of telemedicine for minor injuries work.
The relationship of active ghrelin levels and intrauterine growth in preterm infants
Authors: Sahin Hamilcikan , Erener Tugba , Erginoz Ethem , Vural Mehmet , Ilikkan Barbaros , Kavuncuoglu Sultan , Yildiz Hayrettin , Perk Yildiz
Published: December 2011

Objective

We examined the association of active ghrelin levels with birth weight, sex, and gestational age (GA) in small for GA (SGA) and appropriate for GA (AGA) preterm infants.

Methods

Active ghrelin levels were measured by ELISA method during the first five postnatal days in 38 preterm SGA infants and 32 preterm AGA controls.

Results

Active ghrelin levels were significantly higher in preterm SGA infants than in preterm AGA controls (P<0.01). Active ghrelin levels in preterms with birth weight <1500 g were statistically higher than those over 1500 g. Active ghrelin levels in preterms ≤34 gestational weeks were similar to those over 34 weeks. A negative correlation was detected between active ghrelin levels and birth weight (r=−0.561,P<0.0001) as well as GA (r=−0.449,P<0.0001).

Conclusion

We found significantly higher active ghrelin levels in SGA preterms than those in AGA preterms and demonstrated a negative correlation between active ghrelin levels and birth weight in preterm infants. This was the first study showing a negative correlation between active ghrelin levels and birth weight in preterm infants.
Promoter hypermethylation patterns in fallopian tube epithelium of BRCA1 and BRCA2 germ line mutation carriers
Authors: Bijron Jonathan G , van der Groep Petra , van Dorst Eleonora B , Seeber Laura M S , Sie-Go Daisy M D S , Verheijen René H M , van Diest Paul J
Published: December 2011

BRCA1/2 germ line mutation carriers have a high risk of developing fallopian tube carcinoma (FTC), thought to occur through different early (p53 signatures) and later (dysplasia, intra-epithelial carcinoma) premalignant stages. Promoter hypermethylation of tumour suppressor genes is known to play a key role in (early) carcinogenesis. However, little is known about methylation in normal and (pre)malignant fallopian tube tissue. We identified 14 areas of p53 accumulation in the fallopian tubes of BRCA mutation carriers. Cells from these areas were harvested together with cells from adjacent benign appearing areas. An age-matched non-BRCA sporadic control group (n=13) and eight sporadic FTCs were included as negative and positive controls respectively. Methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification was used to assess promoter methylation of 70 tumour suppressor genes in all samples. We observed a gradual increase in methylation from sporadic control tissue (median cumulative methylation index (CMI) 568.19) through normal tissue and from areas of p53 accumulation in BRCA carriers (median CMI 687.54 and 676.72) to FTC (median CMI 780.97). Furthermore, the methylation percentage of many individual tumour suppressor genes differed significantly between these groups, gradually increasing as for CMI. Between areas with and without p53 accumulation in BRCA mutation carriers no significant differences were found. In this paper, we have shown that BRCA mutation carriers display increased methylation of tumour suppressor genes in their non-malignant fallopian tube epithelium, closer to methylation levels in FTC than to normal sporadic tissue. Methylation could, therefore, play an important role in the increased risk of gynaecological malignancies in BRCA mutation carriers.
Multiple Routes to Subfunctionalization and Gene Duplicate Specialization
Authors: Proulx Stephen R
Published: December 2011

Gene duplication is arguably the most significant source of new functional genetic material. A better understanding of the processes that lead to the stable incorporation of gene duplications into the genome is important both because it relates to interspecific differences in genome composition and because it can shed light on why some classes of gene are more prone to duplication than others. Typically, models of gene duplication consider the periods before duplication, during the spread and fixation of a new duplicate, and following duplication as distinct phases without a common underlying selective environment. I consider a scenario where a gene that is initially expressed in multiple contexts can undergo mutations that alter its expression profile or its functional coding sequence. The selective regime that acts on the functional output of the allele copies carried by an individual is constant. If there is a potential selective benefit to having different coding sequences expressed in each context, then, regardless of the constraints on functional variation at the single-locus gene, the waiting time until a gene duplication is incorporated goes down as population size increases.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Youth Sexting: A National Study
Authors: Mitchell Kimberly J. , Finkelhor David , Jones Lisa M. , Wolak Janis
Published: December 2011

Objectives:

To obtain national estimates of youth involved in sexting in the past year (the transmission via cell phone, the Internet, and other electronic media of sexual images), as well as provide details of the youth involved and the nature of the sexual images.

