bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A controlled study to assess the effects of vaccination against Newcastle disease in village chickens
Authors: Barman LR , Flensburg MF , Permin A , Madsen M , Islam MR
Published: May 2011

The effect of vaccination against Newcastle disease (ND) in free range village chickens was assessed in a controlled field study. Based on the results of a baseline survey, 12 vaccinated and 12 unvaccinated backyard chicken flocks from two adjacent villages were selected and followed for six months. Serum antibody levels were measured on four occasions. All mortalities were recorded and the cause of death was established by necropsy. Selected ND-suspected cases were subjected to virus isolation, and pathogenicity of two selected isolates was measured in terms of mean death time (MDT) of inoculated chicken embryos. The baseline survey revealed that approximately 90% of the village families reared chickens of which only 11% regularly vaccinated their chickens against ND. Another 14% occasionally vaccinated their chickens and 75% did not vaccinate at all. In the flocks under study, antibody titres increased in vaccinated and unvaccinated chickens. About 75% of unvaccinated and 96% of vaccinated mature chickens (>28 weeks of age) had antibodies to ND virus (NDV), but the level was significantly higher in vaccinated birds. A striking difference in seroconversion was observed in unvaccinated and vaccinated younger birds: 3.3% vs. 55.1% in chicks (<9weeks of age) and 7.3% vs. 80.3% in growing pullets (9-28 weeks of age), respectively. Mortality due to ND was significantly higher in unvaccinated flocks (21.6%) than in vaccinated flocks (4.9%). Most of these mortalities occurred in growing pullets and chicks. Eight selected samples were positive for NDV when subjected to embryo inoculation and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. Two of the isolates were further characterized: both were velogenic pathotype with MDT of <60 hours. It is suggested that vaccination against ND could significantly reduce mortality in village chickens. DOI: 10.3329/bvet.v27i2.7555 Bangl. vet. 2010. Vol. 27, No. 2, 56-61
Effects of age on intake, growth, nutrient utilization and carcass characteristics of castrated native sheep
Authors: Sultana N , Hossain SMJ , Chowdhury SA , Hassan MR , Ershaduzzaman M
Published: May 2011

Twenty four castrated native sheep were grouped (six/group) into four: T1 >3 to ≤ 6; T2 > 6 to ≤ 9; T3 >9 to ≤12 and T4 >12 to ≤ 15 months. Through out the 63 days of experimental period, animals were offered ad libitum urea (3%), molasses (15%) and straw (82%) as a basal diet with concentrate mixture [14% crude protein (CP) & 11.5 MJ metabolizing energy (ME) per kg Dry Matter (DM)] @ 1% of live weight. Five days metabolic trial was conducted towards the end of the feeding trial. Besides, fortnightly live weight change, daily nutrient intake, carcass yield and carcass characteristics were studied. Daily weight gain decreased (P<0.05) with the increasing in age and the growth rate were 79, 63, 55 and 44g/day for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Higher growth rate in T1 was due to animal's inherent self-accelerated phase of growth. Feed conversion ratio (FCR; kg feed/kg live weight gain) was significantly (P<0.001) better in T1 (9.2) followed by T2 (13.8), T3 (17.7) and T4 (21.7). Cost per kg of carcass production was lower in T1 (Taka: 239), but the production cost increased in T2 (Taka: 357), T3 (Taka: 440) and T4 (Taka: 515). DM intake (g/kg W0.75) decreased with the increase in age and weight. For each gram increased in live weight gain, it required 7.7 kJ ME and animals achieved zero live weight gain (maintenance energy level) at 377 kJ/kg W0.75/d ME intake. Slaughtered weight, warmed carcass weight and dressing yield (%) of native sheep increased with advancement of age. Dressing yields were 48.5, 49, 51.4 and 55.5% for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Fat percent increased with increasing age and body fat as percent of live weight were 5.6, 7.7 15.5 and 20.6, respectively for the T1, T2, T3 and T4. As a part of total carcass, the proportional yield of tender loin and hind leg chump, most valued retail cut, decreased with the increased animal age. In the present trial, body weight gain at early stage (6-8 months of age) of life was more economical than at the later stage of life. It is suggests that the optimum market/slaughter age for native sheep maintained under these feeding and management would be at around eight months of age. DOI: 10.3329/bvet.v27i2.7556 Bangl. vet. 2010. Vol. 27, No. 2, 62-73
Fertility and parasitic infestation of Red Chittagong cattle
Authors: Das S , Bhuiyan AKFH , Begum N , Habib MA , Arefin T
Published: May 2011

Fertility of Red Chittagong bulls (RCB) using Non-Return Rate (NRR), reproductive efficiency of Red Chittagong cows (RCC) using pregnancy rate and number of services per pregnancy and parasitic infestation of two different ages and sexes were studied. The NRR ranged from 53.1% to 70.6% with an overall mean of 63.9%. Overall pregnancy rate was 65.8% and about 1.4 services were required per pregnancy. Overall 47.7% animals were infested with parasites. Five species of parasites were detected in the faeces: Balantidium coli (40%), Paramphistomum spp (47.7%), Fasciola spp (5.8%), Coccidia spp (4.5%), and Moniezia spp (1.9%). The prevalence of parasites in animals over four years age was higher (P<0.05) than in animals below four years of age: the prevalence was higher in female than in male hosts (P>0.05). DOI: 10.3329/bvet.v27i2.7557 Bangl. vet. 2010. Vol. 27, No. 2, 74-81
Culture of Brachionus plicatilis feeding with powdered dried Chlorella
Authors: Mostary S , Rahman MS , Mandal ASMS , Hasan KMM , Rehena Z , Basar SMA
Published: May 2011

