bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Мінеральна щільність та якість кісткової тканини, показники тілобудови в жінок у постменопаузальному періоді
Authors: Ivanyk O.
Published: September 2016

У діагностиці остеопорозу золотим стандартом є визначення мінеральної щільності кісткової тканини, проте не завжди показники рентгенівської денситометрії точно визначають ризик остеопоротичних переломів. У зв’язку з цим ведеться пошук нових методів, що визначали б показники не лише мінеральної щільності, а і якості кісткової тканини. Одним із таких методів є визначення показника якості трабекулярної кісткової тканини. Оскільки загальна маса тіла складається з жирової та знежиреної маси, деякі дослідники намагались визначити їх роль у виникненні структурно-функціональних порушень у кістковій тканині, проте до цього часу немає чіткої відповіді на це запитання: деякі дослідження ідентифікували жирову масу як головний фактор захисту від переломів, інші ж виявили, що знежирена маса тіла має більш сильний зв’язок із мінеральною щільністю кісткової тканини. Метою дослідження було вивчити показники якості та мінеральної щільності кісткової тканини хребта, шийки стегнової кістки, тілобудови в жінок залежно від тривалості постменопаузального періоду; зв’язок жирової маси з показниками мінеральної щільності та якості кісткової тканини. Матеріали і методи. Обстежено 179 жінок у пременопаузальному та постменопаузальному періодах. Обстежені були розподілені на такі групи: жінки в пременопаузальному періоді та жінки з різною тривалістю постменопаузального періоду (ранній, середньочасовий, пізній). Проводилось загальноклінічне обстеження пацієнта та дослідження вищезазначених показників на рентгенівському денситометрі General Electric. Результати. Якість та мінеральна щільність кісткової тканини вірогідно знижуються зі збільшенням тривалості постменопаузального періоду. Загальна жирова та знежирена маса вірогідно не змінюються з віком. У середньочасовому та пізньому постменопаузальному періодах мінеральна щільність кісткової тканини на рівні хребта та шийки стегнової кістки зростає із збільшенням загальної жирової маси.
Мікроструктурні зміни гепатоцитів при фіброзуванні печінки у хворих на хронічні дифузні захворювання печінки
Authors: Stepanov Yu.M. , Haidar Yu.A. , Didenko V.I. , Halenko O.P. , Oshmyanska N.Yu.
Published: September 2016

Проведено морфологічний аналіз мікроструктурних змін гепатоцитів у хворих на хронічний вірусний гепатит С, розподілу маркерів апоптозу та білків цитоскелета на матеріалі 41 пункційної біо­псії печінки. За допомогою імуногістохімії та комп’ютерної морфометрії проаналізовано мікроструктурні зміни, що супроводжують прогресування фіброзу, вивчено особливості механізму апоптозу гепатоцитів, локалізації цитохрому С, зміни системи мікрофіламентів і скорочувальних властивостей актину з паралельною активацією процесів регенерації.
Практические подходы к ведению больных с диспепсией
Authors: Tkach S.M.
Published: September 2016

Статья посвящена проблемам лечения синдрома диспепсии. Поскольку в последнее время у большинства больных функциональной диспепсией отмечается сочетание симптомов эпигастрального болевого синдрома и постпрандиального дистресс-синдрома, на практике значительно чаще в качестве первой линии эмпирического лечения применяется комбинированная терапия ингибиторами протонной помпы (ИПП) и прокинетиками. В этом отношении очень удобен прием готовых комбинированных препаратов, таких как Омез Д или Омез ДСР, содержащих ИПП и безопасную дозу домперидона.
Клініко-патогенетичні аспекти хронічного панкреатиту біліарного генезу та ожиріння
Authors: Babinets L.S. , Kytsai K.Yu.
Published: September 2016

У статті наведено аналіз літературних джерел щодо зв’язку хронічного панкреатиту біліарного генезу та ожиріння. При ожирінні спостерігаються дисгормональні розлади з утворенням надмірної кількості гормонів, що мають прозапальні властивості, та зниження кількості гормонів, що мають протизапальні властивості. Це супроводжується підтриманням і наростанням хронічного запального процесу у підшлунковій залозі (ПЗ), також підвищується ризик виникнення ускладнень. Ожиріння знижує зовнішньосекреторну функцію ПЗ внаслідок жирового переродження ацинарних клітин, призводить до атеросклерозу судин із наступним погіршенням трофіки ПЗ. При ожирінні спостерігається підвищений синтез та екскреція холестерину з жовчю, що супроводжується підвищенням її літогенності з утворенням біліарного сладжу та конкрементів.
Подвижник земской медицины на Екатеринославщине — ​Днепропетровщине (часть 2)
Authors: Chaban М. , Shevtsova Z. , Haponov V.
Published: September 2016

Представлены жизненный путь и профессиональная деятельность Петра Сочинского — земского врача, общественного деятеля, коллекционера, фольклориста, мецената, действительного члена Екатеринославской ученой архивной комиссии, который внес весомый вклад в развитие земской медицины и сохранение памятников истории и культуры на Приднепровье.
HIV, breast cancer and vaccines: what do high-profile cases reveal about stakeholder engagement in research?
Authors: Morain Stephanie R , Concannon Thomas W , Wittenberg Eve
Published: September 2016

