bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Recurrent Selection on the Genetic Structure of Two Broad‐Based Spanish Maize Populations
Authors: Romay M. Cinta , Butrón Ana , Ordás Amando , Revilla Pedro , Ordás Bernardo
Published: June 2012

Maize (Zea mays L.) landraces are useful materials that can introduce new diversity into breeding programs, but they will need to be selected to maximize their agronomic performance. The objective of this study was to use molecular markers to investigate the changes in the genetic diversity and structure over the cycles of a maize breeding program that combined intra‐ and interpopulation recurrent selection for grain yield in two broad‐based Spanish maize composites. Using 76 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and two flowering time related indels, this study looked at 10 populations derived from a breeding program designed to exploit the heterotic pattern northern Spain × southern Spain. Agronomic evaluations demonstrated that the selection effectively increased the yield of the composites and their crosses, but, as the molecular data from this study show, the improvement was at the expense of some variability. The genetic distance between populations increased with selection, which is accordant with the increment of heterosis found in the agronomic evaluation. The changes observed were consistent with a model in which genetic drift is the main force, although selection could also play a role in the changes observed in EPS7 and EPS13. Allele frequencies changed significantly for one marker during intrapopulation selection and three markers under interpopulation selection, pointing to regions 3.04, 7.03, 9.01, and 9.03 as quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to grain yield.
Production and Economics of Steers Grazing Tall Fescue with Annual Legumes or Fertilized with Nitrogen
Authors: Interrante Sindy M. , Biermacher Jon T. , Kering Maru K. , Butler Twain J.
Published: June 2012

Use of cool‐season forage legumes may decrease production costs and improve returns to beef cattle (Bos spp.) producers. The objective of this 3‐yr field study was to compare the performance and economics of stocker cattle grazing tall fescue {Festuca arundinacea Schreb. [syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort] ‘Texoma MaxQ II’} under two N systems. Paddocks (0.81 ha) were either a tall fescue with 112 kg N ha−1 (fertilized so that a total of soil residual N plus fertilizer would equal 112 kg N ha−1) (TF‐N) or contained a tall fescue with annual legume mixture (arrowleaf clover [Trifolium vesiculosum Savi], hairy vetch [Vicia villosa Roth], and field pea [Pisum sativum L.] (TF‐Leg). Steers (Bos taurus; 282 ± 67 kg initial body weight) were weighed every 28 d during each grazing season, and stocking rates were adjusted based on forage mass with put‐and‐take steers. In each 28‐d grazing period, forage mass, forage allowance, and stocker average daily gain (ADG) and total gain (TG) were measured. Results show a greater number of grazing days (429 and 334 d ha−1, respectively; p = 0.03) were associated with the TF‐N system than the TF‐Leg system while animal performance (ADG of 0.70 kg per head d−1; p = 0.61) and TG (296 and 237 kg ha−1; p = 0.10) were similar. The 3‐yr average total cost with establishment and gross revenue were similar between the TF‐N (US$460.67 and $691.16 ha−1, respectively) and TF‐Leg systems ($466.79 and $553.33 ha−1, respectively). However, the TF‐N system showed a tendency toward greater expected net return than the TF‐Leg system ($224.35 and $92.67 ha−1, respectively; p = 0.08).
Production and Economics of Grazing Steers on Rye–Annual Ryegrass with Legumes or Fertilized with Nitrogen
Authors: Butler Twain J. , Biermacher Jon T. , Kering Maru K. , Interrante Sindy M.
Published: June 2012

Cool‐season legumes have potential to replace N fertilizer in annual cool‐season grass pastures, thus improving returns to producers. The objective of this 3‐yr study was to compare the performance and economics of stocker cattle (Bos spp.) grazing rye (Secale cereale L.)–annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) under two N systems. Paddocks were planted in early September 2008 through 2010 and contained rye–annual ryegrass with 112 kg N ha−1 (fertilized so that a total of soil residual N plus fertilizer N would equal 112 kg N ha−1) (RR‐N) or contained a rye–annual ryegrass with annual legume mixture (arrowleaf clover [Trifolium vesiculosum Savi], field pea [Pisum sativum L.], and hairy vetch [Vicia villosa Roth]) (RR‐Leg). Steers (307 ± 55 kg initial body weight) were weighed every 28 d and stocking rates were adjusted based on forage mass with put‐and‐take steers. Forage mass, forage allowance, and stocker average daily gain (ADG) and total gain (TG) were measured every 28 d. Results show similar performance between RR‐N and RR‐Leg systems in grazing days (average 367 d ha−1), ADG (average 1.065 kg per head d−1), and TG (average 390 kg ha−1). While the 3‐yr average total cost associated with the RR‐N system (US$569.88 ha−1) was greater than the RR‐Leg system ($550.57 ha−1), there were no differences in gross revenue (average $815.91 ha−1) or expected net returns (average $255.68 ha−1) between systems. Annual legumes could be a viable replacement for commercial N fertilizer in rye–annual ryegrass pastures although adoption may be limited due to ease of N fertilizer application.
Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci Linked to Drought Tolerance in a Colonial × Creeping Bentgrass Hybrid Population
Authors: Merewitz Emily B. , Belanger Faith C. , Warnke Scott E. , Huang Bingru
Published: June 2012

Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for drought tolerance will allow for detection of important genomic regions associated with specific drought tolerance traits. This study aimed to identify QTL for drought tolerance traits in a colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris L.) × creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) hybrid backcross population. The traits included relative water content (RWC), turf quality (TQ), electrolyte leakage (EL), chlorophyll content (CHL), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and canopy temperature depression (CTD). A colonial × creeping bentgrass hybrid backcross population segregating for drought tolerance was exposed to drought stress by withholding irrigation in three different locations or environmental conditions (two greenhouse studies in two different years, 2009 and 2010, and a growth chamber study in 2010). Phenotypic trait data were collected in these studies. Significant variation in the parents and the progenies occurred for phenotypic traits and the broad‐sense heritability values indicated that the traits were polygenic in nature. A total of 32 potential QTL of varying effects (31 major and 1 minor) were detected on seven chromosomes. Significant overlap of QTL was found, particularly for CHL and CTD on 1A1, CTD, CHL, EL, and NDVI on linkage group 2A1, CTD and TQ on 2A2, TQ and RWC on 5A1 and 5A2, and TQ and CHL on 5A2. The QTL with the strongest effect for each trait (highest likelihood of the odds [LOD] and percent of phenotypic variance explained by the QTL) were CTD (4.19, 18.8%), CHL (4.23, 18.9%), EL (3.25, 14.9%), and NDVI (4.12, 22.4%) on group 2A1, RWC (3.27, 15.7%) on group 5A1, and TQ (4.38, 19.5%) on group 5A2. The analysis of potential genes in the QTL regions for these physiological traits indicate that the QTL may be linked to metabolic factors involved in N metabolism and energy metabolism such as photosynthesis and respiration. The QTL regions identified here could contain important genetic factors conferring drought tolerance in bentgrass species.
Institutional change in water management collaboration: implementing the European Water Framework Directive in the German Odra river basin
Authors: Meyer Claas , Thiel Andreas
Published: June 2012

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is in the process of restructuring the European water policy towards river basin management (RBM). The transposition of the WFD requires institutional change in order to comply with its substantive and procedural requirements. This paper investigates changes in water management collaboration in a federally organised Member State with regard to the configuration of involved actors and the spatial scale at which issues are considered. Based on qualitative methods, the paper presents a case study of the German Odra river basin and the governance of nutrient pollution whose origins are located all along the river and which specifically impacts coastal zones. We looked at actors most relevant to this management problem, that is, public administrations operating within different administrative boundaries, the agricultural sector and environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs). In order to capture institutional change, a conceptual framework was constructed to evaluate changes in collaboration on three interrelated levels: formal institutional change, informal institutional change and changes in actors’ mental models. We explain complex institutional change as a product of multiple dynamics, which includes the content of shared mental models and a benefit–cost calculation that takes transaction costs into consideration.
Analyzing sanitation characteristics in the urban slums of East Africa
Authors: Szántó Gábor L. , Letema S. C. , Tukahirwa J. T. , Mgana S. , Oosterveer P. J. M. , van Buuren J. C. L.
Published: June 2012

Urban slums in East Africa exhibit deplorable sanitary conditions. Despite (inter)national efforts, slum sanitation provision remains inadequate and the projected population growth forecasts a worsening of this crisis. The core of the problem is that available knowledge about the local feasibility of the currently applied sanitary methods is limited. This paper analyses the interface of sanitation policy and technology domains by reviewing the distribution and local characteristics of current centralized and decentralized sanitation options. The findings confirm that conventional, centralized sanitation is an unrealistic solution for application in slums. Simplified sewerage may prove appropriate, but the reported initiatives are in the planning phase only. At present, only decentralized sanitation options are found to be viable in the assessed slums, but their servicing is increasingly neglected by the municipal authorities. The quasi-monopoly of pit latrines implies that improved sanitation technologies are not sufficiently rooted yet. Public toilets are crucial to these slums, especially where land tenure issues prevail. Although the potential of ecological sanitation is currently negligible, novel biocenter initiatives are promising. Municipal authorities are advised to prioritize the implementation of elsewhere successful slum sanitation technologies and to integrate appropriate decentral solutions into their predominantly centralized sanitation schemes.
Evaluating Jakarta's flood defence governance: the impact of political and institutional reforms
Authors: Simanjuntak Imelda , Frantzeskaki Niki , Enserink Bert , Ravesteijn Wim
Published: June 2012

Flood defence management in Jakarta is a critical governmental activity, since Jakarta is a low-lying delta metropolis. Its protection against flooding is crucial for the continuing of economic activities. Despite the urgent need for action, the implementation of flood defences like the Eastern Flood Canal has been a lengthy and strenuous process. The first plans to construct the Canal date back to the early 1970s and gained support early during the policy design process but the actual construction only started in 2003 after institutional and political changes. Earlier evaluations point to a lack of financial resources as a cause of delayed implementation. We have explored the causes beyond budgetary reasons, and have used Kingdon's streams model to structure the policy design and implementation process, and to analyze the co-evolution of politics (the political stream), policies (the solutions stream) and social-ecological context (the problem stream). We have paid due attention to the effects of decentralization and the realized political reforms. Our research has revealed three causes for the implementation delay: (a) the disconnection of political and institutional developments for problems and solutions before 1998; (b) institutional misalignment between municipal and ministerial authorities; and (c) an absence of critical actors in the policy process despite their control of financial and administrative resources. Implementation was only feasible when political and institutional developments coincided.
Regulations, legislation, and guidelines for artificial surface water and groundwater tracer tests in Canada
Authors: Wolkersdorfer Christian , LeBlanc Jenna
Published: June 2012

