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Serious Problems (serious + problem)
Selected AbstractsThe new state mental hospitals in the communityNEW DIRECTIONS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, Issue 90 2001H. Richard Lamb Serious problems result when the community alternatives to state hospitalization, often driven by lower costs and an ideology that highly structured care is seldom needed, are not adequate to meet the needs of those who are severely mentally ill. [source] Hepatoprotective efficacy of certain flavonoids against microcystin induced toxicity in miceENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 5 2007R. Jayaraj Abstract Toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) water blooms have become a serious problem in several industrialized areas of the world. Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a cyanobacterial heptapeptide that represents acute and chronic hazards to animal and human health. Identification of suitable chemprotectants against microcystin is essential considering human health hazards. In the present study, we have evaluated the protective efficacy of three flavanoids namely quercetin (200 mg/kg), silybin (400 mg/kg), and morin (400 mg/kg)] pretreatment against microcystin toxicity (0.75 LD50, 57.5 ,g/kg) in mice. Various biochemical variables were measured to study the recovery profile of protected animals at 1- and 3-days post-toxin treatment. The serum alanine amino transferase (ALT) shows 17-fold increase in MC-LR treated animals compared with control group at 1 day. The silybin and quercetin group showed a decrease in level of ALT compared with MC-LR group but still higher than control group. No significant protection was observed with aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in flavanoid-treated groups at 1-day post-treatment. But at 3 days, the serum levels of AST and ALT were normalized to control values, but the serum LDH levels were still significantly higher than the control group. No significant changes were observed in glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione levels at both 1- and 3-day postexposure. The catalase activity shows a significant decrease in quercetin-treated animals at 3-day postexposure. The protein phosphatase was significantly inhibited in MC-LR group compared to control. The silybin pretreated group showed recovery after 1 day. At 3 days, the PPAse activity was reversed to control values in all the flavanoid-treated groups. Immunoblotting analysis showed microcystin-PPAse adduct in liver tissues of toxin-treated as well as flavanoid-treated mice even after 3 days. The results of this study show that flavanoids, quercetin, silybin, and morin could reverse the hepatotoxic effects of MC-LR in vivo. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 22: 472,479, 2007. [source] Toward detoxifying mercury-polluted aquatic sediments with rice genetically engineered for mercury resistanceENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 12 2003Andrew C. P. Heaton Abstract Mercury contamination of soil and water is a serious problem at many sites in the United States and throughout the world. Plant species expressing the bacterial mercuric reductase gene, merA, convert ionic mercury, Hg(II), from growth substrates to the less toxic metallic mercury, Hg(0). This activity confers mercury resistance to plants and removes mercury from the plant and substrates through volatilization. Our goal is to develop plants that intercept and remove Hg(II) from polluted aquatic systems before it can undergo bacterially mediated methylation to the neurotoxic methylmercury. Therefore, the merA gene under the control of a monocot promoter was introduced into Oryza sativa L. (rice) by particle gun bombardment. This is the first monocot and first wetland-adapted species to express the gene. The merA -expressing rice germinated and grew on semisolid growth medium spiked with sufficient Hg(II) to kill the nonengineered (wild-type) controls. To confirm that the resistance mechanism was the conversion of Hg(II) to Hg(0), seedlings of merA -expressing O. sativa were grown in Hg(II)-spiked liquid medium or water-saturated soil media and were shown to volatilize significantly more Hg(0) than wild-type counterparts. Further genetic manipulation could yield plants with increased efficiency to extract soil Hg(II) and volatilize it as Hg(0) or with the novel ability to directly convert methylmercury to Hg(0). [source] What is the likelihood that Thoroughbred foals treated for septic arthritis will race?EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 5 2004L. J. SMITH Summary Reasons for performing study: Septic arthritis is a serious problem in the neonate, with a poor prognosis being reported for recovery. The impact of neonatal septic arthritis on the likelihood that Thoroughbred (TB) foals will start on a racecourse is not known. Hypothesis: The development of septic arthritis in a TB foal significantly reduces the likelihood that it will race when compared to foals from the same dam. Methods: Medical records of 69 foals treated for septic arthritis were reviewed. The dam's foaling records were reviewed and lifetime racing records were then retrieved for both the affected foals and at least one of their siblings (controls). Outcomes that were statistically evaluated included discharge from the hospital and whether the foal eventually raced. Univariate analyses of categorical variables were conducted for each outcome. The number of affected and unaffected foals that raced at least once were compared using regression analysis. Survival analysis was used to compare age at first race between the study and comparison groups. Results: Foals with septic arthritis were less likely to start on a racecourse compared to controls (odds ratio [OR] 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12-0.62, P = 0.001), while those foals that were discharged from the hospital were also less likely to start on a racecourse compared to controls (OR 0.36; CI 0.15,0.83, P = 0.008). The presence of multisystem disease was associated with a decreased likelihood of surviving to be discharged (OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.02-0.90; P = 0.005), but did not affect the likelihood that they would start in at