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IF
Selected AbstractsPrevention of Nosocomial Infection During Dermoscopy?DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 4 2006SUSAN C. KELLY DO BACKGROUND Dermatoscopes are applied directly to cutaneous or mucocutaneous surfaces with immersion fluid (IF) such as oil or alcohol to reduce light reflection. Recently, Staphylococcus aureus has been isolated from dermatosopes that used mineral oil as the IF. Thus, dermatoscopes might be a potential source of nosocomial infection. OBJECTIVE In this study we propose the use of an alcohol-based antibacterial gel to reduce nosocomial infection transmission while optimizing optical resolution during dermatoscopic examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS Aerobic bacterial cultures were performed on three dermatoscopes used in an outpatient setting after routine examination of 31 patients with an alcohol-based antibacterial gel as IF. RESULTS There was no bacterial growth after using the antibacterial gel with the dermatoscopes. The optical resolution for the antibacterial gel appeared equal to the ,dermatoscopy oil' and superior to alcohol wipes. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol-based antibacterial gel appears to inhibit bacterial colonization while offering excellent optical resolution during dermoscopic examination. The use of alcohol-based IF appears to obviate the risk of nosocomial infections. [source] Dynamics of metal subcellular distribution and its relationship with metal uptake in marine musselsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 9 2005Tania Y-T. Abstract We examined the dynamics of subcellular distribution of metals (Cd, Ag, and Zn) in the marine green mussel Perna viridis by partitioning the metals into the insoluble fraction (IF), heat-sensitive proteins (HSP), and metallothionein-like proteins (MTLP) during metal uptake and elimination. Variations in metal uptake and elimination then were correlated with the subcellular distributions of these metals. The IF and HSP were the first ligands to bind with the metals during the dissolved exposure, and more metals were found in the HSP when the metal influx rate was higher. However, to minimize toxicity, metals were redistributed from HSP to MTLP afterwards. The subcellular distribution of metals was dependent of the exposure route in the mussels. During dietary metal exposure, the metals attained equilibrium before they were assimilated and the metal assimilation efficiency was independent of the metal partitioning in different subcellular fractions. During the efflux, metals in the soluble fraction mediated depuration, whereas metals in the insoluble fraction acted as a final storage pool. Redistribution also may occur between the metal-sensitive and inactive pools without significant depuration as a secondary protective mechanism. We further demonstrated that the higher efflux rate of Ag and Cd was related to a higher partitioning in the MTLP and a lower partitioning in the IF. Our study shows that subcellular pools other than MTLP were involved in immediate metal handling in the bivalves. The wide dynamics of subcellular metal distribution suggests that the relevance of individual subcellular fractions is dependent on the exposure pathway. [source] Organisation of proficiency testing for plant health diagnostic tests: the experience of FAPAS®EPPO BULLETIN, Issue 1 2010A. Reynolds Proficiency testing (PT) is an established quality assurance measure and is based on the comparison of laboratories' results in an inter-laboratory trial. It highlights problems in laboratory analysis and is an educational tool to help improve data quality. This article describes how PT is organised by FAPAS®. FAPAS® is an international PT provider (external quality assessments) for food chemistry, food microbiology, genetically modified material and water/environmental samples. Since 2007, FAPAS® have organized plant health proficiency tests in conjunction with the Plant Pest and Disease Identification Programme at the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera). Up until 2009, FAPAS® has organised seven plant health proficiency tests that covered the identification of lyophilised bacteria, viruses in leaves and fungi in agar plugs. In 2009, FAPAS® organized over 10 plant health proficiency tests under the banner of ,PhytoPAS', including Potato spindle tuber viroid, Phytophthora ramorum, Thrips palmi, Erwinia amylovora, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, etc. DNA extracts, cyst nematodes (Globodera pallida) and slides/immunofluorescence (IF) slides have been added to the programme. The organization of the plant health proficiency tests follows a similar pattern. Suitable test materials are prepared and tested for quality before distribution to requesting participants. Laboratories usually have 1,2 months to analyze their samples and return their results. A report is then compiled for issue to laboratories and these contain all results in an anonymous form, so that laboratories can compare their results with those of other participants. If a laboratory's performance is unsatisfactory then it is up to them to investigate the situation. Thus, the primary purpose of PT is the detection of inaccuracy in a laboratory's results, so that they can investigate the problems and initiate corrective procedures. [source] Evaluation of PG-M3 antibody in the diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukaemiaEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 10 2010Sanjeev Kumar Gupta Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (10): 960,962 Abstract Background & objectives, Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) is a distinct subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) characterized by a reciprocal translocation, t(15;17) and a high incidence of life-threatening coagulopathy. APL diagnosis is considered a medical emergency. As reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for PML-RAR, fusion oncoprotein is time consuming, there is a need for a rapid and accurate diagnostic test for APL. This study evaluates the role of PG-M3 monoclonal antibody using immunofluorescence (IF) in the early diagnosis of APL. Materials and Methods, Thirty-six new untreated APL cases diagnosed with RT-PCR for PML-RAR, as the gold standard and 38 non-APL controls (28 non-APL AMLs and 10 non-leukaemic samples) were evaluated by routine morphology and cytochemistry, RT-PCR and IF using PG-M3 monoclonal antibody. Results, Using IF, 34 of 36 (94·4%) APL cases showed a microgranular pattern suggestive of APL and two cases (5·6%) showed a speckled pattern typical of wild-type PML protein (False negative). By comparison, two of 28 (7·1%) non-APL AMLs showed microgranular pattern (false positive). Hence, IF as a diagnostic test for APL resulted in a sensitivity of 94·4%, specificity of 92·9% and positive and negative predictive values of 94·4% and 92·9% respectively. All 10 non-leukaemic samples showed a speckled pattern. Conclusions, IF using PG-M3 antibodies can be used as a rapid (takes 2 h), cheap, sensitive and specific method to identify APL. It can be a useful adjunct for diagnosis of APL especially if facilities for RT-PCR are not available, particularly in resource-limited settings. [source] Knowledge-based treatment planning for adolescent early intervention of mental healthcare: a hybrid case-based reasoning approachEXPERT SYSTEMS, Issue 4 2007W.M. Wang Abstract: Treatment planning is a crucial and complex task in the social services industry. There is an increasing need for knowledge-based systems for supporting caseworkers in the decision-making of treatment planning. This paper presents a hybrid case-based reasoning approach for building a knowledge-based treatment planning system for adolescent early intervention of mental healthcare. The hybrid case-based reasoning approach combines aspects of case-based reasoning, rule-based reasoning and fuzzy theory. The knowledge base of case-based reasoning is a case base of client records consisting of documented experience while that for rule-based reasoning is a set of IF,THEN rules based on the experience of social service professionals. Fuzzy theory is adopted to deal with the uncertain nature of treatment planning. A prototype system has been implemented in a social services company and its performance is evaluated by a group of caseworkers. The results indicate that hybrid case-based reasoning has an enhanced performance and the knowledge-based treatment planning system enables caseworkers to construct more efficient treatment planning in less cost and less time. [source] Flow cytometric analysis of the localization of Helicobacter pylori antigens during different growth phasesFEMS IMMUNOLOGY & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2001Kristina Blom Abstract Previous studies on the localization of several different Helicobacter pylori antigens have been contradictory. We have therefore examined by using both one- and two-color flow cytometry (FCM), immunofluorescence (IF), and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM), the possible surface localization of some H. pylori antigens that may be important virulence factors. All four methods detected the lipopolysaccharide and the N -acetyl-neuroaminyllactose-binding hemagglutinin protein (HpaA) as surface-exposed, while the urease enzyme was not detected at all and the neutrophil activating protein only in low concentration on the surface of the H. pylori bacteria during culture of H. pylori in liquid broth for 11 days. The FCM analysis was found to be quite sensitive and specific and also extremely fast compared with IF and IEM, and therefore the preferred method for detection of surface-localized antigens of H. pylori. [source] Phosphorylation and reorganization of vimentin by p21-activated kinase (PAK)GENES TO CELLS, Issue 2 2002Hidemasa Goto Background: Intermediate filament (IF) is one of the three major cytoskeletal filaments. Vimentin is the most widely expressed IF protein component. The Rho family of small GTPases, such as Cdc42, Rac and Rho, are thought to control the organization of actin filaments as well as other cytoskeletal filaments. Results: We determined if the vimentin filaments can be regulated by p21-activated kinase (PAK), one of targets downstream of Cdc42 or Rac. In vitro analyses revealed that vimentin served as an excellent substrate for PAK. This phosphorylated vimentin lost the potential to form 10 nm filaments. We identified Ser25, Ser38, Ser50, Ser65 and Ser72 in the amino-terminal head domain as the major phosphorylation sites on vimentin for PAK. The ectopic expression of constitutively active PAK in COS-7 cells induced vimentin phosphorylation. Fibre bundles or granulates of vimentin were frequent in these transfected cells. However, the kinase-inactive mutant induced neither vimentin phosphorylation nor filament reorganization. Conclusion: Our observations suggest that PAK may regulate the reorganization of vimentin filaments through direct vimentin phosphorylation. [source] Decreased expression and promoter methylation of the menin tumor suppressor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomaGENES, CHROMOSOMES AND CANCER, Issue 5 2009Ilaria Cavallari Loss of menin, a tumor suppressor coded by the MEN1 gene, is a key factor in the pathogenesis of multiple endocrine neoplasia type I and in a percentage of sporadic endocrine tumors