bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of free and total fluoride concentration in mouthwashes via measurement with ion-selective electrode
Authors: Reshetnyak Vladimir Yu. , Nesterova Olga V. , Admakin Oleg I. , Dobrokhotov Denis A. , Avertseva Irina N. , Dostdar Samira A. , Khakimova Dinara
Published: July 2019

Background

Mouthwashes are among the currently used oral hygiene products aimed at preventing and reducing dental caries. This is accomplished by a remineralization process, due to the presence of fluoride ions; however, mouthwashes should also contain an appropriate amount of unbound or free fluorides to provide bioavailability. The aim of this study was to compare active fluoride concentration and total fluoride concentration in mouthwashes.

Methods

Fluorine-containing mouthwashes from various companies and manufacturers (Colgate Total Plax Classic Mint®, Colgate Total Plax Gentle Mint®, Colgate Total Plax Fresh Mint®, Oral B Advantage®, Reach Fresh Mint®, Foramen®, Lacalut Sensitive®, Sensodyne®, Vesna F®, and Lacalut Fresh®) were selected as study objects. Fluoride measurements were carried out using the method of potentiometry.

Results

Free fluoride:total fluoride ratio was more than 80% for six samples and less than 63% for three samples. Two samples had more than 70% and less than 80% of unbound fluoride, respectively. Rinse containing sodium monofluorophosphate (Na2PO3F) had more than 50% of free fluoride, while the rinses containing amine fluoride (AmF) had 94%. The difference in activity can be explained by binding of fluoride ions by components contained in mouthwashes, such as coloring agents, polymeric compounds, etc. The lowest activity was observed for aluminum fluoride (AlF3) rinse, due to possible generation of strong fluoride complexes. This implies that fluoride ions will not be uptaken by tooth tissue and may even be washed away from it, compromising the efficacy of mouthwashes.

Conclusions

There is an urgent need to develop a method for evaluation of free fluorides in mouthwashes for proper updating of national and international guidelines.
A Retrospective Study of the Clinical Phenotype and Predictors of Survival in non-Caucasian Hispanic Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Authors: Sánchez-Martínez Claudia Marisol , Choreño-Parra José Alberto , Nuñez-Orozco Lilia , Placencia-Álvarez Noel Isaías , Alvis-Cataño Laura Marcela , Guadarrama-Ortiz Parmenides
Published: July 2019

Background. Little is known about the clinical behaviour of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in non-Caucasian populations. Here, we aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors and survival of Mexican patients with ALS.
Methods. We conducted a retrospective study by reviewing the medical records of patients with ALS that attended and were regularly followed at a third level hospital in Mexico City from 2000 to 2015. We calculated absolute and relative frequencies of the clinical characteristics from all the participants. We also estimated correlation coefficients between continuous variables and overall survival. Additionally, survival rates were compared for all participants grouped according to different clinical features using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test.
Results. We enrolled 45 ALS patients, 53.33% had spinal-onset and 46.66% presented bulbar ALS. The male/female ratio was 0.8. The mean age at onset of symptoms was 58.11 years. Mean survival time from onset was 64.73 ± 34.83 months. Cumulative survival rate after 5 years of disease onset was 44.44%. Age at onset and age at diagnosis inversely correlated with overall survival time. Also, we found that bulbar-onset, short diagnostic delay, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, mechanical ventilation, and lower total cholesterol serum levels were associated with short survival.
Conclusions. The clinical characteristics of Mexican ALS patients differ from the disease phenotype observed in Caucasians. Nonetheless, the predictive value of certain well-recognized clinical prognostic factors remains consistent in our population. The current study may provide relevant information for the management of ALS patients from Mexico and other Latin American countries.
An assessment of the level of awareness of e-health among Saudi medical students
Authors: Aldebasi Bader , Alhassan Abdulaziz I. , Al-Nasser Sami , Abolfotouh Mostafa
Published: July 2019

Background

Previous studies described the levels of awareness of patients and health care providers on e-health in general and on e-health for a certain condition/disease. However, none of these studies was conducted in Saudi Arabia. The aims of this study were 1)To determine the levels of knowledge, attitude and practice of medical students on e-health, and 2) To identify the predictors of e-health practice among medical students.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 440 medical students at the college of medicine, King Saud bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was conducted, during October/November 2018, using a previously validated questionnaire, to assess: (1) knowledge in three domains; e-health definition (13 statements), fields of application of e-health (8 statements), methods of using e-health (7 statements), (2) attitude toward using e-health (8 statements) and (3) reported practice of e-health in medical training (5 statements). A scoring system was used to calculate the total and percentage score of knowledge, attitude and practice for each student. Multiple regression analysis was applied to identify predictors of e-health practice. Significance was considered at p<0.05.