least one race if discharged successfully (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.04-2.81; P = 0.34) compared to the other foals with septic arthritis. Log-rank comparison of survival curves confirmed that foals discharged following treatment for septic arthritis took significantly longer to start in their first race compared to the sibling population (mean age of study group 1757 days, CI 1604-1909; mean age of sibling group 1273 days, CI 1197-1349; P = 0.0006). Conclusions: The development of septic arthritis in a TB foal significantly reduces the likelihood that it will start on a racecourse when compared to controls. Potential relevance: Accurate figures allowing a realistic assessment of the athletic future of a foal following treatment for septic arthritis are of significance for both owner and treating veterinarian. [source] The cigar as a drug delivery device: youth use of bluntsADDICTION, Issue 10 2003Stephen Soldz ABSTRACT Aims, Blunts are hollowed-out cigars used to smoke marijuana (and perhaps other substances) in the United States. We investigated rates of blunt use; whether cigar use reported in surveys may actually be blunt use; the relationship of blunt to cigar use; characteristics of blunt users; brands of cigars used to make blunts; and drugs added to blunts. Design, A school-based survey of youth, the Cigar Use Reasons Evaluation (CURE). Setting, Eleven schools across Massachusetts. Participants, A total of 5016 students in grades 7,12. Measurements, CURE items assessing blunt, cigar and cigarette use, brands used to make blunts, drugs added to blunts and demographics were used. Findings, Life-time blunt use was reported by 20.0% of the sample, with use greater among high school (25.6%) than middle school (11.4%) students, and among males (23.7%) than females (16.6%). Self-reported cigar use rates were not influenced strongly by blunt use being misreported as cigar use. In a multivariate model, blunt use was associated with male gender, higher grade in school, lower GPA, truancy, lower school attachment, not living in a two-parent family, being of ,other' race/ethnicity and current use of both cigarettes and cigars. ,Phillies' was the most popular brand of cigar for making blunts, used by 59.$% of users. ,Garcia y Vega' (18.0%) was the second most popular. Twenty-eight per cent of blunt users had added drugs other than marijuana to blunts. Conclusions, The use of blunts as a drug delivery device is a serious problem. Efforts to address it will require the cooperation of the tobacco control and substance abuse prevention systems. [source] ALL CHILDREN ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL: PRWORA'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL RESTRICTION ON IMMIGRANT CHILDREN'S ACCESS TO FEDERAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAMSFAMILY COURT REVIEW, Issue 3 2006Hyejung Janet Shin The lack of health insurance for children is a serious problem in the United States, especially for those children in families that earn too little to get private health insurance and too much to qualify for Medicare. Even within this subclass of children, immigrant children are particularly vulnerable to the problems faced by lack of health care. Nevertheless, with the passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) by Congress, equality interests of low-income immigrant children are undermined when immigrant children are denied federal benefits for the first 5 years of residency in the United States. The first part of this Note examines the importance of child health care and the long-term problems with uninsured children, especially with uninsured immigrant children and pregnant women. The next part introduces Medicaid as well as State Children's Health Insurance Program, a supplemental federal program designed to increase health care coverage to all children, while contrasting these programs in light of the restrictive anti-immigrant PRWORA provisions. The third part explains the passage of PRWORA, its anti-immigrant provisions, and how these provisions prevent needy immigrant children from receiving federally funded health care. Then, the fourth part uses both the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment to argue the unconstitutionality of the anti-immigrant provisions. Finally, the last part lays out the recommendation to amend the Social Security Act so that the PRWORA barriers can be removed and recent immigrant children can receive federally funded health care. [source] Wasted fishery resources: discarded by-catch in the USAFISH AND FISHERIES, Issue 4 2005Jennie M Harrington Abstract Fishery by-catch, especially discarded by-catch, is a serious problem in the world's oceans. Not only are the stocks of discarded species affected, but entire trophic webs and habitats may be disrupted at the ecosystem level. This paper reviews discarding in the marine fisheries of the USA; however, the type, diversity and regulatory mechanisms of the fisheries are similar to developed fisheries and management programmes throughout the world. We have compiled current estimates of discarded by-catch for each major marine fishery in the USA using estimates from existing literature, both published and unpublished. We did not re-estimate discards or discard rates from raw data, nor did we include data on protected species (turtles, mammals and birds) and so this study covers discarded by-catch of finfish and fishable invertebrates. For some fisheries, additional calculations were required to transform number data into weight data, and typically length and weight composition data were used. Specific data for each fishery are referenced in Harrington et al. (Wasted Resources: Bycatch and discards in US Fisheries, Oceana, Washington, DC, 2005). Overall, our compiled estimates are that 1.06 million tonnes of fish were discarded and 3.7 million tonnes of fish were landed in USA marine fisheries in 2002. This amounts to a nationwide discard to landings ratio of 0.28, amongst the highest in the world. Regionally, the southeast had the largest discard to landings ratio (0.59), followed closely by the highly migratory species fisheries (0.52) and the northeast fisheries (0.49). The Alaskan and west coast fisheries had the lowest ratios (0.12 and 0.15 respectively). Shrimp fisheries in