Search

Organ donation rates in the United States are lowest among Asians. Physicians are highly respected in Asian communities and may be influential in promoting donor registration, but little is known about their organ donor registration attitudes. We assessed associations between knowledge, attitudes, personal/professional experience, cultural/religious beliefs surrounding organ donation and donor registration status using multivariable logistic regression. We surveyed 121 Asian physicians in Queens, New York; 22% were registered donors. Registered donors were more likely to discuss donation wishes with their family (OR 9.47, 95% CI 2.60–34.51), know that donor human leukocyte antigen does not need to match organ recipients (OR 6.47, 95% CI 1.66–25.28), and have experience advising patients about organ donation (OR 5.35, 95% CI 1.50–19.02). Culturally tailored educational materials providing updated information to promote family discussion about organ donation could potentially increase Asian physicians' level of comfort and expertise in discussing organ donor registration with patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breeding for higher yield and wider adaptability are major objectives of soybean crop improvement. In the present study, 68 advanced breeding lines along with seven best checks were evaluated for yield and attributing traits by following group balanced block design. Three blocks were constituted based on the maturity duration of the breeding lines. High genetic variability for the twelve quantitative traits was found within and across the three blocks. Several genotypes were found to outperform check varieties for yield and attributing traits. During the same crop season, one of the promising entries, NRC 128,was evaluated across seven locations for its wider adaptability and it has shown stable performance in Northern plain Zone with > 20% higher yield superiority over best check PS 1347. However, it produced 9.8% yield superiority over best check in Eastern Zone. Screening for waterlogging tolerance under artificial conditions revealed that NRC 128 was on par with the tolerant variety JS 97–52. Based on the yield superiority, wider adaptability and waterlogging tolerance, NRC 128 was released and notified by Central Varietal Release Committee (CVRC) of India, for its cultivation across Eastern and Northern Plain Zones of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sternal wound infections (SWI) in delayed sternal closure (DSC) patients are a healthcare burden after congenital heart surgery. There are no guidelines specific for pediatric DSC patients to prevent this costly complication. The hypothesis was that the modifications to a bundled approach for DSC patients would decrease the SWI rate. For this prospective cohort study, DSC patients were postoperatively admitted to a pediatric cardiac care unit from February 2017 to January 2018. Using a modified protocol for prevention of SWI, the infection rates pre- and post-modified protocol were compared. The primary outcome measure was SWI. Secondary outcome measures were compliance with modifications. Retrospective review of cases in pre-protocol modification era from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016 showed 377 pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass cases and 39 (10.4%) underwent DSC. During the post-protocol modification era, there were 129 cardiopulmonary bypass cases and 17 (13%) DSC cases. The SWI rate in DSC were 7.7% and 0% for pre-intervention and post-intervention, respectively (p = 0.52). The Bayesian confidence interval with Jeffreys prior gives a 95% confidence interval of 1.5% to 18.3% for pre-intervention and 0 to 13.5% for post-intervention. Compliance with the protocol bundle during the post protocol era was 93–100%. Although preliminary results are not statistically significant due to cohort size, the economic burden and increased LOS for each SWI is clinically significant. The early results of reduced infections for DSC patients using a modified bundle approach appear promising. Continued study and a multicenter project would be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sensitive solid-state electrochemiluminescence (ECL) electrode for L-cysteine was developed based on depositing layers of a hybrid nanocomposite of polypyrrole-dodecyl benzene sulfate-sodium perchlorate-sodium carbonate-gadolinium (PPy-Gd2O3) on a platinum substrate. The presence of the Gd2O3 nanoparticle layer improved the ECL signal, and under optimum conditions, a linear relationship was observed between the signal and the logarithm of L-cysteine concentration from 1.0 × 10−13 to 1.0 × 10−6 M (R2 = 0.9937). At the emission wavelength around 425 nm , at which the analytical signal was measured, the electrode showed an RSD of less than 4% and a low detection limit of 4.2 × 10−14 M. The results proved to be reproducible and stable, and the electrode was applicable in the determination of L-cysteine in biological fluids with recoveries from 94.0–107%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, selective magnetic solid-phase extraction speciation of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) from