Results

of the 440 medical students surveyed, the majority were females (55.7%), of stream type1 (79.8%) and from families whose monthly income was more than 10,000SR (82.8%). Overall knowledge about e-health was unsatisfactory (PMS=71.62%), with only 43.6% of all students reporting satisfactory level. However, this level was satisfactory for fields of application (Percentage mean score-PMS=76.43%) and unsatisfactory for definition of e-health (PMS=70.69%) and methods of its use (PMS=65.69%) domains. Overall attitude towads e-health use was positive (PMS=82.32%), with nearly three-quarters of all students (73.4%) reporting positive attitude. Generally, good level of practice of e-health was reported by students (PMS=84.27%), with more than three-quarters of medical students (78.4%) reporting good practice. Adjusting for age, gender, stream, educational grade and family monthly income, good practice was significantly predicted with higher knowledge (t=2.219, p=0.027) and attidude (t=2.114, p=0.035) scores.

Conclusion

This study provides basic information regarding medical students’ knowledge, attitude, and practice on e-health. More resources should be directed to elevate medical students’ knowledge and to motivate them to practice e-health using the available tools.
Intensive Home Treatment for adolescents in psychiatric crisis
Authors: Muskens Jet , Herpers Pierre C.M. , Hilderink Caroline , Deurzen Patricia A.M. van , Buitelaar Jan K. , Staal Wouter G.
Published: July 2019

Background Adolescents with acute psychiatric disorders are typically treated with long-term clinical admission. However, long term admission may be associated with a variety of negative outcomes. This pilot study presents a new model of care, that is, the combined application of intensive home treatment and the possibility of short term stay at a psychiatric high & intensive care.
Methods In total 112 referred adolescents with mixed diagnoses (M = 14.8 years, range 11-18; 52% female) participated in this longitudinal observational cohort design. Clinical outcome was measured by the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Children and Adolescents (HoNOSCA) which measures the severity of multiple mental health problems. The HoNOSCA was clinician-rated at intake, after two months and after four months at discharge. Change in HoNOSCA total score was analysed with paired t-tests. Outcome moderators were gender, age, primary diagnosis, clinical admission, home treatment-time, medication and additional therapies. Follow up data were completed for 62 patients after two months and for 53 after four months.
Results Mean HoNOSCA total score at intake was 18.8 (SD = 5.2), after two months 13.0 (SD = 5.0); after four months resulting in a score of 9.3 (SD = 5.2). None of the moderators tested showed a significant effect on HoNOSCA scores. However, a control group could not be used because of the severe psychopathology with high risk for suicidality and the lack of an effective treatment intervention for a comparable study group.
Conclusion With a symptom decrease of over 50% within four months as measured by the HoNOSCA, including less risk for hospitalization, this new model appears promising and of clinical relevance. Nevertheless, further research regarding stability of treatment outcome is warranted.
The Validity and Reliability of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in Screening for Poststroke Depression
Authors: Dajpratham Piyapat , Pukrittayakamee Panate , Atsariyasing Wanlop , Wannarit Kamonporn , Boonhong Jariya , Pongpirul Krit
Published: July 2019

Background: Poststroke depression affects about 30% of stroke survivors within five years. Timely diagnosis and management facilitate motor recovery and improve independence. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is one of the good screening tools for poststroke depression. High validity and reliability of the PHQ-9 is clinically essential.

Methods: The objectives of the study were to determine the criterion validity and reliability of the PHQ-9 (Thai version) in screening for poststroke depression by comparing with a psychiatric interview as the gold standard. First-ever stroke patients aged ≥ 45 years with a stroke duration 2 weeks–2 years were administered the PHQ-9. The gold standard was a psychiatric interview for major depression. Diagnosis of major depression according to PHQ-9 can be categorical algorithm based and summed score based. The validity of these 2 ways of diagnosis and reliability analyses, and a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, were performed.

Results: Enrolled were 115 stroke patients (mean age, 64 + 10 years). The mean PHQ-9 score was 5.2 + 4.8. Using DSM-5 criteria, 23 patients (20%) were diagnosed with depressive disorder. The PHQ-9 had satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha, 0.78). The categorical algorithm of the PHQ-9 had low sensitivity (0.52) but very high specificity (0.94) and positive likelihood ratio (9.6). Used as a continuous measure, an optimal cut-off score of ≥ six revealed a sensitivity of 0.87, specificity of 0.75, positive predictive value of 0.46, negative predictive value of 0.95, and positive likelihood ratio of 3.5. The area under the curve was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.78–0.96).

Conclusions: The PHQ-9 has acceptable psychometric properties for screening for poststroke depression, with a recommended cut-off score of ≥ six.
Objective Optical Quality in Eyes with Customized Selection of Aspheric Intraocular Lens Implantation
Authors: Tan Qing-Qing , Lin Jia , Tian Jing , Liao Xuan , Lan Chang-Jun
Published: July 2019

Backgroud

To compare the postoperative optical quality in eyes with customized selection and random selection of aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

Methods

A prospective, nonrandomized study was implemented in adult cataract patients who underwent unilateral phacoemulsification with aspheric IOL implantation. Patients were allocated into two treatment groups: a customized group and a control group. In the customized group, the aspheric IOL selection was based on the corneal spherical aberration to enable the postoperative target ocular spherical aberration closest to zero; in the control group, the aspheric IOLs were chosen using a random strategy. Primary outcome measurements included the following objective optical quality assessments: higher-order aberrations obtained by a Hartmann-shack aberrometer at 4mm and 6mm pupil diameters; objective scatter index (OSI), modulation transfer function (MTF) cut-off, Strehl ratio (SR) and a simulated contrast visual acuity—optical quality analysis system value (OV) obtained by a double-pass system with a 4-mm aperture. Subjective visual acuity was measured as secondary outcome. All the patients were followed up for 3 months.