of the pancreas and parathyroid glands. This study investigated expression of the menin protein in the normal exocrine pancreas and in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common pancreatic tumor. Immunofluorescence (IF) analyses showed that menin is expressed at high levels in normal acinar and duct cells. Examination of 24 clinical samples of PDAC revealed a pronounced decrease in menin expression in all tumors examined. To identify alterations underlying this defect, we searched for disruption and epigenetic silencing of the MEN1 gene. Analysis of nine laser-microdissected tumors revealed loss of heterozygosity of intragenic (one tumor) or adjacent (three tumors) MEN1 microsatellite markers. Methylation of CpG sites in the MEN1 promoter was documented in five of 24 tumors. IF analyses also revealed low to undetectable menin expression in the PDAC cell lines MiaPaCa-2 and Panc-1. Ectopic expression of menin in these cells resulted in a marked alteration of the cell cycle, with an increase in the G1/S+G2 ratio. These findings represent the first evidence that the MEN1 gene is a target of mutation and methylation in PDAC and that menin influences the cell cycle profile of duct cells. © 2009 Wiley-Liss,Inc. [source] Application of combined immunofluorescence and fluorescence in situ hybridization on paraffin-embedded sections to characterize T-cell lymphoma with EBV-infected B-cell blastsGENES, CHROMOSOMES AND CANCER, Issue 4 2004Genevieve K. Temple Combined immunofluorescence (IF) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections were used to examine lymph node tissue from two patients diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma with Epstein,Barr virus (EBV),infected B-cell blasts. The majority of cells within the samples comprised T-cells staining positively for CD3. In addition, both patients had a population of large pleiomorphic cells that were positive for the B-cell marker CD20 and for EBV LMP-1. Standard PCR clonality testing of the nodes revealed both immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) and T-cell receptor (TCR) clonal rearrangements in one patient, although in the other case monoclonality was demonstrated only for TCRG. Cytogenetics of cultured lymphocytes from nodal tissue revealed two apparently unrelated abnormal clones in both patients. Combined IF and FISH revealed that these phenomena reflected two abnormal populations of B- and T-cells rather than reactive B-cell hyperplasia or biphenotypic evolution from a common ancestral lymphoma. True B-cell malignancy probably emerged within a preexisting but unrelated T-cell lymphoma. This is the first study to relate the phenotype of the abnormal cells in such cases to specific clonal populations of cells, and it demonstrates a method that may easily be introduced into a diagnostic cytogenetics laboratory with access to standard pathology laboratory resources. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effects of grass pasture and concentrate-based feeding systems for spring-calving dairy cows in early spring on performance during lactationGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 3 2005E. Kennedy Abstract The effect of offering a total mixed ration of silage and concentrate (proportionately 0·44 silage) system [indoor feeding system (IF)] was compared with grazing at a high daily herbage allowance with a low level of concentrate supplementation [early grazing system (EG)] in early spring on the performance of spring-calving dairy cows in Ireland. Sixty-four spring-calving Holstein,Friesian dairy cows (mean calving date, 2 February) were allocated to one of two systems between 16 February and 4 April 2004. An equal number of primiparous and multiparous cows were assigned to each system. The dairy cows on the IF system were housed for a 7-week period and offered a diet of 10·9 kg DM cow,1 d,1 (s.d. 2·3) of concentrate, the remainder of the diet was 8·6 kg DM cow,1 d,1 (s.d. 1·9) of grass silage. The dairy cows on the EG system were offered a mean daily herbage allowance of 15·1 kg DM cow,1 d,1 (s.d. 3·7) and were supplemented with 3·0 kg DM cow,1 d,1 (s.d. 1·0) of concentrate. There was no difference in milk yield between the two systems but the cows in the EG system had a higher milk protein concentration (2·9 g kg,1) and a higher milk protein yield than in the IF system. Milk fat concentration was higher for cows in the IF than EG system (3·0 g kg,1). There was no difference in total daily dry-matter intake between the systems, measured in week 6 of the study. Mean live weight of the cows in the IF system was greater than in the EG system. The results of the study suggest that a slightly greater performance can be achieved by a system offering a high daily herbage allowance to spring-calving dairy cows in early lactation compared with a system offering a total mixed ration containing a high proportion of concentrate with grass silage. [source] Novel hepatic progenitor cell surface markers in the adult rat liver,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Mladen I. Yovchev Hepatic progenitor/oval cells appear in injured livers when hepatocyte proliferation is impaired. These cells can differentiate into hepatocytes and cholangiocytes and could be useful for cell and gene therapy applications. In this work, we studied progenitor/oval cell surface markers in the liver of rats subjected to 2-acetylaminofluorene treatment followed by partial hepatectomy (2-AAF/PH) by using rat genome 230 2.0 Array chips and subsequent RT-PCR, immunofluorescent (IF), immunohistochemical (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) analyses. We also studied expression of the identified novel cell surface markers in fetal rat liver progenitor