Methods:

The study was based on a cross-sectional national telephone survey of 1560 youth Internet users, ages 10 through 17.

Results:

Estimates varied considerably depending on the nature of the images or videos and the role of the youth involved. Two and one-half percent of youth had appeared in or created nude or nearly nude pictures or videos. However, this percentage is reduced to 1.0% when the definition is restricted to only include images that were sexually explicit (ie, showed naked breasts, genitals, or bottoms). Of the youth who participated in the survey, 7.1% said they had received nude or nearly nude images of others; 5.9% of youth reported receiving sexually explicit images. Few youth distributed these images.

Conclusions:

Because policy debates on youth sexting behavior focus on concerns about the production and possession of illegal child pornography, it is important to have research that collects details about the nature of the sexual images rather than using ambiguous screening questions without follow-ups. The rate of youth exposure to sexting highlights a need to provide them with information about legal consequences of sexting and advice about what to do if they receive a sexting image. However, the data suggest that appearing in, creating, or receiving sexual images is far from being a normative behavior for youth.
Headache After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: A Cohort Study
Authors: Blume Heidi K. , Vavilala Monica S. , Jaffe Kenneth M. , Koepsell Thomas D. , Wang Jin , Temkin Nancy , Durbin Dennis , Dorsch Andrea , Rivara Frederick P.
Published: December 2011

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of headache 3 and 12 months after pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods:

This is a prospective cohort study of children ages 5 to 17 years in which we analyzed the prevalence of headache 3 and 12 months after mild TBI (mTBI; n = 402) and moderate/severe TBI (n = 60) compared with controls with arm injury (AI; n = 122).

Results:

The prevalence of headache 3 months after injury was significantly higher after mTBI than after AI overall (43% vs 26%, relative risk [RR]: 1.7 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2–2.3]), in adolescents (13–17 years; 46% vs 25%, RR: 1.8 [95% CI: 1.1–3.1]), and in girls (59% vs 24%, RR: 2.4 [95% CI: 1.4–4.2]). The prevalence of headache at 3 months was also higher after moderate/severe TBI than AI in younger children (5–12 years; 60% vs 27%; RR: 2.0 [95% CI: 1.2–3.4]). Twelve months after injury, TBI was not associated with a significantly increased frequency of headache. However, girls with mTBI reported serious headache (≥ 5 of 10 pain scale rating) more often than controls (27% vs 10%, RR: 2.2 [95% CI: 0.9–5.6]).

Conclusions:

Pediatric TBI is associated with headache. A substantial number of children suffer from headaches months after their head injury. The prevalence of headache during the year after injury is related to injury severity, time after injury, age, and gender. Girls and adolescents appear to be at highest risk of headache in the months after TBI.
Dos usos e funções das revistas literárias à intermidialidade inovadora de Banana Split
Authors: Raguenet Sandra
Published: December 2011

As revistas ocupam um lugar marginal na história literária. No entanto, elas habitam o coração da criação, da recepção e da história. Algumas delas, contudo, ocupam uma margem na margem e ultrapassam a simples concepção, o simples uso de um suporte de difusão, e buscam se pensar e intervir como verdadeiros meios artísticos, vetores de criação que afetam a literatura. A título de exemplo, o artigo analisa a intervenção da revista Banana Split no campo poético dos anos 1980 e a maneira como esse meio se desviou de seu uso clássico para transformar nossos hábitos de leitura e modificar o trabalho dos artistas conduzindo tanto o gênero da revista quanto as produções artísticas para um jogo de metamorfoses recíprocas.
Serum Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor‐1 and Tumor Necrosis Factor‐α Levels in Obesity and Periodontal Disease
Authors: Akman Pelin Taşdelen , Fentoğlu Özlem , Yılmaz Gülin , Arpak Nejat
Published: December 2011

Background: Several studies have shown a possible association between periodontal disease and obesity. The aim of this study is to evaluate serum plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI‐1), tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in the association between obesity and periodontal disease.

