bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An overview of quality status of selected commercial brands of juices and jams based on public perception and laboratory analysis
Authors: Kayshar MS , Saifullah M , Rahman A , Uddin MB
Published: January 2015

The study was done to evaluate the quality status of selected commercial brands of juices and jams based on laboratory analysis and public perception. The entire research work was carried out in two phases to evaluate the quality of juices and jams, available in local market. In phase I, a comprehensive baseline survey was done to know the public perception and this revealed that, according to the notion of most respondents, commercial juice and jam products available in market were adulterated by harmful food colors, low grade fruits and harmful preservatives and these were harmful for health. Besides, some outcome from this survey, such as, avoiding low quality products and adopting BSTI standard, enforcing law and imposing punishment and social motivation of food consumers to prevent adulteration. In phase II, chemical analysis and sensory evaluation of selected samples were done. The collected samples were four different brands of mango juices, two different brands of mango jam, two different brands of pineapple jam and apple jam from one brand. Different parameters of collected samples like moisture content, ash content, total soluble solid content, pH, acidity as citric acid, total plate count, yeast and mold count, preservative (Sulphur dioxide and Sodium benzoate) content and heavy metal (As, Pb, Cu, Zn and Sn) content were analyzed. Heavy metal content in every sample was below the detection level. Microbial load was in safe level according to gulf standard. However, preservative content in few samples was quite higher than acceptable limit. Other parameters of collected samples were in acceptable limits. Sensory evaluation showed that all commercial jam and juice samples were more or less equally acceptable and all products obtained satisfactory total score from sensory evaluation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v12i1.21410 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(1): 183-188, June 2014
Hyperspectral imaging technique for offal quantification in minced meat
Authors: Kamruzzaman M , Haque ME , Ali MR
Published: January 2015

Spectral imaging is a new technique that combines conventional imaging and spectroscopy in a single system to obtain both spatial and spectral information simultaneously from an object. In this study, potential of hyperspectral imaging in the spectral range of 910-1700 nm was investigated for detecting adulteration in minced lamb meat. Spectral data were extracted to develop a partial least squares regression (PLSR) model to predict the level of adulteration in minced lamb. Good prediction model was obtained using the whole spectral range with a coefficient of determination (R2 CV) of 0.97 and root-mean-square errors estimated by cross validation (RMSECV) of 1.80%. Successive projection algorithm (SPA) was employed for optimal waveband selection. The PLSR model using only 7 optimum wavelengths (930, 1067, 1396, 1460, 1658, 1668, and 1702 nm) resulted in a coefficient of determination (R2 CV) of 0.97 and RMSECV of 1.84%. The study demonstrated the ability of the hyperspectral imaging as a rapid and alternative to the time-consuming and conventional methods to detect adulteration in minced lamb meat. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v12i1.21411 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(1): 189-194, June 2014
Quality assessment of mixed fruit squash: physico-chemical analysis, sensory evaluation and storage studies
Authors: Jothi JS , Karmoker P , Sarower K
Published: January 2015

Fruits and vegetables belong to an essential class of foods that supply human diet with nutritive requirements including vitamins and minerals which are essential for normal body health and function. The study was carried out to determine the physico-chemical analysis and sensory qualities of mixed fruit squash. Carrot (Drocus carota), papaya (Carica papaya) and banana (Musa sapientum) juice were standardized to produce mixed squash which was stored for 9 weeks in sterilized glass bottles at room temperature. Marginal changes in pH, total soluble solids, acidity and vitamin C were observed. Estimation of vitamin C content (6.32  15.45 mg) of mixed squash showed high improvement in nutritional value of papaya juice incorporated with carrot and banana juice in squash. TSS (40.0 to 41.6) increased with gradual passage of storage time, which might be due to hydrolysis of polysaccharides into monosaccharide and oligosaccharides. The titratable acidity (1.25% to 2.97%) increased and pH (5.01 to 3.87) decreased progressively during the storage period might be due to the excessive fermentation and presence of lactic acid reducing micro- organism. The mean overall acceptability scores of more than 8 for mixed squash prepared up to 40% carrot juice incorporation with 40% papaya and 20% banana juice indicated the commercial scope for manufacturing good and nutritious squash from carrot, papaya and banana juice. However, the shelf life of mixed squash was established within 8 weeks. The product is recommended for children, youth and elderly persons to be used within 8 weeks. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v12i1.21412 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(1): 195-201, June 2014
Evaluation of quality status and detection of adulterants in selected commercial pickles and chutneys based on consumer attitude and laboratory analysis
Authors: Rahman A , Kayshar MS , Saifullah M , Uddin MB
Published: January 2015