the southeast were the major contributors to the high discard rate in that region, with discard ratios of 4.56 (Gulf of Mexico) and 2.95 (South Atlantic). By-catch and discarding is a major component of the impact of fisheries on marine ecosystems. There have been substantial efforts to reduce by-catch in some fisheries, but broadly based programmes covering all fisheries are needed within the USA and around the world. In response to international agreements to improve fishery management, by-catch and discard reduction must become a regular part of fishery management planning. [source] Discovery of New Green Phosphors and Minimization of Experimental Inconsistency Using a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm-Assisted Combinatorial MethodADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 11 2009Asish Kumar Sharma Abstract A multi-objective genetic algorithm-assisted combinatorial materials search (MOGACMS) strategy was employed to develop a new green phosphor for use in a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) for a back light unit (BLU) in liquid crystal display (LCD) applications. MOGACMS is a method for the systematic control of experimental inconsistency, which is one of the most troublesome and difficult problems in high-throughput combinatorial experiments. Experimental inconsistency is a very serious problem faced by all scientists in the field of combinatorial materials science. For this study, experimental inconsistency and material property were selected as dual objective functions that were simultaneously optimized. Specifically, in an attempt to search for promising phosphors with high reproducibility, luminance was maximized and experimental inconsistency was minimized using the MOGACMS strategy. A divalent manganese-doped alkali alkaline germanium oxide system was screened using MOGACMS. As a result of MOGA reiteration, we identified a phosphor, Na2MgGeO4:Mn2+, with improved luminance and reliable reproducibility. [source] On shear-wave triplications in a multilayered transeversely isotropic medium with vertical symmetry axisGEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 4 2010Yuriy Roganov ABSTRACT The presence of triplications (caustics) can be a serious problem in seismic data processing and analysis. The traveltime curve becomes multi-valued and the geometrical spreading correction factor tends to zero due to energy focusing. We analyse the conditions for the qSV-wave triplications in a homogeneous transversely isotropic medium with vertical symmetry axis. The proposed technique can easily be extended to the case of horizontally layered vertical symmetry axis medium. We show that the triplications of the qSV-wave in a multilayered medium imply certain algebra. We illustrate this algebra on a two-layer vertical symmetry axis model. [source] Mortality differences among organisms causing septicemia in hemodialysis patientsHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2006Mark D. DANESE Abstract Septicemia is a serious problem in hemodialysis patients because it can lead to life-threatening complications and a persistently elevated risk of death. Most analyses have not examined whether there are differences in mortality risk among the organisms that cause these episodes of septicemia. This study was a retrospective cohort analysis of first septicemia hospitalizations during the first year of hemodialysis. Time to death (both in-hospital and within 12 weeks post-discharge) was compared among the different septicemia-causing organisms based on discharge diagnoses in Medicare billing data from 1996 to 2001. The effect of various complications on mortality risk was also evaluated. There were 22,130 septicemia hospitalizations identified. The most common organism identified was Staphylococcus aureus (27%), with no other organism having an incidence >10%. The overall unadjusted death rate from admission through 12 weeks of follow-up was 34%. During the first hospitalization, the death rate was 14%, and during the 12-week period after the hospitalization it was 20%. In adjusted analyses, S. aureus was associated with a 20% higher risk of death both during the in-hospital period and the 12-week post-discharge period, when compared with all other specified organisms. Hospitalizations complicated by meningitis, stroke, or endocarditis were also associated with increased risk of mortality, independent of the organism causing septicemia. Septicemia hospitalizations are associated with a high mortality rate,both during the initial hospitalization and after discharge. Meningitis, stroke, and endocarditis represent particularly serious complications. Overall, septicemia hospitalizations (especially for S. aureus) are serious events, and patients would benefit from better treatment and prevention. [source] Explaining employee turnover in an Asian contextHUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT JOURNAL, Issue 1 2001Naresh Khatri Employee turnover is giving sleepless nights to HR managers in many countries in Asia. A widely-held belief in these countries is that employees have developed ,bad' attitudes due to the labour shortage. Employees are believed to job-hop for no reason, or even for fun. Unfortunately, despite employee turnover being such a serious problem in Asia, there is a dearth of studies investigating it; in particular studies using a comprehensive set of variables are rare. This study examines three sets of antecedents of turnover intention in companies in Singapore: demographic, controllable and uncontrollable. Singapore companies provide an appropriate setting as their turnover rates are among the highest in Asia. Findings of the study suggest that organisational commitment, procedural justice and a job-hopping attitude were three main factors associated with turnover intention in Singapore companies. [source] A new instrumental precipitation dataset for the greater alpine region for the period 1800,2002INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2005Ingeborg Auer Abstract The paper describes the development of a dataset of 192 monthly precipitation series covering the greater alpine region (GAR, 4,18°E by 43,49°N). A few of the time series extend back to 1800. A description is provided of the sometimes laborious processes that were involved in