Methods: Two hundred individuals participated in this study. Body mass index (BMI), waist‐to‐hip ratio, plasma triglyceride (TRG), total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), hsCRP, TNF‐α, PAI‐1, and periodontal parameters (including plaque index [PI], probing depth [PD], clinical attachment level [CAL], and percentage of sites with bleeding on probing) were evaluated.

Results: The groups with BMI ≥ 25 had higher median values for FBG, TRG, hsCRP, PAI‐1, PI, and CAL than did the groups with a BMI < 25 (P <0.01). Serum TRG levels were positively correlated with PI, PD, and CAL. There were negative associations between clinical periodontal parameters and HDL‐C. There were statistically significant correlations between PAI‐1 and clinical periodontal parameters (PI, PD, and CAL).

Conclusion: Serum PAI‐1 levels may play an important role in the association between periodontal disease and obesity.
Confronting culture to overcome sector failure: sanitation in Indonesia
Authors: White Wayne C.
Published: December 2011

This recent development case study from Indonesia hinges on culture, yet on a relatively discrete and measurable cultural aspect. The rationalized discussion of attitudes and behaviors explains the breakthrough success for sanitation, and enables discussion as to the feasibility, advisability, and mechanics of addressing culture for development. Examination of the case illustrates and supports previously published assertions about the efficacy of targeted change and the parameters of successful interventions. It provides specifics about a program that is on track to save millions of lives through improved sanitation. The case supports the criticality of culture in development, not as a competitor or distraction from humanitarian investments, but as a causal determinant of positive, neutral, or negative investment outcomes.
The application of potassium manganate in water treatment
Authors: Zhao Fu-Wang , Li Xing , Graham Nigel
Published: December 2011

This paper explores the feasibility of using potassium manganate (K2MnO4) in water treatment. Manganate (Mn(VI)), like ferrate (Fe(VI)), can act as both an oxidant and a coagulant/adsorbent arising from the formation of insoluble manganese dioxide (Mn(IV)) from the chemical reduction of MnO42−. In this paper the basic properties of K2MnO4 are described, including the standard electrode potential which exceeds several oxidizing agents commonly used as water treatment chemicals. The methods of preparing K2MnO4 are outlined, and the main reaction products, which are potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and manganese dioxide (MnO2), and their use in water treatment are summarized. Some preliminary results of water treatment tests in China and at Imperial College London are presented, and alternative ways of applying K2MnO4 in water treatment are proposed. Finally, the paper provides a preliminary evaluation of the economic feasibility of using K2MnO4 in comparison with alternative chemicals, such as KMnO4. Overall, it is believed that K2MnO4 may be a useful water treatment chemical in the future.
New inorganic (an)ion exchangers with a higher affinity for arsenate and a competitive removal capacity towards fluoride, bromate, bromide, selenate, selenite, arsenite and borate
Authors: Chubar Natalia
Published: December 2011

Highly selective materials and effective technologies are needed to meet the increasingly stronger drinking water standards for targeted ionic species. Inorganic ion exchangers based on individual and mixed-metal hydrous oxides (or mixed adsorbents that contain inorganic ion exchangers in their composition) are adsorptive materials that are capable of lowering the concentrations of anionic contaminants, such as H2AsO4−, H3AsO3, F−, Br−, BrO3−, HSeO4−, HSeO3− and H3BO3, to 10 μg/L or less. To achieve a higher selectivity towards arsenate, a new ion exchanger based on Mg–Al hydrous oxides was developed by a novel, cost-effective and environmentally friendly synthesis method via a non-traditional (alkoxide-free) sol-gel approach. The exceptional adsorptive capacity of the Mg–Al hydrous oxides towards H2AsO4− (up to 200 mg[As]/gdw) is due to the high affinity of this sorbent towards arsenate (steep equilibrium isotherms) and its fast adsorption kinetics. Because of the mesoporous (as determined by N2 adsorption and SEM) and layered (as determined by XRD and FTIR) structure of the ion-exchange material as well as the abundance of anion exchange sites (as determined by XPS and potentiometric titration) on its surface the material demonstrated very competitive (or very high) removal capacity towards other targeted anions, including fluoride, bromide, bromate, selenate, selenite, and borate.
Perceived performance of decentralised water systems: a survey approach
Authors: Moglia Magnus , Sharma Ashok , Alexander Kim , Mankad Aditi
Published: December 2011