Quality of selected commercial pickles and chutneys were evaluated by conducting a baseline survey on the consumer attitude towards the products and analyzing the selected products for adulterants and performing sensory evaluation. The pickle and chutney samples were analyzed in selected accredited laboratories for the physicochemical parameters such as fluid portion percent by mass of the net mass, acidity as citric acid (% mg/gm), sodium benzoate (mg/Kg), arsenic (mg/Kg), Lead (mg/Kg), copper (mg/Kg), zinc (mg/Kg), tin (mg/Kg). The result showed that all the commercial samples have fluid portion within the BSTI range except samples D and E and all the heavy metals were below the detection level. In case of samples A and B acidity was lower than the optimum value. However, preservative used in the samples are much higher than that of accepted level. From the sensory and organoleptic evaluation it was found that the average scores obtained by the pickles and chutney products for colour & texture, taste & flavor, absence of defects and total scores were satisfactory in comparison to BSTI standard. Concerning to total energy content mango pickles sample A has greater energy content than sample B. Among chutneys sample C has greater energy content where sugar is the main source of energy. In conclusion, commercial pickle and chutney may be recommended as safe and fit for consumption as the values for quality and sensory parameters comply with the BSTI standards. The current views of consumers about the quality of commercial pickle and chutney obtained from the baseline survey has been proved wrong after comparing analyzed values with those standards. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v12i1.21413 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(1): 203-209, June 2014
Performance evaluation of a pull type two rows granular urea applicator
Authors: Alam M , Sarker TR , Orin TA
Published: January 2015

Deep placement of super granular urea is very laborious and time consuming work for manually operation. To overcome the human stress and drudgery to place the super granular urea, a low cost manually operated pull type 2- rows granular urea applicator (GUA) was designed and developed in the department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The performance of machine was done in agronomy field of Bangladesh Agricultural University. The effective field capacity was 0.11 ha/hr at a forward speed of 1.78 km/hr and 78.89 % field efficiency of developed granular urea applicator. The average distance between two dropped granular urea (GU) from left hopper & right hopper were 40.64 cm and 40.89 cm respectively. The average missing rate of GU dropped during field operation was 1.65% for granular urea size of 2.83 gm. The depth of granular urea placement was 7-10 cm in puddle field. The pulling force and draft of the developed applicator were varied between 5-11 kg and 3-6.62 kg respectively. The draft power was 0.027 kW for 55.38 N pulling force at 1.78 km/hr speed. The application rate of the GUA was 170 kg/ha. The results of field and laboratory test of the developed applicator were better in comparison to other models of GUA. The operational cost of the applicator is 390 Tk/ha which is lower than 22.16% of BARI made push type GUA and 53% lower than the manually placement of GU. Average grain yield was highest (5234 kg/ha) when granular urea were applied by the developed applicator and followed by GU applied by BRRI made push type GUA (5213 kg/ha) and GU applied by manually (5209 kg/ha). The highest straw yield (6787 kg/ha) was obtained when GU applied by manually. However the differences of grain yields and straw yields were not significantly difference for applying GU by the applicators and manually operation. The manufacturing cost of the applicator is only Tk.6000. The weight and the drawbar power of the applicator were 15 kg and 0.03 kW respectively. Therefore one person (man or women) is enough to pull the machine. Overall performance of the applicator was found quite satisfactory. For this reason, the applicator may be introduced in Bangladesh to apply super granular urea. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v12i1.21414 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(1): 211-220, June 2014
Influence of concentration of sugar on mass transfer of pineapple slices during osmotic dehydration
Authors: Khanom SAA , Rahman MM , Uddin MB
Published: January 2015

Osmotic drying is a partial dehydration process to give the product a quality improvement over the conventional drying process. The experiment was conducted for studying water loss(WL), sugar gain(SG), weight reduction(WR) and total solid(TS) during osmotic dehydration of pineapple slices (10 mm thick) in different concentration of sugar (40%, 50% and 60%) up to 6 hours at room temperature. It was found that increasing the concentration of the sugar solution used resulted in increased rates of water loss. The water loss at 40% sugar solution of pineapple slices were found to be significantly lower (p=0.05) than that of at 60% sugar solution. It was found there were rapid rates of water loss, sugar gain, weight reduction for first four hour of the osmotic process. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v12i1.21415 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(1): 221-226, June 2014
Tumour cell–derived extracellular vesicles interact with mesenchymal stem cells to modulate the microenvironment and enhance cholangiocarcinoma growth
Authors: Haga Hiroaki , Yan Irene K. , Takahashi Kenji , Wood Joseph , Zubair Abba , Patel Tushar
Published: January 2015

The contributions of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to tumour growth and stroma formation are poorly understood. Tumour cells can transfer genetic information and modulate cell signalling in other cells through the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs). We examined the contribution of EV‐mediated inter‐cellular signalling between bone marrow MSCs and tumour cells in human cholangiocarcinoma, highly desmoplastic cancers that are characterized by tumour cells closely intertwined within a dense fibrous stroma. Exposure of MSCs to tumour cell–derived EVs enhanced MSC migratory capability and expression of alpha‐smooth muscle actin mRNA, in addition to mRNA expression and release of CXCL‐1, CCL2 and IL‐6. Conditioned media from MSCs exposed to tumour cell–derived EVs increased STAT‐3 phosphorylation and proliferation in tumour cells. These effects were completely blocked by anti‐IL‐6R antibody. In conclusion, tumour cell–derived EVs can contribute to the generation of tumour stroma through fibroblastic differentiation of MSCs, and can also selectively modulate the cellular release of soluble factors such as IL‐6 by MSCs that can, in turn, alter tumour cell proliferation. Thus, malignant cells can “educate” MSCs to induce local microenvironmental changes that enhance tumour cell growth.
Molecular cleft or tweezer compounds derived from trioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonadiene diisocyanate and diacid dichloride
Authors: Kollenz Gert , Smounig Ralf , Belaj Ferdinand , Kvaskoff David , Wentrup Curt
Published: January 2015