aqueous solution with synthesized magnetic nanoparticles modified with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC). Cr(VI) could be separated from Cr(III) due to its complexation with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide. Fe3O4@SiO2@DPC with an average size of 22 nm has been characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The optimized conditions for adsorption were established by adjusting the parameters affecting speciation of Cr(VI) and Cr(III), such as pH, sample volume, metal ion concentration, adsorbent dosage, and time. The modified magnetic nanoparticles preferably adsorbed Cr(VI) at pH = 2.5 and made it possible to speciate it from Cr(III). Four times recovery of magnetic solid phase was investigated by eluting Fe3O4@SiO2@DPC with different concentrations of HCl, HNO3 and H2SO4 and it was found that 10 mL of 1 M HNO3 was the best eluent. The obtained data fitted with Langmuir isotherm of adsorption which indicates that the adsorption of Cr(VI) onto Fe3O4@SiO2@DPC is a type of monolayer sorption. Finally, magnetic nanoparticles were evaluated for chromium electroplating wastewater where it showed a sufficient ability to work in a real media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to high infection rates following stoma site skin closure [[1]], many surgeons opt to leave the site open for healing with secondary intention. Out of these, 58 patients met the criteria for skin closure per protocol; remaining patients had their wounds left open for healing by secondary intention. However, the wound infection rates after skin closure were much higher for colostomy reversal patients when compared to those undergoing ileostomy reversal (14.19 vs 7.84%). [Extracted from the article]

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after acute medical events is associated with medication nonadherence. The mechanisms of PTSD-related nonadherence are poorly understood. We tested whether patients with elevated PTSD symptoms induced by suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were more likely to have aversive cognitions towards cardiovascular medications. We enrolled a consecutive cohort of patients who presented to the emergency department with suspected ACS. One month after discharge, ACS-induced PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist (PCL-S), and patients were asked “how often did” (1) “you miss your heart medication because you did not want to be reminded about your heart problem”; (2) “thinking about your heart medication make you feel nervous or anxious”; and (3) “thinking about your heart medication make you think about your risk for future heart problems.” Logistic regression was used to determine the association between elevated PTSD symptoms and each aversive cognition, adjusting for age, sex, race, ethnicity, education, depression, and ACS status. Of 424 patients included, 15.8% had elevated PTSD symptoms (PCL-S ≥ 34). In adjusted analyses, higher PCL-S scores were associated with missing medications to avoid reminders of heart disease (OR 1.22 per 5-point PCL-S increase, 95%CI 1.07-1.40), as well as anxiety (OR 1.34, 95%CI 1.19-1.51) and thoughts of future risk (OR 1.19, 95%CI 1.08-1.32) when thinking about cardiovascular medications. We concluded that patients with elevated PTSD symptoms following suspected ACS were more likely to report aversive cognitions about their cardiovascular medications, suggesting that medications can act as traumatic reminders of the cardiac event and ongoing risk in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetically recoverable cobalt doping FeO/TiO magnetic nanocomposites with an acceptable core-shell structure were prepared via a sol-gel process at low calcination temperature. The crystalline size and structure, morphology, and magnetic properties of resulting particles have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), FT-Raman, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Metoprolol tartrate (MET) as a pharmaceutical pollutant was used to observe the photocatalytic degradation ability of the magnetically recoverable particles. The process of degradation under UV irradiation at controlled temperature was studied and the remaining concentrations of MET as a contaminant were measured by UV-Vis spectrometer at λ = 229 nm. This ability remained 95.76% after three times of repetitive use at the same conditions. Various parameters such as reaction temperature, pH, and speed of stirring of the aqueous solution had an effect on the rate of degradation. The amount of cobalt dopant and nanocomposites are also effective on the rate of degradation. Coupling of electrical current with photocatalytic process has proven to be effective in the degradation of MET aqueous solution clearly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we have prepared Mn-doped zinc sulfide diluted magnetic semiconductors with varying manganese concentrations ( x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10 mol%) using co-precipitation method. The single-phase nano-crystalline ZnMnS powders have been confirmed with X-ray diffraction. The residual strains