The rotifer Brachionus plicatilis was cultured with powdered dried Chlorella in treatment 1, live or fresh cultured Chlorella in treatment 2, and baker's yeast in treatment 3. All the jars under three treatments were stocked with B. plicatilis at the initial density of 10 individuals per ml. The water temperature, air temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen were within the suitable range for B. plicatilis culture. The highest population densities of B. plicatilis in treatments 1, 2 and 3 were 60000, 50000 and 30000 (individual/L), respectively. The powered dried Chlorella was comparable with live Chlorella and may be used successfully as a feed for B. plicatilis. DOI: 10.3329/bvet.v27i2.7559 Bangl. vet. 2010. Vol. 27, No. 2, 91-98
Church–State Relations in Palestine: Empires, Arab Nationalism and the Indigenous Greek Orthodox, 1880–1940
Authors: Kuruvilla Samuel J.
Published: May 2011

The need to negotiate and resolve ethno-nationalistic aspirations on the part of dependent and subject communities of faith-believers is a complex issue. The Ottoman Empire formed a classic case in this context. This article is a historical-political reflection on a small group of Christians within the broader Arab and ‘Greek’ Christian milieu that once formed the backbone of the earlier Byzantine and later Ottoman empires. The native Arab Orthodox of Palestine in the twilight years of the Ottoman Empire found themselves in a struggle between their religious affiliations with Mediterranean Greek Orthodoxy and Western Christendom as opposed to the then ascendant star of nationalist pan-Arabism in the Middle East. The supersession of the Ottoman Empire by the British colonial Mandatory system in Palestine and the loss of imperial Russian support for the Arab Orthodox in the Holy Land naturally meant that they relied more on social and political cooperation with their fellow Palestinian Muslims. This was to counter the dominance extended by the ethnic Greek ecclesiastical hierarchy in the Holy Land over the historically Arab Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem with support from elements within the Greek Republic and the British Mandatory authorities.
Islamophobia, the Israel Lobby and American Paranoia: Letter from America
Authors: Davidson Lawrence
Published: May 2011

The phenomenon of Islamophobia has now surfaced as a factor in American politics. While disturbing and damaging of people's lives and reputations, the phenomenon is not unique. It can be seen as but the latest eruption of paranoid political thinking that periodically arises in American history. In turn, seeing the fate of the nation threatened by conspiracies and anti-American elements is made easier and more destructive by high levels of ignorance and insularity among large numbers of Americans. This latest round of paranoid politics, coming now in the form of Islamophobia, was triggered by the attacks of 11 September 2001 and quickly exacerbated by American Zionist groups, both Jewish and Christian, whose dislike of Muslims also has a long history.
Aquatic Biodiversity in the Amazon: Habitat Specialization and Geographic Isolation Promote Species Richness
Authors: Albert James S. , Carvalho Tiago P. , Petry Paulo , Holder Meghan A. , Maxime Emmanuel L. , Espino Jessica , Corahua Isabel , Quispe Roberto , Rengifo Blanca , Ortega Hernan , Reis Roberto E.
Published: May 2011

The Neotropical freshwater ichthyofauna has among the highest species richness and density of any vertebrate fauna on Earth, with more than 5,600 species compressed into less than 12% of the world’s land surface area, and less than 0.002% of the world’s total liquid water supply. How have so many species come to co-exist in such a small amount of total habitat space? Here we report results of an aquatic faunal survey of the Fitzcarrald region in southeastern Peru, an area of low-elevation upland (200–500 m above sea level) rainforest in the Western Amazon, that straddles the headwaters of four large Amazonian tributaries; the Juruá (Yurúa), Ucayali, Purús, and Madre de Dios rivers. All measures of fish species diversity in this region are high; there is high alpha diversity with many species coexisting in the same locality, high beta diversity with high turnover between habitats, and high gamma diversity with high turnover between adjacent tributary basins. Current data show little species endemism, and no known examples of sympatric sister species, within the Fitzcarrald region, suggesting a lack of localized or recent adaptive divergences. These results support the hypothesis that the fish species of the Fitzcarrald region are relatively ancient, predating the Late Miocene-Pliocene (c. 4 Ma) uplift that isolated its several headwater basins. The results also suggest that habitat specialization (phylogenetic niche conservatism) and geographic isolation (dispersal limitation) have contributed to the maintenance of high species richness in this region of the Amazon Basin.
Tetrandrine, a Compound Common in Chinese Traditional Medicine, Preferentially Kills Breast Cancer Tumor Initiating Cells (TICs) In Vitro
Authors: Xu Wei , Debeb Bisrat G. , Lacerda Lara , Li Jessica , Woodward Wendy A.
Published: May 2011