Substantially engaging stakeholders in research involves making extensive changes to the full life cycle of research, from the initial stage of selecting research priorities to the final stages of dissemination and implementation. Recent scholarship has explored logistical and methodological challenges, including the time, training and resources required for engagement. However, inadequate attention has been given to the intended ends or goals of engagement – what do we want engagement to achieve? An examination of historical case studies can yield important insights regarding engagement and its intended ends. Using historical perspective methods, we explore how clarity about the ends of engagement can inform the design of engagement efforts and lead to better outcomes. We present several lessons for improving stakeholder-engaged research.
Microspheres a potential carrier for drugs
Authors: Majeed Abdul , Khan Muhammad Rizwan , Ranjha Nazar Muhammad , Hanif Muhammad , Hussain Syed Nisar , Wahid Muqeet , Usman Faisal
Published: September 2016

Microparticles are one of the recent controlled release dosage form, compressed in the form of tablets or filled in capsules. In this review different methods of preparations and their effects on physical properties i.e. Size, shape and porosity which can be controlled by ingredients used or process variables and characterization will be discussed. Future dimensions of these dosage forms are numerous when it comes to its application in drug delivery and to overcome issues associated with new drug molecule in drug discovery process.
Drug abuse among the students
Authors: Zaman Muhammad , Razzaq Sobia , Hassan Rabia , Qureshi Junaid , Ijaz Hira , Hanif Muhammad , Chughtai Fazal Rahman
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACT:Drug abuse is the willful misuse of either licit or illicit drugs for the purpose of recreation, perceived necessity or convenience. Drug abuse is a more intense and often willful misuse of drugs often to the point of addiction. In the eastern world the incidence shows a decline or a static pattern but the number of drug addicts is still enormous.. The major drug of abuse are heroin and marijuana but designer drugs are shown to be on the increase. The aim of the study is to determine the ratio of the drug abuse in student. For this purpose we selected different institutions including “the university of Lahore”, “Forman Christian college”(private sector) and Punjab university(Govt sector) and conducted survey in 500 student. High proportion of students was found abusing drugs. From this study, we came across multiple factors which are the main cause of drug abuse in medical student including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, as well as personality disorder like antisocial personality disorder. The most commonly abused drugs include stimulants, opioids, and benzodiazepines, antihistamines. Although survey have indicated high rate of illicit and prescription drugs misuse among college students, few have assessed the negative consequences, personel concerns, or interest in intervention for drugs use. Drug abuse although regarded as a personality disorder, may also be seen as worldwide epidemic with evolutionary genetic, physiology and environmental influences Controlling and affecting human behavior. Globally, the use has reached all time high. The study showed males are more drug abusers as compared to females. The drug abuse ratio in students of private sector is more as compared to Govt sector.
Diffusion coefficient, porosity measurement, dynamic and equilibrium swelling studies of Acrylic acid/Polyvinyl alcohol (AA/PVA) hydrogels
Authors: Ranjha Nazar Mohammad , Hanif Muhammad , Afzal Zunaira , Abbas Ghulam
Published: September 2016

Objective of the present work was to synthesize hydrogels of acrylic acid/polyvinyl alcohol (AA/PVA) by free radical polymerization by using glutaradehyde (GA) as crosslinkers. The hydrogels were evaluated for swelling, diffusion coefficient and network parameters like the average molecular weight between crosslink’s, polymer volume fraction in swollen state, number of repeating units between crosslinks and crosslinking density by using Flory-Huggins theory. It was found that the degree of swelling of AA/PVA hydrogels increases greatly within the pH range 5-7. The gel fraction and porosity increased by increasing the concentration of AA or PVA. Increase in degree of crosslinking, decreased the porosity and inverse was observed in gel fraction. Selected samples were loaded with metoprolol tartrate. Drug release was studied in USP hydrochloric acid solution of pH 1.2 and phosphate buffer solutions of pH 5.5 and 7.5. Various kinetics models like zero order, first order, Higuchi and Peppas model were used for in vitro kinetic studies. The results showed that the drug release followed concentration dependent effect (First order kinetics) with non-Fickian diffusion. FTIR and SEM used to study the structure, crystallinity, compatibility, thermal stability and morphology of prepared and drug loaded hydrogels respectively.
Evaluation of Inorganic Elements in Herbal preparation by FAAS and FES
Authors: Ansari Muhammad Tayyab , Ansari Tariq Mehmood , Ahmad Mubasher
Published: September 2016

In this study four inorganic elements i.e. sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were estimated in eleven locally available herbal preparations used as sex stimulants using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Flame Emission Spectroscopy. Samples names were Ginseng, Nan-bao, Choe, Safoof-e-Mughallis (Powder), Imsaki (Jawahar) capsules, Zarjam (capsules), Shahi (capsules), Mumsik sultani (Jawahar) capsules, Laboob-e-Kabeer, Laboob Bard (Jawahar wala), Laboob Khas (Jawahar wala). Results indicate the presence of variable amounts of metals in these samples. Order of concentration of metals in different samples has been found to be as Ca> Mg > K > Na. Shahi capsules exhibited highest amount of sodium (3100±1825 µg/g) and other three minerals were in higher quantities. Choe contained highest amount of calcium (54175±4898 µg/g) and magnesium (53223±3205 µg/g) while Mumsik showed highest quantity of potassium (12070±882 µg/g). Ginseng, Nan-bao and Zarjam contained moderate amounts of all minerals and Laboob Khas exhibited lowest amounts of calcium (922±338µg/g), magnesium (463±106 µg/g), potassium (2968±735 µg/g) and small quantity of sodium (476±246 µg/g). It is evident that these herbal preparations can replenish the deficiency of minerals but excessive use of such herbal preparations may cause health hazards.
Development and application of spectrophotometric method for quantitative determination of Metronidazole in pure and tablet formulations
Authors: Masood Zeeshan , Ansari Muhammad Tayyab , Adnan Sharjeel , Asad Muhammad , Farooq Muhammad , Ahmad Mueen
Published: September 2016