cells and FAO-1 hepatoma cells. Novel cell surface markers in adult progenitor cells included tight junction proteins, integrins, cadherins, cell adhesion molecules, receptors, membrane channels and other transmembrane proteins. From the panel of 21 cell surface markers, 9 were overexpressed in fetal progenitor cells, 6 in FAO-1 cells and 6 are unique for the adult progenitors (CD133, claudin-7, cadherin 22, mucin-1, ros-1, Gabrp). The specificity of progenitor/oval cell surface markers was confirmed by ISH and double IF analyses. Moreover, study of progenitor cells purified with Ep-CAM antibodies from D-galactosamine injured rat liver, a noncarcinogenic model of progenitor cell activation, verified that progenitor cells expressed these markers. Conclusion: We identified novel cell surface markers specific for hepatic progenitor/oval cells, which offers powerful tool for their identification, isolation and studies of their physiology and pathophysiology. Our studies also reveal the mesenchymal/epithelial phenotype of these cells and the existence of species diversity in the hepatic progenitor cell identity. (HEPATOLOGY 2007;45:139,149.) [source] Long-term clinical outcome of living-donor liver transplantation for primary biliary cirrhosisHEPATOLOGY RESEARCH, Issue 2007Etsuko Hashimoto Aim:, We described the recurrence of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) (Liver Transplantation, 7, 2001: 588). However, since the follow-up period in that study was insufficiently long (median 35.5 months), we performed a long-term study to further characterize recurrence of PBC after LDLT. Patients:, From 1991 to 2006, 15 patients with end-stage PBC underwent LDLT at Tokyo Women's Medical University. Of these patients, we studied 8 PBC patients (age 29 to 51 years, all females) who survived LDLT for more than 5 years. The follow-up period for these patients ranged form 68 to 120 months. Immunosuppression was maintained with tacrolimus and prednisone. Laboratory examinations performed in every patient and donor before LDLT included routine biochemical studies, antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) by immunofluorescence (IF), anti-M2 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as well as antinuclear antibody (ANA) by IF, and immunoglobulin. After LDLT, the same laboratory examinations were performed in patients every 6 months. Liver biopsy was performed when patients exhibited clinical or biochemical signs of graft dysfunction. In addition, protocol biopsy was performed every 1 to 2 years after LDLT. Results:, At the time of LDLT, all patients had end-stage cholestatic liver failure. Seven patients were positive for AMAand anti-M2 while 1 patient was negative for these markers but strongly positive for ANA. Donors were blood relatives in 6 cases, and 2 donors who were not blood relatives still exhibited multiple HLA matches with the recipients. At the end of the study in May 2006, all patients were doing well. On laboratory examination, mild abnormal liver function test results were found in 4 patients: 3 were probably due to recurrence of PBC, 1 resulted from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Comparison of the AMA titer between before LDLT and the most recent follow-up visit showed an increase in three patients, a decrease in two patients and no change in three patients. In contrast, the ANA titer increased in five patients. Histologically, strong evidence of recurrent PBC was found in 4 patients, and findings compatible with PBC were present in 2 additional patients. Conclusions:, Although the number of our patients is small, our findings confirm that PBC can recur at high frequency after LDLT. However, this complication has not developed to advanced stages and has not caused appreciable symptoms in our patients, all of whom have a good quality of life. [source] A genetic polymorphism in the coding region of the gastric intrinsic factor gene (GIF) is associated with congenital intrinsic factor deficiency,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 1 2004Marilyn M. Gordon Abstract Congenital intrinsic factor (IF) deficiency is a disorder characterized by megaloblastic anemia due to the absence of gastric IF (GIF, GenBank NM_005142) and GIF antibodies, with probable autosomal recessive inheritance. Most of the reported patients are isolated cases without genetic studies of the parents or siblings. Complete exonic sequences were determined from the PCR products generated from genomic DNA of five affected individuals. All probands had the identical variant (g.68A>G) in the second position of the fifth codon in the coding sequence of the gene that introduces a restriction enzyme site for Msp I and predicts a change in the mature protein from glutamine5 (CAG) to arginine5 (CGG). Three subjects were homozygous for this base exchange and two subjects were heterozygous, one of which was apparently a compound heterozygote at positions 1 and 2 of the fifth codon ([g.67C>G] + [g.68A>G]). The other patient, heterozygous for position 2, had one heterozygous unaffected parent. Most parents were heterozygous for this base exchange, confirming the pattern of autosomal recessive inheritance for congenital IF deficiency. cDNA encoding GIF was mutated at base pair g.68 (A>G) and expressed in COS-7 cells. The apparent size, secretion rate, and sensitivity to pepsin hydrolysis of the expressed IF were similar to native IF. The allelic frequency of g.68A>G was 0.067 and 0.038 in two control populations. This sequence aberration is not the cause of the phenotype, but is associated with the genotype of congenital IF deficiency and could serve as a marker for inheritance of this disorder. Hum Mutat 23:85,91, 2004. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Heterogeneous expression of Wnt/,-catenin target genes within colorectal cancerINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 9 2007Falk Hlubek Abstract Invasion of common colorectal adenocarcinomas is coupled with a transient loss of epithelial differentiation of tumor cells. Previously, we have shown that dedifferentiated tumor cells at the invasive front (IF) accumulate the transcriptional activator ,-catenin in the nucleus, in contrast to cells of the tumor center. To characterize the cells of these two morphogenic tumor areas, gene expression profiling was performed. Our study demonstrates that intratumorous heterogeneity in colorectal cancer correlates with differential expression of 510 genes between the central tumor region (TC) and the IF. Many genes differentially expressed at the IF are involved in cellular invasion processes like cell motility, cell adhesion and extracellular matrix interaction. This in vivo analysis shows overexpression of known Wnt/,-catenin target genes either in the entire tumor tissue (compared to normal mucosa) or specifically at the IF. Thus, even though all tumor cells overexpress ,-catenin, the existence of at least 2 groups of Wnt/,-catenin target genes selectively activated in different tumor regions is suggested. The concomitant high expression of inflammation- and tissue repair-related genes at the IF supports the hypothesis that an inflammation-activated microenvironment may trigger selective Wnt/,-catenin target gene expression and contribute to the malignant progression of colorectal cancer. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A 5,GHz quadrature relaxation oscillator with mixing for improved testability or compact front-end implementationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIRCUIT THEORY AND APPLICATIONS, Issue 4 2010Luis Bica Oliveira Abstract We demonstrate by measurements on a test circuit that a 5,GHz relaxation oscillator with accurate quadrature outputs and low phase-noise can be obtained, and that these favorable properties can be preserved while the mixing function is performed by this oscillator. This is useful either to measure the quadrature error at a low frequency, or to implement a low-intermediate frequency (IF) or zero-IF (homodyne) radio frequency front-end. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] WS2 and MoS2 Inorganic Fullerenes,Super Shock Absorbers at Very High Pressures,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 12 2005Q. Zhu Superb antishock WS2 inorganic fullerenes (IF) can sustain shock pressures up to 25,GPa, suggesting that these IFs are probably the toughest cage molecules known. The Figure shows images of a) pre- and b) post-shock WS2 IF nanoparticles. These IFs may have great potential to withstand very high applied loads when used as solid-state lubricants. [source] On the semantics of perception-based fuzzy logic deductionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 11 2004Vilém Novák In this article, we return to the problem of the derivation of a conclusion on the basis of fuzzy IF,THEN rules. The so-called Mamdani method is well elaborated and widely applied. In this article, we present an alternative to it. The fuzzy IF,THEN rules are here interpreted as genuine linguistic sentences consisting of the so-called evaluating linguistic expressions. Sets of fuzzy IF,THEN rules are called linguistic descriptions. Linguistic expressions derived on the basis of an observation in a concrete context are called perceptions. Together with the linguistic description, they can be used in logical deduction, which we will call a perception-based logical deduction. We focus on semantics only and confine ourselves to one specific model. If the perception-based deduction is repeated and the result interpreted in an appropriate model, we obtain a piecewise continuous and monotonous function. Though the method has already proved to work well in many applications, the nonsmoothness of the output may sometimes lead to problems. We propose in this article a method for how the resulting function can be made smooth so that the output preserves its good properties. The idea consists of postprocessing the output using a special fuzzy approximation method called F-transform. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Int Syst 19: 1007,1031, 2004. [source] Robust Methods for the Analysis of Income Distribution, Inequality and PovertyINTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL REVIEW, Issue 3 2000Maria-Pia Victoria-Feser Summary Income distribution embeds a large field of research subjects in economics. It is important to study how incomes are distributed among the members of a population in order for example to determine tax policies for redistribution to decrease inequality, or to implement social policies to reduce poverty. The available data come mostly from surveys (and not censuses as it is often believed) and often subject to long debates about their reliability because the sources of errors are numerous. Moreover the forms in which the data are availabe is not always as one would expect, i.e. complete and continuous (microdata) but one also can only have data in a grouped form (in income classes) and/or truncated data where a portion of the original data has been omitted from the sample or simply not recorded. Because of these data features, it is important to complement classical statistical procedures with robust ones. In tis paper such methods are presented, especially for model selection, model fitting with several types of data, inequality and poverty analysis and ordering tools. The approach is based on the Influence Function (IF) developed by Hampel (1974) and further developed by