Tetrandrine is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid found in Stephania tetrandra, a Chinese medicine commonly used as an anti-inflammatory. It has extensive pharmacological activity, including positive ion channel blockade and inhibition of multiple drug resistance proteins. These activities are very similar to that of salinomycin, a known drug targeting breast cancer initiation cells (TICs). Herein, we tested tetrandrine targeting of breast cancer TICs. SUM-149, an inflammatory breast cancer cell line and SUM-159, a non-inflammatory metaplastic breast cancer cell line were used in these studies. In proliferation assays using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS), we found that the IC50 for inhibition of proliferation is 15.3 ± 4.1 µM for SUM-149 and 24.3 ± 2.1 µM for SUM-159 cells. Tetrandrine also inhibited mammosphere formation, a surrogate for breast cancer TICs growth in vitro with IC50 around 1 µM for SUM-149 and around 2 µM for SUM-159 cells. Tetrandrine has similar effects on the mammosphere formation from cells isolated from fresh patient sample. Moreover, tetrandrine decreases the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) positive population in SUM-159 by 45% ± 5.45% P = 0.005. In summary, tetrandrine demonstrates significant efficacy against in vitro surrogates for inflammatory and aggressive breast cancer TICs.
Novel Field Test Equipment for Lithium-Ion Batteries in Hybrid Electrical Vehicle Applications
Authors: Svens Pontus , Lindstrom Johan , Gelin Olle , Behm Marten , Lindbergh Goran
Published: May 2011

Lifetime testing of batteries for hybrid-electrical vehicles (HEV) is usually performed in the lab, either at the cell, module or battery pack level. Complementary field tests of battery packs in vehicles are also often performed. There are, however, difficulties related to field testing of battery-packs. Some examples are cost issues and the complexity of continuously collecting battery performance data, such as capacity fade and impedance increase. In this paper, a novel field test equipment designed primarily for lithium-ion battery cell testing is presented. This equipment is intended to be used on conventional vehicles, not hybrid vehicles, as a cheaper and faster field testing method for batteries, compared to full scale HEV testing. The equipment emulates an HEV environment for the tested battery cell by using real time vehicle sensor information and the existing starter battery as load and source. In addition to the emulated battery cycling, periodical capacity and pulse testing capability are implemented as well. This paper begins with presenting some background information about hybrid electrical vehicles and describing the limitations with today’s HEV battery testing. Furthermore, the functionality of the test equipment is described in detail and, finally, results from verification of the equipment are presented and discussed.
Large-Scale Battery System Development and User-Specific
Driving Behavior Analysis for Emerging Electric-Drive Vehicles
Authors: Wu Jie , Li Kun , Jiang Yifei , Lv Qin , Shang Li , Sun Yihe
Published: May 2011

Emerging green-energy transportation, such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)
and plug-in HEVs (PHEVs), has a great potential for reduction of fuel consumption and
greenhouse emissions. The lithium-ion battery system used in these vehicles, however,
is bulky, expensive and unreliable, and has been the primary roadblock for transportation
electrification. Meanwhile, few studies have considered user-specific driving behavior
and its significant impact on (P)HEV fuel efficiency, battery system lifetime, and the
environment. This paper presents a detailed investigation of battery system modeling and
real-world user-specific driving behavior analysis for emerging electric-drive vehicles. The
proposed model is fast to compute and accurate for analyzing battery system run-time
and long-term cycle life with a focus on temperature dependent battery system capacity
fading and variation. The proposed solution is validated against physical measurement using
real-world user driving studies, and has been adopted to facilitate battery system design and
optimization. Using the collected real-world hybrid vehicle and run-time driving data, we
have also conducted detailed analytical studies of users’ specific driving patterns and their
impacts on hybrid vehicle electric energy and fuel efficiency. This work provides a solid
foundation for future energy control with emerging electric-drive applications.
Cost Effective Options for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Reduction in the Power Sector for Developing Economies — A Case Study in Sabah, Malaysia
Authors: Koh Siong Lee , Lim Yun Seng , Morris Stella
Published: May 2011

With their increasing shares of global emissions developing economies are increasingly being pressured to assume a greater role in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction. Developed countries have invested tremendously in and proclaimed renewable energy (RE) and associated smart power technologies as solutions to meet their energy demands and reduce their GHG emissions at the same time. However, in the developing economies, these technologies may not deliver the desired results because they have their unique characteristics and priorities, which are different from those of the developed world. Many GHG emission reduction technologies are still very expensive and not fully developed. For the developing economies, the adoption threshold may become very high. Therefore, the cost effectiveness and practicality of each technology in reducing GHG emission in the developing economies may be very different from that of the developed economies. In this paper, available RE and other GHG emission reduction technologies are individually considered in a case study on Sabah, one of the 13 states in Malaysia, in order to assess the effects of the individual technologies on GHG emission and electricity cost reductions.
Perspectives on the Potential Contribution of Swedish Forests to Renewable Energy Targets in Europe
Authors: Egnell Gustaf , Laudon Hjalmar , Rosvall Ola
Published: May 2011