This paper describes Canadian federal and provincial regulations, legislation, and guidelines for artificial tracer tests, where substances are released into water, and provides a world-wide comparison. Alberta is currently the only Canadian province with guidelines and regulations relating to those tests. None of the other provinces have specific tracer test regulations in place, though the injection of artificial substances into waters is covered by Section 36(3) of the federal Fisheries Act. Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut sometimes require a permit to conduct a tracer test, and Quebec is planning to implement guidelines and regulations based on Michigan/USA Environmental Quality guidelines. In each case Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Environment Canada, and the Provincial environment departments should be contacted and the proposed test described as detailed as necessary. We present potential tracers, such as uranine (sodium fluorescein), or Rhodamine WT, that can be used in artificial tracer tests. This study is the result of contacting personnel from organizations such as Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, provincial departments of environment, researchers, and consultants.
Utilising integrated urban water management to assess the viability of decentralised water solutions
Authors: Burn Stewart , Maheepala Shiroma , Sharma Ashok
Published: June 2012

Cities worldwide are challenged by a number of urban water issues associated with climate change, population growth and the associated water scarcity, wastewater flows and stormwater run-off. To address these problems decentralised solutions are increasingly being considered by water authorities, and integrated urban water management (IUWM) has emerged as a potential solution to most of these urban water challenges, and as the key to providing solutions incorporating decentralised concepts at a city wide scale. To incorporate decentralised options, there is a need to understand their performance and their impact on a city's total water cycle under alternative water and land management options. This includes changes to flow, nutrient and sediment regimes, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and the impacts on rivers, aquifers and estuaries. Application of the IUWM approach to large cities demands revisiting the fundamental role of water system design in sustainable city development. This paper uses the extended urban metabolism model (EUMM) to expand a logical definition for the aims of IUWM, and discusses the role of decentralised systems in IUWM and how IUWM principles can be incorporated into urban water planning.
New approaches to characterizing and understanding biofouling of spiral wound membrane systems
Authors: van Loosdrecht Mark C. M. , Bereschenko Ludmilla , Radu Andrea , Kruithof Joop C. , Picioreanu Cristian , Johns Michael L. , Vrouwenvelder Hans S.
Published: June 2012

Historically, biofouling research on spiral wound membrane systems is typically problem solving oriented. Membrane modules are studied as black box systems, investigated by autopsies. Biofouling is not a simple process. Many factors influence each other in a non-linear fashion. These features make biofouling a subject which is not easy to study using a fundamental scientific approach. Nevertheless to solve or minimize the negative impacts of biofouling, a clear understanding of the interacting basic principles is needed. Recent research into microbiological characterizing of biofouling, small scale test units, application of in situ visualization methods, and model approaches allow such an integrated study of biofouling.
Adsorption study of a commonly used antidepressant drug, fluoxetine hydrochloride, onto a crosslinked β-cyclodextrin-carboxymethylcellulose polymer
Authors: Bonenfant Danielle , Mimeault Murielle , Niquette Patrick , Hausler Robert
Published: June 2012

A study was carried out by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies to establish the efficiency of adsorption of fluoxetine hydrochloride (FLU), onto a crosslinked β-cyclodextrin-carboxymethylcellulose (β-CD-CMC) polymer. The adsorption was performed in mixtures containing aqueous FLU solution at 20 mg/L and 0.01–0.30 g of the β-CD-CMC polymer, at 25 °C, and atmospheric pressure under stirring. The results have revealed that the adsorption is a rapid process and the polymer possesses a high affinity for FLU with an adsorption capacity of 5.076 mg of FLU/g of polymer. This adsorption may involve the formation of a stable inclusion compound β-CD-CMC/FLU through the penetration of the FLU aromatic ring (A and/or B) into the β-CD cavity, and a physical adsorption with the polymer network. The inclusion compound can be stabilized by the formation of H-bonds between the –CF3 group of FLU and the 6′-OH group of β-CD, and van der Waals interactions between the FLU aromatic ring and β-CD cavity. The data from a kinetic study have also indicated that the adsorption process was well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, in which the initial adsorption rate and constant were estimated at 1.938 mg/g min and 0.075 g/mg min, respectively. Moreover, the results of adsorption equilibrium fitted the Freundlich isotherm, indicating a multilayer coverage and heterogeneous surface. Together, these results suggest that the adsorption of FLU onto the crosslinked β-CD-CMC polymer could constitute an advantageous technology for removing this commonly used antidepressant drug from wastewater due to the high adsorption capacity of the polymer and non-toxic character of β-CD to humans and environment.
Co-precipitation of Ni, Cr, Mn, Pb and Zn in industrial wastewater and sediment samples with copper(II) cyclo-hexylmethyldithiocarbamate for their flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination
Authors: Ipeaiyeda Ayodele Rotimi , Odola Adekunle Johnson
Published: June 2012