Hampel, Ronchetti, Rousseeuw & Stahel (1986). It is also shown through the analysis of real UK and Tunisian data, that robust techniques can give another picture of income distribution, inequality or poverty when compared to classical ones. [source] Nanoparticles of CdCl2 with closed cage structuresISRAEL JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2001Reshef Tenne Nanoparticles of various layered compounds having a closed cage or nanotubular structure, designated also inorganic fullerene-like (IF) materials, have been reported in the past. In this work IF -CdCl2 nanoparticles were synthesized by two methods. In one technique, a high temperature evaporation and subsequent condensation of dried cadmium chloride powder was used. In the other method, electron beam irradiation of the source powder led to its recrystallization into closed nanoparticles with a nonhollow core. The two methods are shown to produce nanoparticles of different topologies. While mostly spherical nested structures are obtained from the high temperature process, polyhedra with hexagonal or elongated rectangular characters are obtained by the electron beam induced process. The analysis also shows that, while the source (dried) powder is orthorhombic cadmium chloride monohydrate, the crystallized IF cage consists of the anhydrous 3R polytype which is not stable as bulk material in ambient atmosphere. Consistent with previous observations, this study shows that the seamless structure of the IF materials can stabilize phases, which are otherwise unstable in ambient conditions. [source] Reproduction in puyen, Galaxias maculatus (Pisces: Galaxiidae), in the southernmost extreme of distributionJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 5 2007C. C. Boy Summary Reproductive aspects of a peripheral population of Galaxias maculatus are described and the relationship with the physiology and handling of energetic reserves under marginal environmental conditions is investigated. The G. maculatus population of Tierra del Fuego has an extended reproductive season, with differences in timing and duration compared to other populations of continental Patagonia, New Zealand and Australia. Elevated gonadosomatic indexes (IG) were observed during this period in both sexes (maximum IG = 33.49% males; 35.94% females). The high abundance of mature males (with high IG values) on the spawning grounds during the reproductive season suggests that they were waiting for the return of the mature females. Larger females reached total maturation at the beginning of the reproductive season, whereas the size of maturing females diminished toward the end (mean TL = 96 mm, October; 70 mm, February). Both sexes showed an extremely high investment in reproduction, reaching a maximum IG of about 35% for both sexes. At the beginning of the reproductive season females reached the maximum median IH (3.37%) and males the minimum (0.96%), suggesting differences in the role of the liver in the management of energetic reserves during sexual maturation. The variation in the fat index (IF) suggests that fat reserves were used to survive winter (maximum median IF > 1%, autumn; minimum about 0.2%, spring). [source] Acute Effect of Cerivastatin on Cardiac Regional Ischemia in a Rat Model Mimicking Off-Pump Coronary SurgeryJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 6 2005Koki Nakamura M.D. The aims of this study were to investigate the optimal duration of coronary occlusion for making reversible ischemia and to examine whether cerivastatin increases myocardial tolerance against prolonged coronary occlusion. Methods: Study 1,Male Sprague-Dawley rats (350 to 450 g) underwent temporary occlusion of either left anterior descending artery (LAD; for 3, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, or 20 min) or circumflex artery (CX; for 5, 10, or 15 min). Study 2,Rats were divided into two groups, control and cerivastatin groups, which had 0.1 mg/kg cerivastatin intravenously after anesthesia. LAD was occluded for 10, 15, or 20 minutes. In the both studies, hearts were stained to determine the area at risk (AR) and infarcted (IF) area 24 hours after reperfusion. Results: In LAD occlusion, IF/AR increased in a time dependent manner: 4.5 ± 3.2%, 9.7 ± 5.2%, 17.2 ± 3.0%, 16.8 ± 2.7%, 23.9 ± 9.5% (p < 0.01 vs. 3 min), 62.4 ± 2.9% (p < 0.0001), and 63.4 ± 2.9% (p < 0.0001) at 3, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, and 20 min, respectively. Also in CX, IF/AR increased with time: 14.3 ± 2.3%, 25.9 ± 2.1%, and 40.9 ± 6.2% (p < 0.001 vs. 5 min) at 5, 10, and 15 min, respectively. Cerivastatin significantly reduced IF/AR at 15 minutes (43.7 ± 6.2%) and at 20 minutes (44.6 ± 5.3%) compared to control (62.4 ± 2.9% and 60.6 ± 2.5%, respectively, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Cerivastatin increased myocardial tolerance after prolonged coronary occlusion over 10 minutes, which was considered to be the upper limit for creating a regional reversible ischemia in rats. [source] Enalapril Preserves Sinus Node Function in a Canine Atrial Fibrillation Model Induced by Rapid Atrial PacingJOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 11 2005MASAO SAKABE M.D. Effects of enalapril on canine sinus node (SN) dysfunction induced by long-term rapid atrial pacing were investigated. Methods and Results: Seventeen beagles were pretreated with either placebo (group I, n = 9) or enalapril 1 mg/kg/day (group II, n = 8) and paced at 500/min from the right atrial appendage for 4 weeks. Every week, corrected sinus node recovery time (CSNRT) and sinus cycle length (SCL) were measured. Quantitative analysis of interstitial fibrosis (IF) and adipose tissue (AT) in the SN was performed with Masson's trichrome stain, and apoptosis