Forest biomass is an important energy source in Sweden and some other European countries. In this paper we estimate the physically available (i.e., total potential) forest biomass for energy from annual forest harvesting (1970–2008) or in the total standing stock (2008) in Sweden. To place Sweden’s forest resources into perspective we relate this to an estimated need for renewable energy sources in Europe. As Swedish forests supply a range of goods and ecosystem services, and as forest biomass is often bulky and expensive to procure, we also discuss issues that affect the amount of forest biomass that is actually available for energy production. We conclude that forests will contribute to Sweden’s renewable energy potential, but to a limited extent and expectations must be realistic and take techno-economical and environmental issues into consideration. To meet future energy needs in Sweden and Europe, a full suite of renewable energy resources will be needed, along with efficient conversion systems. A long-term sustainable supply of forest resources for energy and other uses can be obtained if future harvest levels are increased until they are equal to the annual growth increment. Delivering more than this would require increasing forest productivity through more intensive management. The new management regimes would have to begin now because it takes a long time to change annual production in temperate and boreal forests.
In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Selected 4-Hydroxy-chromene-2-one Derivatives—SAR, QSAR and DFT Studies
Authors: Mladenović Milan , Mihailović Mirjana , Bogojević Desanka , Matić Sanja , Nićiforović Neda , Mihailović Vladimir , Vuković Nenad , Sukdolak Slobodan , Solujić Slavica
Published: May 2011

The series of fifteen synthesized 4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives was subjected to antioxidant activity evaluation in vitro, through total antioxidant capacity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical, lipid peroxide scavenging and chelating activity. The highest activity was detected during the radicals scavenging, with 2b, 6b, 2c, and 4c noticed as the most active. The antioxidant activity was further quantified by the quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) studies. For this purpose, the structures were optimized using Paramethric Method 6 (PM6) semi-empirical and Density Functional Theory (DFT) B3LYP methods. Bond dissociation enthalpies of coumarin 4-OH, Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) gained hybridization of the oxygen, acidity of the hydrogen atom and various molecular descriptors obtained, were correlated with biological activity, after which we designed 20 new antioxidant structures, using the most favorable structural motifs, with much improved predicted activity in vitro.
The Different Muscle-Energetics during Shortening and Stretch
Authors: Jarosch Robert
Published: May 2011

The helical shape of the thin filaments causes their passive counterclockwise rotation during muscle stretch that increases tensile stress and torque at first by unwinding and then by winding up the four anchoring Z-filaments. This means storage of energy in the series elastic Z-filaments and a considerable decrease of the liberated energy of heat and work to (h—wap), where h is the heat energy and wap the stretch energy induced from outside by an apparatus. The steep thin filament helix with an inclination angle of 70° promotes the passive rotation during stretch, but impedes the smooth sliding of shortening by increased friction and production of frictional heat. The frictional heat may be produced by the contact with the myosin cross-bridges: (1) when they passively snap on drilling thin filaments from cleft to cleft over a distance 2 × 2.7 nm = 5.4 nm between the globular actin monomers in one groove, causing stepwise motion; or (2) when they passively cycle from one helical groove to the next (distance 36 nm). The latter causes more heat and may take place on rotating thin filaments without an effective forward drilling (“idle rotation”), e.g., when they produce “unexplained heat” at the beginning of an isometric tetanus. In an Appendix to this paper the different states of muscle are defined. The function of its most important components is described and rotation model and power-stroke model of muscular contraction is compared.
A Newly Isolated Thermostable Lipase from Bacillus sp.
Authors: Shariff Fairolniza Mohd , Rahman Raja Noor Zaliha Raja Abd. , Basri Mahiran , Salleh Abu Bakar
Published: May 2011

A thermophilic lipolytic bacterium identified as Bacillus sp. L2 via 16S rDNA was previously isolated from a hot spring in Perak, Malaysia. Bacillus sp. L2 was confirmed to be in Group 5 of bacterial classification, a phylogenically and phenotypically coherent group of thermophilic bacilli displaying very high similarity among their 16S rRNA sequences (98.5–99.2%). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cloning of L2 lipase gene was conducted by using five different primers. Sequence analysis of the L2 lipase gene revealed an open reading frame (ORF) of 1251 bp that codes for 417 amino acids. The signal peptides consist of 28 amino acids. The mature protein is made of 388 amino acid residues. Recombinant lipase was successfully overexpressed with a 178-fold increase in activity compared to crude native L2 lipase. The recombinant L2 lipase (43.2 kDa) was purified to homogeneity in a single chromatography step. The purified lipase was found to be reactive at a temperature range of 55–80 °C and at a pH of 6–10. The L2 lipase had a melting temperature (Tm) of 59.04 °C when analyzed by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy studies. The optimum activity was found to be at 70 °C and pH 9. Lipase L2 was strongly inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (100%), whereas phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), pepstatin-A, 2-mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol (DTT) inhibited the enzyme by over 40%. The CD spectra of secondary structure analysis showed that the L2 lipase structure contained 38.6% α-helices, 2.2% ß-strands, 23.6% turns and 35.6% random conformations.
Population Growth Potential of the Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius L.: A Life Table Analysis
Authors: Polanco Andrea M. , Brewster Carlyle C. , Miller Dini M.
Published: May 2011

