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Pigs act as the intermediate hosts of the zoonotic tapeworms Taenia solium and Taenia asiatica, as well as of the non-zoonotic Taenia hydatigena. In Vietnam, human taeniasis and cysticercosis have been reported throughout the country; however, data on porcine cysticercosis are scarce. Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Taenia spp. in slaughtered pigs in two districts in Phu Tho, a mountainous province in northern Vietnam from where neurocysticercosis patients commonly originate. The carcasses of 399 pigs from 51 small-scale abattoirs were checked for cysticerci, while tongue, liver, masseter muscles, diaphragm and heart were sliced and examined. Retrieved cysticerci underwent polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing for species confirmation. Blood was also collected to detect antibodies by lentil lectin-purified glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (LLGP-EITB) and recombinant T24H antigen (rT24H)-EITB and circulating antigens by B158/B60 Ag-ELISA. In two pigs, T. asiatica cysticerci were found, confirming the presence of the parasite in pigs in Vietnam at a low prevalence (0.5%; 95% exact confidence interval (CI): 0-1.19%). Cysticerci of T. solium were found in none of the pigs, although one serum sample was positive for antibodies in both LLGP-EITB and rT24H-EITB. Furthermore, a high prevalence of T. hydatigena cysticercosis was observed (18.0%; 95% Wilson score CI: 14.6-22.1%). In more than half of the T. hydatigena-positive pigs, circulating antigens were detected by Ag-ELISA, confirming that this test cannot be used to diagnose T. solium cysticercosis in this region. Finally, Spirometra erinaceieuropaei was found in one pig liver. It is the first record of this zoonotic cestode species in pigs in Vietnam. Overall, the findings confirmed the complex epidemiology of Taenia spp. in pigs in Vietnam.

Starch digestion is mostly investigated with in vitro techniques, and time-course measurements are common. These yield digestograms that are modeled by theoretical, semitheoretical, and empirical kinetic equations, many of which are reviewed here. The Duggleby model has Michaelis-Menten functions, and its dependent variable is on both sides of the equation with no apparent parameter for maximum digestible starch (D∞ ). The Gaouar and Peleg models are equivalent. They predict both the initial digestible starch (D0 ) and D∞ , and an average digestion rate, but they can reveal "biratial" digestions. The first-order kinetic model exhibits diverse predictabilities and, when linearized, D∞ is sometimes equated to 100 g/100 g dry starch (100%), it yields an average rate of digestion and can predict negative D0 . The log of slope (LOS) model is unique in revealing the rapid-to-slow digestion rate phenomenon, but without guidelines to identify such. The LOS model does not sometimes use all the digestogram data, can predict D∞ greater than 100%, and returns zero digestion rate for some digestograms. However, some starchy materials exhibit a slow-to-rapid digestion rate phenomenon, as demonstrated with an example. The modified first-order kinetic model uses all the digestogram data with practical constraints (D0 ≥ 0 g/100 g dry starch; D∞ ≤ 100 g/100 g dry starch), describes all digestograms, and yields an average digestion rate, but it can also be used for "biratial" digestions. In addition, the logistic and Weibull models are discussed. Using some published data, the computational characteristics of these commonly used models are presented with objective parameters to guide choices.

Pigs act as the intermediate hosts of the zoonotic tapeworms Taenia solium and Taenia asiatica, as well as of the non-zoonotic Taenia hydatigena. In Vietnam, human taeniasis and cysticercosis have been reported throughout the country; however, data on porcine cysticercosis are scarce. Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Taenia spp. in slaughtered pigs in two districts in Phu Tho, a mountainous province in northern Vietnam from where neurocysticercosis patients commonly originate. The carcasses of 399 pigs from 51 small-scale abattoirs were checked for cysticerci, while tongue, liver, masseter muscles, diaphragm and heart were sliced and examined. Retrieved cysticerci underwent polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing for species confirmation. Blood was also collected to detect antibodies by lentil lectin-purified glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (LLGP-EITB) and recombinant T24H antigen (rT24H)-EITB and circulating antigens by B158/B60 Ag-ELISA. In two pigs, T. asiatica cysticerci were found, confirming the presence of the parasite in pigs in Vietnam at a low prevalence (0.5%; 95% exact confidence interval (CI): 0–1.19%). Cysticerci of T. solium were found in none of the pigs, although one serum sample was positive for antibodies in both LLGP-EITB and rT24H-EITB. Furthermore, a high prevalence of T. hydatigena cysticercosis was observed (18.0%; 95% Wilson score CI: 14.6–22.1%). In more than half of the T. hydatigena-positive pigs, circulating antigens were detected by Ag-ELISA, confirming that this test cannot be used to diagnose T. solium cysticercosis in this region. Finally, Spirometra erinaceieuropaei was found in one pig liver. It is the first record of this zoonotic cestode species in pigs in Vietnam. Overall, the findings confirmed the complex epidemiology of Taenia spp. in pigs in Vietnam.