A rapid, simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of metronidazole in pharmaceutical pure and dosage forms. The method depends on alkaline hydrolysis of metronidazole releases the nitro group as nitrite ion and yielded nitrite ions can be used to give a colored complex that absorbs maximally at 505 nm. Beer’s law is obeyed in the concentration ranges 9-100 mg/ml with molar absorptivity of 1.14 ×103 L mole-1 cm-1. The proposed method is precise, accurate and specific for the quantitative determination of drug in bulk and dosage forms. The results of analysis of commercial formulations and the recovery study of metronidazole suggested that there is no interference from any excipients, which are present in pharmaceutical formulations of metronidazole. Statistical comparison of the results was performed with regard to accuracy and precision using student’s t-test and F-ratio at 95% confidence level. There is no significant difference between the reported and proposed methods with regard to accuracy and precision.
Prevalence of end stage renal disease in diabetic obese and hypertensive patients and cardiovascular risk in dialysis patients
Authors: Hanif Muhammad , Javed Hina , Jallani Umair , Ranjha Nazar Muhammad
Published: September 2016

Chronic kidney disease(CKD) is the cause of irreversible detoriation of renal function which leads to end stage renal disease(ESRD).incidence of end stage renal disease has increased dramatically during last 30 years and screening for early stages of chronic kidney disease is often suggested as preventive measure.the main cause of end stage renal disease are diabetes, high blood pressure,hyperlipidemia and obesity.obesity and increased BMI are the cause of kidney stone and chronic kidney disease.this reports aim to determine the prevalance of end stage renal disease in diabetic obese individuals and other problems that are more likely to be encountered in the end stage renal disease are cardiovascular risks in dialysis patients.GFR and creatinine clearance are used as the major diagnostic tool to determined the kidney function. calcium level is also used as predictive factor to determine the vascular calcification.
Comparative evaluation of moxifloxacin MDR-TB drug; as microspheres with respect to pure drug in lung tissue
Authors: Mustafa Sanaul , Devi V.Kusum
Published: September 2016

A novel moxifloxacin (MOX)-loaded poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres (MPs) suitable for oral administration was prepared by double emulsification solvent evaporation (w/o/w) method. To investigate the pharmacokinetic of MOX-MPs, a simple and rapid high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the quantification of MOX in plasma and lung tissue of rats treated with MOX-MPs. Gatifloxacin (0.2µg/ml) was used as an internal standard (IS). The chromatographic separation was achieved on a reversed phase C18 column using isocratic elution with (0.01% Triethanolamine in distilled water): Acetonitrile in the ratio 70:30 v/v pH 2 adjusted with ortho-phosphoric acid, at flow rate of 1 ml/min with a total run time of 6 min. The column effluent was monitored by UV detector at 290 nm. The assay was found to be linear and validated over the concentration range 0.025 to 3.2 µg/ml for MOX in plasma and 0.1 to 2.5 µg/g of lung tissue with correlation coefficient of r2 0.9998 and r2 0.9997 respectively. The system was found to construct sharp peaks for MOX and IS with retention times of 4.08 (±0.012) and 5.84 (±0.026) min for plasma, and 4.17 (±0.016) and 5.84 (±0.022) for lung tissue, respectively. The method exhibited accuracy, precision (inter-day relative standard deviation (RSD) and intra-day RSD values < 15.0 %. The method was applied for determining MOX concentration in plasma and lung after oral administration of 10mg/kg of free MOX and MOX MPs to rats. Results established selectivity and suitability of the method for pharmacokinetic studies of MOX from MOX-MPs
Persistent Insulin Resistance in Podocytes Caused by Epigenetic Changes of SHP-1 in Diabetes
Authors: Lizotte Farah , Denhez Benoit , Guay Andréanne , Gévry Nicolas , Côté Anne Marie , Geraldes Pedro
Published: September 2016