Experimental life tables were constructed and analyzed for three strains of the common bed bug: a pyrethroid-susceptible laboratory strain (HS), a highly resistant field strain (RR), and a field strain with a declining level of resistance (KR). Egg to adult survival in the RR strain was 94% compared with 79% and 69% in the HS and KR strains, respectively. The RR strain also developed significantly faster from egg to adult (~35 days) than the other two strains (~40 days). Analysis of a survivorship and fecundity life table for the RR strain produced the following results. The average life expectancy for a newly laid egg was ~143 days, and that of a newly molted adult was ~127 days. Females produced an average of 0.64 daughter eggs/day with the highest weekly production during the fifth week of adult life. Analysis of daily reproductive parity showed that females produced 1–3 and 4–6 eggs on 79 and 21% of the days, respectively, when egg laying occurred. The net reproductive rate (R0) of the RR strain was ~35, which represents a 35-fold increase in the population per generation (~92 days). The intrinsic rate of increase, r, was 0.054 indicating that the population multiplies 1.1 times/female/day (λ) and doubles in size every 13 days. The stable age distribution (cx) was dominated by nymphs (54%), followed by eggs (34%) and adults (12%). Reproductive values (vx) for the strain increased from egg to the adult stage.
Host Searching and Aggregation Activity of Recently Fed and Unfed Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius L.)
Authors: Reis Matthew D. , Miller Dini M.
Published: May 2011

Groups of starved, virgin adult male or female bed bugs were stimulated to search for a host by the presence of a heated artificial feeder. Some of the bed bug groups were allowed to obtain a blood meal and some were not. After the removal of the feeder, bed bugs were observed throughout the scotophase to record their searching and aggregation behavior. Groups of male and female bed bugs that were unable to obtain a blood meal continued to search in the arena for the majority of the scotophase. Bed bugs that were able to obtain a blood meal returned to their shelter to aggregate 30 min after feeding. Overall, the proportion of bed bugs aggregating in shelters during the scotophase was significantly greater for those that had fed successfully than those that had not. However, all bed bugs, regardless of feeding status, began to return to shelters to aggregate 2 h prior to the photophase.
Anti-Phytopathogenic Activities of Macro-Algae Extracts
Authors: Jiménez Edra , Dorta Fernando , Medina Cristian , Ramírez Alberto , Ramírez Ingrid , Peña-Cortés Hugo
Published: May 2011

Aqueous and ethanolic extracts obtained from nine Chilean marine macro-algae collected at different seasons were examined in vitro and in vivo for properties that reduce the growth of plant pathogens or decrease the injury severity of plant foliar tissues following pathogen infection. Particular crude aqueous or organic extracts showed effects on the growth of pathogenic bacteria whereas others displayed important effects against pathogenic fungi or viruses, either by inhibiting fungal mycelia growth or by reducing the disease symptoms in leaves caused by pathogen challenge. Organic extracts obtained from the brown-alga Lessonia trabeculata inhibited bacterial growth and reduced both the number and size of the necrotic lesion in tomato leaves following infection with Botrytis cinerea. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts from the red-alga Gracillaria chilensis prevent the growth of Phytophthora cinnamomi, showing a response which depends on doses and collecting-time. Similarly, aqueous and ethanolic extracts from the brown-alga Durvillaea antarctica were able to diminish the damage caused by tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in tobacco leaves, and the aqueous procedure is, in addition, more effective and seasonally independent. These results suggest that macro-algae contain compounds with different chemical properties which could be considered for controlling specific plant pathogens.
Cytotoxicity and Oral Acute Toxicity Studies of Lantana camara Leaf Extract
Authors: Pour Badakhshan Mahdi , Latha Lachimanan Yoga , Sasidharan Sreenivasan
Published: May 2011

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the toxicity of Lantana camara methanol extract. Methods: In order to evaluate the toxicity of Lantana camara, the acute toxicity of the methanolic extract on adult mice and cytotoxicity test on Vero cell line were investigated. A fixed large dose of 2 g/kg body weight of L. camara leaf extract was administrated by a single oral gavage according to the OECD procedure. Results: In 2 weeks, L. camara leaf extract showed no obvious acute toxicity. While female mice lost body weight after being treated with single dose of leaf extract in acute toxicity test, male ones lost organ mass, particularly for heart and kidney. The biochemical liver function tests showed significantly elevated TBIL and ALT in the L. camara leaf extract treated female mice group compared with the control group. Cytotoxicity effect of leaf extract of L. camara was estimated through a MTT assay. Cytotoxicity tests on Vero cell line disclosed that leaf extract at concentrations up to 500 µg/mL inhibited the growth of cells 2.5 times less than did Triton 100× 1%. More interestingly, the cytotoxicity initiated to decline at elevated concentrations of this extract. Conclusions: The results of both tests confirm that L. camara shows a pro toxic effect.
Inhibition of Inflammatory Mediators by Neobavaisoflavone in Activated RAW264.7 Macrophages
Authors: Szliszka Ewelina , Skaba Dariusz , Czuba Zenon P. , Krol Wojciech
Published: May 2011

Flavonoids and coumarins are the major bioactive constituents identified in Psoralea corylifolia. The active fraction isolated from fruits, seeds and roots possesses antibacterial, antioxidative and immunomodulatory properties. Neobavaisoflavone is one of the flavonoids found in Psoralea corylifolia. In the present study we investigated in vitro the anti-inflammatory activity of neobavaisoflavone. Macrophages play an important role in inflammation through the release of inflammatory mediators involved in the immune response. Inappropriate and prolonged macrophage activation is largely responsible for the pathology of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. Neobavaisoflavone significantly inhibited the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and cytokines: IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, TNF-α in LPS+IFN-γ– or PMA– stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages.
Simultaneous and Rapid Determination of Main Lignans in Different Parts of Schisandra Sphenanthera by Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary Chromatography
Authors: Yuan Guangxin , Liu Yang , Li Tan , Wang Yan , Sheng Yu , Guan Ming
Published: May 2011