The structures of two derivatives of the bisdioxine diisocyanate 1, the bisurea 4 and the biscarbamate 5, are established by X-ray crystallography and DFT calculations. These compounds possess endo,endo structures, in the case of the bisurea 4 with two nearly parallel pendant chains. The X-ray structures are reproduced very well by DFT calculations. Similar endo,endo conformations are calculated for the bisamide crown ether derivatives 7, where two proximate and nearly parallel crown ether units endow the molecules with a claw-like molecular cleft or tweezer structure as evidenced by an enhanced ability to extract some alkali, alkaline earth and rare earth metal ions.
THE QUESTION CONCERNING MEDIA EFFECTS AND ORIGINS / MEDIJŲ POVEIKIO IR IŠTAKŲ KLAUSIMAS
Authors: Čepulis Nerijus
Published: January 2015

In this paper I seek to raise the question concerning media effects and origins. The medium can be conceived as the message and communicative environment. Furthermore, media are the extensions of man's consciousness and senses. By theses extensions subjectivity seeks for self-preservation, painless contact and socialization. One can understand the nature of connectivity not by exploring the content of a medium but the effects and development of communication. Media develops like a metaphor, that is to say every medium tends to transform into another medium and to translate knowledge from one kind to another. Furthermore, the content of any medium is another medium. The content of the writing is oral speech. The content of latter is nonverbal psychic processes with their basic drives such as libido, death drive and narcissism. These drives generate ambiguity in media development and effects. Santrauka Šiame straipsnyje keliamas techninio medialumo ištakų ir poveikio žmogui bei kultūrai klausimas. Pradedama nuo Marshallo McLuhano kultūros tyrinėjimų. Jie parodė, kad pačią mediją, o ne jos turinį galima suvokti kaip pranešimą, tai yra kaip komunikacinę aplinką, per kurią ir kurioje lavinama žmogaus sąmonė ir juslės. Lavinimas visada veikia ne tik kaip kontakto sąlyga, bet ir kaip narcisistinis atsiribojimas. Linijinio rašto ir mechanines technologijas keičiant koncentriškai veikiančioms elektrinėms medijoms, tapo akivaizdu, kad komunikacijos pobūdį labiau atskleidžia ne turinių analizė, bet poveikio mastas ir medialumo raida. Ji rodo, kad medijos turinys yra kita medija, sudariusi sąlygas tai medijai vystytis. Ypatingą vietą kultūros istorijoje užima kalbos medija, kuri, transformuodamasi į raštą, liko jo turiniu. Kalbos medijos turinys yra sąmonės procesai, kurių ištakose galima aptikti giluminių psichikos paskatų, tokių kaip libido, destruktyvumo ir nejautros siekio, ambivalentiškumą, kuris savo ruožtu lydi visą medijų raidą. Panašus ambivalentiškumas atsiranda dėl medijų poveikio. Reikšminiai žodžiai: Sigmundas Freudas, komunikacija, Marshallas McLuhanas, medija, mirties potraukis.
Prognostic Factors and Survival in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Crvenkova Simonida
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND: According to the literature, performance status, stage-tumor dimension and nodal status, weight loss, were the most important prognostic factors for survival in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.AIM: To evaluate the treatment results and the prognostic variables in our patients treated with sequential and concurrent chemoradiotherapy.MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the study 85 patients were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment arms. In the sequential arm, 45 patients had previously received sequential chemotherapy with 4 cycles of and etoposide followed by conformal radiotherapy (RT). In the second concurrent group, 40 patients received concomitant chemotherapy of cisplatine and etoposide and conformal RT, followed by two cycles of consolidation chemotherapy of carboplatine and etoposide. We described all phases of the conformal three dimensional (3-D) RT.RESULTS: From October 2005 to March 2008, 93 patients were enrolled. Eight patients were not eligible, seven had stage IV and one patient had pleural effusion. They were all initially considered to have stage IIIB disease. Â The median survival was 13 months for the patients in the sequential arm and 19 months for those in the concurrent treatment arm. The differences were statistically significant (log-rank test p=0.0039). The disease-free survival was 9 months in the sequential arm and 16 months in the concurrent treatment group. The differences were statistically significant (log-rank test p=0.0023). We found that the following prognostic factors significantly influenced the survival in lung cancer patients treated with conservative method: - age, p<0.05; - performant status, p<0.001; - weight loss, p<0.001; tumor dimension, p<0.05; and - nodal involvement, p<0.05.CONCLUSION: In our study, the dose-limiting toxicity, esophagitis was reduced by performing conformal radiotherapy. Conformal thoracic radiotherapy and new radiotherapy technics, such as respiratory gated radiotherapy, allow dose escalating and may probably improve survival and local control in lung cancer patients.
A new type of ant-decapitation in the Phoridae (Insecta: Diptera)
Authors: Brown Brian , Kung Giar-Ann , Porras Wendy
Published: January 2015