Results

Eighty-four patients in the customized group and 78 patients in the control group were evaluated. There was no significant difference in postoperative visual acuity between the two groups (P>0.05). Significantly less ocular higher-order aberrations were shown in the customized group (P<0.05). No significant difference was shown in OSI, MTF cut-off, SR and OV between the two groups (P>0.05).

Conclusions

Although customized selection of aspheric IOL implantation showed less postoperative ocular aberrations, it performed similarly to random selection of aspheric IOL implantation in terms of postoperative visual acuity, simulated contrast visual acuity, intraocular scatter, modulation transfer function and Strehl ratio.
Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Freshwater Trout Farms in a Watershed in Chile
Authors: Bueno Irene , Travis Dominic , Gonzalez‐Rocha Gerardo , Alvarez Julio , Lima Celia , Benitez Cristián Garcia , Phelps Nicholas B.D. , Wass Britta , Johnson Timothy J. , Zhang Qian , Ishii Satoshi , Singer Randall S.
Published: July 2019

Point sources such as wastewater treatment plants, terrestrial agriculture, and aquaculture may release antibiotic residues, antibiotic resistant bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) into aquatic ecosystems. However, there is a lack of quantitative studies attributing environmental ARG abundance to specific sources. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of freshwater trout farms in the release and dissemination of ARGs into the environment. Sediment samples upstream and downstream from five rainbow trout farms were collected over time in southern Chile. A microfluidic quantitative polymerase chain reaction approach was used to quantify an ARG array covering different mechanisms of resistance, and data were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and linear mixed regression models. Surveys were also conducted to obtain information about management practices, including antibiotic use, at the farms. Florfenicol and oxytetracycline were used at these farms, although at different rates. A total of 93 samples were analyzed. In the PCA, strB, sul1, sul2, qacG, tet(A), tet(B), tet(C), tet(W), and floR grouped together. A statistically significant increase in abundance of qacG, strB, sul1, and several tet genes was found downstream from the farms compared with upstream sites, and retention ponds had the highest ARG abundance at each site. Antibiotic resistance gene levels returned to baseline at an average distance of 132.7 m downstream from the farms. Although results from this study indicate an influence of trout farms on the presence of ARGs in the immediate environment, the extent of their contribution to ARG dissemination is unknown and deserves further investigation.

Core Ideas

Point sources contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) were quantified in river sediment samples.

Freshwater trout farms in southern Chile increased ARG abundance in the watershed.

The extent of the contribution of the trout farms on ARG dissemination is uncertain.

Epidemiological methods are needed to attribute environmental AMR to specific point sources.
Modeling Internal Erosion Processes in Soil Pipes: Capturing Geometry Dynamics
Authors: Nieber J.L. , Wilson G.V. , Fox G.A.
Published: July 2019

Core Ideas

Soil pipes are important features contributing to nonuniform flow in the vadose zone.

Soil pipe flow and internal erosion is modeled with coupled flow and transport equations.

Modeling results compare favorably to experimental measurements.

The flow of water in a soil pipe and the resulting erosion of the soil pipe wall is simulated using a numerical solution of the Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes equations coupled with the well‐known linear excess shear stress equation and the governing equation for transport of suspended sediment in turbulent flow. The modeling results are compared with an experiment in which the entrance to the soil pipe constructed in a laboratory flume was subjected to a constant head of water in a reservoir. The modeled pipe discharge was in good agreement with the measured results when roughness was imposed on the pipe wall. The temporal growth of the soil pipe was in good agreement with the experimental results when using a soil erodibility coefficient of 0.0025 s/m. Several assumptions were made in model formulation, the most significant being that the soil pipe grows uniformly along its length and that no sediment deposition occurs. Recommendations for future work regarding these assumptions as well as others are discussed.
Evaluating the Influence of Specimen Preparation on Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Technology
Authors: Teng Jidong , Kou Jingyuan , Zhang Sheng , Sheng Daichao
Published: July 2019

Core Ideas

Specimen preparation methods have a significant influence on hydraulic conductivity.

The difference caused by different methods can be large as one order of magnitude.

Soil pore structure should be considered in predicting hydraulic conductivity.

A pore‐information‐based model is presented to predict hydraulic conductivity.

The new model is more accurate than traditional particle information based models.