this work: from locating the original sources of the data to homogenizing the records and eliminating as many of the outliers as possible. Locating the records required exhaustive searches of archives currently held in yearbooks and other sources of the states, countries and smaller regional authorities that existed at various times during the last 200 years. Homogeneity of each record was assessed by comparison with neighbouring series, although this becomes difficult when the density of stations reduces in the earliest years. An additional 47 series were used, but the density of the sites in Austria and Switzerland was reduced to maintain an even coverage in space across the whole of the GAR. We are confident of the series back to 1840, but the quality of data before this date must be considered poorer. Of all of the issues involved in homogenizing these data, perhaps the most serious problem is associated with the differences in the height above ground of the precipitation gauges, in particular the general lowering of gauge heights in the late 19th century for all countries, with the exception of Italy. The standard gauge height in the early-to-mid 19th century was 15,30 m above the ground, with gauges being generally sited on rooftops. Adjustments to some series of the order of 30,50% are necessary for compatibility with the near-ground location of gauges during much of the 20th century. Adjustments are sometimes larger in the winter, when catching snowfall presents serious problems. Data from mountain-top observatories have not been included in this compilation (because of the problem of measuring snowfall), so the highest gauge sites are at elevations of 1600,1900 m in high alpine valley locations. Two subsequent papers will analyse the dataset. The first will compare the series with other large-scale precipitation datasets for this region, and the second will describe the major modes of temporal variability of precipitation totals in different seasons and determine coherent regions of spatial variability. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis presenting with recurrent oral mucosal ulcers and multiple skin lesions responding to olanzapine treatmentINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 10 2006Ulviye Atilgano, lu MD Monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis (MHP) is a form of psychosis characterized by the delusional idea that there is a serious problem in the skin or other body parts. Because MHP patients believe that their complaint is dermatological, not psychiatric, they often admit to several other medical disciplines before coming to a psychiatry clinic. This leads to a series of time-consuming examinations and treatment interventions. In this case report, we emphasize the importance of diagnosing the illness correctly and referring the patient to a psychiatrist. The patient presented in this report has been treated with a new generation neuroleptic, olanzapine. This treatment has led to complete resolution of delusional symptoms. Therefore, we conclude that knowing that MHP is a psychiatric illness allows early establishment of diagnosis and successful treatment. [source] Giving voice to the burden of blame: A feminist study of mothers' experiences of mother blamingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 4 2004Debra Jackson RN BHSc(Nsg) MN(Ed) PhD Mother blaming has been identified as a pervasive and serious problem and it is known that the professional literature has strong and entrenched mother-blaming messages. Using a feminist approach, this paper explores mother blaming as it has been experienced by a group of mothers themselves. Analysis of narrative exposes mother blaming as a burden that complicates the already-complex responsibilities that comprise mothering. Health providers are among those identified by women as being particularly likely to attribute problems with (even grown) children to maternal fault. Implications for practice and research are drawn from the findings of this paper. [source] A concept analysis of malnutrition in the elderlyJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 1 2001Cheryl Chia-Hui Chen RN MSN GNP A concept analysis of malnutrition in the elderly Purpose.,Malnutrition is a frequent and serious problem in the elderly. Today there is no doubt that malnutrition contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Unfortunately, the concept of malnutrition in the elderly is poorly defined. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the meaning of malnutrition in the elderly and to develop the theoretical underpinnings, thereby facilitating communication regarding the phenomenon and enhancing research efforts. Scope, sources used.,Critical review of literature is the approach used to systematically build and develop the theoretical propositions. Conventional search engines such as Medline, PsyINFO, and CINAHL were used. The bibliography of obtained articles was also reviewed and additional articles identified. Key wards used for searching included malnutrition, geriatric nutrition, nutritional status, nutrition assessment, elderly, ageing, and weight loss. Conclusions.,The definition of malnutrition in the elderly is defined as following: faulty or inadequate nutritional status; undernourishment characterized by insufficient dietary intake, poor appetite, muscle wasting and weight loss. In the elderly, malnutrition is an ominous sign. Without intervention, it presents as a downward trajectory leading to poor health and decreased quality of life. Malnutrition in the elderly is a multidimensional concept encompassing physical and psychological elements. It is precipitated by loss, dependency, loneliness and chronic illness and potentially impacts morbidity, mortality and quality of life. [source] Antimicrobial Resistance and Aging: Beginning of the End of the Antibiotic Era?JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 2002Thomas T. Yoshikawa MD Throughout the history of mankind, infectious diseases have remained a major cause of death and disability. Although industrialized nations, such as the United States, have experienced significant reductions in infection-related mortality and morbidity since the beginning of the "antibiotic era," death and complications from infectious diseases remain a serious