The genus Dohrniphora is a hyperdiverse group of phorid flies, a family whose species are commonly characterized as generalized scavengers. The lifestyle of most species of Dohrniphora is unknown, although one cosmopolitan, synanthropic species, D. cornuta (Bigot) fits the general scavenger mold. Here we show that flies of the D. longirostrata species group exhibit highly specific “headhunting” behavior in which injured Odontomachus ants are decapitated, the heads dragged away, and females either feed on their contents or lay an egg nearby. Since most females studied lacked eggs in their ovaries, we conclude that this bizarrely specialized feeding is necessary to provide nutrients for reproduction in these flies. Our study provides further evidence that injured ants are a common, stable resource in tropical ecosystems that support a wide array of phorid flies. Such narrowly constrained lifestyles, as exemplified by exclusively feeding on and breeding in the head contents of certain ponerine worker ants, could allow the co-existence of a huge community of saprophagous flies.
GLOBAL FEATURE FOR LEFT VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION DETECTION BASED ON SHAPE DEFORMATION TRACKING
Authors: Saputro Adhi Harmoko , Mustafa M. Marzuki , Hussain Aini , W. Zaki W. Mimi Diyana , Maskon Oteh , Mohd Nor Ika Faizura
Published: January 2015

Left ventricular (LV) shape alteration is closely correlated with cardiac disease and LV function. In this paper, we propose a feature to detect LV dysfunction globally by analyzing the LV shape deformation in systolic contraction. The feature is an index that is extracted from geometric measurement of LV shape such as the length of the long axis, the short axis, and the apical diameter. A framework for computing the features is also proposed that consists of shape model construction and motion estimation of myocardial boundary. The LV shape model is extracted from apical 2 and 4 chamber views of 2D echocardiography. The long axis, the short axis, and the apical diameter were redefined according to the LV shape constructed. An optical flow technique was used to estimate the position of the LV boundary in each frame. The classification of the LV dysfunction was performed using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and neural networks (NNs). The 2D echocardiography dataset collected from routine clinical check-up were used to validate the proposed method by comparing the computation result and cardiac expert diagnose. Classification performance and statistical analysis, which was performed to discriminate between healthy and diseased data, indicated promising results. The global LV features would provide a strong basis for a global LV function diagnosis and a global cardiac pathology assessment.
Granzymes Regulate Proinflammatory Cytokine Responses
Authors: Wensink Annette C. , Hack C. Erik , Bovenschen Niels
Published: January 2015

Granzymes (Grs) are serine proteases mainly produced by cytotoxic lymphocytes and are traditionally considered to cause apoptosis in tumor cells and virally infected cells. However, the cytotoxicity of several Grs is currently being debated, and additional, predominantly extracellular, functions of Grs in inflammation are emerging. Extracellular soluble Grs are elevated in the circulation of patients with autoimmune diseases and infections. Additionally, Grs are expressed by several types of immune cells other than cytotoxic lymphocytes. Recent research has revealed novel immunomodulatory functions of Grs. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on the role of Grs in inflammation, highlighting their role in cytokine induction and processing.
Transoesophageal echocardiography: What a neuroanaesthesiologist should know?
Authors: Choudhury Minati
Published: January 2015

Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a semi invasive imaging modality rapidly gained credence and popularity in the cardiothoracic centers worldwide by mid 1990s. It has also been found to be useful in some noncardiac surgical procedures, in particular in the management of neurosurgical patients and haemodynamically unstable patients in intensive care units (ICUs). The principal goal of basic transoesophageal echocardiographic examination encompass a broad range of anatomic imaging including the diagnosis of air embolism, causes of haemodynamic instability, ventricular size and function, volume status, and complications from invasive procedures, as well as the clinical impact or etiology of pulmonary dysfunction in ICU. TEE is relatively cheap and semi-invasive, but it should not be used as a stand-alone device but as a tool which provides data in addition to the data acquired from other forms of monitoring. The establishment of TEE in perioperative neuro anaesthetic care though recent, may result in a significant change in the role of the anaesthetsiologist who, using TEE can provide new information which may change the course and the outcome of surgical procedures.
Stem-cell therapy for neurologic diseases
Authors: Sharma Shilpa , Gupta Devendra
Published: January 2015

With the advent of research on stem cell therapy for various diseases, an important need was felt in the field of neurological diseases. While congenital lesion may not be amenable to stem cell therapy completely, there is a scope of partial improvement in the lesions and halt in further progression. Neuro degenerative lesions like Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have shown improvement with stem cell therapy. This article reviews the available literature and summarizes the current evidence in the various neurologic diseases amenable to stem cell therapy, the plausible mechanism of action, ethical concerns with insights into the future of stem cell therapy.
Mannitol versus hypertonic saline for intra-operative brain relaxation during aneurysm surgery
Authors: Sharma Shalini , Grover Vinod , Mathew Preethy
Published: January 2015