Poor glycemic control profoundly affects protein expression and the cell signaling action that contributes to glycemic memory and irreversible progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). We demonstrate that SHP-1 is elevated in podocytes of diabetic mice, causing insulin unresponsiveness and DN. Thus, sustained SHP-1 expression caused by hyperglycemia despite systemic glucose normalization could contribute to the glycemic memory effect in DN. Microalbuminuria, glomerular filtration rate, mesangial cell expansion, and collagen type IV and transforming growth factor-β expression were significantly increased in diabetic Ins2+/C96Y mice compared with nondiabetic Ins2+/+ mice and remained elevated despite glucose normalization with insulin implants. A persistent increase of SHP-1 expression in podocytes despite normalization of systemic glucose levels was associated with sustained inhibition of the insulin signaling pathways. In cultured podocytes, high glucose levels increased mRNA, protein expression, and phosphatase activity of SHP-1, which remained elevated despite glucose concentration returning to normal, causing persistent insulin receptor-β inhibition. Histone posttranslational modification analysis showed that the promoter region of SHP-1 was enriched with H3K4me1 and H3K9/14ac in diabetic glomeruli and podocytes, which remained elevated despite glucose level normalization. Hyperglycemia induces SHP-1 promoter epigenetic modifications, causing its persistent expression and activity and leading to insulin resistance, podocyte dysfunction, and DN.
Movement System Impairment-Guided Approach to the Physical Therapist Treatment of a Patient With Postpartum Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Mixed Urinary Incontinence: Case Report
Authors: Kurz Jenny , Borello-France Diane
Published: September 2016

Background and Purpose. Women with postpartum pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence are often treated by physical therapists specializing in women's health. Movement system impairments often coexist in this patient population. The purpose of this case report is to describe the physical therapist treatment of a woman with postpartum POP complicated by additional pelvic symptoms.

Case Description. A 31-year-old woman presented with postpartum POP, diastasis recti, urinary incontinence, and constipation. Movement system impairments were consistent with a physical therapist diagnosis of femoral adduction-medial rotation syndrome exacerbated by levator ani muscle weakness and incoordination and impaired intra-abdominal pressure regulation. Interventions, based on a movement system guided approach, included postural correction; pelvic-floor, abdominal, and hip muscle strengthening; functional training to correct identified movement faults; and patient education.

Outcomes. Movement system impairment outcomes included: correction of femoral adduction-medial rotation and knee hyperextension during standing at rest, ambulation, and exercise; increased hip muscle strength; and effective regulation of intra-abdominal pressure (resolution of breath holding with the Valsalva maneuver) during all transitional movements and therapeutic exercise. The patient also demonstrated reductions in POP, urinary, and colorectal symptom severity that exceeded the minimal clinically important difference. Additionally, she demonstrated a reduction in diastasis rectus distance.

Discussion. A movement system impairment-guided approach led the physical therapist to consider impairments outside the pelvic floor that could have contributed to the patient's pelvic symptoms. Using this approach, the patient achieved resolution of musculoskeletal and movement impairments and reductions in POP, urinary and colorectal symptoms, and symptom-related distress.
Identifying components for programmatic latent tuberculosis infection control in the European Union
Authors: Sandgren Andreas , Vonk Noordegraaf-Schouten Jannigje M , Oordt-Speets Anouk M , van Kessel Gerarda B , de Vlas Sake J , van der Werf Marieke J
Published: September 2016

Individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are the reservoir of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a population and as long as this reservoir exists, elimination of tuberculosis (TB) will not be feasible. In 2013, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) started an assessment of benefits and risks of introducing programmatic LTBI control, with the aim of providing guidance on how to incorporate LTBI control into national TB strategies in European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) Member States and candidate countries. In a first step, experts from the Member States, candidate countries, and international and national organisations were consulted on the components of programmatic LTBI control that should be considered and evaluated in literature reviews, mathematical models and cost-effectiveness studies. This was done through a questionnaire and two interactive discussion rounds. The main components identified were identification and targeting of risk groups, determinants of LTBI and progression to active TB, optimal diagnostic tests for LTBI, effective preventive treatment regimens, and to explore the potential for combining LTBI control with other health programmes. Political commitment, a solid healthcare infrastructure, and favourable economic situation in specific countries were identified as essential to facilitate the implementation of programmatic LTBI control.
Research data management in the age of big data: Roles and opportunities for librarians
Authors: Federer Lisa
Published: September 2016

In the age of “big data,” scientific researchers are increasingly struggling with how to manage, organize, and make sense of the vast amount of data that often characterizes scientific research in the 21st century. With their expertise in knowledge management, information professionals can be valuable collaborators for research teams facing these challenges. This article discusses just a few of the myriad opportunities for librarians and other information professionals to become involved with research teams and provide valuable support for the management, analysis, and preservation of research data.
A view from Web of Science: Journals, articles, impact
Authors: Testa James
Published: September 2016

Scholarly communication is truly global. While in the past, articles based upon scientific research were primarily from the United States and Europe, today countries such as China, South Korea, and Brazil – along with others that were minor contributors a decade or so ago – are becoming major players. Journals of regional importance have emerged that are worthy of consideration. In parallel, a certain level of global competition has also emerged and as a result it has become obvious that some questionable publishing activities such as self-citations and the acceptance of research papers that are shallow in content are now in play. This paper will take a look at the publication activity as noted in Thomson Reuters’ Web of Science over the past decade from a set of ten selected countries.
Creating value at the National Institutes of Health
Authors: King James , Belter Christopher W. , Burns Bridget , Davis MaShana
Published: September 2016

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Library meets the needs of the diverse NIH research community through a range of innovative services, resources, and knowledge. Based upon an understanding of the information industry and the mission and goals of NIH, the NIH Library offers a number of services that exploit data of various types to support assessment and create value. Understanding our users’ engagement with content (e.g., citations, behavioral data, research funding) allows us to provide personal and customized services including bibliometrics, collection assessment, and custom information solutions.
Adapted Factor-Type Imputation Strategies
Authors: Pandey R. , Yadav K. , Thakur N. S.
Published: September 2016