A co-precipitation technique for nickel(II), chromium(II), manganese(II), lead(II) and zinc(II) with the aid of copper(II) cyclo-hexylmethyldithiocarbamate was established. The influences of some analytical parameters such as pH, sample volume, amounts of cyclo-hexylmethyldithiocarbamate and copper(II) on the recovery of metal ions were investigated. The heavy metals in the precipitate were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The range of detection limits for the heavy metals was 0.003–0.005 mg/L. The atomic spectrometric technique with co-precipitation procedure was successfully applied for the determination of Ni, Cr, Mn, Pb and Zn in industrial wastewater and sediment samples from Ladipo stream in Lagos, Nigeria. The mean concentrations for these metals using co-precipitation procedure were not significantly different from corresponding concentrations obtained using spectrometric techniques without co-precipitation procedure.
Development of a comprehensive plan for utilization of digester gas moves towards energy self-sufficiency in Chicago, USA
Authors: Kunetz Thomas E. , Fink-Finowicki Jarek , McGowan Steve , Auerbach Eric
Published: June 2012

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago's Stickney Water Reclamation Plant (SWRP) anaerobically digests approximately 430 dry tons per day (dtpd) (390 dry metric tons per day) of solids and produces 3.4 million ft3/day (96 thousand m3/day) of biogas from the anaerobic digesters, making it one of the largest municipal digester gas complexes in the world. Installation of new treatment processes, as well as future increases in flows and loads to the plant, are expected to significantly increase production of biologically degradable sludge and biogas. This paper presents a comprehensive planning study that was completed to identify and evaluate alternatives for utilization of this biogas. The best, sustainable approach was identified, taking into consideration economics, social impacts, and environmental impacts. The model results indicate that the most economically favorable scenario involves installing a cogeneration facility to produce electricity on-site, and operating it in conjunction with the plant's existing boilers to satisfy the heating needs of the plant. This scenario also provides the greatest reduction in GHG offsets at the power plants.
Removal of bacteriophages with different surface charges by diverse ceramic membrane materials in pilot spiking tests
Authors: Hambsch B. , Bösl M. , Eberhagen I. , Müller U.
Published: June 2012

This study examines mechanisms for removal of bacteriophages (MS2 and phiX174) by ceramic membranes without application of flocculants. The ceramic membranes considered included ultra- and microfiltration membranes of different materials. Phages were spiked into the feed water in pilot scale tests in a waterworks. The membranes with pore sizes of 10 nm provided a 2.5–4.0 log removal of the phages. For pore sizes of 50 nm, the log removal dropped to 0.96–1.8. The membrane with a pore size of 200 nm did not remove phages. So, the removal of both MS2- and phiX174-phages depended on the pore size of the membranes. But apart from pore size also other factors influence the removal of phages. Removal was 0.5–0.9 log higher for MS2-phages compared with phiX174-phages. Size exclusion seems to be the major but not the only mechanism which influences the efficiency of phage removal by ceramic membranes.
In situ source zone sediment mixing coupled to groundwater biostimulation to enhance phenol natural attenuation
Authors: da Silva Marcio Luis Busi , Wendt Marcos Felipe , de Oliveira José Carlos Silveira , Schneider Marcio Roberto
Published: June 2012

Phenol is an industrially key compound that has a wide range of applications and also one of the most commonly found toxic pollutants in wastewaters and groundwater. This paper demonstrates the applicability of in situ remediation at a deactivated industrial site using source zone excavation and sediment mixing associated with nutrients delivery into groundwater. Sediment excavation and mixing displaced the entrapped source zone enhancing mass transfer into groundwater and contaminant bioavailability. A nutrient solution prepared with nitrate, phosphate, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide was continuously delivered into groundwater to stimulate biodegradation and restrict plume migration. The observed correlation between phenol-dependent Enterobacteriaceae concentrations throughout the remediation time frame supported circumstantial evidence of biodegradation. Phenol concentration in groundwater (up to 1,300 mg/L) was reduced >99% after 5 months following remediation and remained under the established site specific target level (4 mg/L). Nitrate and phosphate concentrations returned to background concentrations levels at the end of the remediation. Overall, the proposed in situ remediation scheme was effective to remediate this particular aquifer contaminated with phenol for over 20 years.
Temporal scale effect of loading data on instream nitrate-nitrogen load computation
Authors: Patil Abhijit , Deng Zhiqiang
Published: June 2012