Background: The study was designed to compare the effects of equiosmolar and equivolemic 3% hypertonic saline (HTS) and 20% mannitol (M) on brain relaxation during aneurysm surgery. Materials and Methods: A prospective, randomised, double-blind study was undertaken in patients scheduled for surgical clipping of intracranial aneurysms presenting with Fisher grade I, II or III. The patients received either 300 mL of 3% hypertonic saline (HTS group) or 300 mL of 20% mannitol infusion (M group) during a period of 15 minutes at the start of scalp incision. The PaCO2 was maintained at 3.4-4.7 kilo Pascal, arterial blood pressure was maintained within ± 20% of baseline and central venous pressure was maintained at 5-10 cm of water. The haemodynamics, arterial blood gases and serum sodium concentration were compared. Surgeons assessed the condition of the brain as bulging, firm, satisfactorily relaxed and perfectly relaxed. An anaesthesiologist also assessed intra-operative brain relaxation. Results: The brain relaxation achieved with hypertonic saline was as good as that with mannitol. Urine output with mannitol was higher than with hypertonic saline (P < 0.04). Hypertonic saline caused an increase in serum sodium over one hour (P < 0.001) but resolved in 24 hours. Conclusions: The brain relaxation was equal in both the groups as assessed by the anaesthesiologist as well as the surgeon while the transient rise in serum sodium in hypertonic saline group returned to normal within 24 hours.
Monitoring the depth of anaesthesia using the new modified entropy sensors during supratentorial craniotomy: Our experience
Authors: Sharma Richa , Manninen Pirjo , Venkatraghavan Lashmikumar
Published: January 2015

Background: Monitoring the depth of anaesthesia can be a challenge in patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy because the conventional sensors for both bispectral index and entropy monitors lose their contact with a brain after scalp elevation. The new sensors for the entropy monitor are more flexible and can be placed in different locations. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility on the use of new GE entropy sensors in monitoring depth of anaesthesia in patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data from 20 consecutive patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy who had the monitoring of the depth of anaesthesia using modified entropy sensors. Prior to the induction of anaesthesia, the new GE entropy sensor (P/N M1038681) was applied in a modified fashion. We measured the state entropy (SE) and response entropy (RE) at 12 perioperative time points. Entropy values were compared with the clinical indices of depth of anaesthesia. Results: Data from 20 consecutive patients (orbitozygomatic craniotomy [10] and bifrontal craniotomy [10]) were analysed. Monitoring was possible in all the patients. The changes in entropy values correlated with clinical indices of depth of anaesthesia. However, some patients showed variations in absolute values (RE and SE) during the intraoperative period without any changes in the level of anaesthetic depth. Conclusions: Monitoring the depth of anaesthesia is feasible with the use of new entropy sensors in patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy. In contrast to standard sensors, the new sensors offer flexibility with the placement.
Comparison of oral intubation using flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope with or without rigid cervical collar: A clinical study
Authors: Gill Nitesh , Purohit Shobha , Godara Mukesh
Published: January 2015

Background: Device like fibreoptic bronchoscope is gold standard for difficult intubation situations. It can be performed by both orotracheal and nasotracheal route. But, through nasal route there are more chances of nasal bleeding and pressure necrosis while through oral route there is only one problem, which is clearing of upper airway for bronchoscope. Manoeuvres like jaw thrust and chin lift are very useful in clearing upper airway for bronchoscope. The aim of this study was to compare ease of oral intubation using flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope with or without rigid cervical collar, in terms of need of manoeuvres: Jaw thrust and Chin lift. Materials and Methods: 25 patients in age range 20-50 years, of ASA ? - II, and of either sex undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated into each group. There were two groups: Group A (Rigid Cervical Collar) and group B (Without Collar). Intubating condition was assessed in between these groups with need of manoeuvres like jaw thrust and chin lift. Quantitative data i.e. age, weight, thyromental distance and sternomental distance were presented as mean value and standard deviation. Intergroup comparison of quantitative data was done by t-test and probability was considered to be significant if less than <0.05. Categorical data i.e. sex, ASA grade, Mallampati grade and need of manoeuvres were presented as number and were compared among groups using Chi-square test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was significant (P < 0.05) difference between group A and group B in terms of use of manoeuvres for ease of intubation and clearing upper airway. In group B, need of jaw thrust and chin lift for clearing airway is significantly (P < 0.05) higher than collar group. Conclusion: We concluded that as far as the oral intubation with flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope is concerned, rigid cervical collar is very useful tool for making intubation easier.
Perioperative pentoxifylline therapy attenuates early postoperative neuro-cognitive decline in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Das Sambhunath , Kailash Suparna , Mehta Manu , Bisoi Akshya
Published: January 2015