The present paper provides alternative improved Factor-Type (F-T) estimators of population mean in presence of item non-response for the practitioners. The proposed estimators have been shown to be more efficient than the four existing estimators which are more efficient than the usual ratio and the mean estimators. Optimum conditions for minimum mean squared error are obtained for the new estimators. Empirical comparisons based on three different data sets establish that the proposed estimators record least mean squared error and hence a substantial gain in Percentage Relative Efficiency (P.R.E.), over these five contemporary estimators.
Clinical Utility and Future Applications of PET/CT and PET/CMR in Cardiology
Authors: Pan Jonathan , Salerno Michael
Published: September 2016

Over the past several years, there have been major advances in cardiovascular positron emission tomography (PET) in combination with either computed tomography (CT) or, more recently, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). These multi-modality approaches have significant potential to leverage the strengths of each modality to improve the characterization of a variety of cardiovascular diseases and to predict clinical outcomes. This review will discuss current developments and potential future uses of PET/CT and PET/CMR for cardiovascular applications, which promise to add significant incremental benefits to the data provided by each modality alone.
MicroRNA-378 Alleviates Cerebral Ischemic Injury by Negatively Regulating Apoptosis Executioner Caspase-3
Authors: Zhang Nan , Zhong Jie , Han Song , Li Yun , Yin Yanling , Li Junfa
Published: September 2016

miRNAs have been linked to many human diseases, including ischemic stroke, and are being pursued as clinical diagnostics and therapeutic targets. Among the aberrantly expressed miRNAs in our previous report using large-scale microarray screening, the downregulation of miR-378 in the peri-infarct region of middle cerebral artery occluded (MCAO) mice can be reversed by hypoxic preconditioning (HPC). In this study, the role of miR-378 in the ischemic injury was further explored. We found that miR-378 levels significantly decreased in N2A cells following oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) treatment. Overexpression of miR-378 significantly enhanced cell viability, decreased TUNEL-positive cells and the immunoreactivity of cleaved-caspase-3. Conversely, downregulation of miR-378 aggravated OGD-induced apoptosis and ischemic injury. By using bioinformatic algorithms, we discovered that miR-378 may directly bind to the predicted 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of Caspase-3 gene. The protein level of caspase-3 increased significantly upon OGD treatment, and can be downregulated by pri-miR-378 transfection. The luciferase reporter assay confirmed the binding of miR-378 to the 3′-UTR of Caspase-3 mRNA and repressed its translation. In addition, miR-378 agomir decreased cleaved-caspase-3 ratio, reduced infarct volume and neural cell death induced by MCAO. Furthermore, caspase-3 knockdown could reverse anti-miR-378 mediated neuronal injury. Taken together, our data demonstrated that miR-378 attenuated ischemic injury by negatively regulating the apoptosis executioner, caspase-3, providing a potential therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.
Restoration of Immune Responsiveness to Glioma by Vaccination of Mice with Established Brain Gliomas with a Semi-Allogeneic Vaccine
Authors: Gattoni-Celli Sebastiano , Young M.
Published: September 2016

Prior studies had shown the clinical efficacy of a semi-allogeneic glioma vaccine in mice with lethal GL261 gliomas. This was confirmed in the present study. As subcutaneous vaccination resulted in protection against tumor in the brain, the present study assessed the impact of this vaccination of mice bearing established GL261 brain gliomas on their cytokine production upon in vitro exposure to tumor-derived products. Mice with established GL261 brain gliomas were vaccinated subcutaneously with H-2b GL261 glioma cells fused with H-2d RAG-neo cells or with a mock vaccine of phosphate-buffered saline. The results of these analyses show that the presence of GL261 tumor-conditioned medium resulted in increased production of Th1, inflammatory and inhibitory cytokines by spleen cells from control mice and from vaccinated glioma-bearing mice. In contrast, spleen cells of tumor-bearing, mock-vaccinated mice produced lower levels of cytokines in the presence of tumor-conditioned media. However, these results also show that there was not a heightened level of cytokine production in the presence of tumor-conditioned medium by spleen cells of vaccinated mice over the production by spleen cells of control mice. Overall, these results show that vaccination slows growth of the GL261 tumors to the point where GL261-vaccinated mice do not show the signs of morbidly or splenic dysfunction exhibited by unvaccinated, late stage glioma-bearing mice.
Cannibalism Affects Core Metabolic Processes in Helicoverpa armigera Larvae—A 2D NMR Metabolomics Study
Authors: Vergara Fredd , Shino Amiu , Kikuchi Jun
Published: September 2016