A series of laboratory tests were performed to investigate the influences of specimen preparation on pore size distribution of soil and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks). Nuclear magnetic resonance technology was used to measure the pore size distribution of the saturated samples of silty soil, which were prepared by three different kinds of methods: Proctor compaction, static compaction, and the consolidation method. The Ks of the samples was measured by the falling head permeability test. The results show that the difference in Ks caused by different specimen preparations can be large as one order of magnitude, as the measured Ks varied from 3.09 × 10−3 to 3.36 × 10−4 cm s−1. The consolidated specimen tended to have the greatest Ks value, followed by those prepared by Proctor compaction and static compaction. The observed difference highlights the importance of pore structure in determining Ks. This study also presents a pore‐information‐based theoretical approach for predicting Ks. A comparison of measured data shows that the proposed model performs better than the traditional void‐ratio‐based models.
Magma Genesis at the South Aegean Volcanic Arc
Authors: Francalanci Lorella , Zellmer Georg F.
Published: July 2019

The South Aegean volcanic arc consists of five volcanic fields, with products that range from medium- and high-K calc-alkaline basalts to rhyolites. Parental magmas are generated by variable proportions of decompression and flux melting of a mantle source metasomatized by sediment melts and aqueous fluids released from the subducted slab. Fluid/sediment ratios are lowest in Santorini (Greece) where high lithospheric extension results in a predominance of decompression melting, shallower magma storage, and more mafic volcanism than elsewhere in the arc. Contributions from slab sediment melt decrease from west to east. With the lowest convergence rate and surface heat flux of any continental arc worldwide, the South Aegean is an ideal natural laboratory for studying arc magmatism at low magma production rates.
Investigating Intercultural Teaching Competence among Moroccan Teachers in Tertiary Education
Authors: Echcharfy Mouhssine
Published: July 2019

Intercultural learning is a new pedagogy that encourages learners to establish relationships between their own culture and the other culture, managing dysfunctions and mediating differences. These skills and others will enable learners to develop intercultural competence and help them become intercultural speakers/mediators (Byram, 1997). However, learners’ intercultural competence cannot be developed without an appropriate intervention and guidance on the part of the teacher who represents a central element in the intercultural learning process. Thus, the issue at stake is the degree to which teachers demonstrate knowledge of skills and competencies they need for the development of students’ intercultural competence and awareness. In this respect, the present study is an attempt to explore the extent to which the teachers’ competencies and skills meet the specifications formulated in the literature regarding intercultural teaching competence. It included 25 Moroccan university teachers who have already taught culture at the university. In line with the objective of the study, a five-point Likert scale questionnaire was adopted as a major data collection procedure. The results revealed that the majority of Moroccan university teachers demonstrated negative attitudes towards and lack of awareness regarding the intercultural teaching competencies provided. It also turned out that the majority of teachers’ competencies do not meet the specifications formulated in the literature, regarding intercultural teaching competence. In light of the results obtained, several implications are derived from the study for decision makers and teachers.
Resistance to red mite in Coffea arabica genotype introgressed with Coffea racemosa genes
Authors: Carducci Fernando Cesar , Fonseca Inês Cristina de Batista , Santos Willian Gabriel dos , Pereira Carlos Theodoro Motta , Junior Valdir Mariucci , Sera Tumoru , Sera Gustavo Hiroshi
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was to assess the resistance to red mite (Oligonychus ilicis) in Coffea arabica genotypes with introgression of genes from a different species (Coffea racemosa). The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at IAPAR (Londrina, PR, Brazil), between January 2016 and January 2017. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with five genotypes, 12 replications of one plant per plot. The C. arabica cultivars IPR 100, IPR 99 and IPR 103 were evaluated as well as an F4 Arabica coffee line IAPAR H0113-40-26-10 with introgressed C. racemosa genes. Catuaí Vermelho IAC 99 cultivar, which is a pure C. arabica, was used as a susceptible control. In conditions of high natural infestation of red mite, the resistance of coffee genotypes was evaluated using a standard visual evaluation in January 2017. This evaluation was based on the percentage of leaf area with typical symptoms caused by this mite. Only one genotype, the F4 line IAPAR H0113-40-26-10 showed resistance to the red mite because present less leaf area with symptoms compared to other genotypes. The Arabica coffee cultivars IPR 99, IPR 100 and IPR 103 are as susceptible to red mite as to the susceptible control Catuaí Vermelho IAC 99.
Juice technological quality, lignocellulosic physical-chemical attributes and biomass yield from energy cane clones
Authors: Viana Ronaldo da Silva , Moreira Bruno Rafael de Almeida , May André , Miasaki Celso Tadao , Caraschi José Claudio , Andrade Maria Gabriela de Oliveira
Published: July 2019