Two varieties (Maki and Walana) of field peas were hammer- and disc-milled to various particle size distributions. Water hydration characteristics were significantly (p

The aim of the work is to increase the visual information in magnetic resonance imaging based susceptibility weighted images. Our approach is to amplify spatial frequency information of the phase mask used to increase susceptibility weighting using a modified version of the human contrast sensitivity function. Thereby, we propose a modified version of the human contrast sensitivity function for use in phase mask creation. Comparison with conventional susceptibility-weighted imaging was undertaken on a qualitative basis and quantitatively with a number of established image quality metrics on ex vivo mouse brain magnetic resonance images obtained at 16.4 T at various echo times. Four experts also compared the quality of in vivo 1.5 and 3 T human brain magnetic resonance images generated with traditional susceptibility weighted imaging and with the new method. We found that parameters of the modified human contrast sensitivity function can be chosen to improve delineation of structural detail of mouse and human brains. Information contained in susceptibility-weighted images generated using the modified human contrast sensitivity function based phase mask corresponds to that in the conventional method, however the visual range over which it is depicted has improved visual perception. Hence, qualitative evaluation of information contained in susceptibility-weighted images can be improved by amplifying spatial frequencies where human contrast sensitivity is reduced., Highlights • Perception of image content is defined by the human contrast sensitivity function. • Human contrast sensitivity function enhanced susceptibility weighted images. • Marked increase in spatial frequency perception of brain images was achieved. • The approach can potentially be used to improve diagnosis of diseases and disorders., Graphical abstract

Most real-world systems are usually characterized by complex interactions between a variety of components that include distributed and parallel software, hardware and communication components. In particular, a manufacturing system consists of a group of interaction subsystems. However, the architecture of a manufacturing system requires money and time when organization, products market constraints must change. This conclusion is due to the fact that the classical architectures of manufacturing systems is for representing static relationships, but it is not suitable for representing dynamic relationships. Advanced tools for design and simulation are required to help implement such systems. Object-oriented methodologies are becoming the mainstream approach for software development in general because they enable software houses to develop applications in a manpower effective way. This applies all the way down from analysis and design to implementation, testing and maintenance the latter includes the evolutio...

Background and purpose Increased blood–brain barrier permeability is believed to be associated with complications following acute ischemic stroke and with infarct expansion. Measurement of blood–brain barrier permeability requires a delayed image acquisition methodology, which prolongs examination time, increasing the likelihood of movement artefacts and radiation dose. Existing quantitative methods overestimate blood–brain barrier permeability when early phase CT perfusion data are used. The purpose of this study is to develop a method that yields the correct blood–brain barrier permeability value using first-pass perfusion CT data. Methods We acquired 43 CT perfusion datasets, comprising experimental (n = 30) and validation subject groups (n = 13). The Gjedde–Patlak method was used to estimate blood–brain barrier permeability using first-pass (30–60 s after contrast administration) and delayed phase (30–200 s) data. In the experimental group, linear regression was used to obtain a function predicting first-pass blood–brain barrier permeability estimates from delayed phase estimates in each stroke compartment. The reliability of prediction with this function was then tested using data from the validation group. Results The predicted delayed phase blood–brain barrier permeability was strongly correlated with the measured delayed phase value (r = 0.67 and 0.6 for experimental and validation group respectively; p, Graphical abstract, Highlights • Delayed phase BBBP can be predicted from first-pass perfusion CT data. • Predicted BBBP was not significantly different from delayed phase measurements. • Prediction model allows reliable BBBP estimation within the standard acquisition time.

Summary Fasciolosis has emerged as an important zoonotic disease in many parts of the world. In recent years, an increasing number of human cases were reported in Vietnam. In this study, the 27-kDa component protein from the excretory/secretory production of adult Fasciola gigantica, purified by high performance liquid chromatography, was assessed in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies against Fasciola spp. for diagnosis of human fasciolosis. The ELISA showed a high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (97.67%) when tested on patients with fasciolosis, other parasitic infections, cholangiocarcinoma and on healthy controls. The assay was applied for diagnosis on 143 patients in the Viet Duc-Hanoi hospital who presented with clinical signs of liver disease and lesions in their livers as shown by imaging techniques. Antibodies were found in 37 (25.9%) of these patients, of whom only 3 shed Fasciola eggs in their stools (2.1%). The excellent response to triclabendazole treatment of 37 sero-positive patients confirmed the diagnosis of fasciolosis. This study demonstrated the diagnostic potential for human fasciolosis of the 27-kDa antigen ELISA. Fasciolosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hepatic disease in Vietnam.