Background: Postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a common problem. Studies show that pentoxifylline administration reduces inflammation induced by cardiopulmonary bypass and brain injury after ischaemia. Hence the perioperative use of pentoxifylline in attenuating POCD was evaluated in the study. Materials and Methods: Eighty patients were divided randomly into two groups from 106 patients scheduled for CABG surgery. The study group was administered pentoxifylline 400 mg twice daily orally from day of admission to 7th day after surgery, whereas the control group patients received placebo. Neurocognitive assessment was assessed by an independent clinical psychologist one day after admission to hospital and again on 7th postoperative day. The data was analyzed and a P < 0.05 was considered significant results. Results: Pentoxifylline-treated group showed no statistically significant difference in animal naming test scores (10.3 ± 2.2 versus 9.4 ± 2.5, P = 0.07), digit symbol substitution test (26.1 ± 7.47 vs 22.2 ± 6.07, P = 0.09) and 8 subtests of Post Graduate Institute-memory scale. The control group had significant POCD as detected by animal naming test (10.5 ± 3.7 versus 8.6 ± 3.9, P = 0.008), digit symbol substitution test (20.2 ± 8.2 versus 14.7 ± 8.9, P = 0.008) and five subtests of memory scale (P = 0.01, 0.04, 0.003, 0.005 and 0.02). The incidence of POCD was 50% in placebo-treated group compared to 22.5% in pentoxifylline group. Conclusions: The perioperative use of pentoxifylline attenuates the early postoperative neurocognitive decline after CABG using cardiopulmonary bypass.
Profound hypertension with dexmedetomidine during insertion of deep brain stimulator
Authors: Tedder Allison , Rakhman Evgeny , Manninen Pirjo , Venkatraghavan Lashmikumar
Published: January 2015

Dexmedetomidine is now frequently used in the anaesthetic management of patients undergoing deep brain stimulator insertion for movement disorders. We present two patients with Parkinson’s disease and dystonia who developed marked increase in blood pressure and level of sedation during the infusion of a loading dose of dexmedetomidine (1 mcg/kg over 10 min). Both patients required treatment of their blood pressure. The first patient also had a computed tomography of the brain to rule out an intracranial event. The patients recovered from these untoward events in approximately 30 min. The possible explanations for both the hypertension and oversedation were underestimation of the severity of the patients’ underlying disease process and a relative overdose of the loading dose of dexmedetomidine.
Management of a patient undergoing sitting position craniotomy for acoustic neuroma with co-existing interstitial lung disease
Authors: Suvarna Deepa , Baliarsing Lipika , Gujjar Pinakin , Agarwal Rashmi
Published: January 2015

A 38-year-old woman with acoustic neuroma associated with occupational interstitial lung disease (ILD) was successfully managed for sitting position craniotomy using carefully titrated desflurane-based anaesthesia. The anaesthetic challenges included maintenance an adequate depth of anaesthesia, reducing perioperative airway events and ensuring smooth recovery. While dealing with ILD patient in sitting position, careful risk assessment is important because it will help us predict the course of the perioperative events. Balanced general anaesthesia using desflurane fulfilled the requirement of good depth and smooth recovery in this patient. Though there are reports of maintenance of anaesthesia with other inhalational agents, there are scanty reports of using desflurane in these cases.
Reducing the oil spill threat to the marine environment (Foreword)
Authors: Klemas Victor , Blažauskas Nerijus
Published: January 2015

Presented in this special issue studies aims to contribute in order to limit the damage from oil spills and to facilitate containment and cleanup efforts; to optimize the response to oil spills as well as facilitate the preparation of comprehensive maps of most valuable assets as well as prepare joint response plans between neighbouring Kaliningrad Oblast of Russian Federation and Lithuania. The results of common Lithuanian-Russian project “Development of solutions for effective oil spill management in the South-Eastern Baltic” takes an attempt to operationally harmonize and scientifically ground a response capacity for this commonly used area
Solutions for effective oil spill management in the south–eastern part of the Baltic Sea
Authors: Suzdalev Sergej , Gulbinskas Saulius , Sivkov Vadim , Bukanova Tatiana
Published: January 2015

The Baltic Sea is facing exceptionally intensive marine traffic. Oil products in addition to other cargo types are being transported in this marine area. Therefore, the risk of potential oil pollution is very high. Although, the Baltic Sea has not experienced catastrophic oil spills, there have been spills causing serious environmental damage in the region. Construction of oil terminals and planned growth of Russian oil export through Baltic Sea ports along with the operation of large oil enterprises and oil drilling platforms make maritime safety a priority task for the Baltic Sea region. The publications collected in present Baltica Journal Special Issue set sights on the improvement of oil spill management in the South–Eastern Baltic Sea as well as stimulate the appearance of new transnational response agreements in the region.
Oil spill modelling methods: application to the south–eastern part of the Baltic Sea
Authors: Kileso Alexander , Chubarenko Boris , Zemlys Petras , Kuzmenko Igor
Published: January 2015

The state-of-art in oil spill modelling methods is summarized, focusing on development since 2000. Some recommendations for possible application of these methods to the south–eastern part of the Baltic Sea are prepared. Particular attention is paid on the methods of parameterization of volume of oil spill and calculation of advection of the oil spills. Consideration is also given to methods used in oil weathering models.
Hydrocarbons in the sediments offshore of the Curonian Spit (the south–eastern part of the Baltic Sea)
Authors: Nemirovskaya Inna , Ulyanova Marina , Sivkov Vadim
Published: January 2015

Data regarding the content and composition of the hydrocarbons (HC) — aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) — are presented in comparison with the content of the total organic carbon (Corg) in the bottom sediments in the coastal area of the eastern part of the Gdansk Basin (Russian sector of the Baltic Sea). The HC and PAH distribution in the sediments confirm the dependence of hazardous substance accumulation on the organic carbon content and the sediment grain size of the affected sediment. Bigger concentrations of PAHs were also observed near the Pionersky port. Particular attention was paid to the PAHs content.
Scale, origin and spatial distribution of marine litter pollution in the Lithuanian coastal zone of the Baltic Sea
Authors: Balčiūnas Arūnas , Blažauskas Nerijus
Published: January 2015