Decentralised water systems are considered to be effective, beneficial and are useful in a number of urban and peri-urban settings, and have been implemented to varying degrees across much of Australia. The use of decentralised water systems has introduced a change in the style of water service delivery and often there are new actors responsible and involved in the maintenance and operation of these systems. This raises questions about how to best implement and govern the use of decentralised water systems. To understand the issues and problem mitigation approaches required for decentralised systems, collection of data on the effectiveness, difficulties, functional aspects and ongoing problems in providing water services is required. Understanding the issues involved is not necessarily straightforward, as performance can be viewed from many different perspectives and may be difficult to measure. One key perspective to consider is that of householders, in their role as end-users of decentralised water systems. This paper suggests that dedicated household surveys can provide important information on the performance of decentralised water systems based on personal understanding and experience of these systems. This is stated on the basis of householder survey trials which indeed seem to provide useful information, both in terms of feedback from the individual and in generating a coherent data set from which to statistically model the adequacy of various implementation styles and governance structures. An exploration of data sets from survey trials have contributed to collective learning, necessary in firmly establishing decentralised systems as viable options for the provision of urban water services now and into the future.
Circulating levels of homocysteine in preeclamptic women
Authors: Khosrowbeygi Ali , Ahmadvand H
Published: December 2011

It has been hypothesized that maternal hyperhomocysteinemia to be associated with preeclampsia. the aims of the present study were to examine maternal serum levels of total homocysteine in preeclamptic women and its association with the severity of the disease. The study population consisted of 30 preeclamptic patients and 30 matched healthy pregnant women. Serum levels of total homocysteine were assessed using enzyme immunoassay method. Maternal serum levels of total homocysteine were significantly higher in preeclamptic group than in normal pregnant women. Women with severe preeclampsia had higher serum levels of total homocysteine than mild preeclamptic patients. Levels of total homocysteine correlated positively with systolic blood pressure values in preeclamptic women. In summary, maternal serum levels of total homocysteine were increased in preeclamptic women, and hyperhomocysteinemia was associated with severity of preeclampsia.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v37i3.6196BMRCB 2011; 37(3): 106-109
Post Hysterectomy Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor: A Rare Presentation
Authors: Roy JS
Published: December 2011

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v37i3.9124 BMRCB 2011; 37(3): 111-112
Isolation and Identification of Pathogenic Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Staphylococcus spp. in Raw Milk Samples Collected from Different Areas of Dhaka City, Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin Md Aftab , Motazzim-ul-Haque Hasan Md , Noor Rashed
Published: December 2011

The present study was undertaken with the aim of investigating the bacteriological quality of locally available raw milk. A total number of 22 raw milk samples were collected from Dhaka city and its surrounding areas during the period from October 2009 to November 2009. The analysis comprised enumeration of total viable bacterial count (TVBC), total coliform count (TCC) and total staphylococcal count (TSC) for the determination of sanitary quality. The highest TVBC, TCC and TSC were 2.36 x109 cfu/ml, 2.0 x 108 cfu/ml & 4.7 x 107 cfu/ml, respectively. In order to observe the antibiotic-resistance pattern, the antibiogram assay was carried out. All Escherichia coli isolated from raw milk exhibited 100% resistance against Rifampin (R) and Tetracycline (TE) and 50% resistance against Nalidixic Acid (NA) but were 100% sensitive against Imipenem (IPM). Klebsiella spp. exhibited 100% sensitivity against Imipenem (IPM). Staphylococcus spp. isolated from raw milk exhibited 100% resistance against Rifampin (R) and Nalidixic Acid (NA), but were 100% sensitive to Gentamicin (CN) and Imipenem (IPM). This survey indicates that most of the raw milk samples were not satisfactory in course of public health standard as some pathogenic bacteria were detected from these samples. Frequent use of antibiotics should be prohibited since antibiotic resistant strains are continuously increasing.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjm.v1i1.9098  Stamford Journal of Microbiology, Vol.1(1), July 2011, p.19-23
Evaluation of Microbiological Quality of Commercially Available Bottled Water in the City of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Majumder Ahmad Kamruzzaman , Islam KM Nazmul , Nite Rezwanun Naher , Noor Rashed
Published: December 2011