also have been calculated, and have been observed to affect the lattice constants. The surface morphology is investigated with scanning electron microscopy, which illustrates the presence of smaller grains, which coalescence to form larger grains. The presence of the ferromagnetism at room temperature has been observed; however, significant paramagnetic contribution is also present. The observed weak ferromagnetism might be due to the structural and surface imperfections. The single-phase ZnMnS exhibiting magnetism at room temperature evidences the potential spintronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitized ZnS nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical precipitation method using anthocyanin as the capping agent and sensitizer. X-ray diffractometer, field-emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, UV visible spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectrometry methods were used for the characterization of nanoparticles. The electron microscopy studies of nanoparticles showed that the size of crystallites is in the range of 35-80 nm and optical studies showed a blue shift in the absorption edge by adding capping agent. The effective band gap energy was increased with decrease in the particle size. Photocatalytic activities of sensitized ZnS and pure ZnS were evaluated by degradation of tetracycline in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation, and progress of the reaction was monitored spectrophotometrically. The different parameters affecting degradation such as the pH of solution, amount of semiconductor and reusability of catalyst for three cycles and the photocatalytic degradation kinetics of tetracycline were studied. More than 80% degradation was achieved within 5 h under visible light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA and BSA binding properties of mononuclear Co (II) and Cu (II) complexes containing letrozole [M(Le)Cl]·(H2O)](Le=[4,4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethylene)bisbenzonitrile] have been investigated under physiological conditions. The interaction ability of the two complexes with native calf thymus DNA(CT-DNA) has been monitored as a function of the metal complex-DNA molar ratio by UV-Vis absorption spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism(CD) and thermal denaturation studies. The intrinsic binding constants, K, of complexes 1 and 2 with CT-DNA, obtained from UV-Vis absorption studies, were 3.15 ± 0.02 × 10 and 4.37 ± 0.02 × 10 M, respectively. The addition of the complexes to CT-DNA (1:2) leads to an increase in the melting temperature of DNA up to around 4 °C, which has revealed that complexes could interact with DNA through intercalation mode. Fluorimetric studies have been performed using methylene blue (MB) as a fluorescence probe and competitive studies have shown the ability of the complexes to displace the DNA-bound MB, suggesting competition with MB. To explore the potential biological value of the complexes, the binding interaction between Co (II) and Cu (II) complexes and bovine serum albumin (BSA) has also been studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. The results indicate that the reaction between the complexes and BSA is a static quenching procedure. The site marker displacement experiment has suggested the location of the complexes binding to BSA at Sudlow's site I in subdomain IIA. Finally, MTT assay studies have shown that the bioactive complexes exert significantly high selective dose-dependent cytotoxicity against a panel of cancer cell lines including MCF-7, JURKAT, SKOV3 and U87. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to the synthesis of silica nanoparticles from tetraethyl orthosilicate, its synthesis from sodium silicate solution (SSS) in alkaline medium is less investigated. Herein, we present a study for the synthesis of non-agglomerated silica nanoparticles from SSS under alkaline conditions. SSS was diluted with water and slowly added in the mixture of ethanol and ammonia to form a sol which was aged and centrifuged to obtain silica nanoparticles. Effect of different ratios of ethanol and ammonia in the mixture on the size of silica nanoparticles was studied, and these nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. It was found that the produced silica nanoparticles were spherical in shape, non-agglomerated in nature and their size could be tailored with the change in the ratio of ammonia and ethanol. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An oxidized mesoporous carbon material, modified with tetraethylenepentamine, has been developed as a highly efficient adsorbent for hexavalent chromium. Influence of parameters such as adsorbent dose (0.1-0.8 g L) solution pH (1-9), contact time, and initial concentration (100-1,000 mg L) on adsorption capacity has been investigated and optimized. The sorption equilibrium was reached within 60 min. The structural order and textural properties of the synthesized material were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis. The experimental results were analyzed by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The maximum adsorption capacity of 510 mg g at an initial concentration of 1,000 mg L is well predicted by the Freundlich isotherm. The kinetic analysis indicated that the adsorption process was successfully fitted with the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. Compared to other adsorbents reported in the literature, the modified nanoporous carbon material prepared in this study is found to be highly efficient adsorbent for the removal of hexavalent chromium from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kunitz trypsin inhibitor, a proteinaceous antinutritional factor present in soybean seeds, is responsible for inferior nutritional quality of raw soybean and incompletely processed soy products. The objective of the present investigation was to validate the SSR markers (Satt228 and Satt409) reported to be linked to Ti locus in an Indian soybean population generated from the cross between soybean cultivar LSb1 ( TiTi) and PI542044 ( titi). Parental polymorphism was surveyed using Satt409, Satt228 and 5 SSR markers in the neighbouring genomic region of Ti locus. A portion of the cotyledon of F seeds was used for analyzing the presence or absence of kunitz trypsin inhibitor polypeptide electrophoretically while the remaining portion containing the embryo was used for raising the F plants (104) for the development of mapping population. The SSR marker Satt228 reported to be tightly linked with Ti locus was not found to be polymorphic for the parents used in our study. Satt409 was found to be linked with Ti locus at 4.7 cM. Besides, a new marker Satt538 was found to be linked with Ti locus at a distance of 17.8 cM. Thus, the SSR marker Satt409 can be useful for Marker Assisted Selection for transferring titi allele in the background of Indian soybean genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The end-to-end performance of multibranch dual-hop wireless communication systems with nonregenerative relays and equal gain combiner (EGC) at the destination over independent Nakagami-m fading channels is studied. We present new closed form expressions for probability distribution function (PDF) and cumulative distribution function (CDF) of end-to-end signal to noise ratio (SNR) per branch in terms of Meijer's G function. From these results, analytical formulae for the moments of the output SNR, the average overall SNR, the amount of fading, and the spectral efficiency are also obtained in closed form. Instead of using moments-based approach to analyze the asymptotic error performance of the system, we employ the characteristic function (CHF) method to calculate the average bit error probability (ABEP) and the outage probability for several coherent and noncoherent modulation schemes. The accuracy of the analytical formulae is verified by various numerical results and simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed coat permeability and electrolyte leaching are the important traits that have been negatively associated with seed longevity in soybean. The objective of this study was to use SSR markers to identify genomic regions significantly associated with QTLs controlling seed coat permeability and electrolyte leaching in a segregating F2 population derived from a cross of Birsa soya-1 x JS 71-05. Parental polymorphism survey using 145 SSR markers identified 21 polymorphic ones, which were used to genotype 153 F2 individuals. Four independent markers (Satt434, Satt538, Satt281 and Satt598) were significantly (P=0.05) associated with seed coat permeability. One of these markers (Satt 281) also showed significant association with electrolyte leaching that partly supported the observed positive correlation (r = 0.425) between the two traits. Markers for seed coat permeability individually explained 3.9% to 4.5% of the total phenotypic variation, while the marker linked with electrolyte leaching explained 5.6% of the total variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five different samples of a new sorbent, modified mesoporous cerium(IV) silicate have been prepared with various mole ratios of Si/Ce and Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMABr) as template. XRD, nitrogen sorption, SEM, IR, thermogravimetry and sorption of radionuclides have been studied. Separation of Hg(II)-Th(IV), Hg(II)-Zr(IV) and Rb(I)-Zr(IV) have been developed on columns of this novel sorbent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast and selective separation of dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), benzyl butyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, dimethyl adipate, diethyl adipate, di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate, triethyl citrate, tributyl citrate, tributyl acetyl citrate and n-butyl stearate have been developed on thin layers of inorganic ion-exchanger stannic silicate using a mixture of toluene + ethyl acetate (10:1, v/v) as mobile phase. The development distance and time were 12 cm and 25 min, respectively. Quantitative determination of DEHP was made at wavelength 280 nm by Camag TLC Scanner-3. Limit of quantitation for DEHP was 0.50 μg per zone while its limit of detection was 0.05 μg per zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples of a new inorganic ion-exchanger thorium tungstophosphate have been prepared under various conditions. The ion exchange capacity, IR, XRD, thermogravimetry and sorption of the radionuclides have been studied. Separation of Sr-Nd, Sr-Ce, Cr-Mo and Cs-Nd have been developed on columns of this ion-exchanger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum is a pathogenic factor in some diseases, like Alzheimer and aluminum toxicity in dialysis patients. This subject signifies Al measurement in biological samples. Different methods have been proposed for Al determination. One of the known methods for the analysis of this element is instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). 