The temporal scale effect of loading data on nitrate-nitrogen load computation was examined using outputs of watershed modeling tool Hydrologic Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF) for the Amite River in Louisiana, USA. The daily nitrate-nitrogen concentrations simulated using the HSPF were employed first to obtain daily, weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly average data and then to develop load duration curves for the data with four different temporal scales. The duration curves exhibited high variability in the load estimated using daily data as compared with those based on bi-weekly and monthly data. According to daily data, the nitrate-nitrogen load in the winter was found to be 2,780 kg. The nitrate-nitrogen load decreased with increasing temporal (daily, weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly) scale (commonly used in water quality monitoring) of the data. The coefficient of variation, used to quantify the effect of temporal scale on the load, was found to be linearly and inversely correlated with the logarithm of the time scale. Based on the finding, empirical equations were proposed to extrapolate near real-time data for flow and nitrate-nitrogen, greatly simplifying nutrient monitoring and reducing the cost involved in water quality monitoring.
Grey water characterization and treatment for reuse in an arid environment
Authors: Smith E. , Bani-Melhem K.
Published: June 2012

Grey water from a university facilities building in Cairo, Egypt was analysed for basic wastewater parameters. Mean concentrations were calculated based on grab samples over a 16-month period. Values for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and nutrients exceeded values reported in a number of other studies of grey water, while coliform counts were also high. A submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR) system using a hollow fibre ultrafiltration membrane was used to treat the grey water with the aim of producing effluent that meets reuse guidelines for agriculture. A test run for 50 days at constant transmembrane pressure resulted in very good removal for key parameters including COD, total suspended solids (TSS), colour, turbidity, ammonia nitrogen, anionic surfactants, and coliform bacteria. High standard deviations were observed for COD and coliform concentrations for both monthly grab samples and influent values from the 50-day SMBR experiment. SMBR effluent meets international and local guidelines for at least restricted irrigation, particularly as pertains to COD, TSS, and faecal coliforms which were reduced to mean treated values of 50 mg/L, 0 mg/L (i.e., not detected), and <50 cfu/100 mL, respectively.
Involuntary psychiatric hospitalization: Current status and future prospects
Authors: Kallert Thomas
Published: June 2012

The general aims of this article are: a) to cover the current status of
research on the important clinical and human rights issue of involuntary
psychiatric hospitalization, and b) to discuss some factors which might
influence future developments in this area of mental health care provision.
Firstly, the article will outline main results from two literature reviews on
outcomes of involuntary hospital admission. Secondly, selected results from
the clinical part of a recent European multi-site research project on
coercion in psychiatry (Acronym: EUNOMIA) will be presented in detail on the
following issues: the association of patients? views of involuntary hospital
admission and differences in legislation, patient characteristics associated
with more or less positive outcomes of coerced hospital admission, coercive
measures (e.g. mechanical restraint, seclusion and forced medication) used
during these hospitalizations. Thirdly and finally, the article will shed
some light on future prospects of this topic. Thus, some recommendations for
best clinical practice in the use of involuntary hospital admission will be
discussed, and arguments for two future scenarios, increase vs. decrease of
involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations, will be contrasted and analyzed.
Immune Regulatory Properties of Allogeneic Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Experimental Autoimmune Diabetes
Authors: Bassi Ênio J. , Moraes-Vieira Pedro M.M. , Moreira-Sá Carla S.R. , Almeida Danilo C. , Vieira Leonardo M. , Cunha Cláudia S. , Hiyane Meire I. , Basso Alexandre S. , Pacheco-Silva Alvaro , Câmara Niels O.S.
Published: June 2012

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) display immunosuppressive properties, suggesting a promising therapeutic application in several autoimmune diseases, but their role in type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the immune regulatory properties of allogeneic ADMSC therapy in T cell–mediated autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice. ADMSC treatment reversed the hyperglycemia of early-onset diabetes in 78% of diabetic NOD mice, and this effect was associated with higher serum insulin, amylin, and glucagon-like peptide 1 levels compared with untreated controls. This improved outcome was associated with downregulation of the CD4+ Th1-biased immune response and expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the pancreatic lymph nodes. Within the pancreas, inflammatory cell infiltration and interferon-γ levels were reduced, while insulin, pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1, and active transforming growth factor-β1 expression were increased. In vitro, ADMSCs induced the expansion/proliferation of Tregs in a cell contact–dependent manner mediated by programmed death ligand 1. In summary, ADMSC therapy efficiently ameliorates autoimmune diabetes pathogenesis in diabetic NOD mice by attenuating the Th1 immune response concomitant with the expansion/proliferation of Tregs, thereby contributing to the maintenance of functional β-cells. Thus, this study may provide a new perspective for the development of ADMSC-based cellular therapies for T1D.
Adipose Tissue MicroRNAs as Regulators of CCL2 Production in Human Obesity
Authors: Arner Erik , Mejhert Niklas , Kulyté Agné , Balwierz Piotr J. , Pachkov Mikhail , Cormont Mireille , Lorente-Cebrián Silvia , Ehrlund Anna , Laurencikiene Jurga , Hedén Per , Dahlman-Wright Karin , Tanti Jean-François , Hayashizaki Yoshihide , Rydén Mikael , Dahlman Ingrid , van Nimwegen Erik , Daub Carsten O. , Arner Peter
Published: June 2012