Lignans are imporant active ingredients of Schisandra sphenanthera. A micellar electrokinetic chromatography method was developed for the simultaneous determination of eight lignans – schizandrin, schisandrol B, schisantherin A, schisanhenol, anwulignan, deoxyschizandrin, schizandrin B and schizandrin C – in different parts of S. sphenanthera. The key factors for separation and determination were studied and the best analysis conditions were obtained using a background electrolyte of 10 mM phosphate-37.5 mM SDS-35% v/v acetonitrile (pH 8.0) at the separation voltage of 28 kV and detection at 214 nm, whereby the plant samples could be analyzed within 9.0 min. Analysis yielded good reproducibility (RSD between 1.19-2.28%) and good recovery (between 92.2-103.8%). The detection limits (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were within 0.4-1.2 mg/L and 1.5-4.0 mg/L. This method is promising to improve the quality control of different parts of S. sphenanthera.
Asymmetric Aldol Reactions of α,β-Unsaturated Ketoester Substrates Catalyzed by Chiral Diamines
Authors: Kan Sha-Sha , Li Jian-Zhen , Ni Cheng-Yan , Liu Quan-Zhong , Kang Tai-Ran
Published: May 2011

Highly efficient asymmetric aldol reactions between α,β-unsaturated keto esters and acyclic ketones catalyzed by chiral diamines are reported. The corresponding products were obtained in excellent yields with excellent enantioselectivities. The absolute configuration for the product was determined by X-ray analysis. A variety of substrates were tolerable in the present catalytic system.
Estimating Single Tree Stem Volume of Pinus sylvestris Using Airborne Laser Scanner and Multispectral Line Scanner Data
Authors: Straub Christoph , Koch Barbara
Published: May 2011

So far, only a few studies have been carried out in central European forests to estimate individual tree stem volume of pine trees from high resolution remote sensing data. In this article information derived from airborne laser scanner and multispectral line scanner data were tested to predict the stem volume of 178 pines (Pinus sylvestris) in a study site in the south-west of Germany. First, tree crowns were automatically delineated using both multispectral and laser scanner data. Next, tree height, crown diameter and crown volume were derived for each crown segment. All combinations of the derived tree features were used as explanatory variables in allometric models to predict the stem volume. A model with tree height and crown diameter had the best performance with respect to the prediction accuracy determined by a leave-one-out cross-validation: Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) = 24.02% and Bias = 1.36%.
Information Potential Fields Navigation in Wireless Ad-Hoc Sensor Networks
Authors: Wei Wei , Qi Yong
Published: May 2011

As wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are increasingly being deployed in some important applications, it becomes imperative that we consider application requirements in in-network processes. We intend to use a WSN to aid information querying and navigation within a dynamic and real-time environment. We propose a novel method that relies on the heat diffusion equation to finish the navigation process conveniently and easily. From the perspective of theoretical analysis, our proposed work holds the lower constraint condition. We use multiple scales to reach the goal of accurate navigation. We present a multi-scale gradient descent method to satisfy users’ requirements in WSNs. Formula derivations and simulations show that the method is accurately and efficiently able to solve typical sensor network configuration information navigation problems. Simultaneously, the structure of heat diffusion equation allows more flexibility and adaptability in searching algorithm designs.
Application of an E-Tongue to the Analysis of Monovarietal and Blends of White Wines
Authors: Gutiérrez Manuel , Llobera Andreu , Ipatov Andrey , Vila-Planas Jordi , Mínguez Santiago , Demming Stefanie , Büttgenbach Stephanus , Capdevila Fina , Domingo Carme , Jiménez-Jorquera Cecilia
Published: May 2011

This work presents a multiparametric system capable of characterizing and classifying white wines according to the grape variety and geographical origin. Besides, it quantifies specific parameters of interest for quality control in wine. The system, known as a hybrid electronic tongue, consists of an array of electrochemical microsensors—six ISFET based sensors, a conductivity sensor, a redox potential sensor and two amperometric electrodes, a gold microelectrode and a microelectrode for sensing electrochemical oxygen demand—and a miniaturized optofluidic system. The test sample set comprised eighteen Catalan monovarietal white wines from four different grape varieties, two Croatian monovarietal white wines and seven bi- and trivarietal mixtures prepared from the Catalan varieties. Different chemometric tools were used to characterize (i.e., Principal Component Analysis), classify (i.e., Soft Independent Modeling Class Analogy) and quantify (i.e., Partial-Least Squares) some parameters of interest. The results demonstrate the usefulness of the multisensor system for analysis of wine.
A Diagnostic System for Improving Biomass Quality Based on a Sensor Network
Authors: Bochtis Dionysis D. , Sørensen Claus G. , Green Ole , Bartzanas Thomas
Published: May 2011