31P, 28Si, 32Cl and 24Na interfere the determination of Al in this method. In this study, the effects of high amounts of 38Cl and 24Na on the measurement of 28Al are discussed. The data gathered by the detector is filtered by an equation named digital low pass filter equation with the help of a computer. The net-areas of filtered and non-filtered peaks of 28Al are compared. Finally these areas are compared with the net-area of 28Al peak in the standard reference material, NIST-SRM-1547. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum levels of serum and red blood cell (RBC) were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) in 15 patients undergoing long-term haemodialysis. In the sample, aluminum was bombarded with thermal neutrons due to 27Al(n,γ)28Al and was determined by measuring 1779 keV gamma-ray of 28Al (T1/2 = 2.24 min) with a HPGe detector. Phosphorus, causing an important interference by the fast neutron reaction, 31P(n,α)28Al, was determined by the photometric method to correct the net-area under the 28Al gamma-peak. The one-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to control the normality distribution of the aluminum levels in serum and RBC. The results obtained were found to be in agreement with the serum aluminum determination performed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The statistical results show a correlation between the aluminum levels of serum and RBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constriction of the penile vasculature prevents erection and is largely mediated by physiological agonists. We hypothesized that protein kinase C (PKC) may act as a regulator of penile vascular tone. Studies were designed to identify PKC isoforms present and to investigate their roles in phenylephrine-induced muscle contraction in the isolated rat corpora cavernosa. We demonstrated the presence of PKCa, ß, ?, ?, d, ?, and ? in rat corpora cavernosa and a subcellular distribution, which favored a membrane association for PKCa, ß, d, and ?. Phenylephrine (3?µM) generated an active stress of 9.6±1.5?mN/mm2 and was associated with a significant increase of PKCa and PKC? immunoreactivity in the particulate fraction. The amount of PKCa and PKC? in the particulate fraction rose by 36±4.4 and 51±2.2% with phenylephrine stimulation. Furthermore, the phenylephrine concentration-response curve was potentiated in the presence of phorbol 12-myristate13-acetate (PMA) (0.1?µM), a PKC activator (EC50: phenylephrine 1.0±0.8?µM vs phenylephrine+PMA 0.3±0.1?µM) and inhibited in the presence of chelerythrine chloride (30?µM), a PKC inhibitor (EC50: phenylephrine 1.0±0.8?µM vs phenylephrine+chelerythrine chloride 5.7±2.4?µM). Based on these results, we suggest a potential role for PKCa and PKC? in phenylephrine-induced smooth muscle tone of the rat cavernosum.International Journal of Impotence Research (2004) 16, 325-333. doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3901164 Published online 27 November 2003 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian carcinoma (OC) is a leading cause of death among women throughout the world. A number of cancer-associated genes have been shown to be inactivated by hypermethylation of CpG islands during tumorigenesis. We tested the hypothesis that methylation status of MGMT, CDH1, RAR-ß and SYK could be important in the ovarian tumorigenic process and can lead to the gene(s) inactivation. Therefore, we assessed the promoter hypermethylation of MGMT, CDH1, RAR-ß and SYK in 43 ovarian granulosa cell tumours (GCTs) (adult type) using methylation-specific PCR. These tumours are relatively rare, accounting for approximately 3% of all ovarian cancers. Hypermethylation of MGMT (in 14 tumours), CDH1 (in nine tumours), RAR-ß (in eight tumours) and SYK (in seven tumours) have been found. Selective loss of RAR-ß and RAR-ß2 mRNA has been found in seven patients, while that of MGMT and SYK in three patients who also show aberrant methylation in promoter region of RAR-ß in addition to MGMT, SYK and CDH1 genes. Promoter CpG hypermethylation may be an alternative to mutation(s) to inactivate tumour suppressor genes such as MGMT, CDH1, RAR-ß and SYK, and this can also be an early event in the pathogenesis of OCs. Moreover, hypermethylation of the MGMT and CDH1, MGMT and RAR-ß and CDH1 and RAR-ß promoters occurred concordantly (P< 0.001, 0.0421 and 0.0005 respectively; Fischer's exact test). In addition to this, monosomy 22 and trisomy 14 have also been found in 10 tumours. It is clear from the results that hypermethylation of the promoter region of these tumour suppressor genes, monosomy 22 and trisomy 14, may be critical steps in the tumorigenesis, which consequently play a permissive role for tumour aggressiveness. All these events might play an important role in the early clinical diagnosis of the disease. Our results, therefore, suggest a potential role for epigenetic modification of these critical tumour suppressor genes in pathways relevant to the transformation and differentiation of rare type of ovarian cancer (GCTs).British Journal of Cancer (2004) 90, 874-881. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6601567 www.bjcancer.com [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin-13 receptor (IL-13R) α2 chain plays a key role in ligand binding and internalization. We have recently demonstrated that this cytokine receptor chain has unique characteristics in tumor biology: it inhibits tumorigenicity of breast and pancreatic cancer in animal models. In this study, we have exploited IL-13Rα2 chain and established a novel approach for pancreatic cancer therapy. For this, a plasmid encoding the IL-13Rα2 chain gene was mixed with liposomes and injected into subcutaneously or orthotopically xeno-grafted human pancreatic tumors in immunodeficient mice, followed by systemic or local therapy by a recombinant IL-13 cytotoxin. Only tumors forced to express IL-13Rα2 chain acquired extreme susceptibility to the antitumor effect of IL-13 cytotoxin. There was a dominant infiltration of cells including macrophages and natural killer cells in the regressing tumors. Since macrophages were found to produce nitric oxide, IL-13Rα2-targeted cancer therapy involved not only a direct tumor cell killing by IL-13 cytotoxin but also activation of innate immune response at the tumor site. Therefore, this approach may be a new powerful tool for pancreatic cancer or other localized cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

40-year-old woman presented with diplopia and left VI nerve palsy. After investigations, diagnosis of a meningioma in the parasellar-prepontine region was considered. Following angiography and embolization, near-total excision of the tumour attached to abducens nerve was performed. Histological examination was consistent with the diagnosis of schwannoma. This is the thirteenth case report of a schwannoma of cranial nerve VI and the first such case where embolization of feeding tumour vessels was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillary angiomatosis is an opportunistic infection occurring predominantly in patients with HIV infection. The manifestations of this vasculoproliferative disorder vary markedly. Virtually any organ site may be involved, singly or multiply. However cutaneous involvement can be a valuable clue to its diagnosis. We report a case of bacillary angiomatosis in an HIV-infected patient presenting as isolated pyomyositis of the right leg. The rarity of such a presentation and paucity of cutaneous lesions, as in our case, may render timely diagnosis elusive and difficult. Its recognition however, is important since bacillary angiomatosis, if untreated, is potentially fatal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel/Aluminum laminates have been prepared by hot pressing of stacked alternate layers of very thin foils of nickel and aluminium. It is found that ductile nickel layers exist in hot pressed Ni/Al laminates which are annealed up to 600 °C. However, at these temperatures Al-rich intermetallic compounds are also formed with a very thin irregular layer of pure aluminium and few voids. As the annealing temperature is increased, nickel layer is consumed and Ni-rich intermetallic compounds are formed. Cold rolling up to 8% reduction in area resulted in the cracking of the regions having intermetallic compounds with cracks perpendicular to the rolling direction. The tensile strength values are high for the laminates which contain ductile Ni layers and reach a value of 320 MPa for the specimens which are hot pressed at 420 °C. However, the laminates which are annealed at 800 °C show brittle fracture and lower tensile strength of 174 MPa. The fractographic examination indicated that Ni/Al laminates which are hot pressed at 420 °C undergo plastic deformation before breaking. On the other hand, Ni/Al laminates which are annealed at 800 °C with Ni present in the form of intermetallic compounds only, exhibit brittle intergranular fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples of a new inorganic ion exchanger cerium(IV) molybdophosphate have been prepared under varying conditions. Ion exchange capacity, I.R, thermogravimetry and sorption of radionuclides have been studied. Separations of Sr−Rb and Cd−Ag have been developed on column of this ion exchanger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly efficient three-stage protocol for the regeneration of chilli pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) from cotyledon explants was developed. This protocol used PAA in both the shoot-bud induction medium and the medium for elongation of the shoot