In obesity, white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammation is linked to insulin resistance. Increased adipocyte chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) secretion may initiate adipose inflammation by attracting the migration of inflammatory cells into the tissue. Using an unbiased approach, we identified adipose microRNAs (miRNAs) that are dysregulated in human obesity and assessed their possible role in controlling CCL2 production. In subcutaneous WAT obtained from 56 subjects, 11 miRNAs were present in all subjects and downregulated in obesity. Of these, 10 affected adipocyte CCL2 secretion in vitro and for 2 miRNAs (miR-126 and miR-193b), regulatory circuits were defined. While miR-126 bound directly to the 3′-untranslated region of CCL2 mRNA, miR-193b regulated CCL2 production indirectly through a network of transcription factors, many of which have been identified in other inflammatory conditions. In addition, overexpression of miR-193b and miR-126 in a human monocyte/macrophage cell line attenuated CCL2 production. The levels of the two miRNAs in subcutaneous WAT were significantly associated with CCL2 secretion (miR-193b) and expression of integrin, α-X, an inflammatory macrophage marker (miR-193b and miR-126). Taken together, our data suggest that miRNAs may be important regulators of adipose inflammation through their effects on CCL2 release from human adipocytes and macrophages.
Oxidative Stress–Induced JNK1/2 Activation Triggers Proapoptotic Signaling and Apoptosis That Leads to Diabetic Embryopathy
Authors: Li Xuezheng , Weng Hongbo , Xu Cheng , Reece E. Albert , Yang Peixin
Published: June 2012

Oxidative stress and apoptosis are implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic embryopathy. The proapoptotic c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNK)1/2 activation is associated with diabetic embryopathy. We sought to determine whether 1) hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress is responsible for the activation of JNK1/2 signaling, 2) JNK1 contributes to the teratogenicity of hyperglycemia, and 3) both JNK1 and JNK2 activation cause activation of downstream transcription factors, caspase activation, and apoptosis, resulting in neural tube defects (NTDs). Wild-type (WT) embryos from nondiabetic WT dams and WT, superoxide dismutase (SOD)1–overexpressing, jnk1+/−, jnk1−/−, and jnk2−/− embryos exposed to maternal hyperglycemia were used to assess JNK1/2 activation, NTDs, activation of transcription factors downstream of JNK1/2, caspase cascade, and apoptosis. SOD1 overexpression abolished diabetes-induced activation of JNK1/2 and their downstream effectors: phosphorylation of c-Jun, activating transcription factor 2, and E twenty-six–like transcription factor 1 and dephosphorylation of forkhead box class O3a. jnk1−/− embryos had significantly lower incidences of NTDs than those of WT or jnk1+/− embryos. Either jnk1 or jnk2 gene deletion blocked diabetes-induced activation of JNK1/2 signaling, caspases 3 and 8, and apoptosis in Sox1+ neural progenitors of the developing neural tube. Our results show that JNK1 and JNK2 are equally involved in diabetic embryopathy and that the oxidative stress–JNK1/2–caspase pathway mediates the proapoptotic signals and the teratogenicity of maternal diabetes.
Probing the QCD phase boundary with elliptic flow in relativistic heavy ion collisions at STAR
Authors: Shi Shusu
Published: June 2012

We present measurement of elliptic flow, v
2, for charged and identified particles at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt {s_{NN} } $ = 7.7–39 GeV. We compare the inclusive charged hadron v
2 to those from transport model calculations, such as the UrQMD model, AMPT default model and AMPT string-melting model. We discuss the energy dependence of the difference in v
2 between particles and anti-particles. The v
2 of ϕ meson is observed to be systematically lower than other particles in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt {s_{NN} } $ = 11.5 GeV.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hypertension in Adults Living in Central Development Region of Nepal
Authors: Chataut J , Adhikari R K , Sinha N P
Published: June 2012

Background Hypertension is the commonest cardiovascular disorder and now regarded as major public health problem. It is a precursor to major diseases like myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure etc. There are very limited community based data on hypertension in Nepal, so, information on the prevalence of hypertension in the population is desirable. Objectives To estimate the prevalence of hypertension and to explore the risk factors associated with hypertension. Methods In a cross sectional study , a total of 527 subjects (males n=214 and females n=313) participated in our study (age ?18 years). The participants underwent anthropometric measurement and blood pressure and answered a pretested questionnaire. Hypertension was defined as per JNC VII criteria. Results Overall prevalence of hypertension was 22.4% (males: 32.7% and female: 15.3%). Age specific prevalence of hypertension showed significant progressive increase in blood pressure ranging from 8% to 35%. Almost 40% of hypertensives did not know about their status. Bivariate analysis showed significant relationship of hypertension with gender, age, literacy, physical inactivity, body mass index (BMI), smoking and alcohol consumption. Multivariate analysis excluded literacy but all other risk factors continued to show positive association with hypertension. Conclusion Being elderly, less physical activity, obese/overweight, smoking and alcohol consumption are significant risk factors of hypertension. Therefore, intervention measures are warranted emphasizing on modifiable risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and obesity to prevent hypertension.http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i1.6255 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(1):13-18
Trends of Rotavirus in Nepal
Authors: Pandey B D , Pun S B
Published: June 2012