Cannibalism is known in many insect species, yet its impact on insect metabolism has not been investigated in detail. This study assessed the effects of cannibalism on the metabolism of fourth-instar larvae of the non-predatory insect Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidotera: Noctuidea). Two groups of larvae were analyzed: one group fed with fourth-instar larvae of H. armigera (cannibal), the other group fed with an artificial plant diet. Water-soluble small organic compounds present in the larvae were analyzed using two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and principal component analysis (PCA). Cannibalism negatively affected larval growth. PCA of NMR spectra showed that the metabolic profiles of cannibal and herbivore larvae were statistically different with monomeric sugars, fatty acid- and amino acid-related metabolites as the most variable compounds. Quantitation of 1H-13C HSQC (Heteronuclear Single Quantum Coherence) signals revealed that the concentrations of glucose, glucono-1,5-lactone, glycerol phosphate, glutamine, glycine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, ornithine, proline, threonine and valine were higher in the herbivore larvae.
The Search for Covalently Ligandable Proteins in Biological Systems
Authors: Badshah Syed , Mabkhot Yahia
Published: September 2016

This commentary highlights the recent article published in Nature, June 2016, titled: “Proteome-wide covalent ligand discovery in native biological systems”. They screened the whole proteome of different human cell lines and cell lysates. Around 700 druggable cysteines in the whole proteome were found to bind the electrophilic fragments in both active and inactive states of the proteins. Their experiment and computational docking results agreed with one another. The usefulness of this study in terms of bringing a change in medicinal chemistry is highlighted here.
Incorporating Enhanced Decision-Making Capabilities into a Hybrid Simulator for Scheduling of Batch Processes
Authors: Joglekar Girish
Published: September 2016

A simulation model can accurately capture the details of product recipes in a batch process. By incorporating enhanced capabilities for making key assignment decisions in the simulation executive a model can mimic the experiential knowledge and rules employed in operating a process. As the process complexity and problem size increase using the mathematical programming (MP) techniques to generate schedules becomes increasingly difficult. A simulation run typically takes very little computation time and generates a schedule that is verifiable. Moreover, the model can be used to explore a wide range of parametric space to evaluate alternate policies and the impact of process uncertainties. Although there is no guarantee of optimality, the quality of schedules thus generated is very good and can be deployed in operations. In this paper the decision-making capabilities of the BATCHES simulator are presented with its application to a set of scheduling problems reported extensively in the literature. The results show that ‘smart’ simulation can be used effectively for a large set of scheduling problems.
Evaluation of Common Use Brominated Flame Retardant (BFR) Toxicity Using a Zebrafish Embryo Model
Authors: Usenko Crystal , Abel Erika , Hopkins Aaron , Martinez Gerardo , Tijerina Jonathan , Kudela Molly , Norris Nick , Joudeh Lana , Bruce Erica
Published: September 2016

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are used to reduce the flammability of plastics, textiles, and electronics. BFRs vary in their chemical properties and structures, and it is expected that these differences alter their biological interactions and toxicity. Zebrafish were used as the model organism for assessing the toxicity of nine structurally-diverse BFRs. In addition to monitoring for overt toxicity, the rate of spontaneous movement, and acetylcholinesterase and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were assessed following exposure. The toxicities of BFRs tested can be ranked by LC50 as tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) < 4,4′-isopropylidenebis[2-(2,6-dibromophenoxyl)ethanol] (TBBPA-OHEE) < Pentabromochlorocyclohexane (PBCH) < 2-ethylhexyl 2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (TBB) < hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) < hexabromobenzene (HBB) < Tetrabromophthalic anhydride (PHT4). No adverse effect was observed in di(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate (TBPH) or dibromoneopentyl glycol (DBNPG)-treated embryos. The rate of spontaneous movement was decreased in a concentration-dependent manner following exposure to four of the nine compounds. GST activity was elevated following treatment with PBCH, TBBPA, HBCD, and HBB. The results indicate that exposure to several BFRs may activate an antioxidant response and alter behavior during early development. Some of the BFRs, such as TBBPA and TBBPA-OHEE, induced adverse effects at concentrations lower than chemicals that are currently banned. These results suggest that zebrafish are sensitive to exposure to BFRs and can be used as a comparative screening model, as well as to determine alterations in behavior following exposure and probe mechanisms of action.
131I- und 99mTc-Uptake in fokalen Schilddrüsenautonomien
Authors: Kranert W. Tilman , Bockisch Benjamin , Korkusuz Hüdayi , Grünwald Frank , Happel Christian
Published: September 2016

Germany has developed into a country with a nationwide largely sufficient iodine supply due to improved alimentary iodine supply. The reduction of iodine uptake in focal autonomies induced by reduced iodine avidity was evaluated by Gotthardt et al. 2006, showing a significant decline of pertechnetate uptake up to the year 2004. Aim: This study was intended to carry this investigation forward to the present day to analyze the course of a conjectural stabilization of iodine uptake values. Patients, material, methods: 283 patients who underwent radioiodine therapy for focal thyroid were analyzed retrospectively. Pertechnetate uptake was measured scintigraphically, thyroid volume sonographically and iodine uptake by iodine uptake test. The uptake percentage in the autonomous volume was correlated with autonomous volume and the resulting values tracked over a time period of seven years. Results : Mean thyroid volume ranged from 24 to 29 ml, autonomous volume from 7.2 to 9.4 ml. Pertechnetate uptake ranged from 0.2 to 0.25%/ml autonomous volume. Iodine uptake values ranged from 3.2 to 4.2%/ml autonomous volume. None of the changes observed were statistically significant (all p>0.05). Conclusion: Prophylactic measures towards improvement of the general public´s iodine supply in Germany had led to a decline of pertechnetate and iodine uptake in the thyroid up until the turn of the millennium. The here presented data show a stabilization of 99mTc-Uptake. Our study could also show that actual iodine uptake has stabilized at a steady level over the preceding seven years.
REFLECTION OF PROPAGATING SLOW MAGNETO-ACOUSTIC WAVES IN HOT CORONAL LOOPS: MULTI-INSTRUMENT OBSERVATIONS AND NUMERICAL MODELING
Authors: Mandal Sudip , Yuan Ding , Fang Xia , Banerjee Dipankar , Pant Vaibhav , Doorsselaere Tom Van
Published: September 2016