Purpose Paneth cells are important regulators of host-microbe interactions at mucosal surfaces, playing a key role in innate immunity by secreting antimicrobial peptides into the small intestinal lumen. Some pathogenic bacteria have developed virulence mechanisms that have allowed them to inhibit expression and/or function of these antimicrobial peptides. Helicobacter hepaticus , a mammalian pathogen, localizes to the cecum and intestinal crypts. H. hepaticus possesses a cytolethal distending toxin (CDT), which modulates the host immune system and is essential for long-term intestinal colonization. Therefore, we set about determining whether H. hepaticus might down-regulate the expression of Paneth cell antimicrobials as one of its virulence mechanisms during infection, thereby facilitating H. hepaticus colonization. Methods Samples of distal small intestine obtained 2 weeks after bacterial inoculation were analyzed from three groups of mice: uninfected wild-type C57BL/6 mice, mice infected with H. hepaticus , and mice infected with an isogenic H. hepaticus CDT mutant. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed using external standards to determine the absolute values of mRNA levels of 21 target genes, which included mouse Paneth cell antimicrobial peptides, other Paneth cell products, cytokines, and other intestinal antimicrobials. The data were analyzed using Student9s t -test. Results In mice infected with H. hepaticus , the cytokines KC (a human interleukin-8 equivalent) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) showed significant increases in expression when compared with levels in uninfected mice, consistent with mucosal inflammation in the infected samples. Other genes showed no changes in expression levels when comparing uninfected wild-type mice to mice infected with H. hepaticus . Little or no effect was seen on the expression of any tested genes with infection of the isogenic H. hepaticus CDT mutant. Conclusion Our data do not support the hypothesis that H. hepaticus infection down-regulates expression of Paneth cell products. There is evidence that H. hepaticus infection stimulates changes in the host defense response, specifically, increasing expression of the cytokines KC and TNF-α. The mechanism(s) by which H. hepaticus evades the innate immune defense mechanisms of Paneth cells remains a topic for further study.

Formal methods, techniques and tools are, at the present time, an active research topic in different areas of computer science (knowledge representation, real-time systems, algorithms, etc.). These formal techniques are intended to help users specify consistently their needs and verify them. Only mathematical techniques are able to prove or to verify the coherence of the specification of a given system or algorithm, etc. However, there is an enormous difficulty to put into use the mathematical techniques and concepts. This difficulty stems from the fact that these mathematical techniques and concepts are accessible only by a minority of specialists. To solve this problem, we have to develop tools and methods to help users to make the most out of formal approaches, without the apparent complexity of mathematical problems.

There is a link between skin cancer and sunlight. A study of area beachgoers reveals gaps in public awareness about the hazards of ultraviolet light. Beachgoers, including children, are ideal target groups for educational programs on ultraviolet protection.

This paper is an overview of a three years effort aimed at providing a flexible and powerful model for design applications. The result is a data model called SHOOD based on object-oriented concepts and frame-based knowledge representation. SHOOD implements sophisticated features, such as: object persistence multi-methods along a specific specialization hierarchy, which is independent of the class hierarchy sophisticated semantic relationships e.g, dependency relationships between objects, which are totally independent of the composition relationship multiple object representations, allowing the users to manipulate the objects from several points of views simultaneously the systematic use of a powerful meta-object kernel, which is used to implement a reflexive architecture. This paper is an informal overview of SHOOD. It focuses on the last two issues.

Object-oriented database systems ususally exhibit specific advantages over traditional database management systems and programming languages. Among them stand the ease of writing, maintaining and debugging application programs, code modularity, inheritance, persistency and sharability. Of particular interest to software engineering and computer-aided design applications is also the ability to dynamically change the object definitions and the opportunity to define incrementally composite objects. This paper gives an overview of current research efforts directed towards evolving data definitions in object-oriented database systems. The emphasis is on their ability to support two complementary aspects: supporting evolving schemas, and propagating the changes on the object instances. Several projects are analyzed: Cadb, Encore, GemStone, Orion and Sherpa. Current results indicate that if most of them provide schema evolution facilities, they seldom support automatic propagation mechanisms. A proposal is described that enables Sherpa to fully support the propagation of changes and the dynamic classification of the instances whose class definitions are modified. This approach is an extension of techniques used in artificial intelligence for knowledge representation. It extends previous classification mechanisms with a dynamic capability which adequately supports evolving class definitions and instances.

Current trends in database research emphasize the development of new tools for improved semantics definition and manipulation. It stresses the need for expert knowledge integration in database applications and distributed information usage. Of particular interest today is also the cooperation of artificial intelligence techniques and database technology. This paper presents a new method for database and knowledge base integrity control based on object-oriented concepts and on logic programming. It uses a novel technique for semantic integrity enforcement in database applications, based on the notions of object prototypes and database sample. A prototype is an incomplete object instance created dynamically in the database. It is representative of the family defined by an object declaration in the database schema. A database sample is a set of prototypes. It is used for the certification, i.e the control of the correctness, of all user operations concerning the definition and the modification of the database schema and the data.

This paper gives an overall presentation of the OPALE project. This project aims at designing a database machine oriented toward the execution of PROLOG, considered as data description and data manipulation language.

Ce travail présente une approche générale du traitement de l'intégrité sémantique des données gérées par les systèmes de gestion de bases de données. Une organisation des connaissances (lois générales, données, etc.) d'une réalité/environnement est également présentée, accompagnée d'une méthode permettant leur définition cohérente. Les idées proposées ont été formalisées au moyen du calcul des prédicats du 1(e)r ordre puis mises en œuvre par l'intermédiaire du langage Prolog.