Originating from backcrossing generations between wild and commercial sugarcane varieties, “energy cane” technology promises to revolutionize global energetic scenario, once full use of feedstock is allowed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess juice technological quality, lignocellulosic physical-chemical composition, and biomass yield of nine energy cane. The experiment had a randomized block design with five replications for each clone (treatment) (VX12-1659, VX12-1658, VX12-1356, VX12-1191, VX12-1022, VX12-0277, VX12-0201, VX12-0180, and VX12-0046) with five replicates. Following to tillage harvest, stalk samples were assessed for total soluble solids (ºBrix; % juice), sucrose (Pol; % juice), purity (Prt; % juice), reducing sugars (RS; % juice), theoretical sugars recoverable (TSR; kg t-1 stalks), Pol (% cane), RS (% cane), moisture (% cane), fibers (Fib; % cane), and dry biomass yield (DBY; t ha-1). The obtained data was subjected to the following statistical tests (p < 0.05): Shapiro–Wilk, Fisher, Tukey, and Pearson’s linear correlation. Findings revealed null hypothesis rejection, suggesting the clones significantly affected all assessed traits. The individuals VX12-1659, VX12-1658, VX12-1356, VX12-1191, VX12-1022, and VX12-0277 exhibited the highest °Brix (% juice), Pol (% juice), Prt (% juice), TSR, Pol (% cane), moisture (% cane), and Fib (% cane) values. In addition, the clones VX12-1659, VX12-1658, and VX12-1356 resulted in DBY averages higher than other individuals of the population. In fact, all clones showed Type II energy cane typical characteristics due to a low sucrose/fiber ratio. Thus, the energy cane clones are suitable for bioelectricity co-generation.
Effects of planting beds, nutrient treatment and drought stress on biochemical properties and vegetative traits of common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) seeds
Authors: Asghari Robabeh
Published: July 2019

Oenothera biennis (Common Evening-Primrose, Evening Star, or Sun Drop) is an ornamental plant with medicinal properties belonging to the Onagraceae-Oenotheraceae family and native to North America. Evening primrose seed oil is used to deal with fat accumulation in the body, diabetes, premenstrual syndrome and other diseases, including eczema, mastalgia, cancer, multiple sclerosis and rheumatism. Recent studies have confirmed the presence of antioxidant activity in the polyphenols in evening primrose seeds. In order to evaluate the effect of different planting beds, organic fertilizers and drought stress, as the evening primrose’s environmental and nutritional factors in growth and phytochemical properties, this experiment was carried out at the department of plant products research greenhouse in 2017. The experiment was performed using a completely randomized design in 4 treatments and with three replications. Seeds were planted in the prepared beds. Seedlings resulted from seeding and germination of seeds were transferred to different planting media. Growth characteristics were studied at the end of the plant growth period and before their flowering, and the ripe seeds after harvesting were used to measure 100 seed weight and biochemical traits. The results were analyzed statistically using one-way ANOVA. Also, simple correlation coefficients were calculated to obtain the ratio of characteristics with each other by Duncan's method.
Agronomic potential of biofortified crisphead lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and its reaction to Root-knot nematodes
Authors: Sousa Luciana Alves de , Jacinto Ana Carolina Pires , Silveira Aline José da , Castoldi Renata , Maciel Gabriel Mascarenhas , Beloti Igor Forigo
Published: July 2019

Lettuce is the most-consumed leafy vegetable in Brazil due to its ease of preparation, nutritional quality, and affordability. Despite these benefits, there are few cultivars of crisphead lettuce (Lactuca sativa) that possess agronomic potential, high carotenoid content and resistance to nematodes. Therefore, we evaluated the agronomic potential of crisphead lettuce genotypes that are resistant to the root-knot nematode. The experiment was conducted at the Vegetable Experiment Station of the Federal University of Uberlandia (UFU), Monte Carmelo Campus. The trial was set up in a randomized block design with 49 treatments (43 genotypes obtained from crosses between Uberlandia 10000 and Belissima and six commercial cultivars) and three replications. After preparing the beds and before transplanting the seedlings, 11 simple samples were taken from each of the three experimental blocks to confirm the presence of nematodes within the experimental area. The following variables were determined 48 days after transplanting: chlorophyll content, leaf temperature, plant diameter, number of leaves per plant, fresh mass and incidence of root gall. The data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and an F-test and the means were compared by the Scott-Knott test. Genetic diversity was represented by a dendrogram that was obtained using the hierarchical method of UPGMA and the optimization method of Tocher. We found genetic divergence and agronomic potential among the evaluated genotypes. Specifically, 199#1#1-E, 199#2#1-E, 199#2#2-E, 199#3#1-E, 199#6#1-E and 75#2#2-E presented good agronomic potential, were rich in carotenoids and showed resistance to the root-knot nematode.
Leaf characterization of Spermacoce verticillata at three stages of development
Authors: Fadin Dauri Aparecido , Monquero Patricia Andrea
Published: July 2019