Slow MHD waves are important tools for understanding coronal structures and dynamics. In this paper, we report a number of observations from the X-Ray Telescope (XRT) on board HINODE and Solar Dynamic Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) of reflecting longitudinal waves in hot coronal loops. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this kind as seen from the XRT and simultaneously with the AIA. The wave appears after a micro-flare occurs at one of the footpoints. We estimate the density and temperature of the loop plasma by performing differential emission measure (DEM) analysis on the AIA image sequence. The estimated speed of propagation is comparable to or lower than the local sound speed, suggesting it to be a propagating slow wave. The intensity perturbation amplitude, in every case, falls very rapidly as the perturbation moves along the loop and eventually vanishes after one or more reflections. To check the consistency of such reflection signatures with the obtained loop parameters, we perform a 2.5D MHD simulation, which uses the parameters obtained from our observation as inputs, and perform forward modeling to synthesize AIA 94 Å images. Analyzing the synthesized images, we obtain the same properties of the observables as for the real observation. From the analysis we conclude that a footpoint heating can generate a slow wave which then reflects back and forth in the coronal loop before fading. Our analysis of the simulated data shows that the main agent for this damping is anisotropic thermal conduction.
SWIFT COALESCENCE OF SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLES IN COSMOLOGICAL MERGERS OF MASSIVE GALAXIES
Authors: Khan Fazeel Mahmood , Fiacconi Davide , Mayer Lucio , Berczik Peter , Just Andreas
Published: September 2016

Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) are ubiquitous in galaxies with a sizable mass. It is expected that a pair of SMBHs originally in the nuclei of two merging galaxies would form a binary and eventually coalesce via a burst of gravitational waves. So far, theoretical models and simulations, focusing only on limited phases of the orbital decay of SMBHs under idealized conditions of the galaxy hosts, have been unable to directly predict the SMBH merger timescale from ab-initio galaxy formation theory. The predicted SMBH merger timescales are long, of order Gyrs, which could be problematic for future gravitational wave (GW) searches. Here, we present the first multi-scale ΛCDM cosmological simulation that follows the orbital decay of a pair of SMBHs in a merger of two typical massive galaxies at

, all the way to the final coalescence driven by GW emission. The two SMBHs, with masses

, settle quickly in the nucleus of the merger remnant. The remnant is triaxial and extremely dense due to the dissipative nature of the merger and the intrinsic compactness of galaxies at high redshift. Such properties naturally allow a very efficient hardening of the SMBH binary. The SMBH merger occurs in only ∼10 Myr after the galactic cores have merged, which is two orders of magnitude smaller than the Hubble time.
ULTRA-DEEP KS-BAND IMAGING OF THE HUBBLE FRONTIER FIELDS
Authors: Brammer Gabriel B. , Marchesini Danilo , Labbé Ivo , Spitler Lee , Lange-Vagle Daniel , Barker Elizbeth A. , Tanaka Masayuki , Fontana Adriano , Galametz Audrey , Ferré-Mateu Anna , Kodama Tadayuki , Lundgren Britt , Martis Nicholas , Muzzin Adam , Stefanon Mauro , Toft Sune , Wel Arjen van der , Vulcani Benedetta , Whitaker Katherine E.
Published: September 2016

We present an overview of the “KIFF” project, which provides ultra-deep K

s
-band imaging of all six of the Hubble Frontier Fields clusters, Abell 2744, MACS-0416, Abell S1063, Abell 370, MACS-0717, and MACS-1149. All of these fields have recently been observed with large allocations of Directors’ Discretionary Time with the Hubble and Spitzer telescopes, covering

and 3.6–4.5

, respectively. VLT/HAWK-I integrations of the first four fields reach 5σ limiting depths of

(AB, point sources) and have excellent image quality (FWHM ∼ 0.″4). The MACS-0717 and MACS-1149 fields are observable from the northern hemisphere, and shorter Keck/MOSFIRE integrations on those fields reach limiting depths of K

s
 = 25.5 and 25.1, with a seeing FWHM of ∼ 0.″4 and

. In all cases the K

s
-band mosaics cover the primary cluster and parallel HST/ACS+WFC3 fields. The total area of the K

s
-band coverage is 490 arcmin2. The K

s
-band at 2.2

crucially fills the gap between the reddest HST filter (1.6

band) and the IRAC 3.6

passband. While reaching the full depths of the space-based imaging is not currently feasible from the ground, the deep K

s
-band images provide important constraints on both the redshifts and the stellar population properties of galaxies extending well below the characteristic stellar mass across most of the age of the universe, down to and including the redshifts of the targeted galaxy clusters (

). Reduced, aligned mosaics of all six survey fields are provided.
Islamic Radicalism and Its Violent Exhibition in the Context of Balkan Region
Authors: Stojar Richard
Published: September 2016