Losses during storage of biomass are the main parameter that defines the profitability of using preserved biomass as feed for animal husbandry. In order to minimize storage losses, potential changes in specific physicochemical properties must be identified to subsequently act as indicators of silage decomposition and form the basis for preventive measures. This study presents a framework for a diagnostic system capable of detecting potential changes in specific physicochemical properties, i.e., temperature and the oxygen content, during the biomass storage process. The diagnostic system comprises a monitoring tool based on a wireless sensors network and a prediction tool based on a validated computation fluid dynamics model. It is shown that the system can provide the manager (end-user) with continuously updated information about specific biomass quality parameters. The system encompasses graphical visualization of the information to the end-user as a first step and, as a second step, the system identifies alerts depicting real differences between actual and predicted values of the monitored properties. The perspective is that this diagnostic system will provide managers with a solid basis for necessary preventive measures.
Electronic Nose Based on an Optimized Competition Neural Network
Authors: Men Hong , Liu Haiyan , Pan Yunpeng , Wang Lei , Zhang Haiping
Published: May 2011

In view of the fact that there are disadvantages in that the class number must be determined in advance, the value of learning rates are hard to fix, etc., when using traditional competitive neural networks (CNNs) in electronic noses (E-noses), an optimized CNN method was presented. The optimized CNN was established on the basis of the optimum class number of samples according to the changes of the Davies and Bouldin (DB) value and it could increase, divide, or delete neurons in order to adjust the number of neurons automatically. Moreover, the learning rate changes according to the variety of training times of each sample. The traditional CNN and the optimized CNN were applied to five kinds of sorted vinegars with an E-nose. The results showed that optimized network structures could adjust the number of clusters dynamically and resulted in good classifications.
Hierarchically structured superhydrophobic flowers with low hysteresis of the wild pansy (Viola tricolor) – new design principles for biomimetic materials
Authors: Schulte Anna J , Droste Damian M , Koch Kerstin , Barthlott Wilhelm
Published: May 2011

Hierarchically structured flower leaves (petals) of many plants are superhydrophobic, but water droplets do not roll-off when the surfaces are tilted. On such surfaces water droplets are in the “Cassie impregnating wetting state”, which is also known as the “petal effect”. By analyzing the petal surfaces of different species, we discovered interesting new wetting characteristics of the surface of the flower of the wild pansy (Viola tricolor). This surface is superhydrophobic with a static contact angle of 169° and very low hysteresis, i.e., the petal effect does not exist and water droplets roll-off as from a lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) leaf. However, the surface of the wild pansy petal does not possess the wax crystals of the lotus leaf. Its petals exhibit high cone-shaped cells (average size 40 µm) with a high aspect ratio (2.1) and a very fine cuticular folding (width 260 nm) on top. The applied water droplets are in the Cassie–Baxter wetting state and roll-off at inclination angles below 5°. Fabricated hydrophobic polymer replicas of the wild pansy were prepared in an easy two-step moulding process and possess the same wetting characteristics as the original flowers. In this work we present a technical surface with a new superhydrophobic, low adhesive surface design, which combines the hierarchical structuring of petals with a wetting behavior similar to that of the lotus leaf.
Synthesis of chiral mono(N-heterocyclic carbene) palladium and gold complexes with a 1,1'-biphenyl scaffold and their applications in catalysis
Authors: Liu Lian-jun , Wang Feijun , Wang Wenfeng , Zhao Mei-xin , Shi Min
Published: May 2011

Axially chiral mono(NHC)–Pd(II) and mono(NHC)–Au(I) complexes with one side shaped 1,1'-biphenyl backbone have been prepared from chiral 6,6'-dimethoxybiphenyl-2,2'-diamine. The complexes were characterized by X-ray crystal structure diffraction. The Pd(II) complex showed good catalytic activities in the Suzuki–Miyaura and Heck–Mizoroki coupling reactions, and the (S)-Au(I) complexes also showed good catalytic activities in the asymmetric intramolecular hydroamination reaction to give the corresponding product in moderate ee.
One-pot gold-catalyzed synthesis of 3-silylethynyl indoles from unprotected o-alkynylanilines
Authors: Brand Jonathan P , Chevalley Clara , Waser Jérôme
Published: May 2011

The Au(III)-catalyzed cyclization of 2-alkynylanilines was combined in a one-pot procedure with the Au(I)-catalyzed C3-selective direct alkynylation of indoles using the benziodoxolone reagent TIPS-EBX to give a mild, easy and straightforward entry to 2-substituted-3-alkynylindoles. The reaction can be applied to unprotected anilines, was tolerant to functional groups and easy to carry out (RT, and requires neither an inert atmosphere nor special solvents).
Glycogen Synthase Kinase‐3β: A Mediator of Inflammation in Alzheimer′s Disease?
Authors: Koistinaho Jari , Malm Tarja , Goldsteins Gundars
Published: May 2011

Proliferation and activation of microglial cells is a neuropathological characteristic of brain injury and neurodegeneration, including Alzheimer′s disease. Microglia act as the first and main form of immune defense in the nervous system. While the primary function of microglia is to survey and maintain the cellular environment optimal for neurons in the brain parenchyma by actively scavenging the brain for damaged brain cells and foreign proteins or particles, sustained activation of microglia may result in high production of proinflammatory mediators that disturb normal brain functions and even cause neuronal injury. Glycogen synthase kinase‐3β has been recently identified as a major regulator of immune system and mediates inflammatory responses in microglia. Glycogen synthase kinase‐3β has been extensively investigated in connection to tau and amyloid β toxicity, whereas reports on the role of this enzyme in neuroinflammation in Alzheimer′s disease are negligible. Here we review and discuss the role of glycogen synthase‐3β in immune cells in the context of Alzheimer′s disease pathology.
Repeatability and Heritability of Behavioural Types in a Social Cichlid
Authors: Chervet Noémie , Zöttl Markus , Schürch Roger , Taborsky Michael , Heg Dik
Published: May 2011