buds. A superior medium for the induction of buds from the cotyledons was MS medium supplemented with BA (5 or 7 mg/l) + PAA (2 mg/l). Buds were elongated during the second stage on medium containing BA (2 or 5 mg/l) + PAA (2 mg/l). On this medium most of the buds elongated, and their number also increased due to the formation of new buds; bud elongation was achieved in 100% of the cultures provided the buds were induced in the primary stage on a medium supplemented with BA+PAA. The shoots that elongated in the second-stage rooted at 100% frequency on a medium supplemented with NAA (1 mg/l). The complete plantlets with well-developed root and shoot systems were transferred to field conditions where they grew to maturity, flowered and fruited normally. While shoot-bud induction from the cultured cotyledons was also observed on media supplemented with BA (5 or 7 mg/l) alone or in combination with IAA (0.2–2 mg/l), buds induced on these media were often distorted, with most not developing into normal shoots in the second-stage subculturing; a rosette of buds was seen in the second stage subculturing. On the other hand, PAA in combination with BA in the primary induction medium and second-stage medium promoted normal development and the elongation of shoot buds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precipitation of γ 2 phase in Cu-Al β-phase alloys has been observed to occur in the dendritic morphology. Such morphology is rarely observed in the solid-state transformations. Earlier it was reported that the γ precipitates were formed in the dendritic shape when Cu-Zn β-phase alloys were cooled from high temperature. The characteristics of these two alloy systems have been examined to find the factors promoting the dendritic morphology in the solid-state transformations. Rapid bulk diffusion and fast interfacial reaction kinetics would promote such morphology. The kinetics of atom attachment to the growing interface is expected to be fast when crystallographic similarities exist between the parent phase and the precipitate. We have predicted the dendritic morphology in the solid-state precipitation in many binary alloy systems simply based on such crystallographic similarities. These alloys include, in addition to Cu-Al and Cu-Zn, the β-phase alloys in Ag-Li, Ag-Zn, Cu-Ga, Au-Zn, and Ni-Zn systems, γ-phase alloys in Cu-Sn and Ag-Cd systems, and δ-phase alloys in Au-Cd system. Of these, the alloys in Ag-Zn, Ni-Zn, Ag-Cd, and Cu-Sn systems were prepared and it was indeed found that the precipitates formed in the dendritic shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The null electromagnetic field, or (F, g, r, S)-structure, and the corresponding Nijenhuis tensor have been studied in an invariant index-free manner. It is seen that the null electromagnetic fields are characterized by the relation F= 0, and the Nijenhuis tensor plays a very natural role in the study of null electromagnetic fields. The Lichnerowicz contions for the total gravitational radiation have been given in the present setting, and the condition F=0 has been translated into a corresponding condition on the Ricci tensor. Further, different types of collineations, for (F, g, r, S)-structure, along the propagation and polarization vectors S and T, respectively, have been studied. It is also shown that $$\mathop \pounds\limits_S F_{ij} = 0$$ implies $$F_j^k \mathop \pounds\limits_S g_{ik} = 0$$ . Finally, a covariant conservation law generator has been given for the present structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beneficial effect of aging on the intergranular embrittlement of the shape memory Cu-AI-Ni β phase alloys is described. The fracture progressively changes from completely intergranular to transgranular when quenched samples are aged. The change in fracture behavior appears to be associated with the precipitation of a ductile phase (a) in the grain boundary region. This hypothesis is supported by the results of electron microprobe analysis and Auger electron spectroscopy. Aging does not have any significant effect on the microhardness of samples. Some transmission electron microscopic observations of the changes occurring on aging are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of nickel and molybdenum concentrations on the phase transformation and mechanical properties of conventional 18Ni(350) maraging steel has been investigated. Both of these elements act as strong austenite stabilizers. When the concentration of molybdenum or nickel is greater than 7.5 or 24 wt %, respectively, the austenite phase remains stable up to room temperature. In both molybdenum- and nickel-alloyed steels, the austenite phase could be transformed to martensite by either dipping the material in liquid nitrogen or subjecting it to cold working. When 7.5 wt% Mo and 24 wt% Ni were added in combination, however, the austenite phase obtained at room temperature did not transform to martensite when liquid-nitrogen quenched or even when cold rolled to greater than 95% reduction. The aging response of these materials has also been investigated using optical, scanning electron, and scanning transmission electron microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin layers of lanthanum silicate have been used to study the chromatographic behaviour of 28 metal ions in aqueous and mixed systems. As3+, Mo6+, Sb3+, Ti4+ and others can be easily separated from a number of inorganic ions. Fast ternary and binary separations have also been achieved and various separations are discussed. It is shown that Alberti's relation is also obeyed by thin layers of lanthanum silicate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper it is shown that the strangeness production in quark-gluon plasma might not serve as an experimental signature for the formation of quark-gluon plasma. Our results are completely based on the computer simulation of the plasma. We have taken into account the full three-dimensional hydrodynamic expansion of the plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-four leprosy patients having mild to moderate nasal deformity were operated on. A corticoperiosteal graft obtained from the second metatarsal bone was placed in a pocket created between the lining and the cover of the nose. The cases were reviewed periodically for two months to $$10{\raise0.5ex\hbox{$\scriptstyle 1$}\kern-0.1em/\kern-0.15em\lower0.25ex\hbox{$\scriptstyle 2$}}$$ years (mean $$4{\raise0.5ex\hbox{$\scriptstyle 1$}\kern-0.1em/\kern-0.15em\lower0.25ex\hbox{$\scriptstyle 2$}}$$ years). The nasal architecture and donor site problems were evaluated. The results were satisfactory in 13. Improved shape was reported in 7 and poor in 3. The bone graft got incorporated and consolidated at the recipient site in 16. The main donor site problem was overriding of donor toe. The operated cases require health education for aftercare of the nose because the nasal mucosa is atrophic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-one thumbs having a 'Z' pinch were operated on to stabilize the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ). The radial half of flexor pollicis longus (FPL) was transferred to the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) after routing the FPL tendon slip to the dorsum of the proximal phalanx volar to the axis of the MCPJ. Postoperatively, the MCPJ hyperextension was reduced in all cases. All the hands could pick up small objects without any significant loss of power during interphalangeal joint flexion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypermobile fingers with clawing in 14 hands were operated on from 1981 to 1985. A new muscle-tendon unit was provided to flex the metacarpophalangeal joint. The insertion was into the flexor sheath; the tendon slip was brought out through the A pulley, folded back and sutured to itself. At followup examinations, the span of the hand and grip strength were found to be increased. Integrated forger movements occurred and a good cosmetic and functional result were achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Microchimica Acta is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Liquid scintillation counting (LSC) method has been used for the measurement of 222Rn in mineral water samples under a pilot project for the first surveillance in Iran. Low level background LSC counter “Quantulus” and pulse-shape analysis method have been employed. The concentration of 222Rn found in mineral waters of the studied areas ranges from about 1 to 75 Bq/l. The best lower limit of detection obtained with the applied technique was 0.069 Bq/l for a counting time in the range of 236–296 minutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Wnt/β‐catenin signalling has been suggested to be active in basal‐like breast cancer. However, in highly aggressive metastatic triple‐negative breast cancers (TNBC) the role of β‐catenin and the underlying mechanism(s) for the aggressiveness of TNBC remain unknown. We illustrate that WNT10B induces transcriptionally active β‐catenin in human TNBC and predicts survival‐outcome of patients with both TNBC and basal‐like tumours. We provide evidence that transgenic murine Wnt10b‐driven tumours are devoid of ERα, PR and HER2 expression and can model human TNBC. Importantly, HMGA2 is specifically expressed during early stages of embryonic mammogenesis and absent when WNT10B expression is lost, suggesting a developmentally conserved mode of action. Mechanistically, ChIP analysis uncovered that WNT10B activates canonical β‐catenin signalling leading to up‐regulation of HMGA2. Treatment of mouse and human triple‐negative tumour cells with two Wnt/β‐catenin pathway modulators or siRNA to HMGA2 decreases HMGA2 levels and proliferation. We demonstrate that WNT10B has epistatic activity on HMGA2, which is necessary and sufficient for proliferation of TNBC cells. Furthermore, HMGA2 expression predicts relapse‐free‐survival and metastasis in TNBC patients.

Twenty-four leprosy patients having mild and moderate collapse of the nose were operated using a corticoperiosteal graft from second metatarsal bone. The graft was placed in a pocket created between the lining and cover of the nose. The details of the technique and postoperative care have been described. Early postoperative problems have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]