Bottled water has become one of the most popular drinks in Bangladesh. Now a days it is easily available in the market. Due to lack of confidence on municipal supply water, people now prefer to drink bottled water instead of tap water, mostly when they are outside the home, and in many occasions. In the present study, the presence of total coliforms (TC) and fecal coliforms (FC) from nine commercially available lacal Bangladeshi bottled water samples were examined. The obtained results indicated that most of the studied bottled water were out of their safety guidelines and hence some chronic diseases (renal failure, liver cirrhosis and anemia) are expected in the area understudy, because 68.89% and 31.11% of the bottled water sampled in the current study showed heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) within a range of 1-500 (cfu/ml) and greater than 500 (cfu/ml), respectively and 0% samples showed less than 1 (cfu/ml) in heterotrophic plate counts. The results also revealed the ill performance and poor drinking water quality of the purification systems of the investigated water samples. 28% of the respondents considered that the quality of bottled water was satisfactory, in contrast to the 26% of the respondent, who judged that the quality of bottled water was not that satisfactory. However, the highest (34%) number of the respondents did not know whether the quality of the bottled water is good or not satisfactory. Recommendation was suggested for new treatment systems of the investigated suspicious water to prevent human illness.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjm.v1i1.9099Stamford Journal of Microbiology, Vol.1(1), July 2011, p.24-30
Persistence of Anti-HBs Antibody and Immunological Memory in Healthy Individuals Vaccinated with Hepatitis B Vaccine
Authors: Chakraborty Bidhan , Bashar Tanvir , Roy Konok , Noor Rashed , Rahman M Majibur
Published: December 2011

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the major public health problems in the world. It is estimated that there are three hundred million HBV carriers and around one million deaths annually due to HBV infection worldwide. Vaccination is considered to be the best solution to this problem. The present study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of the vaccine administered against hepatitis B and to reveal the immunological memory against the vaccine. Samples were taken from both male (74 individuals) and female (37 individuals) from different age groups ranging from three to sixty three years. Among the population studied, both good (63.06%) and hypo (36.94%) responders were found. All the individuals (100%) showed a satisfactory result having an anti-HBs antibody titer above the protective level (≥ 10 IU/L).DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjm.v1i1.9101  Stamford Journal of Microbiology, Vol.1(1), July 2011, p.37-41
Enterotoxin Profiling and Antibiogram of Escherichia coli Isolated from Poultry Feces in Dhaka District of Bangladesh
Authors: Bashar Tanvir , Rahman Mostafizur , Rabbi Fazle Alam , Noor Rashed , Rahman M Majibur
Published: December 2011

Bacterial diseases remain a threat to the poultry industry and countermeasures to prevent and control them are needed to prevent production losses. With the continued threat of exotic and emerging diseases and the problem of the use of antibiotics in animal production, there is a serious and urgent need to find safe and practical alternatives to prevent or control pathogens. That,s why, our research has addressed in different poultry farms for detection of toxigenic Escherichia coli from poultry chicken feces adjacent to the Dhaka city, during the period of January 2009 to June 2009 and characterize their ability to produce enterotoxin and also examined the antibiogram of the isolates. A total of 60 fecal samples were collected and E. coli were isolated and identified by conventional cultural, biochemical and motility test.The heatstable toxins were determined by Suckling Mice Assay (SMA). The overall prevalence of E. coli was 100%. Among the isolates of E. coli, only 45% and 14% isolates showed β hemolysis and α hemolysis, respectively. Congo red binding has been used as a potential virulence marker and 69 % E. coli isolates in the present study showed congo red binder, among which, 59% isolates were hemolytic. A total of 20% and 5% isolates showed the presence of LT and ST enterotoxin in their guts by Suckling Mice assay, respectively. The antibiotic sensitivity pattern shown that the isolates were highly sensitive (100%) to imipenem, pipercillin, neomycin and ceftrixone. Results from this study revealed the high prevalence rate of E. coli isolates with variable resistance against a wide range of antimicrobial drug. It may suggest that the high resistance of E. coli to antibiotics as well as their toxigenic nature constitutes a threat not only to poultry industry of Bangladesh but also possesses a serious threat to public and animal health. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjm.v1i1.9134   Stamford Journal of Microbiology, Vol.1(1), July 2011, p.51-57
Optimal Design of Cogeneration Systems in Industrial Plants Combined with District Heating/Cooling and Underground Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Reverberi Andrea , Borghi Adriana Del , Dovì Vincenzo
Published: December 2011