Weed control is an essential practice in crop management. However, the use of herbicides may not be effective in certain situations, such as when problems are encountered in the application technology and when tolerant individuals and resistant biotypes are observed. In the cotton producing areas of the state of Bahia, Brazil, Spermacoce verticillata (shrubby false buttonweed) is not effectively controlled during burndown applications. During different developmental stages, plants can modify their leaves’ anatomical structures, which may influence herbicide control by modifying the retention, absorption, translocation and final effect of the chemical. This study assessed the morphological and histological differences in Spermacoce verticillata leaves at different stages of development. Leaves were collected from plants at different phenological stages (2-4 leaves, 4-6 leaves and flowering) and subjected to histological and scanning electron microscopy analyses. In the histological analysis, four leaves were collected from the upper nodes. The evaluated characteristics were the total leaf blade thickness, palisade and spongy parenchymal thicknesses, cuticle and epidermal cell thicknesses on the abaxial and adaxial surfaces and midrib height and width. Surface analyses were performed by observing the leaves under a scanning electron microscope. As the developmental stages of Spermacoce verticillata advanced, the plants began to show reduced leaf thickness due to the decreased abaxial epidermal thickness, transport vessel size and parenchymal thickness. At more advanced stages of development (4-6 leaves and flowering), the adaxial leaf surfaces showed fewer stomata and more trichomes.
Biosynthesis of novel phytochemicals in tobacco plant infected with tobacco mosaic tobamovirus (TMV)
Authors: Mostafa Reham M. , Essawy Heba S.
Published: July 2019

The main purpose of this work was to study the effect of TMV infection on physiology of active gradient photochemicals and protein expression in infected tobacco plants. Impact of Tobacco mosaic tobamovirus (TMV) on active gradient photochemicals quantitative and qualitative was evaluated in Nicotiana tobaccum cv. white burly. First, the TMV samples were isolated from single local lesions of infected leaves of N. glutinosa. Then, the N. tobaccum cv. white burly plants were inoculated with TMV. The infected plants showed severe systemic mosaic symptoms and reduction of leave size. We used Datura metel as a diagnostic tool-plant (indicator) for mosaic virus because of its vast exhibitory ability to show the symptoms incited by viruses. It was confirmed that these symptoms were due to the effect of TMV virus, comparing with Datura plant (as control). Analysis of TMV infected leaves by GC-mass detected biosynthesis of novel photochemicals (2-cyclopenten-1-one, Furfural, Indene, Pyrrole, Benzonitrile, Guaiacol and Oxime, methoxy-phenyl) that could not be detected in healthy plants. Furthermore, a 56.17% decreased in nicotine content was observed in infected plants compared with healthy ones. Also, increase of soluble protein contents was observed in infected leaves in response to TMV infection, compared with healthy ones. Alterations in protein patterns were observed in N. tabaccum leaves in response to TMV infection using SDS PAGE. Several secondary bioactive compounds were also found to hold important functions in infected plants. For example, flavonoids could protect against free radicals generated during photosynthesis. Terpenoids may attract pollinators or seed dispersers, or inhibit competing plants. Alkaloids usually ward-off herbivore animals or insect attacks (phytoalexins).
Transcriptome analysis identified genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in Rainbow bamboo (Indosasa hispida MeClure cv. ‘Rainbow’)
Authors: Wang Yi , Yang YuMing , Wang Juan , XiaoLong Yuan
Published: July 2019

Rainbow bamboo (Indosasa hispida) is an ornamental plant, which contains unique red to purple anthocyanin in its culm. However, the biosynthesis and function of anthocyanin in bamboo remains unclear. In this study, RNA-seq was used to investigate the transcriptome of the species and compare the gene expression profiles of red and white culms. The expression levels of genes involved in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway were detected using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). In total, 5.92 billion reads were obtained from the culm of Rainbow bamboo, which were assembled into 60,716 unigenes. qRT-PCR showed that the expression levels of anthocyanin biosynthesis-related genes in the red and white culms were higher than that in green leaves and that their levels in the red culm without sheath were higher than that in the white culm with sheath. Transcriptome analysis and qRT-PCR showed that the differences in the expression of genes encoding chalcone isomerase (CHI), dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR), flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase (F3'H), and anthocyanidin 3-O-glycosyltransferase (A3GT) between the culm and leaf were significant. This implies that CHI, DFR, F3'H, and A3GT play important roles in anthocyanin synthesis and accumulation in the culm of Rainbow bamboo.
Legislación ambiental en Colombia: ayer, hoy y desafíos
Authors: Palacio Lopera Auxilio
Published: July 2019

El presente artículo examina la importancia que se ha dado al cuidado y protección de medio ambiente a partir de la Constitución Política de 1991 y la normatividad ambiental nacional. Se realiza también una revisión de la norma más relevante de carácter ambiental promulgada desde finales del siglo pasado en Colombia a la luz de la normatividad internacional, con el objetivo único de cuidar y proteger la madre tierra.
Nuestra Constitución actual, denominada constitución ecológica o constitución verde por doctrinantes y jurisconsultos, consagra un cúmulo de principios, deberes y derechos sobre este tema que hacen parte de la noción del Estado Social de Derecho, forma como se define el estado colombiano, en aras a brindar especial protección al medio ambiente y por ende, poder ser garante de un modelo de desarrollo sostenible.
Se concluye que el ordenamiento constitucional colombiano, en consonancia con los principios del Derecho Internacional Ambiental (DIA), tiene claro su objetivo, cuidar la vida desde un profundo sentido de responsabilidad social, de inclusión y respeto por los derechos humanos, los sociales, económicos, colectivos y del medio ambiente.
Adicciones tecnológicas en adolescentes: Relación con la percepción de las prácticas parentales
Authors: Malander Nancy Marlene
Published: July 2019