Aim. The quantitative genetics underlying correlated behavioural traits (‘‘animal personality’’) have hitherto been studied mainly in domesticated animals. Here we report the repeatability () and heritability () of behavioural types in the highly social cichlid fishNeolamprologus pulcher.Methods. We tested 1779 individuals repeatedly and calculated the of behavioural types by variance components estimation (GLMM REML), using 1327 offspring from 162 broods from 74 pairs.Results. Repeatability of behavioural types was significant and considerable (0.546), but declined from 0.83 between tests conducted on the same day, to 0.19 on tests conducted up to 1201 days apart. All estimates were significant but low (e.g., pair identity SE). Additionally, we found significant variation between broods nested within the parent(s), but these were not related to several environmental factors tested.Conclusions. We conclude that despite a considerable , in this cichlid species is low, and variability in behavioural type appears to be strongly affected by other (non)genetic effects.
Melatonin in Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Related Disorders
Authors: Srinivasan Venkatramanujam , Spence D. Warren , Pandi-Perumal Seithikurippu R. , Brown Gregory M. , Cardinali Daniel P.
Published: May 2011

Mitochondrial dysfunction is considered one of the major causative factors in the aging process, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), septic shock, and neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson′s disease (PD), Alzheimer′s disease (AD), and Huntington′s disease (HD). Increased free radical generation, enhanced mitochondrial inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity, enhanced NO production, decreased respiratory complex activity, impaired electron transport system, and opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore all have been suggested as factors responsible for impaired mitochondrial function. Melatonin, the major hormone of the pineal gland, also acts as an antioxidant and as a regulator of mitochondrial bioenergetic function. Both in vitro and in vivo, melatonin was effective for preventing oxidative stress/nitrosative stress‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction seen in experimental models of PD, AD, and HD. In addition, melatonin is known to retard aging and to inhibit the lethal effects of septic shock or I/R lesions by maintaining respiratory complex activities, electron transport chain, and ATP production in mitochondria. Melatonin is selectively taken up by mitochondrial membranes, a function not shared by other antioxidants. Melatonin has thus emerged as a major potential therapeutic tool for treating neurodegenerative disorders such as PD or AD, and for preventing the lethal effects of septic shock or I/R.
Results of Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment of Aneurysms in a Developing Country
Authors: Ghandehari Kavian , Ahmadi Fahimeh , Afzalnia Azadeh
Published: May 2011

Background. The impact of invasive methods of treatment on results in developing countries may differ from that in developed countries.Methods. This is a prospective clinical study of consecutive patients with Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (SAH) admitted to the Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad during the period from 2005 to 2009. The initial diagnosis and investigations were carried out by neurologists. The patients were divided into two groups. One received surgical treatment whilst the other group was managed medically. The decision as to the choice of the method of treatment was made by the neurosurgeons. The initial medical treatment was standardised for all the patients. The rate of complications and mortality was compared in both medical and surgical groups.Results. 120 SAH patients (52% females) with a mean age of 50.6 ± 7 years were evaluated. The angiography revealed the presence of an aneurysm in 62 patients. 63.5% of the patients received medical treatment and 37.5% underwent aneurysmal surgery. Difference of rebleeding rate in the two therapeutic groups was not significant; , . The effect of rebleeding on mortality was not significant; , . Within 62 SAH patients with cerebral aneurysm, the mortality rate in both therapeutic groups was also not significantly different; , .Conclusion. There is no significant difference in the mortality rate between the “surgical” and non-“surgical” groups of Iranian patients with SAH. This could be due to delay in performance of surgery in Iranian neurovascular centers.
Peptide Inhibition of Topoisomerase IB fromPlasmodium falciparum
Authors: Roy Amit , D'Annessa Ilda , Nielsen Christine J. F. , Tordrup David , Laursen Rune R. , Knudsen Birgitta Ruth , Desideri Alessandro , Andersen Felicie Faucon
Published: May 2011

Control of diseases inflicted by protozoan parasites such asLeishmania, Trypanosoma, andPlasmodium, which pose a serious threat to human health worldwide, depends on a rather small number of antiparasite drugs, of which many are toxic and/or inefficient. Moreover, the increasing occurrence of drug-resistant parasites emphasizes the need for new and effective antiprotozoan drugs. In the current study, we describe a synthetic peptide, WRWYCRCK, with inhibitory effect on the essential enzyme topoisomerase I from the malaria-causing parasitePlasmodium falciparum.The peptide inhibits specifically the transition from noncovalent to covalent DNA binding ofP. falciparumtopoisomerase I, while it does not affect the ligation step of catalysis. A mechanistic explanation for this inhibition is provided by molecular docking analyses. Taken together the presented results suggest that synthetic peptides may represent a new class of potential antiprotozoan drugs.