problem for older persons. Pneumonia is the major infection-related cause of death in older persons, and urinary tract infection is the most common bacterial infection seen in geriatric patients. Other serious and common infections in older people include intra-abdominal sepsis, bacterial meningitis, infective endocarditis, infected pressure ulcers, septic arthritis, tuberculosis, and herpes zoster. As a consequence, frequent prescribing of antibiotics for older patients is common practice. The large volume of antibiotics prescribed has contributed to the emergence of highly resistant pathogens among geriatric patients, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and multiple-drug-resistant gram-negative bacilli. Unless preventive strategies coupled with newer drug development are established soon, eventually clinicians will be encountering infections caused by highly resistant pathogens for which no effective antibiotics will be available. Clinicians could then be experiencing the same frustrations of not being able to treat infections effectively as were seen in the "pre-antibiotic era." [source] Transgenic weed beets: possible, probable, avoidable?JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Benoît Desplanque Summary 1Weed beets pose a serious problem for sugar beet Beta vulgaris crops. Traditionally, the only efficient method of weed control has been manual removal, but the introduction of transgenic herbicide-tolerant sugar beets may provide an alternative solution because non-tolerant weed beets can be destroyed by herbicide. We evaluated the possibility that new, transgenic, weed beets may arise by gene flow between wild and crop plants. 2In a study area in northern France, weed beets were present in variable densities in sugar beet fields of up to 80 weed beet plants m,2. Weed beets arise from a long-lived seed bank, with seeds germinating from depths of 5 cm or less. In addition, diploid F1 crop,wild hybrids and triploid variety bolters (individuals with a low vernalization requirement) were present in low densities in virtually all sugar beet fields. We found gene flow to be possible between all forms, illustrated by both overlapping flowering periods in the field and successful controlled cross-pollinations. 3The F1 crop,wild hybrids result from pollination in the seed-production region by wild plants possessing the dominant bolting allele B for flowering without experiencing a period of cold. In the case of a transgene for herbicide tolerance incorporated into male-sterile seed-bearer plants, such hybrids will contain both the herbicide-tolerance and the bolting allele. Contamination of the fields by transgenic weed beets will be the result unless bolters are removed manually. The same will apply in the case of a cytoplasmically inherited transgene. 4Incorporation of the transgene into the pollinator plants will prevent the immediate formation of transgenic weed beets. However, in sugar beet fields, variety bolters may successfully cross-pollinate with weed beets in neighbouring fields. The use of diploid pollinator plants instead of tetraploids will considerably enhance gene flow towards wild beets, and is not, therefore, an attractive option. 5In conclusion, the appearance of transgenic weed beets is possible but can best be retarded if the transgene for herbicide tolerance is incorporated into the tetraploid pollinator breeding line. [source] Kinetic analysis of oxytetracycline residues in Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, muscle following intramuscular administrationJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 8 2010Q Feng Abstract Crab culture is a very important economic industry in China. An epidemic of tremor disease of Chinese mitten crabs, Eriocheir sinensis, has become a serious problem in recent years. A spiroplasm has been proved to be the causative agent of this disease. Oxytetracycline (OTC) is used widely in aquaculture and was confirmed to be very effective against this pathogen. In this study, the distribution and depletion patterns of OTC in crab muscle were evaluated following single intramuscular doses of 2, 8 and 40 mg kg,1 body weight. OTC was detected with a validated HPLC method. Concentration,time profiles were well described by a three-compartment model with first-order absorption after a single dose of 8 and 40 mg kg,1. For comparison, a non-compartment model was employed. A withdrawal time of 48.29 and 55.92 days was suggested prior to consumption after receiving 8 and 40 mg kg,1. A recommended therapeutic dose of OTC in theory was calculated to be 36.37 mg kg,1. OTC was distributed well throughout the body. The elimination of OTC in muscle was slower compared with fish and other crustaceans. A dose of 40 mg kg,1 is suggested for practical use. [source] Treatment development for systemic Tetrahymena sp. infection in guppies, Poecilia reticulata PetersJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 6 2010M Pimenta Leibowitz Abstract Antibacterial and antiparasitic agents and a cysteine protease inhibitor (E-64) were tested against Tetrahymena infection, a serious problem in guppy production worldwide. Chemicals were tested in vitro by a colorimetric assay for Tetrahymena survival. The most effective were niclosamide, albendazole and chloroquine, with 23%, 35% and 60% survival, respectively, following 2-h exposure to 100 ppm. Longer incubation periods resulted in greater reductions in survival. Niclosamide was further studied in vivo at different dosages, administered orally to Tetrahymena -infected guppies. Mortality rates were significantly lower in all treatment groups; in trial I, 30% and 33% mortality in 5 and 40 mg kg,1 niclosamide-fed fish vs. 59% mortality in controls; in trial II, 35%, 13% and 10% in 50, 100 and 200 mg kg,1 niclosamide-fed fish vs. 64% in controls. The effect of the cysteine protease inhibitor E64 was tested in tissue culture, by measuring histolytic activity of the parasite (Tet-NI) on a guppy-fin cell line, based on cell depletion. Tet-NI feeding activity was significantly reduced following pretreatment with E-64 relative to non-treated Tet-NI. E-64-pretreated Tet-NI was injected i.p. into guppies: recorded mortality rates were significantly lower (35%) than that in non-treated Tet-NI (60%), suggesting inhibition of