Las adicciones tecnológicas forman parte de las llamadas adicciones no tóxicas y constituyen procesos de dependencia similares a los que se presentan frente a otros factores, como el sexo, el juego, o el trabajo. Este desorden adictivo se desarrolla por el uso excesivo e inapropiado de los teléfonos celulares, los videojuegos, las redes sociales, y otros recursos similares. Entre los diversos elementos que pueden propiciar la adicción a internet, se encuentran los factores familiares. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo analizar si las prácticas parentales pueden predecir la adicción de los hijos a internet, al teléfono celular y a los videojuegos. Para ello se llevó a cabo una investigación cuantitativa con diseño correlacional, de corte transversal. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 248 adolescentes, de nivel secundario de la provincia de Misiones. Las prácticas parentales se evaluaron mediante una versión abreviada de la adaptación argentina del Children´s Report of Parental Behavior Inventory de Schaefer (Richaud de Minzi, 2005), y la adicción a las tecnologías mediante una adaptación argentina de los cuestionarios presentes en el programa de prevención PrevTec 3.1, de Chóliz (Fontemachi, 2014). Se realizaron análisis de regresión lineal múltiple para establecer el poder predictivo de las prácticas parentales sobre la adicción tecnológica de los adolescentes. Los resultados revelaron que los alumnos que perciben un alto control patológico o una autonomía extrema otorgada por los padres, presentan puntajes más altos en adicción a Internet, al celular y a los videojuegos, siendo las prácticas negativas las que más correlacionan con la adicción.
Cognición implícita en psicopatología: contribuciones en el abordaje de los trastornos por consumo de sustancias
Authors: Moreta-Herrera Rodrigo , Reyes-Valenzuela Carlos
Published: July 2019

Para favorecer un entendimiento de las distintas psicopatologías resulta imprescindible favorecer una integración permanente y fluida desde los avances de diversas vertientes de trabajo, en particular, en los mecanismos de interpretación. El enfoque psicopatológico predominante durante las últimas décadas atribuye en variadas patologías (e.g., trastornos del estado de ánimo, ansiógenos y por consumo de sustancias, entre otras) a procesos reflexivos que manifiestan ideas y recuerdos disfuncionales para dar paso a la conducta patológica
Discharge Interval method for uncertain flood forecasts using a flood model chain: city of Kulmbach
Authors: Beg Md Nazmul Azim , Leandro Jorge , Bhola Punit , Konnerth Iris , Willems Winfried , Carvalho Rita F. , Disse Markus
Published: July 2019

Real-time flood forecasting can help authorities in providing reliable warnings to the public. Ensemble prediction systems (EPS) have been progressively used for operational flood forecasting by European hydrometeorological agencies in recent years. This process, however, is non-deterministic such that uncertainty sources need to be considered before issuing forecasts. In this study, a new methodology for flood forecasting named Discharge Interval method is proposed. This method uses at least one historical event hindcast data, run in several ensembles and selects a pair of best ensemble discharge results for every certain discharge level. Later, the method uses the same parameter settings of the chosen ensemble discharge pair to forecast any certain flood discharge level. The methodology was implemented within the FloodEvac tool. The tool can handle calibration/validation of the hydrological model (LARSIM) and produces real-time flood forecasts with the associated uncertainty of the flood discharges. The proposed methodology is computationally efficient and suitable for real-time forecasts with uncertainty. The results using the Discharge Interval method were found comparable to the 90th percentile forecasted discharge range obtained with the Ensemble method.
Recent Developments in Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors for Management of Type-2 Diabetes: An Update
Authors: Usman Bashir , Sharma Neha , Satija Saurabh , Mehta Meenu , Vyas Manish , Khatik Gopal L. , Khurana Navneet , Hansbro Philip M. , Williams Kylie , Dua Kamal
Published: July 2019