Background Rotavirus gastroenteritis is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and young children worldwide. Safe and effective rotavirus vaccine is needed to have significant impact on severe rotavirus gastroenteritis. Currently, two live oral rotavirus vaccines have been licensed in many countries. Knowledge on distribution of human rotavirus of G and P types are essential before rotavirus vaccines are introduced in the target populations. Objective To observe the trends of rotavirus strains in children below five years of age, during the years, 2003-2005 in Nepal. Methods Stool specimen collected from children with acute diarrhea who were referred to observation unit or hospitalized in Kanti Children’s Hospital between 2003 and 2005 were examined. Meteorological data was obtained from Ministry of Environment, Nepal to examine the possibility on the impact of weather on rotavirus infection. Results Of 1250 stool specimens, 271(22%) were positive for rotavirus by Rotaclone ELISA. G1 was the most common serotype in the first year of study, and G2 in the following year. G12 serotype emerged and remained predominant in two consecutive years. In addition, G9 and G3 emerged in the second year of the study. Children less than three years of age were commonly affected. The records reveal that rotavirus infection is related to the climate, and is commonly seen in the dry season, peaking in January. Conclusions Continued surveillance of different regions is needed to monitor the trend of rotavirus strains and to establish rotavirus disease burden, which will help policy makers to make a decision in introducing rotavirus vaccine in Nepal. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i1.6259 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(1):32-35
Comparison of sniffing position and simple head extension for visualization of glottis during direct laryngoscopy.
Authors: Bhattarai B , Shrestha S K , Kandel S
Published: June 2012

Background The ability of good glottis visualization during direct laryngoscopy is major determinant of easy tracheal intubation. Sniffing position for laryngoscopy is considered as gold standard and ideal position. Several studies have questioned the validation of sniffing potion. Objectives This study aims to compare relative efficacy of sniffing position and simple head extension for visualization of glottis during direct laryngoscopy. Methods Four hundred patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation were randomized into two groups and study was concluded. Glottic visualization was assessed using modified Cormack and Lehane classification. After laryngoscopy, tracheal intubation was performed and intubation difficulty scale was noted. Results Both the groups were comparable regarding glottis visualization. Both the groups were comparable in demographic profiles. All the intubation difficulty scale variables were comparable in both the groups except N3. Total Intubation Difficulty Score was better in sniffing position than in simple head extension group. Conclusion Glottic visualization and intubation difficulty score was better in sniffing position as compared to simple head extension.http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i1.6265 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(1):58-63
Impalement Injury to The Heart
Authors: Pradhan S , Sapkota R , Shrestha U K , Amatya R , Koirala B
Published: June 2012

Cardiac impalement injury is rare and one of the most severe penetrating chest injuries, often fatal. The management of penetrating cardiac injuries is a challenging one. The success in management of impaling cardiac trauma requires stabilization of the impaling object, expeditious transfer to a facility for open heart surgery, rapid imaging, access to blood and blood products and a ready surgical team. We report a case of impalement injury to the heart by a stick, transfixing the right ventricle and its successful treatment. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i1.6270 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(1):80-2
Arachnoid cyst masquerading as obstetric brachial plexus palsy
Authors: Muthukumar Natarajan , Santhanakrishnan Alwar Govindan , Sivakumar Krishnaswamy
Published: June 2012

Obstetric brachial plexus palsy is not uncommon. However, lesions masquerading as obstetric brachial plexus palsy are rare. A child with a cervicothoracic arachnoid cyst masquerading as obstetric brachial plexus palsy is presented, and the relevant literature is reviewed. A girl born by vaginal delivery at full term without any antecedent risk factors for obstetric brachial plexus palsy was noted to have decreased movements of the right upper extremity. After 7 months, there was no improvement. An MRI scan was obtained, which revealed a cervicothoracic spinal extradural arachnoid cyst. During surgery, the cyst was found to communicate with the dura at the axilla of the C-7 nerve root. The cyst was excised in toto. Six months later, there was improvement in the infant's neurological status. This case illustrates that spinal arachnoid cysts should be entertained in the differential diagnosis when a child presents with obstetric brachial plexus palsy without known antecedent risk factors for obstetric palsy.
Does prior short-segment surgery for adult scoliosis impact perioperative complication rates and clinical outcome among patients undergoing scoliosis correction?
Authors: Kasliwal Manish K. , Smith Justin S. , Shaffrey Christopher I. , Carreon Leah Y. , Glassman Steven D. , Schwab Frank , Lafage Virginie , Fu Kai-Ming G. , Bridwell Keith H.
Published: June 2012

Object

In many adults with scoliosis, symptoms can be principally referable to focal pathology and can be addressed with short-segment procedures, such as decompression with or without fusion. A number of patients subsequently require more extensive scoliosis correction. However, there is a paucity of data on the impact of prior short-segment surgeries on the outcome of subsequent major scoliosis correction, which could be useful in preoperative counseling and surgical decision making. The authors' objective was to assess whether prior focal decompression or short-segment fusion of a limited portion of a larger spinal deformity impacts surgical parameters and clinical outcomes in patients who subsequently require more extensive scoliosis correction surgery.

Methods

The authors conducted a retrospective cohort analysis with propensity scoring, based on a prospective multicenter deformity database. Study inclusion criteria included a patient age ≥ 21 years, a primary diagnosis of untreated adult idiopathic or degenerative scoliosis with a Cobb angle ≥ 20°, and available clinical outcome measures at a minimum of 2 years after scoliosis surgery. Patients with prior short-segment surgery (< 5 levels) were propensity matched to patients with no prior surgery based on patient age, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Cobb angle, and sagittal vertical axis.