The first attempt to investigate the marine litter pollution level of the Lithuanian coastal zone was carried out based on different marine litter monitoring methods and according to the lists of identifiable items. The results have proven that plastic is the dominant type of marine litter. It seems that tourism and fishery related marine litter occurrence do not significantly depend on seasonal variations. The outcome of the study will serve as basic information for future inventory of the character of marine pollution, provide the scientifically grounded limit value for Good Environmental Status (GES) assessment in the Lithuanian coastal zone, and will contribute for the enhancement of the ecological status of the south–eastern coasts of the Baltic Sea.
Assessment of the sensitivity of sandy coasts of the south–eastern part of the Baltic to oil spills
Authors: Blažauskas Nerijus , Dorokhov Dmitry
Published: January 2015

The sandy coasts of the south–eastern Baltic Sea are the unique landscape along the shores of Poland, Kaliningrad Oblast (Russia), Lithuania and Latvia. Flat sandy beaches, protective dune ridges and near shore sandy spits are very valuable and attractive resources for human recreation and valuable habitat for wildlife. Intensifying shipping, operation of oil terminals and offshore platforms poses a constant threat not only to coastal and socio–economic resources, but also to sensitive underwater landscapes of marine areas and vulnerable marine habitats. Analysis of environmental sensitivity proved to be an effective tool for national and regional oil spill response planning. However, in order to complete the precise evaluation of near shore and coastal zone sensitivity to possible oil spills there is a need to identify vulnerable coastal sectors and complete detailed mapping of underwater landscapes. This is achieved by developing an integrated methodology for analysis of valuable coastal zone sensitivity to potential oil spills.
Integration of marine research results into a maritime spatial plan for Lithuania
Authors: Milerienė Rosita , Blažauskas Nerijus , Gulbinskas Saulius
Published: January 2015

This paper presents the results of integration of the environmental, economic and social data into comprehensive spatial plan of Lithuania. The main driving forces for the economic developments at sea are offshore wind energy growth and demand for exploration and exploitation of potential oil deposits. The de-veloped spatial plan is a practical step towards implementation of the strategy for the Baltic Sea region and particularly focused on proper management of the marine resources. The concept of location of existing and future marine activities along with regulatory framework was created. The developed spatial solutions create the pre–conditions for future development at the sea and at the same time highlights the demand for new quality of the scientific research while investigating the marine resources and evaluating the economic effect as well as environmental consequences.
A New Perspective: Investment and Efficiency under Incentive Regulation
Authors: Poudineh Rahmatallah , Jamasb Tooraj
Published: January 2015

Following the liberalisation of the electricity industry since the early 1990s, many sector regulators have adopted incentive regulation aided by benchmarking and productivity analysis. This approach has often resulted in efficiency and quality of service improvement. However, there remains a growing concern as to whether the utilities invest sufficiently and efficiently in maintaining and modernising their networks. This paper studies the relationship between investments and cost efficiency in the context of incentive regulation with ex-post regulatory treatment of investments using a panel dataset of 129 Norwegian distribution companies from 2004 to 2010. We introduce the concept of “no impact efficiency” as a revenue-neutral efficiency effect of investment under incentive regulation that makes a firm “investment efficient” in cost benchmarking. Also, we estimate the observed efficiency effect of investments and compare these with the no impact efficiency.

Finally, we discuss the implications of cost benchmarking for investment behaviour of network companies.
Practical Applications in Immunohistochemistry: Evaluation of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma and Related Large B-Cell Lymphomas
Authors: O'Malley Dennis P. , Auerbach Aaron , Weiss Lawrence M.
Published: January 2015

Context

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most commonly diagnosed subtype of lymphoma worldwide. The current World Health Organization (WHO) classification includes several subtypes, based on a combination of clinical, immunohistochemical, and genetic differences. Immunohistochemical staining is essential in evaluating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and many related large B-cell lymphomas and aggressive B-cell lymphomas.

Objective

To address different immunohistochemical features used for identification, subclassification, prognosis and in some cases, therapy, of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and related lymphomas.

Data Sources

The information outlined in this review article is based on our experiences with routine cases, on the current WHO classification of hematopoietic and lymphoid tumors, and on a review of English-language articles published throughout 2014.