The incidence of diabetes has increased globally in recent years and figures of diabetic patients were estimated to rise up to 642 million by 2040. The disorder is accompanied with various complications if not managed at the early stages, and interlinked high mortality rate and morbidity with time. Different classes of drugs are available for the management of type 2 diabetes but were having certain limitations of their safety. Alphaglucosidase is a family of enzyme originated from the pancreas which plays a role in the anabolism of 80-90% of carbohydrate consumed into glucose. This glucose is absorbed into the blood and results in frank postprandial hyperglycemia and worsens the conditions of diabetic patients which precipitate complications. Inhibition of these enzymes helps to prevent postprandial hyperglycemia and the formation of glycated end products. Alphaglucosidase inhibitors are reported to be more important in adequate control of type 2, but marketed drugs have various side effects, such as poor patient compliance and also expensive. This proves the needs for other class of drugs with better efficacy, safety, patient compliance and economic. In this review, we have emphasized the recent advances in the field of new alpha-glucosidase inhibitors with improved safety and pharmacological profile.
Therapeutic Potentials of A2B Adenosine Receptor Ligands: Current Status and Perspectives
Authors: Chandrasekaran Balakumar , Samarneh Sara , Jaber Abdul Muttaleb Yousef , Kassab Ghadir , Agrawal Nikhil
Published: July 2019

Background:

Adenosine receptors (ARs) are classified as A1, A2A, A2B, and A3 subtypes belong to the superfamily of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). More than 40% of modern medicines act through either activation or inhibition of signaling processes associated with GPCRs. In particular, A2B AR signaling pathways are implicated in asthma, inflammation, cancer, ischemic hyperfusion, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and kidney disease.

Methods:

This article reviews different disease segments wherein A2B AR is implicated and discusses the potential role of subtype-selective A2B AR ligands in the management of such diseases or disorders. All the relevant publications on this topic are reviewed and presented scientifically.

Results:

This review provides an up-to-date highlight of the recent advances in the development of novel and selective A2B AR ligands and their therapeutic role in treating various disease conditions. A special focus has been given to the therapeutic potentials of selective A2B AR ligands in the management of airway inflammatory conditions and cancer.

Conclusions:

This systematic review demonstrates the current status and perspectives of A2B AR ligands as therapeutically useful agents that would assist medicinal chemists and pharmacologists in discovering novel and subtype-selective A2B AR ligands as potential drug candidates.
Anxiety and Salivary Level of Alpha-Amylase in Patients with Geographic Tongue: A Case Control Study
Authors: Tavangar Atefeh , Saberi Zahra , Rahimi Maryam , Pakravan Fahimeh
Published: July 2019

Background:

Geographic tongue is a common benign condition involving the tongue with an unknown etiology.

Objective:

This study aimed to measure the salivary level of alpha-amylase as well as the level of anxiety of patients with geographic tongue.

Methods:

This case-control study was performed on 180 subjects including 89 patients with geographic tongue and 91 controls. The subjects were requested to fill out the Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S, STAI-T). Unstimulated saliva samples were collected by the spitting method to assess the salivary level of alpha-amylase. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, t-test and Pearson’s test (α=0.05).

Results:

The mean salivary level of alpha-amylase and the mean scores of state and trait anxiety in geographic tongue patients were higher than those of healthy controls. But these differences did not reach statistical significance (P>0.05).

Conclusion:

Anxiety may be an influential factor in the occurrence of geographic tongue. Salivary level of alpha-amylase cannot serve as a specific biomarker for assessment of geographic tongue.
Comparing precipitation and temperature trends between inland and coastal locations
Authors: Hartigan Joshua , MacNamara Shev , Leslie Lance M
Published: July 2019

Motivated by the Millennium Drought and the current drought over much of southern and eastern Australia, this detailed statistical study compares trends in annual wet season precipitation and temperature between a coastal site (Newcastle) and an inland site (Scone). Bootstrap permutation tests reveal Scone precipitation has decreased significantly over the past 40 years (p-value=0.070) whereas Newcastle has recorded little to no change (p-value=0.800). Mean maximum and minimum temperatures for Newcastle have increased over the past 40 years (p-values of 0.002 and 0.015, respectively) while the mean maximum temperature for Scone has increased (p-value = 0.058) and the mean minimum temperature has remained stable. This suggests mean temperatures during the wet season for both locations are increasing. Considering these trends along with those for precipitation, water resources in the Hunter region will be increasingly strained as a result of increased evaporation with either similar or less precipitation falling in the region. Wavelet analysis reveals that both sites have similar power spectra for precipitation and mean maximum temperature with a statistically significant signal in the two to seven year period, typically indicative of the El-Nino Southern Oscillation climate driver. The El-Nino Southern Oscillation also drives the Newcastle mean minimum temperature, whereas the Scone power spectra has no indication of a definitive driver for mean minimum temperature.

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Analysis of two-dimensional combustion waves arising in the presence of a competitive endothermic reaction
Authors: Watt Simon , Huang Zhejun , Sidhu Harvinder
Published: July 2019

We consider a system of reaction-diffusion equations describing combustion dynamics. The reaction is assumed to undergo two competitive reactions, one which is exothermic and one which is endothermic. The one-dimensional model has been shown to exhibit complex behaviour, from propagating combustion waves with a constant speed to period doubling cascades and the possibility of chaotic wave speeds. In this study, we extend the combustion model from one to two dimensions by exploring a model of an insulated strip with no heat loss and axially symmetric spread. In particular, we compare and contrast the behaviour of the systems in one and two dimensions.

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