Combined heat and power (CHP) systems in both power stations and large plants are becoming one of the most important tools for reducing energy requirements and consequently the overall carbon footprint of fundamental industrial activities. While power stations employ topping cycles where the heat rejected from the cycle is supplied to domestic and industrial consumers, the plants that produce surplus heat can utilise bottoming cycles to generate electrical power. Traditionally the waste heat available at high temperatures was used to generate electrical power, whereas energy at lower temperatures was either released to the environment or used for commercial or domestic heating. However the introduction of new engines, such as the ones using the organic Rankine cycle, capable of employing condensing temperatures very close to the ambient temperature, has made the generation of electrical power at low temperatures also convenient. On the other hand, district heating is becoming more and more significant since it has been extended to include cooling in the warm months and underground storage of thermal energy to cope with variable demand. These developments imply that electric power generation and district heating/cooling may become alternative and not complementary solutions for waste energy of industrial plants. Therefore the overall energy management requires the introduction of an optimisation algorithm to select the best strategy. In this paper we propose an algorithm for the minimisation of a suitable cost function, for any given variable heat demand from commercial and domestic users, with respect to all independent variables, i.e., temperatures and flowrates of warm fluid streams leaving the plants and volume and nature of underground storage. The results of the preliminary process integration analysis based on pinch technology are used in this algorithm to provide bounds on the values of temperatures.
Developing Drugs for Children and the Adjustment of Medication—Is It a New Challenge or an Adaptation of Past Ideas?
Authors: Gauthier Pascale , Cardot Jean-Michel
Published: December 2011

Nowadays the adjustment of medication for each patient is at the center of health strategy. Children can be considered as specific targets with their own specificities. In the oral route field some examples of drugs especially adapted to children can be found. Design is introduced in drug formulation to offer a better choice of products and now, children can be considered as partners in their own treatment. Enhanced comprehension of children's requirements can also lead to creation of drugs that improve compliance.
5-[o-(1-L-Phenylalanylamino)ethoxyl]phenyl-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin
Authors: Liu Hai-yang , Hu Xi-ming , Ying Xiao , Yao Zhong-ping , Huang Jin-wang , Ji Liang-nian
Published: December 2011

5-[o-(2-bromo-1-ethoxy)]phenyl-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin (1) was prepared according to published method [1].[...]
(u,l,l,u)-3,5-Diethyl-2,4,6-triphenyltetrahydropyran-2,4-diol
Authors: Söllner Rolf , Koy Thomas , Schmittel Michael
Published: December 2011

The experimental procedure follows a novel protocol developed recently by us [1].[...]
2,4-Dimethyl-3-phenyl-[2'-methyl-3'-chloro]-7-chloro-8-methyl-1,3-diaza-2,4-diboranaphtalene Tricarbonylchromium Complexes
Authors: Abouhamza B. , Allaoud S. , Karim A.
Published: December 2011

All reactions were carried out under dry nitrogen using Schlenk techniques. 2,4–Dimethyl-3-phenyl-[2’-methyl-3’-chloro]-7-chloro-8-methyl-1,3-diaza-2,4-diboranaphtalene tricarbonylchromium complexes were obtained by a classical method [1].[...]
[3S*,5S*,6S*]-1,7-Dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,5-diyl Diacetate
Authors: Brimble Margaret , Johnston Andrew
Published: December 2011

To a solution of [3S*,5S*,6S*]-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,5-diol (1) [1] (33 mg, 0.17 mmol) in dichloromethane (10 ml) was added triethylamine (54 mg, 0.53 mmol), acetic anhydride (34 mg, 0.34 mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (3 mg).[...]
3-Trimethylsilanylethynyl-[1,10]phenanthroline
Authors: Michel Christoph , Habibi Davood , Schmittel Michael
Published: December 2011

The experimental procedure follows a protocol developed by Sonogashira [1] and recently used for the preparation of macrocyclic phenanthrolines.[...]
ar-Himachalene
Authors: Abouhamza B. , Allaoud S , Karim A.
Published: December 2011

The reaction of dehydrogenation on the natural mixture of himachalene is already known [1].[...]
4-Nitrophenylferrocene
Authors: Hu Ping , Zhao Ke-Qing , Xu Hong-Bo
Published: December 2011