of the sinus nodal cells were detected with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick end-labeling. In group I, rapid atrial pacing prolonged both CSNRT and SCL. After 4 weeks of pacing, CSNRT and SCL were significantly shorter in group II (CSNRT, 410 ± 37 msec; SCL, 426 ± 34 msec) than in group I (CSNRT, 717 ± 52 msec, P < 0.005; SCL, 568 ± 73 msec, P < 0.05). Both IF and AT of the SN were greater in group I (IF, 9.7 ± 1.9%; AT, 32.6 ± 5.9%) than in seven sham dogs (IF, 2.4 ± 0.9%, P < 0.05; AT, 4.0 ± 1.7%, P < 0.05) and in group II dogs (IF, 4.0 ± 2.0%, P < 0.05; AT, 4.0 ± 1.7%, P < 0.05). End-labeling assay was positive in three of nine dogs in group I, but negative in group II and sham dogs. Conclusions: Rapid atrial pacing impaired SN function through IF and AT of the SN. Enalapril prevented these pacing-induced degenerative changes and improved SN function. [source] Determination of cut-off titers and agreement between immunofluorescence and immunoblotting methods for detecting antinuclear antibodies in childrenJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 4 2010G. Aksu Abstract Detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) is a diagnostic adjunct in patients with suspected autoimmune connective tissue diseases, and various detection methods are in use. The aim of this study was to analyze the agreement between the ANA immunoflourescence (IF) and immunoblotting (IB) methods and determine cut-off for children subjects in a laboratory setting. We evaluated 729 serum samples that were analyzed by both ANA IF and IB. The results were evaluated by ,2 test and, for agreement, , index was used. Frequencies determined for both 1:40,1:100 cut-off titers of ANA IF in relation to IB testing supported the idea that 1:100 starting dilution should be recommended in children subjects for ANA IF method and antigen specific immunoblot testing was needed, especially for some of the ANA IF negative samples. Agreement between the two methods, especially with homogenous, granular, and nucleolar ANA IF patterns, was statistically significant. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 24:230,236, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Insufficiency fracture of the calcaneum: Sonographic findingsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 7 2009Delphine Arni Abstract We present a case of insufficiency fracture (IF) of the calcaneum diagnosed by sonography (US). An 83-year-old woman consulted because of pain and swelling of the left heel without history of trauma. Standard radiographs showed osteoporosis without fracture. US revealed thickening of the calcaneal periosteum associated with edema of the adjacent soft tissues. Color Doppler imaging showed marked increased vascularity of the periosteum. US changes, together with the clinical and radiographic findings, were consistent with an IF of the calcaneum that was confirmed by MRI. The patient was treated successfully by conservative treatment. In the proper clinical setting, US can suggest the diagnosis of IF of the calcaneum. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009 [source] Aflatoxin Inactivation Using Aqueous Extract of Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi) SeedsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 1 2005Shruti S. Hajare ABSTRACT: Aqueous extract of ajowan seeds was found to contain an aflatoxin inactivation factor (IF). Thin layer chromatography analysis of the toxins after treatment with IF showed relative reduction of aflatoxin G1 > G2 > B1 > B2. Quantification of toxin using a fluorotoxin meter as well as the Enzyme Linked Immuno s orb ent Assay (ELISA) confirmed these findings. An approximate 80% reduction in total aflatoxin content over the controls was observed. This observed phenomenon of reduction in total toxin was referred to as toxin inactivation. Temperature was found to influence the rate of toxin inactivation. At 45 °C, it was found to be rapid during the initial 5 h and slowed later. The IF was found to retain considerable activity even after boiling and autoclaving, indicating partial heat stability. The activity was lost below pH 4.0. Above pH 4.0, it increased gradually, reaching the maximum at pH 10.0. IF was found to be stable to gamma irradiation. Toxin decontamination in spiked corn samples could be achieved using IF. This study emphasizes the potential of ajowan IF in aflatoxin removal from contaminated food commodities. However, the biological toxicity, if any, of the IF inactivated aflatoxins needs to be confirmed, and the work in this direction is in progress. [source] Medicine and science in the fight against doping in sportJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2008D. H. Catlin Abstract. The fight against doping in sports commenced as a result of the death of a Danish cyclist during the Rome Olympic Games in 1960. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) established a Medical Commission (IOC-MC) which had the task of designing a strategy to combat the misuse of drugs in Olympic Sport. Some International Sport Federations (IF) and National Sports Federations followed suit, but progress was modest until the world's best male sprinter was found doped with anabolic steroids at the Olympic Games in Seoul in 1988. Further progress was made following the cessation of the cold war in 1989 and in 1999 public authorities around the world joined the Olympic Movement in a unique partnership by creating WADA , the ,World Anti-Doping Agency'. The troubled history of the anti-doping fight from the 1960s until today is reviewed. In particular, the development of detection methods for an ever increasing number of drugs that can be used to dope is described, as are the measures