The text deals with the development and display of radical Islamic streams in the context of Balkan region. It focuses on the historical development of the Balkan or European Islam which was completely different from the development in the rest of the Islam world and which is determining for the current position of contemporary Muslim population towards the European secularism or co-existence of different religious groups. The text summarizes the most important violent events which were tied with the Islamic radicals in the last decades and assess the risk potential for the future.
Physicochemical monitoring of wastewater from a sugar and ethanol industry after bioaugmentation, with a proposal for reuse
Authors: Perovano Filho Natalino , Silva Kelly Fernanda Seára da , Santos Elane Cristina Lourenço dos , Queissada Daniel Delgado , López Ana Maria Queijeiro
Published: September 2016

The sugar and ethanol industry generates large quantities of waste liquids. If untreated effluents are used in fertigation, they might contaminate groundwater and, if they are released into water bodies, they might also jeopardize the survival of the aquatic ecosystem. Therefore, the proposal of this study was to isolate microorganisms from the treatment station of a sugar and ethanol industry, assessing their enzymatic behavior and effects in laboratory, as well as the physicochemical improvement of the effluent. Following a bioaugmentation of the effluent, a physicochemical monitoring was performed with the purpose of reusing it in drip irrigation.
Contribution of understorey vegetation and soil processes to boreal forest isoprenoid exchange
Authors: Mäki Mari , Heinonsalo Jussi , Hellén Heidi , Bäck Jaana
Published: September 2016

Abstract. Boreal forest floor emits biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) from the understorey vegetation and the heterogeneous soil matrix, where the interactions of soil organisms and soil chemistry are complex. Earlier studies have focused on determining the net exchange of VOCs from the forest floor. Our study takes one step forward, with the aim of separately determining whether the photosynthesized carbon allocation to soil affects the isoprenoid production by different soil organisms, i.e. decomposers, mycorrhizal fungi, and roots. In each treatment, photosynthesized carbon allocation through roots for decomposers and mycorrhizal fungi was controlled by either preventing root ingrowth (50 μm mesh size) or the ingrowth of roots and fungi (1μm mesh) into the soil volume, which is called the trenching approach. We measured isoprenoid fluxes using dynamic (steady-state flow-through) chambers from the different treatments. We also aimed to analyze how important the understorey vegetation is as a VOC sink. Finally, we constructed a statistical model based on prevailing temperature, seasonality, trenching treatments, understory vegetation cover, above canopy photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), soil water content, and soil temperature to estimate isoprenoid fluxes. The final model included parameters with a statistically significant effect on the isoprenoid fluxes. Our results show that the boreal forest floor emits monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and isoprene. Monoterpenes were the most common group of emitted isoprenoids, and the average flux from the non-trenched forest floor was 23 μg m−2 h−1. Our results show that different biological factors, including litterfall, carbon availability, biological activity in the soil, and physico-chemical processes, such as volatilization and absorption to the surfaces, are important at various times of the year. We also discovered that understorey vegetation is a strong sink of monoterpenes. Our statistical model, based on prevailing temperature, seasonality, vegetation effect, and the interaction of these parameters, explained 43% of the monoterpene fluxes, and 34–46 % of individual α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene and Δ3-carene fluxes.
Testing the impact of stratigraphic uncertainty on spectral analyses of sedimentary series
Authors: Martinez Mathieu , Kotov Sergey , De Vleeschouwer David , Pas Damien , Pälike Heiko
Published: September 2016

Abstract. Spectral analysis is a key tool for identifying periodic patterns in sedimentary sequences, including astronomically related orbital signals. While most spectral analysis methods require equally spaced samples, this condition is rarely achieved either in the field or when sampling sediment core. Here, we propose a method to assess the impact of the uncertainty or error made in the measurement of the sample stratigraphic position on the resulting power spectra. We apply a Monte Carlo procedure to randomise the sample steps of depth series using a gamma distribution. Such a distribution preserves the stratigraphic order of samples and allows controlling the average and the variance of the distribution of sample distances after randomisation. We apply the Monte Carlo procedure on two geological datasets and find that gamma distribution of sample distances completely smooths the spectrum at high frequencies and decreases the power and significance levels of the spectral peaks in an important proportion of the spectrum. At 5 % of stratigraphic uncertainty, a small portion of the spectrum is completely smoothed. Taking at least three samples per thinnest cycle of interest should allow this cycle to be still observed in the spectrum, while taking at least four samples per thinnest cycle of interest should allow its significance levels to be preserved in the spectrum. At 10 and 15 % uncertainty, these thresholds increase, and taking at least four samples per thinnest cycle of interest should allow the targeted cycles to be still observed in the spectrum. In addition, taking at least 10 samples per thinnest cycle of interest should allow their significance levels to be preserved. For robust applications of the power spectrum in further studies, we suggest providing a strong control of the measurement of the sample position. A density of 10 samples per putative precession cycle is a safe sampling density for preserving spectral power and significance level in the Milankovitch band. For lower sampling density, the use of gamma-law simulations should help in assessing the impact of stratigraphic uncertainty in the power spectrum in the Milankovitch band. Gamma-law simulations can also model the distortions of the Milankovitch record in sedimentary series due to variations in the sedimentation rate.