Conclusions

Features and diagnostic criteria of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, aggressive variants of B-cell lymphomas, including Burkitt lymphoma and “double-hit” lymphomas, are discussed. Identification of cell of origin (germinal center type versus activated B-cell type) is discussed at length. Finally, practical approaches for diagnosis are discussed.
Proteomic analysis of the response to cell cycle arrests in human myeloid leukemia cells
Authors: Ly Tony , Endo Aki , Lamond Angus I
Published: January 2015

Previously, we analyzed protein abundance changes across a ‘minimally perturbed’ cell cycle by using centrifugal elutriation to differentially enrich distinct cell cycle phases in human NB4 cells (Ly et al., 2014). In this study, we compare data from elutriated cells with NB4 cells arrested at comparable phases using serum starvation, hydroxyurea, or RO-3306. While elutriated and arrested cells have similar patterns of DNA content and cyclin expression, a large fraction of the proteome changes detected in arrested cells are found to reflect arrest-specific responses (i.e., starvation, DNA damage, CDK1 inhibition), rather than physiological cell cycle regulation. For example, we show most cells arrested in G2 by CDK1 inhibition express abnormally high levels of replication and origin licensing factors and are likely poised for genome re-replication. The protein data are available in the Encyclopedia of Proteome Dynamics (http://www.peptracker.com/epd/), an online, searchable resource.
Crystal structure of human U1 snRNP, a small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle, reveals the mechanism of 5′ splice site recognition
Authors: Kondo Yasushi , Oubridge Chris , van Roon Anne-Marie M , Nagai Kiyoshi
Published: January 2015

U1 snRNP binds to the 5′ exon-intron junction of pre-mRNA and thus plays a crucial role at an early stage of pre-mRNA splicing. We present two crystal structures of engineered U1 sub-structures, which together reveal at atomic resolution an almost complete network of protein–protein and RNA-protein interactions within U1 snRNP, and show how the 5′ splice site of pre-mRNA is recognised by U1 snRNP. The zinc-finger of U1-C interacts with the duplex between pre-mRNA and the 5′-end of U1 snRNA. The binding of the RNA duplex is stabilized by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions between U1-C and the RNA backbone around the splice junction but U1-C makes no base-specific contacts with pre-mRNA. The structure, together with RNA binding assays, shows that the selection of 5′-splice site nucleotides by U1 snRNP is achieved predominantly through basepairing with U1 snRNA whilst U1-C fine-tunes relative affinities of mismatched 5′-splice sites.
Role of mantle flow in Nubia‐Somalia plate divergence
Authors: Stamps D. S. , Iaffaldano G. , Calais E.
Published: December 2014

Present‐day continental extension along the East African Rift System (EARS) has often been attributed to diverging sublithospheric mantle flow associated with the African Superplume. This implies a degree of viscous coupling between mantle and lithosphere that remains poorly constrained. Recent advances in estimating present‐day opening rates along the EARS from geodesy offer an opportunity to address this issue with geodynamic modeling of the mantle‐lithosphere system. Here we use numerical models of the global mantle‐plates coupled system to test the role of present‐day mantle flow in Nubia‐Somalia plate divergence across the EARS. The scenario yielding the best fit to geodetic observations is one where torques associated with gradients of gravitational potential energy stored in the African highlands are resisted by weak continental faults and mantle basal drag. These results suggest that shear tractions from diverging mantle flow play a minor role in present‐day Nubia‐Somalia divergence.
Fabrication of Riblet Structures on a Ni‐based Superalloy (PWA1483) for Potential Drag Reduction in High Temperature Applications Based on Laser Optimization
Authors: Schlieter Antje , Shakhverdova I. , Leyens C.
Published: January 2015

We propose a new laser‐based fabrication process of small‐sized riblets on PWA1483 coated on a 3 μm‐thin sputtered Ni/Cr/Ni multilayer. Laser ablation was used for local material removal. Subsequent oxidation was used to provide an optimal riblet dimensions for a drug reduction and oxidation resistance. As a result of the heat treatment, a 7 μm oxide film was formed. The oxide film consists of two different oxide layers: while the upper one is formed of a dense Cr2O3 layer with NiO, Cr2NiO4, and TiO2 inclusions, the bottom one mainly consists of alpha‐Al2O3. Between the riblets, a TiO2 layer was formed on the top of Cr2O3 layer. First mechanical tests showed a promising riblet stability under the low‐cycle fatigue load, under tension, and under quasi‐cyclic bending load. The riblets also exhibit no severe failure by applying a quasi‐cyclic bending stress of 900 MPa for 200 times. Furthermore, cyclic tensile loading with a mean load of 500 MPa and an amplitude of 220 MPa corresponding to a strain range of 0.35% (stress level of R = 0.35) led to no damage of the riblet structure.
Effect of Interface Evolution on Thermal Conductivity of Vacuum Hot Pressed SiC/Al Composites
Authors: Chen Zhizhong , Tan Zhanqiu , Ji Gang , Fan Genlian , Schryvers Dominique , Ouyang Qiubao , Li Zhiqiang
Published: January 2015

The SiC/Al composites have been fabricated by a vacuum hot pressing (VHP) process in order to study the effect of interface evolution on the global thermal conductivity (TC). By optimizing the VHP parameters of sintering temperature and time, the three different kinds of SiC/Al interface configurations, that is, non‐bonded, diffusion‐bonded, and reaction‐bonded interfaces, are formed and identified by measurement of relative density, X‐ray diffraction, scanning and (high‐resolution) transmission electron microscopy. The VHPed composite sintered at 655 °C for 60 min is fully dense and presents a tightly‐adhered and clean SiC/Al interface at the nanoscale, the ideal diffusion‐bonded interface being the most favorable for minimizing interfacial thermal resistance, which in turn results in the highest TC of around 270 W/mK.