the parasite's cysteine protease as a possible therapeutic approach. [source] Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus infection in M. rosenbergii (de Man) with white tail disease cultured in TaiwanJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 6 2008C S Wang Abstract White tail disease (WTD) is a serious problem in Macrobrachium rosenbergii hatcheries and nursery ponds in Asia. The causative agents have been identified as M. rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and its associated extra small virus. This is the first report demonstrating MrNV virus in M. rosenbergii displaying WTD signs in Taiwan by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Amplified fragments of 850 and 425 bp for RNA-1 and RNA-2 of MrNV, respectively, were obtained by RT-PCR. RT-PCR products of about 850 and 1121 bp for RNA-1 and RNA-2 of MrNV were also obtained using different primer pairs. The amplicons were individually cloned into pGEM-T vector and sequenced. Using this recombinant plasmid of MrNV RNA-2 as DNA template, the non-radioactive DNA probes were prepared by PCR amplification with DIG,11-dUTP. The probes were used to successfully detect MrNV infection in the striated muscle tissues of WTD-diseased prawns using in situ hybridization. The 1121 bp genomic fragment of RNA-2 of MrNV consisted of a unique open reading frame with 1116 nucleotides, and it encoded a structural protein with 371 amino acids. The nucleotide sequence of the partial genome of MrNV RNA-2 revealed a 97% identity with an Indian isolate. A phylogenetic tree constructed using the nucleotide sequence of the viral capsid gene from insect and fish nodaviruses revealed that the MrNV Taiwan isolate could be interpreted as a new genus within the family Nodaviridae. However, its position showed more affinity with Alphanodavirus than with Betanodavirus. The study confirmed the presence of MrNV infection in freshwater prawns cultured in Taiwan suffering from WTD. [source] Experimental vertical transmission of Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and extra small virus (XSV) from brooders to progeny in Macrobrachium rosenbergii and ArtemiaJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 1 2007R Sudhakaran Abstract White tail disease (WTD) is a serious problem in hatcheries and nursery ponds of Macrobrachium rosenbergii in India. Experiments were carried out to determine the possibility of vertical transmission of M. rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and extra small virus (XSV) in M. rosenbergii and Artemia. Prawn broodstock inoculated with MrNV and XSV by oral or immersion challenge survived without any clinical signs of WTD. The brooders spawned 5,7 days after inoculation and the eggs hatched. The survival rate of larvae gradually decreased, and 100% mortality was observed at the post-larvae (PL) stage. Whitish muscle, the typical sign of WTD, was seen in advanced larval developmental stages. The ovarian tissue and fertilized eggs were found to be positive for MrNV/XSV by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) whereas the larval stages showed positive by RT nested PCR (nRT-PCR). In Artemia, reproductive cysts and nauplii derived from challenged brooders were normal and survival rates were within the expected range for normal rearing conditions. The reproductive cysts were found to be positive for MrNV/XSV by RT-PCR whereas the nauplii showed MrNV/XSV-positive by nRT-PCR. The PL of M. rosenbergii fed nauplii derived from challenged Artemia brooders died at 9 days post-inoculum with clinical signs of WTD. [source] APPLICATION OF COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION TO THE SEPARATION OF COCOA HUSK,BEANS MIXTUREJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2007O.K. OWOLARAFE ABSTRACT Investigation was carried out on the application of coefficient of friction in the separation of cocoa beans,husk mixture. An inclined plane at angles 20, 25 and 35°rotating at different speeds (215, 250 and 260 rpm) and receiving the mixture at heights 30, 60 and 90 mm, was used for the study. The result indicates that within the range of factors considered, the separation efficiency of the beans from the mixture increases with increase in speed of rotation and height of fall, while it decreases with increase in angle of inclination. Statistical analysis shows that the effects of each of the factors and that of their interaction are significant at 99%. The best separation efficiency (99%) was observed at a speed of 250 rpm, an angle of inclination of 25° and a height fall of 90 mm. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Separation of cocoa beans from the husks has been a serious problem in cocoa processing. Handpicking is still being used to separate the mixture of cocoa beans,husk even with the mechanical pod breaker available. This therefore constitutes a tedious operation. An inclined plane mechanism tested for the separation of the mixture in this study can be incorporated into the design of the cocoa pod processor to reduce the drudgery involved in cocoa processing and improve the quality of the product. [source] The effects of insect pathogenic soil fungi and ectomycorrhizal inoculation of birch seedlings on the survival of Otiorhynchus larvaeAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Edda S. Oddsdottir 1Weevil larvae of the genus Otiorhynchus are a serious problem in agriculture and forestry, causing damage to a wide range of plant species, primarily by larval feeding on roots. Otiorhynchus larvae are a serious pest in forest plantations in Iceland, causing 10,20% mortality of newly-planted seedlings. 2We studied the effects of soil fungi on the survival of Otiorhynchus sulcatus larvae. The larvae were introduced into pots with birch seedlings grown in: (i) nursery peat; (ii) nursery peat inoculated with three different species of ectomycorrhizal fungi; (iii) nursery peat inoculated with insect pathogenic fungi; (iv) nursery peat inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi and insect pathogenic fungi; and (v) nursery peat inoculated with natural forest soil from Icelandic birch woodland. 