that have been taken to protect the health of the athletes, including those who may need banned substances for medical reasons. [source] Three-dimensional analysis of intermediate filament networks using SEM tomographyJOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY, Issue 1 2010S. LÜCK Summary We identified tomographic reconstruction of a scanning electron microscopy tilt series recording the secondary electron signal as a well-suited method to generate high-contrast three-dimensional data of intermediate filament (IF) networks in pancreatic cancer cells. Although the tilt series does not strictly conform to the projection requirement of tomographic reconstruction, this approach is possible due to specific properties of the detergent-extracted samples. We introduce an algorithm to extract the graph structure of the IF networks from the tomograms based on image analysis tools. This allows a high-resolution analysis of network morphology, which is known to control the mechanical response of the cells to large-scale deformations. Statistical analysis of the extracted network graphs is used to investigate principles of structural network organization which can be linked to the regulation of cell elasticity. [source] Chronic Ethanol Consumption Decreases Murine Langerhans Cell Numbers and Delays Migration of Langerhans Cells as Well as Dermal Dendritic CellsALCOHOLISM, Issue 4 2008Kristin J. Ness Background:, Chronic alcoholics experience increased incidence and severity of infections, the mechanism of which is incompletely understood. Dendritic cells (DC) migrate from peripheral locations to lymph nodes (LN) to initiate adaptive immunity against infection. Little is known about how chronic alcohol exposure affects skin DC numbers or migration. Methods:, Mice received 20% EtOH in the drinking water for up to 35 weeks. Baseline Langerhans cell (LC) and dermal DC (dDC) numbers were enumerated by immunofluorescence (IF). LC repopulation after inflammation was determined following congenic bone marrow (BM) transplant and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Net LC loss from epidermis was determined by IF following TNF-, or CpG stimulation. LC and dDC migration into LN was assessed by flow cytometry following epicutaneous FITC administration. Results:, Chronic EtOH consumption caused a baseline reduction in LC but not dDC numbers. The deficit was not corrected following transplantation with non-EtOH-exposed BM and UV irradiation, supporting the hypothesis that the defect is intrinsic to the skin environment rather than LC precursors. Net loss of LC from epidermis following inflammation was greatly reduced in EtOH-fed mice versus controls. Ethanol consumption for at least 4 weeks led to delayed LC migration into LN, and consumption for at least 8 weeks led to delayed dDC migration into LN following epicutaneous FITC application. Conclusions:, Chronic EtOH consumption causes decreased density of epidermal LC, which likely results in decreased epidermal immunosurveillance. It also results in altered migratory responsiveness and delayed LC and dDC migration into LN, which likely delays activation of adaptive immunity. Decreased LC density at baseline appears to be the result of an alteration in the skin environment rather than an intrinsic LC defect. These findings provide novel mechanisms to at least partially explain why chronic alcoholics are more susceptible to infections, especially those following skin penetration. [source] A decision theoretic approach to combining information filters: An analytical and empirical evaluationJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Yuval Elovici The outputs of several information filtering (IF) systems can be combined to improve filtering performance. In this article the authors propose and explore a framework based on the so-called information structure (IS) model, which is frequently used in Information Economics, for combining the output of multiple IF systems according to each user's preferences (profile). The combination seeks to maximize the expected payoff to that user. The authors show analytically that the proposed framework increases users expected payoff from the combined filtering output for any user preferences. An experiment using the TREC-6 test collection confirms the theoretical findings. [source] A 60-GHz CMOS receiver front-end with integrated 180° out-of-phase Wilkinson power dividerMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 12 2010Jen-How Lee Abstract A 60-GHz receiver front-end with an integrated 180° out-of-phase Wilkinson power divider using standard 0.13 ,m CMOS technology is reported. The receiver front-end comprises a wideband low-noise amplifier (LNA) with 12.4-dB gain, a current-reused bleeding mixer, a baseband amplifier, and a 180° out-of-phase Wilkinson power divider. The receiver front-end consumed 50.2 mW and achieved input return loss at RF port better than ,10 dB for frequencies from 52.3 to 62.3 GHz. At IF of 20 MHz, the receiver front-end achieved maximum conversion gain of 18.7 dB at RF of 56 GHz. The corresponding 3-dB bandwidth (,3 dB) of RF is 9.8 GHz (50.8,60.6 GHz). The measured minimum noise figure (NF) was 9 dB at 58 GHz, an excellent result for a 60-GHz-band CMOS receiver front-end. In addition, the measured input 1-dB compression point (P1 dB) and input third-order inter-modulation point (IIP3) are ,20.8 dBm and ,12 dBm, respectively, at 60 GHz. These results demonstrate the adopted receiver front-end architecture is very promising for high-performance 60-GHz-band RFIC applications. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:2688,2694, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25559 [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||