4-Nitrophenylferrocene is a candidate for the study of second order non-linear optical materials containing electron donating and electron withdrawing groups in the molecule.[...]
4-(3-Nitrophenylazo)-5-trifluoromethyl-2,4-dihydropyrazol-3-one
Authors: Zohdi Hussein , Rateb Nora , Haikal A. Z.
Published: December 2011

To a cold solution of 5-trifluoromethyl-2,4-dihydropyrazol-3-one [1,2] (0.76 g, 5 mmol) in ethanol (25 ml) containing sodium acetate (0.82 g, 10 mol), 3-nitrobenzenediazonium chloride ( 5 mmol) was added dropwise with stirring at 0-5°C.[...]
Tetraethyl(pyrrolidine-2,2-diyl)bisphosphonate
Authors: Olive Gilles , Jacques Alain
Published: December 2011

The synthesis of the title compound is already described [1, 2] and we report here the fully optimized procedure.[...]
(E)-3-Methyl-5-phenyl-2-pentenoic Acid
Authors: Stoermer Martin , Pinhey John
Published: December 2011

The general part of the experimental section [1] has been presented elsewhere.[...]
Ethyl (E)-2-Methyl-5-phenyl-2-pentenoate
Authors: Stoermer Martin , Pinhey John
Published: December 2011

The general part of the experimental section [1] has been presented elsewhere.[...]
3-b-Hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic Acid (Oleanolic Acid)
Authors: Garcia-Granados Andres , Martinez Antonio , Moliz Juan , Parra Andres , Rivas Francisco
Published: December 2011

An industrial procedure has been established for the isolation of 3-beta-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (oleanolic acid) starting from olive fruits (Olea europaea).[...]
Plumbagin from Diospyros olen
Authors: Evans Philip , Bowers William , Litaudon Marc , Sevenet Thierry
Published: December 2011

Plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) (CAS Reg. No. 481-42-5) was isolated from the bark of Diospyros olen (Ebenaceae) via an antibiotic guided biological assay using the bacterium Pseudomonas solanacearum. D. olen bark, collected in New Caledonia, was extracted with dichloromethane and components separated by flash chromatography on silica.[...]
Effect of Duration and Amplitude of Direct Current when Lidocaine Is Delivered by Iontophoresis
Authors: Saliba Susan A. , Teeter-Heyl Courtney L. , McKeon Patrick , Ingeroll Christopher D. , Saliba Ethan N.
Published: December 2011

Dosage for the galvanic stimulation for iontophoresis varies. Clinicians manipulate the duration or the amplitude of the current, but it is not known which is more effective. We compared the anesthetic effect of lidocaine HCL (2%) by manipulating the current parameters on 21 healthy volunteers (age: 21.2 ± 4.2, height 170.7 ± 10.2 cm, mass 82.1 ± 19.2 kg). Three conditions were administered in a random order using a Phoresor II® with 2 mL, 2% lidocaine HCL in an iontophoresis electrode. (1) HASD (40 mA*min): High amplitude (4 mA), short duration (10 min); (2) LALD (40 mA.min): Low amplitude (2 mA), long duration (20 min); (3) Sham condition (0 mA, 20 min). Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (SWM) scores were taken pre and post intervention to measure sensation changes. Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to compare sensation. Both iontophoresis treatments: LALD (4.2 ± 0.32 mm) and HASD (4.2 ± 0.52 mm) significantly increased SWM scores, indicating an increase in anesthesia, compared to the sham condition (3.6 ± 0.06 mm) p < 0.05. Neither LALD nor HASD was more effective and there was no difference in anesthesia with the sham. Lidocaine delivered via iontophoresis reduces cutaneous sensation. However, there was no benefit in either a HASD or LALD treatment.
Avril 1952, la conférence économique de Moscou : changement de tactique ou innovation dans la politique extérieure stalinienne ?
Authors: Lipkin Mikhail
Published: December 2011