3Larval survival was negatively affected by inoculation of: (i) the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria laccata; (ii) the ectomycorrhizal fungus Cenococcum geophylum; (iii) the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae; and (iv) forest soil. Inoculation with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Phialophora finlandia did not have any significant effect on larval survival. No significant synergistic effect was found between insect pathogenic and ectomycorrhizal fungi. 4It is concluded that ectomycorrhizal and insect pathogenic fungi have a significant potential in biological control of Otiorhynchus larvae in afforestation areas in Iceland. Further studies are needed to establish the effect of these fungi in the field and to analyse how mycorrhizal fungi affect root-feeding larvae. [source] Adulteration of Chinese herbal medicines with synthetic drugs: a systematic reviewJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2002E. Ernst Abstract.,Ernst E. (University of Exeter, Exeter, UK). Adulteration of Chinese herbal medicines with synthetic drugs: a systematic review (Review Article). J Intern Med 2002; 252: 107,113. The popularity of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) demands a critical analysis of safety issues. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize data regarding adulterations of CHMs with conventional drugs. Literature searches were carried out in six databases. Articles containing original data on adulterations were considered without language restrictions. Eighteen case reports, two case series and four analytical investigations were identified. The list of adulterants contains drugs associated with serious adverse effects like corticosteroids. In several instances, patients were seriously harmed. One report from Taiwan suggests that 24% of all samples were contaminated with at least one conventional pharmacological compound. It is concluded that adulteration of CHMs with synthetic drugs is a potentially serious problem which needs to be addressed by adequate regulatory measures. [source] Characterization of tick-borne encephalitis virus from latvia: Evidence for co-circulation of three distinct subtypesJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 4 2001Åke Lundkvist Abstract Viruses of the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) antigenic complex within the family Flaviviridae cause a variety of diseases, including uncomplicated febrile illness, meningoencephalitis, and hemorrhagic fever. Different domesticated animals or wildlife species often act as reservoir hosts and ixodid ticks serve as vectors. Although TBE is a serious problem in Latvia, the knowledge concerning TBE virus (TBEV) strains circulating in the country is most limited. Only two strains (Latvia-1-96 isolated from a TBE patient, and RK1424 originating from an Ixodes persulcatus tick), which belonged to the Siberian and the Far Eastern subtypes of TBEV, respectively, have previously been characterized. In the present study, we concentrated on the western and central regions of Latvia, with predominantly Ixodes ricinus ticks. Five virus strains were isolated from serum samples of patients with clinical symptoms of an acute TBE infection. Nucleotide sequences encoding the envelope (E) protein of TBEV, which were recovered from the five TBEV isolates, showed the highest level of identity to the corresponding sequences of the prototype strain Neudoerfl and other European strains of the Western TBEV subtype characterized previously. Accordingly, phylogenetic analysis placed the new Latvian isolates within the Western genetic lineage of TBEV. Taken together with earlier observations, the results proved that all three TBEV subtypes are co-circulating in Latvia and indicated that the genetic diversity of TBEV within certain geographical areas is much more complex than previously believed. J. Med. Virol. 65:730,735, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Quantitative mouse model of implant-associated osteomyelitis and the kinetics of microbial growth, osteolysis, and humoral immunity,JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2008Dan Li Abstract Although osteomyelitis (OM) remains a serious problem in orthopedics, progress has been limited by the absence of an in vivo model that can quantify the bacterial load, metabolic activity of the bacteria over time, immunity, and osteolysis. To overcome these obstacles, we developed a murine model of implant-associated OM in which a stainless steel pin is coated with Staphylococcus aureus and implanted transcortically through the tibial metaphysis. X-ray and micro-CT demonstrated concomitant osteolysis and reactive bone formation, which was evident by day 7. Histology confirmed all the hallmarks of implant-associated OM, namely: osteolysis, sequestrum formation, and involucrum of Gram-positive bacteria inside a biofilm within necrotic bone. Serology revealed that mice mount a protective humoral response that commences with an IgM response after 1 week, and converts to a specific IgG2b response against specific S. aureus proteins by day 11 postinfection. Real-time quantitative PCR (RTQ-PCR) for the S. aureus specific nuc gene determined that the peak bacterial load occurs 11 days postinfection. This coincidence of decreasing bacterial load with the generation of specific antibodies is suggestive of protective humoral immunity. Longitudinal in vivo bioluminescent imaging (BLI) of luxA-E transformed S. aureus (Xen29) combined with nuc RTQ-PCR demonstrated the exponential growth phase of the bacteria immediately following infection that peaks on day 4, and is followed by the biofilm growth phase at a significantly lower metabolic rate (p,<,0.05). Collectively, these studies demonstrate the first quantitative model of implant-associated OM that defines the kinetics of microbial growth, osteolysis, and humoral immunity following infection. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Orthop Res 26:96,105, 2008 [source] Progress in Wheat Resistance to Spot Blotch in BangladeshJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2006A. B. Siddique Abstract Spot blotch, caused by Cochliobolus sativus, is considered one of the most destructive diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in the warm areas of South Asia. Over the past 20 years, wheat breeding efforts in the region have improved spot blotch resistance in susceptible commercial cultivars. This study assessed resistance and spot blotch-induced yield losses in newly released wheat cultivars developed in Bangladesh since the release of the landmark wheat variety ,Kanchan'. Replicated field studies were conducted during the 2003 and 2004 wheat seasons at two sites: a farmer's field and a research station in a warm region of Bangladesh where spot blotch has been a serious problem. Spot blotch affected 60% of the crop and caused yield losses of from 2% to 22%. Disease severity and disease-induced grain yield reductions were less in wheat genotypes developed since 1983, with a corresponding trend towards higher yield in newly developed varieties. The level of resistance to spot blotch in the new cultivars and advanced breeding lines represents considerable progress in breeding for resistance over the past two decades. [source] Prevalence and Patterns of Alcohol Consumption and Health-Risk Behaviors Among High School Students in ThailandALCOHOLISM, Issue 12 2009Sawitri Assanangkornchai Background:, Underage drinking is a significant social and public health problem in Thailand. We report the prevalence and patterns of alcohol consumption and associated health-risk behaviors using data from a 2007,2008 national school survey. Method: A cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among 50,033 high school and vocational college students from 201 schools in 40 provinces between December 2007 and February 2008. Results: The prevalence rates of past-year drinking, past-30-day binge drinking, and drinking until intoxication were 25.5, 9.5, and 17.3% in boys and 14.5, 3.7, and 7.2% in girls, respectively. Higher school levels, lower grades, living with someone other than their own parents, and having family members with substance or alcohol problems were significantly associated with all kinds of drinking. Binge drinkers were significantly more likely to have drinking consequences, e.g., driving after drinking, nausea and vomiting, and having a hangover than were nonbinge drinkers. The rates of other behavior and emotional problems were 2.5 to 6.7 times as likely in drinkers as nondrinkers, including smoking (35.1% vs. 4.9%), prescription drug misuse (17.7% vs. 6.7%), illicit substance use (17.8% vs. 2.4%), carrying a weapon (6.5% vs. 1.8%), feeling depressed (23.2% vs. 10.9%), suicidal attempt (10.5% vs. 3.8%), and sexual intercourse (30.5% vs. 5.7%). Conclusion: Alcohol consumption is a serious problem among adolescents in Thailand and is strongly associated with various health-risk behaviors. Effective age- and gender-specific interventions should be implemented to discourage underage drinking and associated adverse health and social consequences. [source] Dose dependence of radiation damage for protein crystals studied at various X-ray energiesJOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION, Issue 1 2007Nobutaka Shimizu Radiation damage to protein crystals is the most serious problem in obtaining accurate structures from protein crystallography. In order to examine the photon energy dependence of radiation damage, 12 to 15 data sets from each of nine tetragonal lysozyme crystals were collected at nine different X-ray energies (6.5, 7.1, 8.3, 9.9, 12.4, 16.5, 20.0, 24.8 and 33.0,keV) using beamline BL41XU at SPring-8. All results were compared on the basis of absorbed dose, expressed in Gray (Gy). Crystallographic statistics, such as the values of lattice constants, Rmerge and I/,(I), for each data set degraded at all nine energies as the exposure time for each crystal increased. In all data sets, radiation damage was observed after the absorbed dose exceeded 106,Gy. However, from the point of view of crystallographic statistics normalized to the absorbed dose, no clear dependence on photon energy was observed in these results. Structural refinement showed that the average B -factor for the last data set was larger than that for the first data set at all energies tested. However, no energy dependence of radiation damage on B -factor was found. Furthermore, disruption of disulfide bonds due to radiation damage was observed in electron density maps even at the highest photon energy (33,keV) used in this study. Therefore, these results suggest that radiation damage in the energy range investigated could be evaluated based on absorbed dose without energy dependence, and that it is important to minimize the absorbed dose in a crystal sample for obtaining an accurate protein structure. [source] Subsurface drainage for reversing degradation of waterlogged saline landsLAND DEGRADATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2006D. P. Sharma Abstract In irrigated agriculture of arid and semiarid regions waterlogging coupled with salinity is a serious problem. Experimental evidence at several locations has led to the realization that subsurface drainage is an essential intervention to reverse the processes of land degradation responsible for the formation of waterlogged saline lands. This paper presents the results of a study conducted from 1995 to 2000 to evaluate the impacts of subsurface drainage on soil properties, groundwater-table behaviour and crop productivity in a waterlogged saline area of 2200,ha. A subsurface drainage system was installed at 1·6,m depth with 60,m drain spacing covering an area of 1200,ha (23 blocks) during 1997,99 and compared with an undrained block of 1000,ha. Subsurface drainage facilitated the reclamation of waterlogged saline lands and a decrease in the soil salinity (ECe, dS,m,1) that ranged from 16·0 to 66·3,per,cent in different blocks. On average, 35·7,per,cent decrease in salt content was observed when compared with the initial value. Provision of subsurface drainage controlled the water-table below the root zone during the monsoon season and helped in bringing the soil to optimum moisture content for the sowing of winter crops. In the drained area, the increase in yields of different crops ranged from 18·8 to 27·6,per,cent. However, in the undrained area the yield of different crops decreased due to the increased waterlogging and soil salinity problems. Overall the results indicated that investment in subsurface drainage is a viable option for reversing the land degradation of waterlogged saline lands in a monsoon climate. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||