Results

Thirty matched pairs were identified. Among those patients who had undergone previous spine surgery, 30% received instrumentation, 40% underwent arthrodesis, and the mean number of operated levels was 2.4 ± 0.9 (mean ± SD). As compared with patients with no history of spine surgery, those who did have a history of prior spine surgery trended toward greater blood loss and an increased number of instrumented levels and did not differ significantly in terms of complication rates, duration of surgery, or clinical outcome based on the ODI, Scoliosis Research Society-22r, or 12-Item Short Form Health Survey Physical Component Score (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Patients with adult scoliosis and a history of short-segment spine surgery who later undergo more extensive scoliosis correction do not appear to have significantly different complication rates or clinical improvements as compared with patients who have not had prior short-segment surgical procedures. These findings should serve as a basis for future prospective study.
Effect of Pectin on the processing and preservation of Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) jam and jelly
Authors: Islam MZ , Monalisa K , Hoque MM
Published: June 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the interaction of different concentration of pectin and its dissipation from processing to storage of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) jam and jelly. The fruits were collected from local market of Sylhet, Bangladesh. The analysis showed juice contains acidity 1.14±0.01 %, total sugar 0.61±0.06 %, TSS 8.98±0.03 % and pulp restrain acidity 01.02±0.01 %, total sugar 5.04±0.06 %, and TSS 8.57±1.36 %. Jam and jelly were prepared with 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% pectin. Potassium metabisulphate (KMS) was added as preservative in a required quantity. Study showed pectin do not significantly interact with quality attributes of processed product. During six month of storage at ambient temperature (27°C to 34°C) no mentionable changes were found. But PH of the products (jam and jelly) was slightly increased. At six month red color of 0.5 % pectin containing jam slightly faded and cohesiveness of 1% and 0.5 % pectin containing jelly considerably changed. A taste panel consisting 10 panelists adjudged the acceptability of the samples. The consumers preferences were measured by statistical analysis. Among the samples, both jam and jelly made with 1.5% pectin was commended as best product by the panelists at p<0.05. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijns.v2i1.10877 International Journal of Natural Sciences (2012), 2(1): 08-14
In vitro Propagation of Stemona tuberosa Lour. - A Rare Medicinal Plant through High Frequency Shoot Multiplication using Nodal Explants
Authors: Biswas Animesh , Bari M. A. , Roy Mohashweta , Bhadra S. K.
Published: June 2012

Nodal segments of Stemona tuberosa Lour. were found to proliferated without any differentiation on to MS supplemented with 3.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l NAA under continuous dark condition. After 20 days of inoculation under dark condition the cultures were transferred to a daily cycle of 16/8 hrs light/dark photoperiod and there the proliferated nodal segments underwent direct organogenesis producing huge number of shoot buds (25.87/culture). The shoot buds underwent rapid elongation on a range of BAP (0.1 - 1.5 mg/l) and IBA (0.1 - 1.0 mg/l) supplemented MS. Rooting of elongated shoot buds was successfully achieved (90%) in half strength MS with 1.0 mg/l NAA. The plantlets were finally established in outside environment through a successive phase of acclima-tization.   Key words: Nodal explant, Stemona tuberose, Rare medicinal plant, Direct organogenesis   D. O. I. 10.3329/ptcb.v21i2.10238   Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 21(2): 151-159, 2011 (December)
High Frequency Regeneration of Plantlets from Immature Male Floral Explants of Musa paradisica cv. Puttabale - AB Genome
Authors: Kumar K. Girish , Krishna V. , Venkatesh Venkatesh , Pradeep K.
Published: June 2012

High frequency in vitro regeneration for mass multiplication from immature male floral explants of Musa paradisica cv. Puttabale on MS supplemented with adenine sulfate (160 mg/l), tyrosine (100 mg/l), sucrose (40 g/l) and gelled with 0.8 g/l agar was attempted.  For callus induction the combinations of 2, 4-D and BAP were tested at 1.0 - 10.0 mg/l and 0.5 - 5.0 mg/l, respectively. For shoot bud formation combinations of BAP and TDZ were also tested at 1.0 - 5.0 mg/l and 0.1 - 0.5 mg/l, respectively.  Luxuriant proliferation and high frequency induction (97.0%) of  callus  was  noticed from the  accessory  floral  part  of  the  explant  at 7.0 mg/l 2, 4-D and 1.0 mg/l BAP, later it preceded towards the gynoecium. Interaction of BAP (2.0  5.0 mg/l) and TDZ (0.2 - 0.5 mg/l) would provoke high frequency shoot bud differentiation from the floral calli and a mean of 29.40 ± 6.10 shootlets per callus was obtained at 4 mg/l BAP and 0.4 mg/l TDZ. Rooting of the microshoots was achieved on MS containing 0.6 mg/l NAA and 0.2% activated charcoal.     Key words: Musa pardisica, Puttabale, Regeneration, Male floral explants.   D. O. I. 10.3329/ptcb.v21i2.10243   Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 21(2): 199-205, 2011 (December)