Résumé Cet article analyse les causes, la signification et les conséquences de la Conférence économique internationale de Moscou qui s’est déroulée du 3 au 12 avril 1952. Fondé sur de nouveaux témoignages en provenance des Archives d’État russes d’histoire politique et sociale, il montre que l’objectif majeur de cette réunion était de transformer par le commerce la logique de guerre froide en coexistence pacifique. Ce fut la première tentative d’ouvrir le rideau de fer et d’inaugurer la détente. Une des réussites majeures de la Conférence a été l’entame de discussions secrètes, en août 1952, avec les principales industries ouest-allemandes en vue d’établir des relations commerciales. Mais la Conférence ne déboucha pas sur des résultats immédiats en raison du virage opéré par Staline lui-même à la fin de l’année 1952 : elle a pourtant enrichi la politique étrangère soviétique de nouvelles idées qui devinrent le noyau de la stratégie soviétique de l’ère Khrouchtchev et Brejnev.
Des frontières s'ouvrent et se ferment. La mise en place d'un espace socialiste derrière le rideau de fer, 1953-1970
Authors: Dullin Sabine
Published: December 2011

Résumé La mort de Staline entraîne un vent de réformes : parmi elles, des mesures d’ouverture des frontières internes au bloc socialiste. Impulsées par Beria en 1953 et mises en place dans les années 1955-1966, ces mesures assouplissent les règles de voyage et de séjour entre les citoyens soviétiques et ceux des pays de l’Est. Comme en témoignent les interviews menées sur la frontière ukraino- slovaque, les retrouvailles entre familles séparées par la frontière depuis 1946 datent de ce moment. Ces réformes révèlent aussi dans un jeu complexe d’ouverture/fermeture le nouvel espace socialiste qui s’est créé à l’ombre du rideau de fer et du mur de Berlin. Espace de coopération policière et militaire dont la répression collective du Printemps de Prague est le point d’orgue, il est cependant miné par la circulation des biens et des idées que le dégel a favorisée.
Une offensive cinématographique soviétique en France ? Les enjeux du retour du cinéma soviétique sur les écrans français dans l'après-guerre
Authors: Gallinari Pauline
Published: December 2011

Résumé Dès la Libération, les films soviétiques sont de retour sur les écrans de cinéma français. Jusqu’en 1947, le cinéma soviétique semble bénéficier d’une visibilité inédite en France en circulant d’une part dans les réseaux d’exploitation commerciale et d’autre part dans les circuits de l’exploitation non commerciale. Peut-on pour autant considérer qu’il y a eu une offensive cinématographique soviétique en France dans l’après-guerre ? Si l’ urss a d’indéniables ambitions cinématographiques, dont le moteur est idéologique, dans quelle mesure celles-ci sont-elles réalisées ? Cet article revient sur les enjeux inhérents à la diffusion du cinéma soviétique en France pour interroger sa mise en œuvre. Les résultats de l’entreprise cinématographique soviétique sont considérés afin d’évaluer l’ampleur et l’impact de la diffusion du cinéma soviétique en France dans l’après-guerre.
Atypical Lipomatous Tumors/Well-differentiated Liposarcomas: Clinical Outcome of 67 Patients
Authors: Mavrogenis Andreas F. , Lesensky Jan , Romagnoli Carlo , Alberghini Marco , Letson G. Douglas , Ruggieri Pietro
Published: December 2011

Atypical lipomatous tumors/well-differentiated liposarcomas are low-grade malignant mesenchymal neoplasms with high propensity to local recurrence and potential to dedifferentiate to higher grades over time. However, the published risks of local recurrence and dedifferentiation vary, and no unified treatment and follow-up plan has been accepted. We performed a study to evaluate the long-term clinical behavior and proper treatment and follow-up strategy for these tumors. We retrospectively reviewed the files of 101 patients treated between 1990 and 2008 with the diagnosis of atypical lipomatous tumors/well-differentiated liposarcomas. For 67 of these patients, complete data and 2-year minimum follow-up were available and were included in the study; 47 patients (group A) had primary surgical treatment at our institution and 20 patients (group B) were referred after ≥1 local recurrences. Mean follow-up was 81 months (range, 24–229 months). The local recurrence rate of primary atypical lipomatous tumors/well-differentiated liposarcomas was 10.6% (5/47 group A patients). The local re-recurrence rate of the recurrent atypical lipomatous tumors/well-differentiated liposarcomas was 52% (13/67 group A and B patients). Recurrences developed as late as 140 months after diagnosis and treatment. The rate of dedifferentiation at recurrences was 4% (1/25 group A and B patients with recurrent tumors). No patients developed metastases. Atypical lipomatous tumors/well-differentiated liposarcomas are associated with an increased rate of local re-recurrence and low risk of dedifferentiation at recurrences. Long-term follow-up is recommended for early diagnosis and treatment of local recurrences.